"Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" Book Review...

...I just finished reading "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. It took me awhile to understand the format because it literally IS written like an encyclopedia but then it hit me. Hey! This is just like a bunch of blog entries in one book! In some senses, I totally related to her such as under the entry of LOVE: "If you really love someone, you want to know what they ate for lunch or dinner without you." I was cracking up as I read this because every single day when Matt gets home from work, I ask how his lunch was. It's the same conversation every day but I ALWAYS ask. I even ask what he had or how something specific was which is even funnier because I pack his lunch! You can really get a feel for her personality throughout the book which I could relate to (some stuff though was off the wall) and some of the stuff she did, I found myself saying, wow, that seems cool, maybe I'll try it (such as the entry under CHANGE)! Anyways, it was a quick read and pretty entertaining.

So in honor of this book, here is a couple excerpts of what would be included in the Encyclopedia of Alyssa:

Alyssa-that's me, that's my name (see post a couple days back). Since my sister was an only child for 8 years, my parents felt bad when I came along and let her name me (that's my story at least). She named me after her best friend.

Elvis Pretzely-Only the single most, delicious ice cream ever!?! Silky's, the ice cream shop around my corner, offers it...vanilla custard, pretzels, caramel and that hardshell chocolate....mmm...I was upset when they closed for winter without any warning, I tried making it at home but it wasn't the same.

Haunted Houses-I've worked in both a Haunted Hall of Horror and Blood Moon-Haunted Trail. After being on the other side for multiple years, they really don't scare me any more. They remind me of the hard work and creativity that goes into making them.

Ornaments-My mom used to crochet these snowflakes then soak them in sugar water and iron them. They would be stiff as they hung on the tree. When I was younger, I would sneak into the room and suck on them because they tasted sweet. I would always get busted because they would be left brown and withered for someone to find the next morning.

Reading-I recently realized that I love to read but I hate reading at home. Too many distractions, tv, computer, dogs, husband, I like to read anywhere but home.

Rich Church-He is a man that haunts me. In second grade, a big earthquake was predicted for Southeast Missouri and Unsolved Mysteries was doing a special on their show. My family watched it and the story of Rich Church came on. For years, I thought he lived in my basement and I would never go down there at night by myself or if I did I tried to be as fast as I could. I still to this day remember his name. He gives me the heebie jeebies.

Soccer-Believe it or not, soccer was my LIFE from about 3rd game until my senior year of high school. Every spare weekend was spent playing soccer. I played soccer in St. Louis (two hours away) on two prom days, my high school team got 4th in state my sophomore year (I started) the I tore my ACL and meniscus during my senior season. I like to think that set back is what kept me from working out and becoming unmotivated to play but I imagine college would have motivated me to be lazy as it did. I've also coached soccer for 3 year olds to high school girls and I still haven't decided which is easier to coach. Soccer is always a fun-win or lose (although who wouldn't prefer to win), teams equal camaraderie which equals good times.

Star-We had a boxer named Star because she was born in the Lone Star State. I met Matt, his mom's name is Star, Starlet to be exact. My family has to clarify now, Star the dog or Star Matt's mom.

Vowels-I graduated 11/294 from high school. I graduated college Magna Cum Laude. For the life of me, I can't tell you the difference between a long and a short vowel. I FAILED that in first grade, I'm surprised they passed me on to second grade.

So that my friends is kind of how the book is written. It's interesting and it makes you laugh because you thought YOU were the only one who thought that.