The title probably caught your attention huh? Well it is definitely something worth writing about.
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It started out as any other ordinary day. I woke up normally and ate the leftover noodles and half a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast.
Looking around the messy room, I plugged in a wireless broadband and went on my laptop to check my emails, homework, and a billion notifications from facebook. I also chatted with my friends from halfway across the world.
My parents came home and I had just finished pulling a silly prank on one of my friends through facebook, she's a sweetie :)
I took a shower and got ready to go to the Podium to hopefully get a chance for a signing from Mr. Sparks.
Normal right? A typical teenager life?
Well.. this is how it really starts.
I walked into the Podium excitedly with a big smile on my face. We had arrived at the Podium. The place where my favourite author would be in a few more hours.
The clock struck one.
We had just picked up my sister from her school. There was a Halloween party so she had face paint on and looked like a werewolf. Hair and all.
My dad was withdrawing some money from the ATM machine and I was rushing to the bathroom wiping of the dark werewolf facepaint of my little sister. Smudge. Oops :P
Going back to my dad, he told me to go upstairs to line up for the lucky draw.
Indeed. I hope I was the Lucky one.
When I went up, the first 50 people were already there. A bummer for me, as I tried to get there early. So I lined up behind a girl in a blue top and smiled waiting to get a draw.
After 5-10 mins of waiting or so, I was finally there!!! The lady called me up to pick up a piece of papaer from the box.
My fingers crossed, eyes shut, I absolutely wished to get in! I dreamed of meeting Mr. Sparks, talking to him, maybe have tea? haha.
But I even wrote/blogged about a daydream I had to meet him. But that's a different sotry.
(If you want to read, it's here in the link below)
Anyways, I opened my eyes with a big smile on my face. Yet trying to act calm and professional. I just KNEW I was going to get it. I knew it!! I had bought the book about 3 weeks or so prior to this day. And well, finished reading it in 2 days :)
Not to mention reading 3 of his other books!!
The paper. In my hand. Rolled up.
Was it going to be a yes or a no? Was I going to get in or not? My mind whirled with questions.
Was I going to end up like the girl and boy in line before me who shouted for joy when they got it? Or was I going to cry, sad?
Well I didn't cry that's for sure.
But I did feel like it.
I opened the small scroll of white paper.
SORRY.
Was sprawled across it.
"You win orange juice."
Depressing right?
I'm serious, we just got an orange juice. It wasn't a walk in the park. I was sad. So sad.
But I didn't show it, trying to keep a positive attitude.
Yeah, sure, I didn't get in. I didn't win a signing. You know? The one that I've been excited for??
*Sigh* It's not like He's my favourite author and I always reread his books many times is it?
Nevermind, that was a lie, because he IS my favourite author and I DO reread his books. A lot. (and learn many things, get inspired, and wonderstruck)
My dad was sad for me too. he brought the camera and wanted me to get a signing.
The mood wasn't that depressing, well it was, but not bad.
I went up on stage and got a picture with his poster though! And sat on the couch yay! And well... still didn't win that draw.
After taking some pictures, we went and had some cheesecake.
My sister gobbled up her mango cheesecake while I thought about things and my dad was on his iPad.
"Do you want to go home?" my dad said interrupting my thoughts.
"No," I sad cooly, "I want to at least see him."
So we stayed.
Walking around the mall for a bit. Then we went to the 4th floor. My sister in a toystore while I thought sadly. People were passing me happily and I kept staring at their signing pass numbers stuck on them.
My dad called me to the railing of the 4th floor looking down and pointing to the line for the draws. There were only 4 or 5 people in it. Not much. And he noticed a pattern. They all won. They all got a YES. We couldn't believe it.
More people came, and they won too!
My dad had a feeling.
We all went downstairs and we purchased yet ANOTHER Nicholas Sparks book. "The Best of Me" even though I already had it. Just so I could enter the draw again.
Standing in line, then infront of that box again.
I chose my paper carefully this time.
I unrolled it slowly.
And.
Well.
YES.
:)))
Oh happy day!
I was dancing! WHOO.
Then I read the number on the signing pass... Number 700... OH.
So I was going to be the 700th one to get it signed? That's cool too!!!!
But then the kind lady replaced it with number 591. :) So yay! Closer to the signing.
---
Just when I thought things were back to normal.
We then ate at subway, normal.
Then went back down to the screaming crowd.
Normal again.
My dad. What would I do without him?
He went towards the elevator of the second floor. Close to the crowd.
He told me that Nicholas Sparks was probably going to enter through there, and he knew that it was my dream to meet him and talk with him.
Aw man, if I was the first to meet him I'd be happy!!!!! So very happy!
Though, through the elevator? Dad told me that he wouldn't go through the front entrance!
So we waited by that second floor elevator.
---
Somehow, my dad figured he'd enter at the THIRD floor elevator.
The third floor? I asked.
He said, trust me. With the camera in his hand.
--
Waiting. It's been 30mins!!! He hasn't come yet. 5:30pm already.
People were coming and going through those elevators. It was nerve wrecking.
I eased my self by singing out loud some Taylor Swift songs to myself. Totally normal there.
---
"Okay! This is it!!! He's coming out now! Get ready!!!!" my dad said.
I didn't believe him. Well sorta. I just stood there, still getting ready.
Nope. It wasn't him. Just more employees coming out of the elevator.
Screams arose from outside the room. We ran out.
Nicholas Sparks was on stage already?! Is that why people were screaming?
---
Nope. It was just a diversion, I think. It happened at least three times, fooling us.
Sigh.
--
"This is it! He's here get ready!!"
My dad had said for the tenth time.
Again, more employees came out, but WAIT. OMGSH.
After the employees, guards, there was.. there was... NO. I could not believe my eyes.
THERE. IN THE FLESH.
Was Nicholas Sparks himself!
Was Nicholas Sparks himself!
Whoa. I did not see that coming.
"J! Say Hi!"
I froze on the spot. I was absolutely starstruck. He looked so cool. Wow.
"HI!" I managed to pull out a squeak sounding like a little girl or a mouse. Or maybe even in between.
"Hi there!" he replied.
Whoa. Nicholas Sparks just said hi to me.
He was walking quickly out of the room.
Wait a minute. My dad. My sister. Me. Nicholas Sparks. Was in a room. Just us. Whoa.
(Well also the guards, but those people don't count)
But still! The thousands of people were outside, and I was standing dumbfounded right beside him!
"I wrote a letter to you!" I said really quickly, still not believing my eyes.
I handed him a letter in which I sprawled my name and email address in it hoping that he reads it and maybe contacts me?
Hey, a girl can dream can't she? :D
"Sure sweetie I'll read it!" he took the letter with a smile on his face.
I was ecstatic!!!!!!!
I still can't believe it. I spoke to him and he spoke to me! Whoa!
"Keep walking!" my dad had said.
I followed. My legs immediately started moving, I was walking beside him. Whoa.
Then they walked faster, I was walking right behind him! I was so close! Whoa!!!
The guards didn't even stop us. This was surreal!!!
Maybe they thought we were his entourage or something :)
Then we walked down the stairs and people finally spotted him, everyone was cheering! I was too! In my head of course, with the camera in my hand.
He entered the door, backstage. I stayed outside of course, respecting him.
But wow. Still. Wow.
How did I manage to do this?
--
Moments later, my mom showed up from her work. We greeted her hello as she stood beside me.
I couldn't believe it. She was pretty much the last one to get in, and she was 3 feet from where Nicholas Sparks would be standing.
Sure enough, that was true.
I was maybe 2 or 3 feet away from where he was standing on stage. (I've got the video to prove it!)
Wowza.
---
He's was talking on the stage :) He talked about his family, where he lived, and of course his books! It was awesome! He also answered some questions. His answers were great! So great.
Mom got tons of pictures of him!
--
What? Wait, no! I'm 591!
I suddenly found myself on stage, getting a book signing from him.
How did this happen?
I was just standing by the sides, when the event people let my mother and sister go on stage.
I wasn't just going to let them go without me!
I followed them.
The thousands of people were cheering, camera's flashing.
I was on stage. With Nicholas Sparks.
I spoke nervously and fast again. I gave him my letter (The one which I was going to send when I didn't get in the draw) he said he'll read it anyways!!!! What a lovely man! :D
He signed "The Best of Me!" and also "The Lucky One!"
WITH MY NAME ON IT.
Now I really felt like The Lucky One.
Yeah, even though I mumbled my name fairly fast, because I was nervous. Even though I really wanted to talk to him and maybe have some tea?
Anyways, I took pictures with him and it was so cool!
Though, I wish I hugged him!
(Dear Nicholas Sparks, If you are reading this right now, then I say, WOW. And also feel free to contact me! hehe You rule!)
I exited the stage on the left side and realized that people were lining up on that side waiting to get a signing with him. Huh, so, we entered from the right side... that means... we entered from the opposite side? Wow, we really are the lucky ones!
Hey wait a minute... number 591... I still had my pass on. I got my signing 5th.... instead of 591st. Wow, talk about an upgrade.
Thank God for that! And my dad of course!
--
The crazyness doesn't stop there.
I was, I never thought I'd say this, INTERVIEWED.
By a tv station. WHAT!. Interviewed?
First I met Nicholas Sparks. Had a lucky signing. Then now, being interviewed! What!
I held the microphone in my hand with ease, feeling like this was something I did every day.
I looked at the camera with confidence, and flashed a nice smile at it. I spoke quite eloquently talking about Nicholas Sparks and how he has inspired me so much. Coming all the way from Canada! (That's me of course).
I looked at the camera with confidence, and flashed a nice smile at it. I spoke quite eloquently talking about Nicholas Sparks and how he has inspired me so much. Coming all the way from Canada! (That's me of course).
After that short interview, I realized I was going to be on tv sometime.
Something, I still could not believe happened.
I was still so starstruck from Mr. Sparks, I was grinning ear to ear.
A girl then approached my dad.
"Are you Chad?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.
"No. Sorry!" he replied.
"He's my dad!" I interjected in the conversation. "And if it wasn't for him, I would've never gotten a chance to meet Nicholas Sparks and go on that stage. Thank you dad!"
I was smiling wide.
My dad returned the smile and hugged me.
"Wow!" she exclaimed, holding her camera. I could see that she was a student from a school, with an ID card. With the camera, you could say that she was taking a Media course, doing a cover story. Which I found out she was.
"You got to meet him?!" she asked.
"Yes!!! I did!! It was so cool!" I replied.
Another girl came up from the crowd and stood beside her. She was wearing a cool looking black hat.
"Wow!" she said.
We introduced each other, telling our names.
"I wish I could meet him!" the girl in the hat said.
"Did you get a signing pass?" I asked.
"No," she said sadly, "I cried that I didn't."
"Yeah, she's a really big super fan of him!" the other girl replied.
Without giving it another thought, I peeled off my signing pass sticker and handed it to her.
"Here," I said with a smile, "You can have it."
She stood there with her mouth opened wide.
"Are you serious?" she asked not taking it.
I pushed it into her hand and said, "Of course I'm serious! I already got a signing! You take it! You deserve it!!!"
The girls faces both lit up into huge smiles, which of course, made me extremely happy.
"Thank you so so much!!!!!"
"It's really no problem!! Take it! Meet him!"
I gave them both a hug as they were both super happy.
--
We talked for about 3 mins, and in that short time, we exchanged phone numbers and facebooks. It was an instant friendship.
This day couldn't get any better.
Nicholas Sparks. Signing. Letter. Stage. Lucky. New Friendship.
--
I was wrong. It got better.
I found myself being asked to have an interview... AGAIN.
This time, I asked my two new friends to be with me :)
The guy gave me a microphone to speak on and asked my in Tagalog questions about how I felt tonight with Nicholas Sparks and all.
Of course, I didn't speak too much Tagalog :/ Even though I should know how.
So I spoke English anyway :)
My friends just stood beside me with the signed books I let them hold for the interview.
Another camera with lights shone upon me as I spoke again.
This was surreal.
3 interviews in one night. All from different tv stations. How. Does. This. Happen.
--
After the interview, I looked to my dad and gave him a massive hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you!!!" I exclaimed.
This night would've probably never happened if it wasn't for him.
My two new friends lined up for the book signing, extremely thankful for the pass I gave them.
My dad was the one who bought the book. He drove me all the way to the Podium.
Bought ANOTHER book when I didn't get in. Then instead of being like the crowd, lead me to the elevators, where he somehow got information that Nicholas Sparks will enter the mall. Then told me to follow him, making me get access to backstage, then on stage, then a signing! A picture!
I am so thankful. And extremely blessed.
I thank God for everything. He has definately blessed me today, even though I know I don't deserve it. I can't thank my two fathers, my dad and my Heavenly dad! They always come through for me!
All the glory to GOD!
--
So from not winning the draw, feeling completely crushed, to buying another book, trying again and winning the draw, to being 700th in signing, to being 519th in signing, then being the FIRST one to see Mr. Sparks, giving him a letter of me and my hopes and dreams of become a writer like him, to following him backstage, being 3 feet away from him, being led onto the stage, getting him to sign with MY NAME on the book "The Lucky One", getting pictures, him saying he will read my letter, then being led down, making 2 new friends, being able to bless them with a signing pass, getting interviewed 3 times...
Don't you think this is God's doing? :D
He is so good!
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Hey Mr. Sparks! If you are reading this right now and visited my blog, I would be even happier than I am right now!
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Well yeah, that's the story of How I met Nicholas Sparks... And more :)
Way different from my daydream right?
Well maybe that can come true too!
Don't Stop Believing,
J
J
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