I was late for the event – the email said 4 PM, but I arrived a little over 5. I had an excuse though – had to pick up my car plates lest I get questioned by some street-thug-pretending-to-be-a-cop.
I hate being late, so I was a bit stressed.
I was with my good friend Aia, and it was her first time to go a “blogger”s event”. When asked what happens during one, I made no clear answer as I’ve only been to 3 and you know how things like these go – they can be a bit unpredictable and it really depends on the host of the event (for this one, obviously, Fully Booked). Stepping into the elevator, I was a bit apprehensive. What if it’s discovered that I haven’t been the bookworm that I used to be(I’m more into reading email newsletters lately)? What if they reject me at the registration table because I’m wearing THE shirt?
Registration was just a few steps from the elevator, where we had a view of the food, and the tables, filled with people either waiting for the event to start (it was, after all, an hour after the supposed registration ek ek), or making small talk with their new found friends.
There were a lot of participants, though I’m not sure all of them were bloggers. Let’s admit an event for what it is – some people go there for the food, some for the chance to network, some to promote something (in my case, our website 3rdWorldLove.com,) and some, interested at the prospect of what an event can bring them (in other words, surrpriiiiise! di mo tlaga alam what’ll happen hehe). I was all of the above and more.
The first order of the event was to have a tour of the Fully Booked Store. Really. Like I haven’t been here a dozen times – but for the sake of learning something new (it’s not like I know every friggin nook and cranny), I went with my co-participants wearing pink nametags. With us was Alvin, and a guy from Fully Booked (my apologies, I didn’t get his name).
We went, via the stairs, from the 5th floor to every floor, down to the basement, where to my suprise displayed the pencils, papers, notebooks – school supplies! – of my dreams 
After the quick tour, we were treated to food from Hizon’s (ang sarap swear!! buffet never tasted so gooood), and a bit of Q&A where winners got Fully Booked Loot Bags.
Fully Booked, ever so generous, gave away books to all participants – 2 books per participant, although when it was our time to get our books, the collection wasn’t that “great” but still “good” (serves us right for being late!) - again, depends on your preference for books (I was really looking for a DIY-book or home decor book). Drei got Nicky Hornby(yay!) and a cocktails book(alcoholic!), and I got a management and self improvement book. Both books amounted to a few thousand bucks so thank you so much Fully Booked for this gesture of generosity. Thanks to Yehey.com as well for co-hosting the event.
Fully Booked is also launching the Blogger’s Book Club:
“Members of this new online-based club can expect to receive invites to special events such as book launches, author meets & greets plus other exciting activities. Aside from events, for the months of December and January, BBC members shall be the exclusive contributors to Spotlight Review, a new book review section on www.fullybookedonline.com. Blog book reviews submitted by BBC members will be carefully reviewed and selected. Every week, a chosen book review will be featured on Spotlight review and in the Fully Booked Ezine. Chosen book reviews will be awarded prizes by Fully Booked!”
Oha! I love it when huge companies recognize the importance of bloggers(and I hate it when they don’t, or much worse treat them like dirt…).
Anyway, the 3rd World Love Team was there, and we had lotsa fun. Hopefully next week’s blogger’s event will be just as fun or even more. I hope I had printed more shirts…. Pao went on a video spree, asking people random questions, Drei talked about techie stuff with techie people, and I flashed everyone my winning smile(see? no braces anymore! hehe!).
If we met at the fully booked blogger’s event and you have a blog – let me know! Let’s link up!:)
I work in the Lost & Found Dept of the web :) Pescetarian for more than a 200 days now. Loves dogs. and shoes. and ok maybe make-up(i'm just a girl, after all..) 2011= 20eleVEN.