Lang Leav in Manila: Day 1

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The experience of seeing someone I inexplicably and addictively adore will always and unfailingly give a blissful rush to my system..it sort of feels like falling in love for the first time all over again. Only, right now, I’m not taking about a guy I have a crush on, today, I YOLO-ed everything and skipped class (don’t be mad) just to see my current inspiration, Lang Leav.

Fullybooked and Ateneo organized an artist talk and book signing event with Ms. Lang, the author of the book everybody has been crazy about, Love & Misadventure.

I have been a fan of Lang Leav since her early days on Tumblr, and when I learned that she will be publishing a collection of her poems, I was beyond ecstatic that I made special orders on Fullybooked and urged them (among many others) to cater the books and bring it in the Philippines.

The opportunity to actually be up close and personal with the person whose works have been filling up a certain folder in my laptop and whose works have been giving me the push I need whenever I feel demotivated is truly a once in a lifetime chance that I just have to grab the opportunity or just sulk about it for weeks.

Another thing that made this day extra-mega-super special is the fact that I spent the day with my best friend whom I haven’t seen in such a long time. Nii and I barely have things in common, she’s the creative writer, I’m the ‘serious’ writer (journalism student), we prefer different book and movie genres, we prefer different couples and opinions about some stories, we don’t even get eating synchronized (I eat dessert first) but nonetheless we understood each other very well. One of the rare things that we have in common is our love for this poet. We were in so much awe when we met Ms. Lang. She was so beautiful (and sexy haha), she had that sweet smile that would literally force you to smile back (because it is REALLY sweet) plus we love her sort of nervousness during the talk, it makes her feel like she is truly one of us, that she indeed can feel the emotions we feel. That’s why we can really relate and fall in love with her poems. 

I looked so stressed but happy!

I had my book signed and I gave her my bookmark, one of my shots using film camera and wrote a little dedication for her on the back, “When my words are not enough, you supply the way to heal my heart. Thanks for being my inspiration!” plus I asked her to write a note on the page of my 2^nd most favorite poem of her, 'All or Nothing', (my most favorite is 'Tell Me' which wasn’t included in the book) and she wrote: “Remember, you are beautiful <3 –Lang Leav”, which is extremely sweet.

she loved my book cover! :">

<3

Now I feel loved. HAHA!

I learned so much from her and about her that I will definitely include this day on my memory jar! :D

I have this bracelet with a quote on its pendant that says, “Fortune favors the brave” and I believe that Lang Leav expressing herself to the world and sharing her works to be an inspiration to many really deserves to be recognized. It may not be as critically acclaimed as other works, but it certainly relates to the people, which is by the way, the very essence of writing, right? <3