Before Ever After's Book Birthday at NYC!

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!