Bright Purple Spot in 2005: TRAVEL!

Punta Fuego with DDI Friends. Laiya with Gang and Yelle.



Pittsburgh with Vanette. New York City with Julia, Jason and Stephie.



LA with Ursula. San Diego with Trix & Ade, Julia & John.



Cebu with DDI. Bohol with Taja, Chris and Bub.

A Christmas Elephant with Pink Spots

It's great how paperclips come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Check out this purple elephant with pink spots (plus a striped snout, green ears and yellow feet)! This is Ate Kim's pasalubong from Singapore. I've never seen an elephant with pink spots before.

Not even at Powerbooks where they sell these giant funky paperclips. Last Christmas, I bought two for my close paperclippy friends, Tita Gang and Tobbie. I got a pink paperclip with a butterfly for her, and a black shiny paperclip with a smiling sunshiney sun for him. But I've never seen an elephant with pink spots before; have you?

Now you have.

Christmas Wish: Amazon.com... here I come?

I gave a copy of my book to my good friend Paul who works at Amazon.com in Seattle. He dropped by on Christmas Day to say hello. We hadn't seen each other in more than two years so it was nice to catch up and reminisce. The Yellow Paperclip will get to travel to Seattle soon enough. Perhaps one day you can even purchase my storybook online at Amazon! That's a good Christmas wish... and definitely a bright purple spot!

The Much-Awaited Package from Pittsburgh

Wow. I still can't believe it. I finally got to pick up the package Donna sent me from her third grade class in Pittsburgh. It took me a couple of hours to drive to the post office, wait in line, wait for the package, and drive all the way to work, but it was all worth it. I still have a great big smile on my face and in my heart.

Donna's students wrote me thank-you notes, complete with colorful drawings of their favorite scene in my story. My heart swelled with pride a million times over and I couldn't help but look through the drawings over and over and over and over again. As if that wasn't enough! The package also included a VHS tape: Donna recorded a storytelling session she did in class! Her students were very behaved and they responded well to the story.

I still can't believe how my story has traveled quite far... farther than I myself expected. Much like the Yellow Paperclip and myself, I'm glad my story has reached out and touched many others, across continents and across timezones.

A Note from National Artist Arturo Luz

WOW. I can't believe I got a handwritten note from National Artist Arturo Luz... the Arturo Luz. Like my sister said, "Wow, I read and studied about him in art school!"

I sent him a copy of my book after I saw his giant paperclip sculptures. Not too many people are fascinated by the ordinary paperclip, so I was delighted when I saw his sculptures around the Ayala Museum a couple of months ago. I delivered a copy of my book with a note to his house in Pasig (big thanks to Rheza, my friend and Ayala Museum tour guide, who gave me his home address!).

On a piece of yellow paper, he wrote:

Six Degrees of Separation

A note from my friend's cousin's friend.

What was three degrees then is now down to one. They now say that the entire world is connected by only five degrees! Wow! Worlds collide and I love it.

My name is Kai and I believe my friend Mara sent you an e-mail just this week as well. I just wanted to say that I really did enjoy reading your story The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. She brought it to school one day and she was really excited to let me read it! When I finished the book, I was left with a huge smile on my face.

 
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who seems highly amused with the whole six-degrees-of-seperation concept. It's like a big Friendster world out there, really. Hehe! There are times when introductions are going on and then I realize how people are related and I just spazz over it. While others just shrug and smile as if it was no biggie, I am left with this really warm fuzzy feeling in me. I usually cannot hide the goofy smile on my face when my thoughts start to tug at me saying, "HEY! They know each other! How cool is that?!?" Even just talking about this makes me all...happy.

I've often wondered, too, how money goes around. Everytime I see something written on a dilapidated piece of paper money, the nuts, bolts and wheels in my head start working. I like imagining how many people have kept that piece of paper money for a day, week, month or even longer. My point is, I like it that there was actually a book on such a thing. Amazing how a simple piece of material can tell a story about its 'life'. It had its own adventures and was able to pass on some great lessons and ideas.

 

Thank you for sharing to us your wonderful piece of work. I shall be waiting for your next books!

The Yellow Paperclip meets Carlo

Carlo is a dear friend of mine from college. We don't get to spend time together now as much as we used to, of course, but he is still dear to me. He's an artist and fellow member of The Bad Art Club. He creates the most striking black-and-white ink swirls and lines and patterns and images. He and I have very little in common yet our friendship is real. He knows me so well. He gave me the name Cloud Woman.

The Yellow Paperclip reaches out to my friend Carlo, in hopes of reminding him that there's so much to hope for and live for.

Papa's Paperclip Patterns

Papa's experiments with his new Nikon...

Norwegian Binders

When I was doing my research for The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and found out that the paperclip was a Norwegian invention, I also came across several sites which said there was a giant paperclip sculpture in Oslo. Unfortunately, I never found a photo of this elusive paperclip.

Luckily, some great Norwegians found Kyle's blog and sent him some photos. It looks like there's more than one giant sculpture of paperclips or "binders"...




Thanks, Kyle, for allowing me to post these photos here!

I will send two copies of my book to the Norwegian ambassador here in Manila. I hope the Norwegian community likes my story!

A Paperclip Documentary

Ade, thanks for telling me about this documentary.

From Yahoo! Movies: Whitell Middle School in rural Tennessee is the setting for this documentary about an extraordinary experiment in Holocaust education. Struggling to grasp the concept of six million Holocaust victims, the students decide to collect six million paperclips to better understand the extent of this crime against humanity. The film details how the students met Holocaust survivors from around the world and how the experience transformed them and their community.

I can't wait to see it. Watch the trailer and learn more about how the humble paperclip has created miracles and changed the world... yet again.

WOW! Twelve Paperclips in an Hour

I still can't believe I saw twelve... yes, TWELVE... twelve paperclips when I walked from my office to the post office and back (to snailmail two copies of my book to Trixy and Julia).

A blue bent-into-a-heart-shape one on the sidewalk, just after I waved to friends. A green one a few steps later. A red one in the post office. There was another blue one. Then white. A brown one in a rain puddle. Yellow in a sidewalk crack. Orange. Pink and Green as I crossed the parking lot (that's nine and ten). Blue again. A big bright shiny red one as the twelfth, as if the grand finale.

By the sixth or seventh, I was walking around with a huge smile on my face. People must have thought I was crazy or high on something. Hee-hee. I'll probably see more... would I reach ten? Naaah, that's too much.

Ask and you shall receive. Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes you get even more than what you asked for.

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Pittsburgh

In late 2005, my paperclip found its way to the hearts of third graders all the way in Pittsburgh, which is literally on the opposite side of the globe. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh in April 2005 to visit our corporate headquarters. This is one of my favorite photos of the Pittsburgh Postcard in my mind...


I met many wonderful people, including Donna, a grade school teacher who got so excited when she found out I was coming out with a children's book. I sent her a copy as soon as I could (which was sometime in October) so she could share it with her class. We ended up exchanging a couple of emails:

Dear Nikki,

Thank you so much for remembering to send me your book. I thought it was just wonderful. I read it to my students and they loved it as well. My 3rd graders would like to send you a little thank you. Can I have your address, please? I hope all is well with you. Lots of luck with your book. I know that it will do well.

Donna

P.S. My students couldn't believe that I knew the author of a book. They kept asking me questions about you.

And I replied with my address and asking what it was her students wanted to know. I couldn't help but walk around with a silly smile on my face after reading her reply:

Nikki,

Thank you for your address. My students ( keep in mind they are eight years old) were asking these kind of questions: How did you meet her? Why was she in the United States? How did you understand her (meaning: does she speak English?) What is her job? Show us the Philippines on the map. How long does it take to get there? And on and on and on. Good luck with the International Book award. Keep me posted. You will be hearing from my students and I in a few weeks.

Donna

I'm sure these kids have never even heard of the Philippines; I seriously doubt they've even met a Filipino. But now, thanks to my story, they at least know about my country, have seen where it is on the map, and hopefully, they can even be proud that they know about a unique Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Glorietta

The Adarna Book Carnival traveled to National Bookstore in Glorietta where May Ann and I joined the storytelling and book signing sessions. We got a handful of kids listening to Kuya Jay tell the story. One of them even won a copy of the book by retelling the story! May Ann and I signed a lot of books, both from the kids and also from each others' purchases! Hee-hee.

I also got to meet and spend some time with May Ann's friends. They were all very down-to-earth and friendly, just like May Ann. They are all so proud of her for pursuing her dream and the arts as a full-time freelance artist. She really is amazing, just like her artwork. I'm so happy she won the PBBY-Alcala Prize. At first I was worried: What if I don't like the style of the winning illustrator? What if s/he is difficult to work with? But May Ann was a dream-come-true. She is so pleasant, fun and was incredibly easy to work with. Best of all, her illustrations brought extraordinary life, color and energy to my story. Until our next collaboration, May Ann!

Pay It Forward

I had lunch with my good friend Tobbie to help him with his story for the 2006 PBBY-Salanga Prize. Just as a friend urged me to write last year, it's now my turn to be the cheerleader: "Write, Tobbie, write!"

Tobbie and I met through work last year and we became friends pretty quickly when we learned we share the same passion for writing, reading, full moons and good conversation. When I won last year, Tobbie was one of the first people to know and he came by the office to congratulate me. He had said that it was also his big dream to be a children's story writer.

This picture was taken in my messy workspace in February 2005 shortly after May Ann won the PBBY-Alcala prize. Check out my wallpaper: it's May Ann's winning illustration! Many months later, Tobbie is just as happy and proud of me. Here are photos he took from our lunch when I helped edit his story about friendship, lots of sunshine, hope, and living life to the fullest.

(Note: Whether on my wallpaper or on the actual page spread, May Ann's illustration is awesome!)

As White as the White Sands of Panglao Island

I spent the last three days with friends in Bohol, the tenth largest island in the Philippines and a one-hour plane ride from Manila. It crossed my mind but I brushed it aside: I wonder if I'll see a paperclip here in Bohol? Naaaaah... What are the chances?

Three days later (that is, three days, four tourists, one cave, one old church, one river cruise, a few hills, eight tarsiers and several cocktails later), on our last day, just as I was walking back to the hotel room to pack and head to the airport, I saw it: my paperclip in Bohol... white, happily lost, lounging around by the poolside.

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to a Rotary Club Meeting

My boss invited me as the guest speaker for their regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Makati North at The Conservatory in The Peninsula Manila Hotel. Thank you for a great opportunity, VLM! Here's the transcript of my 15-minutes-of-fame:

A STORYTELLING SESSION

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to join you this afternoon. In the next 20 minutes, we will have a storytelling session of The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and other equally colorful stories. I will tell you stories and also ask you questions along the way.

First question. May I see a show of hands: Who among you have children below the age of ten? Keep your hands up. Who among you have grandchildren? (Or, let me rephrase that question: who among you is married to a grandmother?) Please keep your hands up if you answer yes to my third and last question: Who among you read to your children or your grandchildren?

It must be difficult to compete with the Cartoon Network, cellphones, 3-D computer games, surfing the Internet, or iPods, but reading is not just another hobby or pastime. Why should we read to children? Mary Ellen Chase, an American scholar, teacher and writer, said: “There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.” We are what we read. We are a part of everything that we have read. But in my case, allow me to add to that: we are, or we become, what we read and write.

Reading and writing have always been a part of who I am. While most 7-year-olds took ballet or piano lessons, I was a nerdy kid and chose speed reading and creative writing classes. I started my first journal in second grade and have kept a journal since. My Dear Diary and Nancy Drew were my closest friends as I grew up. My love for reading and writing continued in middle school when I discovered Shakespeare, wrote for the school paper, and enjoyed the 15-minute-a-day journal-writing activity for my English class. I fell in love with Tolstoy’s Levin and Miller’s Biff Loman in high school; it got so bad that I would sometimes quote lines from Russian novels in conversations with friends. I re-read Shakespeare (and played Moth in our production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and continued to write: I wrote on the school bus, under the trees, and in coffee shops; I wrote for school assignments, for friends, for myself, for fun. Armed with a flashlight and a pen under my blanket, I would write past my bedtime, furiously and secretly, about the angst and dreams of a 16-year-old. In college, I drank from Walden’s Pond, woke up with a jolt after reading Fr. De Mello’s The Way to Love, and, admittedly, enjoyed writing lengthy papers on Walt Whitman and Hannah Arendt. After getting teary-eyed with Shel Silverstein’s stories, The Missing Piece and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, rediscovering Dr. Seuss, and seeing myself in Yellow in Hope for the Flowers, I decided to sign up for a class in Writing and Illustrating for Children. The class only confirmed my growing interest and appreciation for children’s literature.

We read because books help shape who we are. What books did you read? What books do your children or grandchildren read? But let me ask another question: what’s so special about a children’s story? I got an anonymous quote off Google: “Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.” I like stories with multiple meanings for both kids and grown-ups. A story about butterflies speaks of hope and second chances. A story with very simple penciled cartoons captures our desire to belong and to be loved by another. A wacky story with fuzzy creatures in a pop-up book illustrates life’s exciting adventures. Children’s literature presents life in a seemingly simple way; but upon a closer read, it is full of meaning and wonder and learning. The legendary Dr. Seuss says it best: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

“Write, Nikki, write,” a friend of mine urged, as she emailed me the details of the PBBY-Salanga Prize. To publish a book was the first on my Top Three Things To Do Before I Die List and I had always dreamed of writing my own children’s story, a cross between fiction and modern-day fable, a story for both the child in adults and the adults in children. After several brainstorming sessions with different groups of people and many nights in front of a blank computer screen, I came up with a story I submitted on the deadliest deadline date, October 1, 2004.

One year later—or let’s say, one year, one gold medal, one book fair, one book launch, two interviews, several storytelling sessions, and X number of books sold LATER—I’m happy to be here to share with you the story behind my story.

You must be wondering: why a story about a paperclip? It started out as a little game my college boyfriend and I used to play. We would see paperclips frequently in the strangest places: lost on the bench, along the sidewalk, between the stones of the Quad, on the library steps. We would wonder where they had been and how they got there. Before the October deadline, I brainstormed with Becca, my colleague’s 10-year-old daughter, and asked for her opinion about the different stories I had in my head. She thought stories about fish and Christmas were boring. When I asked her where she last saw a paperclip and where it could have been, her eyes lit up with curiosity. In between giggles, we traced the paperclip’s adventures as it wove through the lives of various people and situations; the light in her eyes told me I had a good story. But there are many more untold stories behind The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. When you read my story, I hope you also read between the lines and between the pages.

First, it’s a story about being different yet making a difference. We’ve all felt a little out-of-place. We’ve all felt lost and unimportant. I know I have. A paperclip is something easily ignored and essentially insignificant; but because it has traveled to different places, learned new things, made friends, and accepted its bright purple spots, it has developed a sense of self and purpose.

Secondly, it’s a story that cuts across cultures and time zones. The humble paperclip is recognized on any continent. What started out as a Norwegian invention in 1899 has been used as a symbol of unity against the Nazis, a gift of hope and hugs during the first Gulf War, a trading gimmick in Montreal, and as cool giant sculptures around Ayala Museum. It has 922,000 entries on Google and is used in many logos and design elements. Third graders in Xavier School in Greenhills and in a public school in Pittsburgh enjoyed the story. I was told my story wasn’t too Filipino; that was deliberate on my part. I wanted my story to bridge gaps and make the world an even smaller place. Wish me and May Ann luck as we wait for the results of the International Reading Association’s annual children’s story award. We submitted our book for an award for first time authors and illustrators; we should find out before the year ends.

Lastly, it’s a story about being amazed at the ordinary and mundane things in life. Most people couldn’t care less about paperclips; hopefully, after reading my story, you and your children or grandchildren will never see a paperclip in the same way. Ever. I gave out colored paperclips at the end of my storytelling sessions at the Manila International Book Fair, at Powerbooks and at Xavier School; with their wide-eyed smiles and excited shrieks of “Me! Me! Me! I want one!” you’d think these kids have never seen a paperclip before! It was as if they were seeing a paperclip for the very first time. I loved it. Wouldn’t the world be a much happier place if we all learned to relish every moment and every little thing as if for the first time?

The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots is part fable, part fiction (but with real-life characters) and part autobiography. It’s a story that links other colorful stories, different people, places, and experiences. I still see paperclips—at least two a day—not on my desk at the office but in strange places. I hope you do too. The next time you see a paperclip, stop, smile, think of where it has been, and begin a new adventure.

Giant Paperclip Scultptures by National Artist Arturo Luz

Here are some shots taken around the Ayala Museum. Aren't these amazing? It would be so cool if I had a giant sculpture of a yellow paperclip with bright purple spots. I will send Mr. Luz a copy of my book. I hope he likes it! We both like paperclips so there must be some connection here!

Here's a picture to show you just how big they are! I hope I get to see the giant paperclip sculpture in Norway one day...

Book Launch at Powerbooks Live! in Greenbelt

It's official! The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots was officially launched today at Powerbooks Live! in Greenbelt 4 together with other Adarna House titles.

There was a storytelling session of course (complete with a great paperclip costume!) and book signing (how cool to be in between Ompong Remigio, author of Papel de Liha and Augie Rivera, author of Alamat ng Ampalaya; both are best-selling Adarna books!).

THANK YOU to Mama, Alec, Tita Vicky, Yelley and Paulo (great photo of us!), Karina, Vanette and Rics, J-An, and Cris for dropping by and buying a book!

The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots is available in Powerbooks, National Bookstore, Books for Less and Fully Booked branches around the country for only P65.

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Xavier School

Thanks to Teacher Raquel, the Yellow Paperclip went to Xavier School for a storytelling session. Armed with pillows and all comfy in their pajamas, third graders listened to The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots and responded well to Teacher Raquel's questions.

Teacher Raquel: Where do you think the paperclip came from?
Third grade kids: The paperclip factory! From outer space! A toolbox! In my mom's stuff! In the trash can! Church! My desk! From the airport!

Teacher Raquel: If you had a paperclip, what would you do with it?
Third grade kids: I'll put it in my book. I'll keep it in my secret files! I'll bury it in the sand in Boracay. I'll give it to the Lost and Found. I'll put it in the bank. I'll put it in my sock drawer. I'll give it to God!

When Raquel introduced me, the kids turned around, wide-eyed and smiling. It felt so surreal. The best part was when we gave out paperclips at the end. You'd think these kids have never seen a paperclip before. "Me! Me! I want a paperclip!" They said excitedly in their high-pitched third grade voices, eager to get a paperclip or two.

I'm Seeing Purple Spots

An email from our Director for Corporate Marketing in Pittsburgh:

I hope you don't mind... I've passed the book around to a couple of people in the marketing department. I loved it and they did, too. I can't wait to take it home to my husband tonight. It's so touching. You are a great writer. I think you should put writing another book on your wish list... maybe even before getting a gift wrapping room.

Thank you so much for sharing... of course, that's what the book is all about. My mother says I have a book or two in me. I should get on with it!

Warmest regards,
Nancy

A Family Affair

Thanks, Gab, for sharing my story with your family and friends. Here's a photo of me and the Narciso family at the Manila International Book Fair.

I was touched to get this SMS message from one of Gab's aunts: I am truly impressed with the yellow paperclip story. Simple, well-written and creative! I enjoy reading it, I've read it twice in fact and it's our bedtime-story read. Tell your friend it does deserve to be PBBY Grand Prize! Thanks for sharing it with us. WOW! Thank you so much, Gab!

Green and Red... in time for Christmas?!

I saw a bright green one under the car next to me in the carpark. I saw a bright red one stuck in a crack along the sidewalk. (Yes, the same one as the other day!)

There are Christmas lights in Eastwood. There are pre-Christmas sales at the mall and announcements for pre-Christmas bazaars. I've received Christmas card catalogs in the mail. September is the unofficial start of the Christmas season here in the Philippines. How crazy. Where did the entire year go?!

The Yellow Paperclip Goes to Roxas Boulevard

The 26th Manila International Book Fair
August 31 to September 4, 2005 (Thursday to Sunday)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the World Trade Center, Roxas Boulevard




Highlights from the Book Fair: Alitaptap Storyteller Jay was great. It was fun to see lots of smiles from many kids. First time to sign books. Thank you to all those who dropped by: my folks, Alec, Lola Ludy, Tita Tonet, Camille, Syd, Carlo, Anna and Becca, Gab, Pau, Mig, Raquel, and Orange.

Bright Red yet Stuck in the Same Place

I've seen the same bright red paperclip stuck in a crack along the sidewalk for the last couple of days. It has been stuck for more than four days. No adventures for this paperclip. It has nowhere to go. It must look up at the world and wonder, There's got to be more than this?

If I pick it up and bring it places, what adventure can I start?

If I go places, what adventures can I start for myself? I shouldn't allow myself to get stuck. Life is Elsewhere, I've always said to myself in college. Where is Elsewhere and what adventures await me there?

Blue and Waiting to be Let In

In the shadows of the hallway, I saw a lonely blue paperclip by the front door of the office. It seemed sad, like it had been waiting to be let in. Like it was knocking and no one heard it. I wonder how long it has been there? Did it knock or was it just quietly waiting to be noticed and to be let in?

When we want something, should we knock loudly and announce to the world "I'm here!"? Or just quietly and patiently wait for the door to open when people notice we're there? We can knock but risk rejection if we're not wanted or welcome. We can also wait but risk lost opportunities. Choices, choices. The best thing to do is to trust one's gut and just go for it.

Ask and you shall receive. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. I think I'll knock. Or better yet, maybe I ought to ring the doorbell. Or make a phone call first. Or send an email. At least I'll know if I'm wanted or welcome. I don't want to be blue with all that waiting and wondering. I want to go through a wide-open door.

Out-of-Place... like a Tourist

I saw an old dusty pink one in between the cobblestones of Intramuros as I walked to the entrance of the Ilustrado restaurant. Weird. Again, it was nice to see a paperclip in odd places. I tugged on Carlo's sleeve: "See?! I really see them everywhere!" (I show people the paperclips I see as much as possible just so I have witnesses.) It was really out-of-place.

Kind of like a tourist. Carlo and I were like tourists for the afternoon. I had to check out Intramuros for an upcoming visit of one of our big bosses. Ilustrado is a nice old restaurant in the middle of the Walled City of Manila. Old world charm. Cobblestones. Old staircases that creek. Musty hallways. Dark walls and floors and calesa wheel chandeliers. Sampaguita ice cream and kesong puti pandesal and hot chocolate.We walked to Barbara's (too bad it was closed) and Patio Victoria (perfect for those frilly/cheesy weddings and debuts!). A stone well. A stone fountain. Old houses with capiz windows. I also finally got to go inside the San Agustin Church. It was timely because it's St. Augustine's Feast Day today. It was good to be a tourist in my own country, even for an afternoon.

I passed by Fort Santiago, the National Museum, Luneta, the Manila Cathedral, Baywalk, the dungeon-turned-Starbucks, the streets of Malate. I'll need to schedule more time to be a tourist. Manila has a lot to offer... if only we take the time to appreciate what we have.

I know wherever I go, I'll see paperclips there. And maybe I won't feel so out-of-place.

One Red Paperclip from Montreal to Manila

Thanks to Kyle, red paperclips will never be the same again. I saw one red paperclip on the way to work this morning. Was it a coincidence? Was it the same red one I saw the other day?

But seeing a red one is now more significant after hearing Kyle's amazing adventure with One Red Paperclip. Could it be the same red paperclip he traded for a fish pen with his friends in Vancouver? Perhaps his friends Rawnie and Corinna visited the Philippines or are friends with Filipinos who came home to visit. Perhaps they traded it for something else which, in turn, got traded for something that ended up here in Manila. Whatever happened, one red paperclip has created a strange link between me and Kyle who is halfway across the world in Montreal.

Thanks to some friends, I've been hearing and thinking and dreaming about Montreal these last few months. In the bigger scheme of things, what is Montreal to my life? We'll see. Perhaps that's another adventure waiting to happen.

Yellow and Yellow

I saw two yellow paperclips today. I seem to be seeing more yellow ones than any other color. I love it! I seriously feel that they're following me around. I saw one by the automatic doors of the office building, and the other under the glass table at the reception area. Both bright yellow. Both screaming to be noticed.

Two yellow paperclips. Two good paperclip stories to share. One: I'll have a book signing at the 26th Manila International Book Fair on September 3 for The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. Two: If I have Full Moon Friends, looks like I can have Paperclip Friends, such as Kyle who posted a comment. Check out his creatively crazy and amazing adventure with one red paperclip.

Looks like the adventures keep coming.

And the Next Day, I Saw... Red

A red one today. On the walkway from the parking lot to the street. A little bent out of shape but still shiney and new. It was a welcome sight after a day without a paperclip sighting (yes, I admit... there are some days when I actually don't see one).

At a time when I was so blindly infatuated, I once challenged the Universe (inspired by "A Very Long Engagement"): "If I see a paperclip today, he loves me." And I saw three that day. But he doesn't love me. I don't even know what he feels or thinks. So paperclips have nothing to do with love. But... that's another story.

So I saw one today and I stopped myself from linking it with anything. It was just nice to see. Just like it was nice to get a "good morning" message from him again.

Recycled Paperclips

A paperclip story sent by one of my favorite uncles based in California... Thanks, Tito Boboy!

Just to let you know that the first copy of The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots is now in circulation here in Milpitas - thanks to you. Let me share with you my own personal story about paperclips.

When I was still working, I would pick up paperclips laying around the office floors and work premises whenever I see them. My boss, the president of the company, saw me one day and asked me what I was doing. I told him that I was saving him money and that if all these seemingly worthless, curled, silver wires would be connected together, it could go around the world twice (that's how much I was able to gather so far). He just looked at me thinking maybe that I might be going crazy picking up all these paperclips. He left without saying a word.

The following morning, when I opened my office computer, I found an inter-office email from the boss which read: "Effective immediately, everybody is enjoined to recycle the paperclips used for office memos and documents. If you need some more of these clips, just go to the office of Mr. Dy-Liacco and you will find tons of them."

Until the day I retired, they are still recycling paperclips and who knows, there might be a Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots lying around.

Orange and Hopeful

I saw an orange paperclip on the road in BF this morning. Considering I haven't been there in a long time and it's not part of my daily routine, I was pleasantly surprised to see an orange one today. (I actually also saw an orange one in Pasig yesterday too!) Meron din pala dito. Sinusundan pa rin ako. It made me hopeful and a little happy in a weird sort of way. I hope it's a small "glimmer of hope" to confirm how hopeful I've been feeling this last week. We'll see. I'll just keep strolling along the park.

Yellow and Purple Flowers

These beautiful yellow and purple flowers match my book so perfectly! My wonderful DDI Family gave me this after the National Children's Book Day awards ceremony. I'm so thankful that they are so very supportive, especially my boss, and that they allow me to pursue my other non-work related dreams.

I haven't received too many flowers in my lifetime... and these bright yellow lilies and purple I-don't-know-what-they're-called-but-they're-such-fun-flowers really touched my heart. Maraming salamat!

National Children's Book Day

Did you read a book today? The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) celebrates National Children's Book Day on the third Tuesday of July, in commemoration of the first published children's story of Dr. Jose Rizal of The Tale of the Tortoise and the Monkey in the July 1889 of Trubner's Record: A Journal Deveoted to the Literature of the East. National Children's Book Day is also the day that the Board awards the Grand Prize for the 2005 PBBY-Salanga and PBBY-Alcala awards.



Just wanted to share some of the highlights of this happy Dream-Come-True-Day. National Artist Virgilio Almario (a.k.a. Rio Alma) presented the award to May Ann and I. Alitaptap Storyteller Charlyn Chua, dressed up in yellow and purple spots, read my story and it was a hit with the kids! We were also interviewed by Art-is-Kool and Jr. Inquirer. To Papa and Mama, Cricket and Kevin, Jana, Cecile, Gang, and Glenn - THANK YOU so much for being there with me on this special day. Hope this is the start of a great adventure!

Click here for a short article featured in INQ7.net on National Children's Book Day.

A Paperclip in Pittsburgh

Will I see a paperclip in Pittsburgh? I asked myself as I packed and got ready for my trip. I need to see at least one anywhere in the U.S. Then I know they're really following me around.

Today is my second to the last day at the DDI office and I saw a shiny silver one on the walkway between the Technology Center and the Headquarters. I think it's the first silver one I've seen. Strange to find the first silver one all the way here in Pittsburgh.

It was a comfort to find one here though. It's a small world after all.

Does this count as a Pittsburgh Paperclip?

This was on the DDI cafeteria table. It holds the evaluation forms. Pretty cool, huh?

Rejected and Found

Poor paperclip. I wonder what you've been through? It was squeezed out of shape, with one of its ends sticking out sorely like a painful limb, caked in mud and dust. It must have been through a lot: where in the world has it been?

The more painful thing is, I'm sure I saw the same paperclip last week. But again, I chose to ignore it and refused to pick it up. Is it because of the way it looked? Is it because it was dirty? Perhaps. Yet it waited for me patiently. And I found it again.

Do we reject others on the basis of superficial characteristics or flaws too?

Happy to see Orange Again

I saw it yesterday but chose to ignore it. I felt bad that I did so I ended up looking for it this morning. And I saw the same orange paperclip! I actually felt happy to see it and so I decided to pick it up for my collection. I don't know why I ignored it in the first place. It was a nice bright orange. It was a little bent but still in one piece.

I know I've chosen to ignore things and people in my life when I know I shouldn't. Why do I do that? There are many reasons, I suppose: insecurities, fear of rejection, arrogance, pride. When we choose to ignore or hurt the people closest to us, I hope we can still "find" them tomorrow. Question is, will they still be there?

White Stands Out

I saw a white paperclip right next to the front tire as I got out of the car. It was the first thing I saw as I stepped out. The whiteness stood out in contrast to the grayness of the gravel. It really felt out-of-place; a paperclip really does not belong between pieces of gravel and stone. Yet it felt right because I saw it and took notice of it.

Does He Love Me?

"If I see a paperclip today, then he loves me," I whispered to myself, inspired by Audrey Tautou's character in the movie A Very Long Engagement. What a grand challenge to the Universe. I saw three paperclips today. Along the short walk from the parking lot to my office building, I saw a pointy pink one, a dusty yellow one, a terribly bent and out-of-shape white one. Does that mean he loves me thrice as much? I wonder.

This is not the first time I asked God for a sign. Once, at a retreat in Novaliches, I asked God for a sign if He could hear my prayers. I asked for a shooting star. In the pitch black sky, I saw three stars fall behind the mountains. I sank to my knees in prayer and my heart was silenced and humbled.

I know it's really silly to link paperclip sightings to grand things like love and God. But I still saw three today and I want to know what that could possibly mean in the bigger scheme of things.

Two Yellow Paperclips

Gang gave me two yellow paperclips today. A big one she picked up along East Avenue and a smaller one from The Powerplant in Rockwell. She had them in her bag for weeks and kept them until our get-together today. Sweet. Gang is a true friend. She sees and loves my little quirks. I don't think most of my friends would pick up paperclips on the street to give them to me. But Gang did. She's really "one of us": she's a Full Moon Friend and we can talk non-stop about any and all things. I wouldn't have it any other way.

One Paperclip a Day

"If I see a paperclip today," I whispered to myself on a particularly crazy day, "then everything will be okay."

I've been seeing at least one paperclip a day since then. No kidding. Some days I see two, or three, or even four. On the sidewalk. Along the driveway. By the ATM. Under my colleague's desk. In the parking lot. On the waiter's necktie. They're following me around. And I love it.

So I started picking them up. Now I want to tell their stories. Our stories.

I'm glad I wrote the story The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. I hope the Award is really a start to a great adventure.

It's 100% Real

Gang, my poetry teacher-turned-great one-of-us friends, helped to make my dream come true. With our Poetry for Non-Poets class last July, she got me to start seriously writing again. With a gift she gave me last Saturday night, she made real what until then was just something I had imagined in a story.

"It's not yet complete," she said, as she made me close my eyes and put out my hands. She dropped something heavy and cold and when I opened my eyes, there it was: a real Yellow Paperclip. "It's an interactive gift," she continued. "You have to put the Bright Purple Spots. I couldn't quite figure out how to put them on!"

I could hardly contain myself. I felt like a little girl squealing with delight. I carried it around the entire night: in the car, when we watched a play, while we had a late dinner and stopped for coffee at The Fort.

The very next day, I experimented and decided on punching holes through bright purple sticker paper. The holes made great Bright Purple Spots.


It's 100% real now: my Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots jumped out of my imagination, out onto pages of my journal, into words on a screen... and into the palm of my hand. Thanks, Tita Gang.

Becca Started this Great Paperclip Adventure

Meet Becca Carreon, my colleague Anna's 10-year-old daughter who helped me create and develop the stories behind The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. A week before the deadline of the 2005 PBBY-Salanga Prize, I asked what she thought of several stories I had in mind. Fish and flowers were boring; but when I asked her to trace the steps and adventures of a paperclip, her eyes lit up and she smiled. The light in her eyes told me I had a good story. In between giggles, we daydreamed and imagined where a paperclip could have come from and where it could travel to. I scribbled our ideas on a scrap piece of paper and used that to write my story.

Me, after daydreaming several scenes: "Becca, what color is this paperclip?" Becca's INSTANT and matter-of-factly answer: "Yellow." I love how she already saw our character in full color.

I can't help but thank the Universe for allowing our paths to cross at such a perfect time. Becca is a big bright purple spot in my life; she is also a central character in the story. Check out these spreads from the storybook...

I can't ever thank you enough, Becca! (Incidentally, it's also her 10th birthday today... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)