What do the Tardis, the US Congress, and Crickets Have in Common?

No, this is not a trick question. I just got back from a whirlwind trip to the West Coast and I assure you that I'm still too jet lagged to come up with puzzles or play tricks. The answer is simple: ME! These three things were just some of the pleasant surprises during my trip. But I am getting ahead of my story. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

October is Filipino American Heritage Month in the US. Over the course of the month, events are organized to celebrate the historical contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. I was lucky enough to have been invited to participate in some of these events across California. My first stop was the Filipino American Book Festival in San Francisco.

The festival was held at the San Francisco Public Library.

Trying my best to look like I belonged on the "How to Get Published" panel. Gulp. Oh, and in case you're wondering who that lovely lady in blue is, that just happens to be TESS URIZA HOLTHE, the bestselling author of the book, WHEN THE ELEPHANTS DANCE.

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My advice on how to get published? FOLLOW THE CHICKENS. (If you're scratching your head, I KNOW you haven't read Before Ever After yet )

I was also invited to do a reading of Before Ever After. Dear God, that auditorium was HUGE...

Showtime!

To watch a video of the reading, click HERE.

Met some of my hubby's old friends at the festival. The Quizon brothers were in town to promote their dad's book.

You can read more about  Filipino Showbiz icon, Dolphy's biography HERE.

Thank you to Gemma Nemenzo for inviting me to this very special event!

Meet my before, ever, and after The hubby and I squeezed in a little sightseeing while we were there.

And what trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to Fentons Creamery??

Or a side trip to Sonoma for some vino?

Cheers!

Before you start thinking that all I did during the trip was eat ice cream and drink wine (I only did that 80% of the time ), here's a glimpse of the fun, er, work I did in San Diego.

Presenting Before Ever After to Mayor Morrison of National City. 40% of his constituents are Filipino Americans.

Book signing at Barnes & Noble at Mira Mesa in my "ten minute" shoes.

Thank God for chairs and other creature comforts like Dr. James Lee's patented ergonomic "UGLEE" pen. Thanks, Dr. James and Dr. Tess!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

I've received flowers at book signings before, but I have to say that I'll take a TARDIS over roses any day of the week!

My precious limited edition Tardis bobble head - serial number 2845/3000 has materialized in my living room!

And just when I thought my Tardis gift was impossible to beat…

I received a little blue folder containing...

THIS! Thank you, US Congressman Bob Filner!

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The certificate of recognition was presented during a luncheon hosted by the Philippine American Business Improvement and Development Board. Congressman Filner was represented by Special Assistant, Mr. Manny Doria.

Also present at the event was California Legislator, former Mayor of Chula Vista Shirley Horton.

Sending out a HUGE THANKS to Phil AM BID co-founder and chairperson, the AMAZING Edna Consing Concepcion who arranged all my events in San Diego

 After San Diego, I was off to LA for the last stop of the trip. After receiving the Tardis and US Congress certificate, I didn't think that much else would surprise me.

I was wrong.

I was invited to participate in an author panel and book reading at the Carson Public Library. As if it wasn't amazing enough to be in the same panel as multi-awarded author and editor, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, I got to read from my book surrounded by a special exhibit of "lost" World War II photographs in commemoration of Filipino American Heritage Month. The rare and moving photos depicted how Filipinos and Americans fought side by side during the war - but what made them extraordinary was that they were all rescued from a DUMPSTER in an alley in LA.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to donate two copies of Before Ever After to the library. Watch as I magically blend into the wall decor as I present the books to librarian Leticia Tan.

Thank you for the support, Carson!

Can you believe that my MOM'S HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY OF ART TEACHER came to the event? Mrs. D is the lovely lady in the white t-shirt (standing, second from right).

The last thing on my LA Agenda was a trip to LA 18, the largest Asian Language channel in the US.

Thank you, Janelle So! I had a blast on your show

Alas, all good things must come to an end – but don't worry. I haven't forgotten about the crickets. After all the incredible things that I experienced during the trip, I thought it was best to cap the adventure off with a meal that was just as exciting and unexpected…

And we didn't stop at crickets...

We threw in a couple of SCORPIONS for fun too

Thank you for sharing this journey with me!