Let's start from the very beginning. A few months ago, Anna Basilmentos (@annabasilmentos) posted on Instagram about how she would be having a meet up sometime in March, held at the American Girl Place (AGP) San Francisco. At first, I was a little disappointed because I knew it would be impossible for me to attend the meet up, considering that I live near the opposite side of the country. But when I told my mom about Anna's meet up, she said to tell her when I knew the exact dates so she could look at plane tickets. I was shocked when I was told this- I didn't expect my mom to be interested in taking me there! But she explained that she knew how special meeting Anna would be to me, considering her videos were some of the first AG videos I'd ever seen, and that she inspired me to make my own videos. My mom would be willing to take me to the meet up (if the date worked out, of course, and if I paid a bit of the plane ticket).
A few weeks later, Anna direct messaged me on Instagram (I was so excited!) to tell me the exact dates to see if I could come. My mom researched the plane tickets, and it turned out that we could go! I was absolutely ecstatic. Anna said how excited she was to meet me, and that we should meet up (sometime after the actual meet & greet) to make a little stop motion. Filming a video with the best stop-motioner on AGtube, in one of my most favorite places in the country? That sure sounded great to me!
In the following weeks before the trip, the meet up was all I could think about. I even made a little countdown-to-Cali calendar! I kept thinking about how I was going to meet Anna, how many people would be there, and even what I was going to buy at the AGP. Speaking of AG purchases.... there was something that I really, really wanted to buy at the store, but I wasn't sure about it.
And that was a new doll.
You see, I go through many thinking processes before I decide to add on to my doll family. I list all of the pros and cons, and I think about how much I really want that doll. I don't like having too many dolls. In the past few years, I had gotten multiple surprise dolls out of nowhere (raffles, thrift stores, Christmas, etc.) and my collection was building up pretty quickly. I wasn't sure if I needed another doll, considering I already had 8 (which is a LOT to me!). But on the other hand... I realized that I had wanted this doll for over a year. I had thought of her name, personality, and even video ideas for her in November of 2012.
Another thing about buying dolls.... I have to have some sort of "special occasion" to purchase a doll, or anything really "big" from American Girl. I had only saved up for one other doll before, which was Molly. Then I realized..... meeting Basilmentos was one heck of a special occasion to me!! I decided to buy the doll. She is My American Girl #43, and I named her Liberty.
Fast forward a few weeks: it was finally time for the meet up! I had everything planned out, and I could hardly contain my excitement. My mom and I boarded a plane early Saturday morning, and got ready for a long 6-hour flight. When we arrived in California (I read most of the flight! Percy Jackson RULES!!!), I was surprised at how delightfully warm and sunny it was there. The quote of the trip became "I can't believe how green the grass is!!!". We picked up our rental car and headed to Palo Alto, where the AG store was located.
On the car ride there, I was starting to get excited. I mean, REALLY excited. I kept telling myself to keep my cool, but that was hard since I had waited for that moment for so long! I then reminded myself that I was allowed to be excited (since I was meeting my inspiration!), but that I had to realize how many of the other girls there would be looking up to me, getting excited over me just like I was getting excited over Anna. It's pretty hard for me to believe, but I always have to remind myself about that! After that, I calmed down a bit.
As we pulled into the parking lot, I spotted a few clusters of girls with dolls and cameras, and I thought: We must be here! My mom and I got out of the car and starting walking to the plaza. I was holding Crystal and my camera. I starting walking around near the clusters, and people started to recognize me! In a few minutes, I had a little group around me. Everyone wanted me to sign their dolls' foot, paper, catalogues, doll t-shirts, and even take a picture with me! It was so exciting and overwhelming, but in a good way.
I finally met Anna, which was super exciting (I got a picture with her too!). She was so kind, funny, and cool to be around. After socializing with more AGtubers and meeting with some friends, we all went inside the AG store for a bit. I picked up my new doll along the way. I looked through about 4 different doll boxes before I picked out the right doll.... I'm very particular, haha!
For the rest of the meet and greet, I took pictures and videos, opened my new doll, and had a great time. The plaza outside of the store was so wonderful! It was a warm, spring day. There were big trees with little blossoms in the center of a garden filled with flowers and green bushes. Light pink petals fluttered around in the breeze, and everything was vibrant with color. It couldn't have been a more perfect day.
Looking back, I realized how blessed and thankful I am to have been able to go on that trip. I had a wonderful time meeting everyone, driving around San Francisco, taking photos by the ocean, driving through the mountains, and seeing the Redwood trees.
I would like to give a huge thanks to my mom for being so cooperative and encouraging- none of this would have happened if it wasn't for her. I can't thank her enough for taking me on that wonderful vacation.
If you haven't seen my video about the meet up yet, make sure to check it out below!
If you're awesome enough to read this far.... here are some fabulous pictures from the meet up!
~FiveDollStars ✯
