On Meeting Giada de Laurentiis

I had it marked on my calendar for a month that Giada de Laurentiis from "Everyday Italian" on the Food Channel was coming to do a booksigning at our downtown Borders tonight, May 2nd at 7:30 PM. I bought her 2nd book and planned to get there early to get one signed for my mom and one signed for me.

Good thing I asked the front door guys what floor it was going to be on because they were the ones passing out wristbands for those who wanted books signed by Ms. Giada. Wow! It was like a concert! I wasn't expecting a huge crowd because for some reason I got it in my head that since I was the only one among my friends who really watched her that there would be a somewhat sizeable but quaint crowd -- nope! Droves of people were milling around waiting for her, staking their territory, talking about what number they had and what the processes were to get our books signed, to talk to the illustrious Giada.

I had my mom's and my name written on post-its by store employees and tucked in the front cover to make Giada's signing a little easier. Then, we waited for her arrival. She was very pleased with our San Francisco turn-out and was very gracious to us for coming to see her! Me and this other lady love her show and were giggling like two school-girls waiting to meet Giada. I was no. 162 out of 274 people I heard. 100-125! 125-150! 150-175! Ok, that's me!! Frankly, I was a little nervous, but just from watching Giada with the other people, she seemed very friendly, down-to-earth and easy to talk to. Next! Ma'am (ma'am!!), you can only take pictures from where you're standing. Ok..snap snap snap. Ok, come on over!! Eeee!

"Hi!" she said cheerfully - "HI!!" :) How are you, fine, how are you, fine. "My boyfriend is Italian and he's a cook! We love your show!" I blurted out with a giggle. She saw my name spelled out, looked me in eye and smiled that famous smile, "Maile?" "Yes, Maile" - she pronounced it right and the way she said it sounded so nice. She's so warm and friendly that she felt like a friend already. She said that hopefully her cookbook would help me cook some good Italian meals with Giuliano. I went on to explain that she helps me pronounce Italian food words correctly and Giuliano is very impressed with that. She smiled big, proud, satisfied as if to say, "That is why I love my job!" Grazie, Giada! Such a pleasure to meet her! I'm so glad I went!! :)))))