Practically everyone who's into YA knows that Stephanie Perkins (it even hurts to say her name) came to visit the Philippines for a one week media blitz and book signing. She stopped by Cebu last Saturday and Manila last Sunday (yesterday).
And since last week, I have been posting and tweeting about her and I was super excited to see her and get my books signed. So imagine my *sorrow* when I got sick on the exact, same day of the signing. What kind of fate is this?!
I got colds and was a little feverish. I was sneezing all morning and I figured, man, I don't want to sneeze on Stephanie. So even though my mind and heart wanted to go, my body decided to stay home. I resorted to reading #StephaniePerkinsinPH tweets, which I thought would make me feel better. But no, I felt worst after seeing all those book nerds and Perkins fans fulfilling their dream. I felt sooo bad. I knew that being there meant going home really tired (because the crowd was so big, you really had to wait a long time for your turn) but still, no matter how you look at it, it will always be a great experience for those who were there.
So I was seething with envy and felt frustrated the whole time I was checking the tweets.
Now, I feel slightly better. I don't see any other choice but to feel better because it's another day and as Irish of Nocturnal Reader said, there'll probably be a next time. If not Stephanie Perkins, then another author whom I like.
This experience (or my lack thereof) is a great embodiment of a quote by Georges Bernanos (a French author):
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Source: Treasures on my Path[/caption]I overcame my sadness and now, I'm just happy that I'm not sick anymore. And some peeps did provide amazing and detailed summaries of what happened yesterday in Glorietta:
Shanelle of The Art of Escapism
Chyna of Lite-Rate-Ture
Shout out, too, to my online friend, Laila, who told me that she had fun at the Cebu signing. She was one of the cute and lucky peeps of On the Same Page - Cebu (OTSP) who wore special Stephanie Perkins shirts to the event.
#OnTheSamePageCebu wearing their @naturallysteph shirt. #StephaniePerkinsinPH pic.twitter.com/A9oKVQjARn
— National Book Store (@nbsalert) July 5, 2014Did you attend the book signing last weekend? Share your experience with me. I promise, I won't be too jealous. :)
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Awww, don't worry Joy! Mafi came here the first time, I could go because I had exam week :'( but then she came back on April! Maybe Perkins will too! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too, Jules. Wrong timing yung sakit eh. But I guess you're right. There'll be a next time. Thanks for dropping by! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you were sick that time, I assure you that the huge crowd and long lines won't make you feel better at all. There's always a next time and I'm so sure that she will be back again with a new book.
ReplyDeleteLet's meet on other book signing events! :)
You're right, Irish. My boyfriend was supposed to come with me but he got sick, too (mukhang nahawa nga ako sa kanya). More reason to not go.
ReplyDeleteSige, let's meet. Let's keep each other posted. :)
I'm sorry you weren't able to attend. Pero yeah, may next time pa naman. :) Ang alam ko, every month merong author na pupunta. And sa 2015, madami-dami din ang pupunta. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Just this morning Marie Lu announced she's coming and Colleen Hoover, too. Exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteI just saw this now and I just want to say thank you for featuring me! I am so happy it helped you, and I hope that the next time you want to go to a signing turns out great!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Shannelle! I really love your post, it was so comprehensive. Cheers for more Perkins fangirling. :)
ReplyDelete[…] Last week was spent re-reading and reviewing Stephanie Perkins’ books, tweeting about her, and basically daydreaming about the day that I’ll finally meet her. All that, just to get sick on the exact same day of the book signing. But you know that already, if you’ve read my Monday Inspiration post. […]
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