"We'll be young forever/ You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream"

Oh ye of little faith. You thought I couldn't do it huh? But I'm back, baby!

Like I said, the reason I am not writing as much is because I am literally exhausted at any given point during the day. But I really am enjoying my job. I complain about issues with the kids but I am trying to remember that they are three years old and not little teenagers. Because in between wiping booties, cleaning off boogers, smelling little kid toots ALL day, and telling the kids to stop running/ spitting/ screaming, etc, there are some pretty cute moments that make it worth it.

My job is at a church so the kids have a bible verse to learn every month. And let me tell you, these kids have it down by the second or third day of going over it. Last month's was, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Deuteronomy 31:6" and some of my kids use it in everyday life. One of the moms told me that there was a scarily decorated house on Halloween and her husband wanted to take at least their older son trick or treating there. One of my threes said she wanted to go too but the mom told her she would be too scared. And the girl busted out, "But mom! Remember! Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid. Deuteronomy 31:6." Real world application people! And yes, she did go to the house but apparently it was really scary and she and the older brother high tailed it out of there. Still, A for effort.

Oh same little girl, different story: Her one year old sister was fussing one morning and she apparently said, "Don't worry mom, I got this. Bring it down, sis. Bring it down" *along with downward hand motions*. At least I'm not screaming at them to shut up, right?

One day I was trying to teach my kids something, probably opposites or rhyming, I don't remember. But whatever it was, they were doing a good job at understanding it. So sometimes I am delirious and enthusiastic and make a BIG deal of them getting stuff right. So I jokingly told them we should just march right next door and put them in the Pre-K cause they are clearly too smart for my little threes class. One little boy said "No! We don't want to! We want to be in your class!" It was very sweet. They also told me today, most of them still want to be in my class when they are twenty-five years old. Awww.

Another little girl constantly tells me that I'm "still her best friend". Even when she told me the very first time, it was "still", but I'll take it.

And last but not least: the other day, a little girl yelled out from her position on the potty, "Ms Annie!" I was literally reaching for the "wipies" as I asked her "What?" and got a very unexpected response: "I just love you so much" she called back. The girl I work with looked at me and said, "Those are the moments that you'll remember forever." And I will. Especially since I wrote it down in this post. :)

Two bonus potty quotes:

Me: Guys, you've really GOT to stop with the spitting. I can't take it anymore.

K (without missing a beat): And the tooting.

One kid's, ahem poopy, is frequently a shade of a unique color.

Me (muttering to myself as I wipe them): What in the world could you possibly have eaten?

Little kid (very matter of fact): Pickles.

"Please don't be in love with someone else/ Please don't have somebody waiting on you"

The book I finished reading today had a kid in it who talked about blogging a lot. This reminded me of my little blog that has pretty much been all but abandoned these last few months. I'm sorry but honestly I am exhausted 24/7. However I am going to try harder to get back into writing on here. I want to make a big gesture and say a post a day for 30 days but I don't know if I can commit that much. But it's my over-the-top-goal. Plus, I am getting back into editing the book so maybe that will help me want to write on here as well.

So as a baby step back into the blogging world, in the final few hours of this Monday, I present a Music Monday! Woo! Woo! Five songs currently on repeat on my iPod:

1. I Was Wrong -Sleeperstar. I'm a music supervisor's dream. I fall for songs all the time cause they are used on these teen shows and they just fit the moment SO perfectly that I become obsessed and practically trip over my feet running to the computer to download it. This was used on the latest episode of The Vampire Diaries. Say what you will, but that show is awesome. And this scene. Sigh. Ian Somerhalder deserves an Emmy. The single tear. The emotional swell in the music. Sigh. I love him. And, you know, the show too. But really him. He may have finally swayed me to Team Damon. I know, I was shocked too.

2. Enchanted -Taylor Swift. I was extremely excited for Taylor's third album and this is the standout favorite in my approximately 100 listens thus far. But I also love Haunted, Better Than Revenge, and Innocent. Pretty much 9-12 on the album are golden.

3. Dancing On My Own -Robyn. Yeaaaahhh.... it might have been used on Gossip Girl. Whoops. I'm a sucker for the CW apparently.

4. The Ballad of You and I -Melee. This was either a Single of the Week on iTunes, a Starbucks pick, or a Discovery Download on the iPhone. Either way, I got it for free and I am LOVING it. It's a band I might be willing to take a risk on and download the entire album. But I freaking love this song this much that it bodes well for the rest of the songs.

5. I am preemptively saying "Teenage Dream" by Glee feat. Darren Criss on tomorrow's episode. I don't listen to them before the episode airs cause that's like reading the ending of the book first. You gotta save the best for last. But based on last week's preview, it's gonna be totally awesome. Speaking of totally awesome, Darren Criss was the star of A Very Potter Musical and Sequel on Youtube. I already professed my love once but the kid kind of blows Daniel Radcliffe out of the water. I luff him. He is amazing and I may have shrieked when I learned via Twitter that he was going to be on Glee. And while I fought liking Teenage Dream by Katy Perry for a long time, I eventually had to give in. And I am rather obsessed but Darren's version might take the cake. We shall see.

Okay, that wasn't so hard. See you tomorrow.... hopefully! :)

"Street lights/ Big dreams all looking pretty"

Tonight, I went through my box of artwork and assignments (spanning Kindergarten through high school) to find a craft that I am going to use with my kids tomorrow. That's right I'm old school. But as I was sorting through the various worksheets and artwork, I stumbled across dozens of stories I wrote in elementary school. I do not recall writing this many but evidently I did. I don't remember if they were always the assignment or if it was a free time choice but either way I wrote a lot. I totally could have been one of those kids who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up since infancy if I had been paying attention. Drats.

Anyway, I will now share some of these tales with you, dear reader.

We shall start with "Tornado- A True Story" written in the third grade. My most polished of the three pieces and dare I say, the most dramatic. Spelling and grammar as is as much as it pains me to do so....

A storm was starting up outside. The wind howled, thunder booned, and lightning flashed. Four people were home at the Petrella household. Annie and JP were watching Twister, LA was doing her homework, and Mrs. Petrella was walking Molly. Mrs. Petrella noticed a dark cloud over the golf course. She quickly put Molly away and ran into the house and started to watch the weather outside. Then the wind started to blow harder. Then she yelled "Everybody get in the bathroom!" Then once everybody was in the bathroom the electricity went out. Then pounding sounds hit the side of the house. Then hail started. Then after about 5 minutes the tornado stopped. Everybody went outside and they met Mr. Petrella. Trees fell over on electric cords and branches were everywhere. A tree had fallen in the driveway. Then JP called his friend to cut the tree with a chainsaw. John's friend did get rid of the tree blocking the driveway but the two that fell on the electric cord are still there. The Petrella family hopes another tornado will not come. THE END.

As it says in the title, true story. F1 on the golf course that was built next to our old house. Let's just say I have never watched Twister since this happened. Considering it was a gorgeous day and the actual storm brewing coincided with the one in the movie. NEVER AGAIN. Also, I see I suffered from my "can't-think-of-the-obvious-word" even at the tender age of ten since I couldn't some with "power lines" and instead used "electric cords". Potato, po-ta-to.

Now I present to you: The 2 Birds. Written by Annie in the 4th grade.

One day, two birds were flying looking for worms to eat. The two birds were Robin and Jay. When they landed on the ground they both started to peck for worms. Then they each found the same worm and thats how Robin and Jay met.

(next page)

Robin and Jay fell in love Then they decided to get marry. They went to Preacher Pecker. I now pronce you husband and wife.

(next page)

Then one day when they were flying. Robin was talking to Jay and wasn't paying attenion to where she was going. She hit a branch and broke a wing. She fell to the ground, and couldn't get up. Then the old nasty cat came and saw Robin. "Help" cried Robin. Jay flew down and got Robin before the cat could get her.

(next page)

Then they flew off to................................................................................ Holand. THE END.

Clearly I had to refer to a map for the geography at the end. I mean there is love, suspense, quotes, and conjunctions. I was developing some serious skills. It should also be noted I "dedicated" the story to the children's author who had recently visited our school (Nina Laden), my family, and my REAL (underlined twice) friends". Perhaps I was mad at someone at the time?

And last but not least, the story that had me receive the "Young Writer Award" in the second grade: The Magic Pencil.

Once apon a time, in the year 1995. There were three girls named Annie, Krystina, and Abby. They were best friends. They loved to play together. One day they went for a walk in the forest. Then Abby felt something hit her foot. It was a pencil. While Annie and Krystina look at a nest up in a tree. Abby stuck it in her fannie pack. Then they contined thair walk. The next day at school, Abby took the pencil with her. Last night she fon out it was magic. So doing work was not hard. She just said "do my work now". And it did. Then Annie and Krystina fond out. So the next day was the big math test. So Abby use her magic pencil. And their math test was ten pages long. But Abby took her magic pencil out of her desk. And she fineshed in 5 minuetes. And the next day the day they found out their test scores. Annie and Krystina both got a A+. But Abby got a F-. So Abby had to take the test agin. But she took it with a reglur pencil. And she got a A+ too. And she throut away the magic pencil. And Annie, Krystina, and Abby are still friend to this very day. THE END.

I mean, I taught a moral (cheating is wrong and will get you no where in life) and my main character had a "fannie pack". Winner! Not too shabby for second grade.

Seriously, I just got a particular kick out of these three stories and thought I would share.

All material is © 2010 by Annie Petrella. :)

"We don't do it now we'll never make it/ ... Break me out"

Miss me? Sorry, I know I'm awful at updating this here blog. But I'm going to try to get better! Really!

A few weeks ago I made a trip to Borders to get some books that I have given up hope finding at McKay's simply because they are too recent (Hunger Games series) or too obscure (Sisters Red). The cashier asked if I wanted to open a Borders Rewards card. Since I was plunking down quite a bit of money on my purchases, I figured why not? What harm could be done?

Turns out a lot. To my bank account. Did you know they e-mail you a coupon every week? Cause THEY DO! It's usually 33% off any one item which I don't know why they didn't choose 30 or 35 but I'll take it! And you can get special deals (like 50% off Mockingjay the week it was released)! I regret not opening one sooner. At the rate I'm going, I may single handedly save Borders from filing for bankruptcy. I'm really doing a service for the country. You're welcome.

The other day I was standing in line waiting to buy three new books and the cashier asked the lady he was checking out in front of me if she wanted to open a rewards card. She said no and I actually sing-songed (sing-sang?) under my breath, "Big mistake".

And I know.... why buy books? Why not check one out from the library? Or a garage sale or a used bookstore? The way I look at it is if MY book is every published, I want people to be excited and buy it from an actual store. Heck, I would be depressed if I saw it in the bargain bin but at least it would be in a store which is a huge leap beyond my laptop. Plus I wouldn't see a dime of profit from used bookstores or garage sales. Its an industry I want to be a part of some day (hopefully sooner rather than later) so I need to literally pay my dues.

Plus I chalk up the stack of books in my room to research. Maybe I can write it off as a tax deduction....

"Turn a new page, tear the old one out/ And I'll try to see things your way"

Hey, I clocked in just under the "I-Haven't-Written-in-a-Month" deadline. Go me! If I was a student in my class, I'd get a sticker for doing the right thing.

There hasn't been a book update in a while... so shall I? I shall. I'm in the process of editing (again) right now. While my mom read it, she was lovely and highlighted some errors (some on my part, some on Microsoft Words. Especially when it comes to autocorrecting a comma into a period in a quote). I've been reading backwards to catch mistakes as well as polish it. Remember how I was having serious issues coming up with simple words while writing SO? Like that one time I couldn't remember the word monologue and it took me five minutes and I almost had to ask a Starbucks worker? Yeah, since my brain took a nice long book break, I am coming up with better synonyms this time around. And I didn't even have to right click. :)

And to validate the past year of my life, I've been telling pretty much any and everyone about the book. People at work, Starbucks employees who assume I am still in school, friends of friends. People's reactions are always funny to me. Like when I finished writing the rough draft of SO, I got lots of congratulations from my friends and family. And not to sound ungrateful but I didn't think I deserved them. I think it's because I always knew deep down (even during moments of doubt i.e. chapters nine and fourteen) that I could write a book. And I did, plain and simple. It's the getting published that is going to be a major feat for me. Or just getting an agent and the possibility of getting published becoming more realistic.

But it's not impressive to me because that's the way my brain works. I write. I read. I can do those things. That's how I'm wired. That's normal to me so shouldn't everyone be able to do it?

But the more and more I tell people, the more I realize it is sort of uncommon. Only one woman said she had an idea for book so she wasn't as impressed (but she's asked me about the progress every now and then since). But everyone else who is impressed immediately follows it with, "I could never do that. My brain doesn't work that way". And maybe these are people who can solve any math problem, know all the elements on the Periodic Table, can get 102 points on a word in Words with Friends (Darn you AE!), or know all the team names in the NFL. My brain doesn't work that way (especially math and science) so I'm seriously impressed when your brain does. We're all different. And unique. And special. Oh geez, I'm seriously turning in a Preschool Teacher.

It also might be my age that throws people. But really, there is no "You must be THIS tall to write a book" sign posted outside of publishing houses. Why wait?