08/01/2012 - 09/01/2012

photo courtesy of Ate Gabrielle Agawin

To be honest, meeting her so soon was something I haven't expected. I thought it would be by the time that I am already working when I will get to see her in person, but THANK GOD, he has another plan!  

Back then I thought that I won't be receiving any gifts anymore since my birthday was over for about a week but then I received an e-mail from Ate Gab *drum roll please*. I remember that I have mentioned to my patatas friends how I wanted to win one of Ms. Valerie's contest so I joined one though the main prize was the accessory and not the artwork XD I told them that I would be happy with just receiving the artwork even if I would not receive the accessory. Sadly, I didn't win XD

le talk with Ate Gab

I was getting kinda suspicious by then what this would be all about but since I thought that meeting Ms. Valerie this early would be near impossible, I dismissed the thought and waited for Tuesday to happen. 

Tuesday came and I got up early and prepared myself for the day. As far as I could remember, I was a bit late for my meeting with ate Gab by the Shaw Station of MRT because I couldn't decide what to wear XD hahah. 

When we met at the Station, we went to the Jeep Terminal and rode a jeepney going to "Ugong" (if I could remember that right). We seriously had no idea where to drop off so we asked the driver to drop us off at Tiendesitas. It was already 8:30 and the said meeting with the "mystery person" was at 9 a.m. so my heart was racing. Ate Gab told me we should be dropping off in a short while as what her Mother told her but almost 30 mins has passed and the driver still haven't dropped us off. My heart beats faster and I started to think the driver had forgotten to drop us off. True enough, my gut feeling proved me right when the jeep began to return to the terminal. The driver told us that we should have dropped off at least 15 mins after we rode the jeepney as Tiendesitas was really near. Trying to kept my cool, I just smiled and laughed at the situation so as to not spoil my day. We then rode a taxi which dropped us at Tiendesitas at around 9:20.

When we dropped off the taxi ate Gab asked me "Nandyan na ba siya?"

"Pano ko malalaman eh di ko nga kilala kung sino i-memeet natin, hahaha.. kahit na makita ko siya hindi ko naman alam kung siya ba ime-meet natin o hindi.. haha" , I replied

And then as we drew near Starbucks (the meeting place), as if it was in the movies, I saw a beautiful, white skinned young lady by the huge window of the store. Seriously, without any exaggeration, the moment felt like it was in slow-mo. The only things missing were the angels floating above her and the heavenly background music. I WAS LEFT STARSTRUCKED 

"OHMYGOD! ATE GAB! WAHHHH!! OHMYGOD!", and then I started hitting ate Gab's shoulder. (This is how I usually am when I am overly happy or excited.

I really didn't know what to do. My mind went blank and all so all I could do was say "OH MY GOD" and hit ate Gab's shoulder multiple times(I feel really bad now that I think about it, sorry ate XD). ONLY ONE THING was clear in my mind that time, I WAS REALLY HAPPY.  

As we stepped closer to the doors of the store I kept on thinking what I should say and how  I should react what I should do and stuff. And then we drew nearer and nearer to her seat, my heart and mind were about to explode. My knees begin shaking and then I started trembling. Ate Gab tapped her gently and told her about us.

We sat down beside her and started talking. Because of my limited social abilities (then add my extreme awkwardness times 99 when I see or am near someone who I really admire), I was really awkward and seriously, I have no idea how I should act and how I should talk. Fortunately, as minutes passed by I began to calm down and we began talking in a sort-of normal way. 

precious moments ♥

During our talk I really learned a lot about illustrations, the career and some things about her and other good stuffs. Just seeing her already made me happy so the opportunity to talk to her plus receive something from her was enough to send me smiling a couple of weeks after. She was really pretty and kind in person and I was kinda shocked that she would make time for a fan like me given how busy she is. So the thought that she made time for me really touched my heart.  I got more determined pursuing this career because of this experience

from Ms. Valerie ♥

If there was one thing though that I TERRIBLY regret, it was that we forgot to offer Ms. Valerie any drink or treat OTL super fail. I feel so ashamed of myself every time I remember it ; A ;  Sorry Ms. Valerie. I do hope that someday in some ways I could return the favor and the happiness you have given me. Words could not contain all of the emotions that I had that day. 

I'm just so thankful for Ate Gab for making this surprise for me. I mean it hasn't been a year since I got close to her and she thought of making me feel special on my birthday. It has been one of the greatest surprise I have ever had for my entire life so far. I am really lucky to have such loving friends and your friends ate are surely lucky to have someone as thoughtful and kind as you. I do hope that I could somehow make you happy the way you made me last July 24. It was because of you (and all the other potatoes) that I became so happy during my birthday. Surely, every time I'll look back to this experience, it will bring smile on my face. Thank You Ate! ♥