Now my wandering has taken me off to 50 shades.

I first heard about it when my sister told me that Ian Somerhalder or Nina Dobrev might play the main characters in the novel. Then Candice Accola tweeted about it, then Claire Holt. After that, I couldn’t resist.

I finished the first book in a day. Although I skipped a lot of the *disturbing* parts (especially the Red Room), it wasn’t really what kept me reading in the first place. It was Christian Grey himself and the way he sees the world that intrigued me. The man has been through a lot — more than any of us have in our lifetime — and he doesn’t know any better. I’ve never met someone as horrendous, as tragic, as dark but as mysteriously handsome as Mr. Grey.   The only love he knows is control - to be the one in control of anything and everything that he can get his hands on. And even if I don’t know him - it hurts me to even think that someone like him would be going through that much pain.

Sometimes it bothers me but most of the time, I can’t help but feel sorry for him. He knows a life of punishment when he deserves a life filled with love. Thank God for Ana Steele. She’s the light in his darkness, his lifeline, his innocence and his love.

Take away the red room, and all his f***ery and you find such a tragic love story that you’ll never want to end.

So tell me — what do you think?

IAN SMOLDERHALDER & I IN ONE CITY? NO WAY. 

I AM FREAKING OUT. (THAT MAY BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT)

IAN SMOLDER-HALDER IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Can my year get any better? Please oh please oh please let me see you again. Are you up for round 2? Because I definitely am. Once really wasn’t enough Somerhalder. Here’s to praying and crossing my fingers. Besides, you will be on our side of the world. Wouldn’t want to miss it!

PS: For more on TVD check out www.andiflookscouldkill.tumblr.com

If you’re looking for more of the Vampire Diaries, follow my second blog!

Here’s R & M’s birthday card for me.

And I remember just how blessed I am. Every time I see this I feel like I’m back in Mystic Falls and I’m hugging Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley)/ Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) or Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) all over again. :’(

And of course, Joseph Morgan, Candice Accola and Claire Holt. Most especially Alaric Saltzman (Matt Davis) now that he’s leaving the show.

You only live once after all, and I’m really lucky to have scratched this off my bucket list.

For more Vampire Diaries related posts, follow my second blog: www.andiflookscouldkill.tumblr.com

Spotted: M & A in Mystic Falls 

It takes a single moment to completely change a person’s life. It could be the first time you ever met your future wife, leaning in for your first kiss or simply a change in perspective brought about by an article you just happened to read on your way to the airport. 

But I think the best moments— the greatest kind that leave a person absolutely dumbstruck and changed forever are the ones where people witness their dreams coming true— and they didn’t expect it. After all, it only takes a day, an hour, even just a minute. As cliche as it may sound, if you’re at the right place at the right time, anything is possible.

The funny thing is (and I probably mentioned this in my previous posts) a month ago I’d definitely say that the thought alone is crazy. I always wanted to believe my dreams would come true but at the same time a part of me would scream it couldn’t be possible. It always seemed like a never ending war to me especially when the realistic it’s-never-going-to-happen side of me kicks in. 

Little did I know that I would actually be living the impossible. That my life would be completely changed. Let me just make the long story short and say this— it’s one off the bucket list for me.

I met the cast of the Vampire Diaries. 

And I’m still not over it. As I’m writing this, I feel exactly the same way I did a couple of days ago —excited, happy and grateful for the opportunity. This is absolutely insane, it couldn’t have happened to me. But it did. It really did. Gosh, I can actually say that.

I flew halfway around the world and lived my dream. There was no assurance that I’d meet anyone from the cast, but I  did. And now I get the chance to share it with all of you as well.

The first person my sister and I met was Alaric Saltzman, played by Matt Davis. He just walked into the room in the middle of taping and surprised us. And boy was I taken aback. My sister literally jumped when he came into the room.  He has a commanding presence about him, not just because of his height (I think he’s 6’3’’)  but because of his pretty boy looks. Okay maybe a more appropriate term would be sexy teacher look. Maybe not. But he definitely made a great first impression.

The next person we met came as a complete surprise. We were waiting in their production conference room for our next steps when suddenly in walks Caroline Forbes played by Candice Accola. Can I just say that she is absolutely gorgeous in person? Because she is. When she introduced herself, I couldn’t help myself and I actually told her this. She blushed and said thank you — like she doesn’t hear this every single day?! What a perfect combination—good looks and a down-to-earth personality. Too bad she was dressed for filming that day and we weren’t allowed to take a picture with her :(

Which brings me to the third person we met—who left me completely in awe with her simplicity and grace. She may be the star of the show, but it didn’t seem to faze her at all. In fact, I still can’t believe how simple and how nice she was to us. She gave me a hug when I started to tear up, and told me again and again not to cry, because then she would too. She is a very accommodating superstar— Elena Gilbert/ Katherine Pierce played by none other than Nina Dobrev. Pretty girl with an even prettier personality. I’m definitely not surprised anymore that Ian fell for her. 

After that, i was pretty much an 8 on the emotional scale. I thought that was it, and I was more than satisfied with what I got. But I was wrong. It got even better.

While we were on our way to lunch with the crew, we bumped into Rebekah Mickaelson, played by Claire Holt. She had an incredibly sweet aura about her, probably because she’s from the land down under. She wasn’t wearing much make-up, but that made us admire her even more. She’s also such a pretty girl. All the girls on the show seem to be absolutely stunning, it’s not fair!

Oh it gets better. Way better. At this point I’m at an 8.5 on the emotional scale. It instantly jumps to a borderline 10 when someone suddenly turns around in the lunch room, and says hello in in smooth British accent. Alexa thinks that she stopped breathing the moment he opened his mouth. I thought I died and went to heaven. Who else could have this effect on both of us but Klaus Mickaelson, played by the handsome devilish Joseph Morgan. It took us a while to recover, and we tried our best to concentrate on the conversation at hand, but it didn’t come easy. All I could think about as he looked back and forth between my sister and I was how gorgeous he was, plus there’s his accent, which made him more charming than ever. Thinking about him again as I write this makes both of us smile, and pause and try to remember what he was actually saying to us. But we can’t. Bits and pieces about love letters and art —oh, Klaus you’re such a bad boy but a sweetheart at the same time. (Please don’t remind me, my sister adds) I can’t help it. How can someone be so hot and have such a great appreciation for art at the same time? It’s not possible. Not possible I tell you.

When Julie Plec walked into the room, I knew I was definitely at borderline 10. She made this all happen. She made the Vampire Diaries what it is today, and just to shake her hand and get her autograph made the world to me. I had to thank her for the wonderful job she has done so far with the show and for the future writing she would do. I admire her for not just being an awesome author/producer/writer but for being the gear that keeps the whole production in motion from the cast to the crew, she seemed like a mother to them all. 

Borderline 10. That must be it. That must be the dream come true. 

But it isn’t. I didn’t know an 11 could be possible until Damon Salvatore, played by Ian Somerhalder walked into the room. I literally couldn’t breathe. My sister kept on smiling. It was Ian Somerhalder. Ian freaking Somerhalder.  It’s amazing how both of us managed to have  a conversation with him without squeezing him to death or choking. He is definitely a charmer. Totally Hollywood, but in a good way. He may be oozing sex appeal with his eyes, but when he started talking he completely made sense. And by making sense I mean he talked about his family— personal stuff— things that you wouldn’t expect from such a superstar and things you wouldn’t expect him to say to ordinary people like me.  He even talked about his hometown and how we should go and visit it sometime. The whole time he was talking, he kept eye contact between me and my sister. That definitely says a lot about how genuine of a person he is, and how remarkably down-to-earth he can be for such a superstar. Seriously, Nina is the luckiest girl on the planet right now.

IAN SMOLDERHALDER

I will never forget the moment I asked if I could take him and Nina home with me. He just laughed. And when I said they were a gorgeous couple and that they’d make gorgeous babies together. He blushed and said thank you. At that point I was definitely rambling, I’m surprised I even made complete sentences. When we asked him if he could take a picture with us, that was a completely different unforgettable moment altogether. He put his arms around us and drew us closer for the snapshot, like we were close friends. I can still remember how it feels, like he was sincerely happy to have met us as much as we were to have met him. Such a great guy, that Ian— he’s got it all — the charm, the eyes, the abs, the personality— Nina. 

It’s definitely his eyes —

As he gave us a parting hug and beso, I felt like we were the only two people in the room. Not in a romantic way, but in such a way that made me feel appreciated as a fan. I hope I made him feel just the same way, because I do appreciate not just his abs and his eyes, but his personality and his ability to bring all the best parts of Damon Salvatore to life. And just when I thought that was the end of our magical encounter with Ian Somerhalder himself, he turned around smiled and called out to Michelle, their publicist, as he was making his way out of the room— “Thank you for bringing these two beautiful girls today.”

And that’s when I knew for sure that 10 wasn’t enough on the emotional scale. Oh Ian Somerhalder, the handsome charmer that you are, you definitely deserve an 11.

But it doesn’t even end there.  As cliche as it may sound, it is fitting for this moment — save the best for last. They did save the best for last, at least for me.

Just the thought that he was standing in the other room made my heart thump in my chest. I couldn’t breathe. This is the ultimate dream— meeting him of all people— my favorite member of the cast, Stefan Salvatore played by Paul Wesley.

And as if they knew me, they definitely made me the happiest girl on the planet that afternoon. When he finally made his way to where we were seated, I felt my heart stop. He came towards me and I was overcome with a million different emotions. I was shocked, sad, happy, excited, nervous and confused all at the same time. I couldn’t believe we were standing in the same room together— Stefan Salvatore and I, Paul Wesley and I.

So this is how it feels when your dreams come true. Pretty darn good, I tell you.

When he reached our table it was like cat’s got my tongue. I didn’t know what to say or do. He looked into my eyes and I melted. “Hi, I’m Paul.”

Oh my freaking gosh. It’s Paul Wesley. Paul freaking Wesley. Alexa said I had a look of absolute bewilderment on my face. Priceless, she says. I probably did, given that huge wave of emotion. 

As he signed my magazine I felt the words tumble out of my mouth without even thinking. “I’m so happy to meet you. You and your wife are so gorgeous, I’ll never forget Nannie Carrie (of OTH) . Congratulations on your wedding, it must have been beautiful. I really love you both. So thank you so much, you just changed my life by being here.”

He looked up and smiled before he said. “Thank you. You’re so sweet”. Now I definitely died and went to heaven. Screw the emotional scale, I was now at a hundred or even more! And if that wasn’t enough to make my day, the next thing he said made me love him even more. That we were great fans. That we were awesome because we didn’t just gush about his looks. IF he only knew.

As I continued to stare at him I felt so deeply moved by the conversation (his presence mostly) that for some reason even if I didn’t know him at all, I had a greater appreciation for who he was—a good husband (you can see how much he loves his wife by just talking about her) and a great actor. That was when tears streamed down my face. I was completely changed forever. 

I didn’t know why it happened exactly, but I think it was a good thing. I was able to show him just how much the show means to me—how much his character, in particular, moves me. I still consider myself completely and irrevocably in love and will always be with Stefan Salvatore. At least in the another alternate universe that is.

I never saw the look he gave me when he saw me crying but Alexa says you’d have to see it to really understand the depth of sincerity behind it. It’s remarkably similar to the look (at least Alexa says so) Stefan gives Elena when she’s the one crying (haha, I wish). 

When he pulled me in for a hug all he could say was “You’re really sweet” over and over again. It was like music to my ears. If he only knew how incredibly sweet he was at that very moment as well. Especially considering the fact that he didn’t know me at all. I felt like the second luckiest girl in the world (I’ll never be able to top his wife!)

It’s refreshing to know how down-to-earth and friendly Paul Wesley is in spite of all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. I never felt (not even for a second) that he was putting on a show. Some people have told me he’s a snob, but I definitely refute any theory that he is. Based on first impressions alone, he is definitely NOT antisocial nor is he snobbish in any way (Hello, he took minutes out of his busy schedule on set to talk to me!) I really hope I’m right. Because then, he would be the kind of guy anyone would be lucky to have as a friend. I’m not surprised that they cast him for Stefan Salvatore instead of Damon, because like I said about Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley exhibits certain qualities of Stefan Salvatore in real life. 

Paul Wesley & I - Have I told you that this is the best day of my life?

The choice is yours if you will take my word for it or not on all this, but I tell you— everyone on the show including the production team is extremely nice and welcoming. The cast members are all way too gorgeous in person, but it doesn’t seem to faze them at all. They’re like one big family, which I personally would love to be a part of. (At least for a day, I felt like I was)

So here I am at a hundred or so on the emotional scale trying to tell you just how wonderful the experience was. But as I said earlier— words will never be enough. And I guess that’s just how it’s supposed to be when your dreams come true. You’re left speechless.

This that moment. Perfect place. Perfect time. The moment that changed my life forever.