Hi, Campers! I’m back! I’m still in a jet lag fog so this will have to be a show and tell post. I haven’t quite remembered how to spell yet.
We're not in Kansas anymore.
First stop - Shake Shack!
Feel free to lick your computer screen.
Why, hello there, Captain Jack! Say hi to The Doctor for me 
Lunch with the awesome team from Crown/Random House
Book in the wild sighting at Barnes & Noble!
Was thrilled to see a friend's book at B&N. Deborah - look! look! It's THE LANTERN! (Guys, you have to check this out!)
Who says window shopping isn't fun?
Paying a visit to the Consul General Mario Lopez de Leon and Consul Elena Maningat
Gulp. No backing out now.
But first, mimosas at my literary agency. Cheers!
Celebrating with the first person who took a chance on me - my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan
Before Ever After's cozy little home in the lobby of the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency
It's show time at the NYC Philippine Center! L to R: Deputy Consul General Tess de Vega, Stephanie Rostan, Terrified author, Catherine Cullen (Crown - publicity), my editor Kate Kennedy.
For the record, Kate has a way with words both on the page and off
So glad this blog post doesn't come with a sound clip.
And this is why I was so nervous.
Overwhelmed. Humbled. GRATEFUL.
Hands down, the highlight of my evening
Hmm. I wonder if anyone can actually decipher my handwriting?
Found a dear college friend! The last time I saw her was FIFTEEN years ago.
Capping the evening off with wine, tapas and good friends
No book birthday party would be complete without chocolate - FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE at Serendipity 3, to be precise.
I needed the chocolate to fuel a quick trip to Washington D.C. to meet the...
...The Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr
I hope he enjoys the book. Eeep.
Huge thanks to Vice Consul Corina Apostol for arranging our visit to the embassy!
And another huge thanks to Tina and Nicole for sharing a lovely evening in DC with me!
And last, but definitely not the least, THANK YOU to JAY POBLADOR of THE NATIONAL at Lexington Ave for an unforgettable celebration dinner for Before Ever After!
The National is officially my new favorite restaurant. Best.Dinner.Ever.
Check out our PERSONALIZED menu!
Now that's what I call a happy ending
And because I am a woman of my word – I owe SOPHIA THE WRITER an EIGHTIES photo in exchange for the new hairdo she promises to debut on her blog.
A moment of silence for the can of hairspray that gave up its life for this photo...
That’s all for now, campers! I have another crazy week coming up so I’m afraid I will continue to be scarce. See you soon!
here I am again people stalking at the book launch, haha!
congratulations!
the chocolate and the desserts also look AWESOME!
I was definitely NOT counting calories on this trip! Haha!
PS – notice I deliberately ignored the last photo, wahahahaha!
I noticed – LOL!!!!!!!
Congrats!
Thank you!!!
congtratulations Ms. Samantha more power to you. You’re book is really a hit. more books pleaseeee
Thank you so much! I’m writing my next book now. Wish me luck!
What a fantastic “Happy Ever After” for your lovely novel, Sam! This is HUGE, and very well deserved. And you look absolutely stunning in that white dress.
(Very very sweet of you to let The Lantern barge into your limelight – thank you!! I shall copy that pic if I may.)
Thanks, Deborah! And congratulations on The Lantern’s success!
Congratulations on everything!! I’m so happy for you!! I hope you get a moment to breathe and take it all in, it must seem sureal at times!! I love the new site too, really cool!! Thank you for always leaving the nicest comments on my site, it means so much to me! Take care!! Hope you get a little rest!!
Thanks, Kathy! It’s been pretty crazy lately. I’m grateful – but do I miss my blogging routine and friends. Looking forward to things settling down and easing back into a typical day
Congratulations Sam! I am so happy for you. By the way, I have seen Before Ever After in the wild too! My local B&N has it on their “New Fiction” table at the front of the store! I’ll take a picture and send it to you. I’m still sad about not being able to see you that Friday night.
No worries about missing the launch, Mieke. I’m sure that we’ll get another chance to meet up. We have SOOOO many common friends
Congratulations! what a fantastic trip!
And you look really pretty in your 80s photo! Mine will be forever buried!
Haha! I’m just glad that we didn’t have FB, Twitter and mobile phones in the 80s – can you imagine how many scary photos would be floating around the internet and haunting us FOREVER???
Soooo thrilled for you, Sam! I’m an Ateneo mom too, and I just have to tell you that you are simply inspiring Ü Kris (OC Mom) mentioned that you were freaking out being away on exam week, but academics are nothing compared to what you are giving your son by way of example. Can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you!
(But trust me, I will NEVER leave during exam week again. My mom will kill me! Haha!)
congratulations. looks like such a fun time. here from amy lunderman’s place.
Thank you! Glad you stopped by
oh man… i don’t know what i want more, Captain Jack, or that burger.
Wait…why do they have to be mutally exclusive?! I’ll take both please!
Haha! True! I’ll be happy to have him at every meal!
Awesome!!
Can’t wait to hear more. Wow, looks like you did NYC right. And, yes, I want that frozen hot chocolate!!!
Thanks! I have a Manila Book Fair, a Singapore launch and a San Francisco Book fest coming up. Lots of things to share soon! And hopefully, there will be more chocolate too!
I had chills the whole time while reading this! (and not just because I knew what was coming at the end ;P)
It’s been amazing to follow your journey – it makes our own journeys feel that much more real and helps me to visualize the outcome I seek.
And you’re ADORABLE as usual – soooo pretty. Your 80′s hair is amazing. lol
Hahaha! And for the record – if I thought that your new hair was “hipster” rather than “hippie” I would never have posted this pic!!!
wowza,Samwise, I’m immensely happy that you had such a great time and that the premiere of the book was such a great event!
You looked totally smashing at Philippine Center and in the embassy
Gorgeous.
Is deciphering your handwriting something on my account
So, glad you’ve had great time and also that you are back, although it seems like you were natural in New York
Haha! YES – my insecurity about my handwriting is TOTALLY your fault
Congratulations, Sam! You looked awesome in all of the photos, but I was very distracted by that frozen hot chocolate.
*sits quietly in imagined chocolate shock*
Haha! I don’t blame you. I’ve caught myself staring (and slobbering) at that pic too!
I am in almost at the middle of your lovely book…laughing and crying my way through! You do us proud! Bravo, bravo!!!
Thank you so much!!! I hope you enjoy the rest of the book!
I wish I had known about your visit to DC. It would have been an honor to meet the author of such an amazing book.
Aww…thanks, Melissa! I might swing by again this October. I’ll keep you posted!
How fantastic! What an amazing experience.
Welcome back
Thanks, Lynda! It’s been a crazy/amazing/surreal experience so far
So happy for you, Sam!
Looks like a great day, with friends, enthusiastic readers, interesting visits, your book on the shelves – ànd chocolate!
Thanks. K.C.! I thought that it was going to be pretty hard to top the thrill of seeing my book out in the wild…until I tasted that chocolate
Hi Sam, thanks for the comments in my blog. Yes, looking forward to meeting you in person. Im currently reading your book, now Im on page 199…more pages to browse… still dont know where the story ends!
Thanks, Rey! I hope you enjoy the journey!
Congratulations!! I’m so excited for you.
BTW, you looked totally gorgeous at the book signing.
Thanks, Connie! (I thought I was going to faint from fear and sucking my gut in. LOL
)
Congratulations! Your book is really amazing.
))) I read your novel instead of studying for our exams ha ha! I’m proud to be a filipino because of your book and it really inspires me to write my own. 
More powers to you!
PS. I hope you could also sign my book. Ha ha ha!
Haha! Thanks! I hope you did well in your exams!
Love the dresses! Congrats! Wow!!! You are a super!!!
Thanks!!! (Trying my best to look “authorly” LOL
)
Wow, what an amazing trip! Love the pics, and I love your dresses! You look fantastic, and I’d never guess from the pics that you were nervous. Love the Serendipity pic, I’m totally craving some hot chocolate now.
Congratulations on all of this!
Thanks!!! If only talking in front of a crowd was as easy as slurping chocolate…
Congratulations, Sam! As others have said, I was a little distracted by the frozen hot chocolate. (What? Yum!) I’m so happy for you! May you never have to order off another regular menu again!
Haha! Thanks, my dear! I knew I should have posted that chocolate photo at the END of this post!
Have you managed to sleep yet or are you still on Cloud Nine
Ah…sleep…I remember it well…
Very cool. Everything is coming together for you. Can’t wait to read Before Ever After.
Thanks, Tina! It’s been EXHAUSTING – but the happy kind of tired
I’ve heard Miracle Day isn’t very good; now, I’m scared to watch it. I really hope they have an episode or three with Jack with Matt Smith. That would be grand!
I -like- your 80s hair. You look awesome!
Miracle Day has grown on me. It had a slow start but things are looking up. I would DIE if they had a Torchwood and Doctor Who crossover episode!!!
You’re living the dream, girl! I’m so excited about all the success Before Ever After is experiencing. Can’t wait to read it!!! Oh, and I’m LOVING the hair
Your caption made me LOL 
Haha! Let us not speak of the hair. EVER. AGAIN
Congratulations!! That’s so amazing and I almost did lick my screen!!
Go ahead! I tried it – it tastes good!
OMGOSH!!!! Oh Sam that is surreally COOL!!!!
First (and most importantly) I LOVE that white/cream dress you were wearing at the book lauch. You look absolutely gorgeous darling.
Okay now back to the other stuff. *SQUEEEEEEEEE!* It looks like you had an amazing time. And I sooooo don’t blame you for being a bit overwhelmed. I’m surprised your head didn’t explode with all that book launch coolness.
I’m really happy for you girl.
P.S. I WANT A FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE!!!!
Duuuuude – that dress required a LOT of sucking in. Thank God for “strategic ruching!” Haha!
You look lovely in all of the photos. Those burgers look delicious and frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity is one of my favorite things!
Isn’t it the best??? I was thinking of getting one of their crazy sundaes but I was worried I was going to lapse into a sugar coma!
YIkes, how did I miss this post? What a fabulous week you had! And such fabulous photos! And how much do I LOVE your white dress?
Congrats, congrats, congrats!
Because you are busy editing your amazing SECOND novel, that’s why! You go, girl!
Congratulations Samantha!
A job well done. You book is in my home, my dear mother has first dibs and then I will be diving into it. We are both very excited and pleased for you and wish you continued success in all your writing endeavours.
Also, the photos were uber-cool! Happy times!
Cheers, Jenny
Thank you so much, Jenny!!! I hope you and your mom enjoy the book!!
Samantha I’m so happy for you!! I love the picture of your children seeing you, their faces are priceless!! They are so proud of their mommy!!! You look so beautiful. Looks like everything went perfectly and everything you deserve!! Much love to you!!
Hi, Kathy! Thank you!
(The kids in the photos are my friend’s children. We couldn’t bring our kids on this trip because they had school.)
Congratulations Sam! What a great achievement!
Thank you, Muriel!
i can only imagine how exciting it must be to launch a book like this. congratulations again!
Thanks for stopping by again, Ed!