Jennifer Anne Kogler

I started the week in North Carolina at Heritage Middle School.  I had three FANTASTIC student introduce me who were much better than I was, to be fair.  Rollins, Lilly and Brian chose Bermuda, Hogwarts (my personal favorite choice of the day) and Newport Beach as destinations.  Media specialist Donna Burke was exactly how I would picture a Southern lady – charm and sweetness.  I also got a wonderful North Carolinian care package, including sweet potato butter, which is completely delicious.  You’re probably wondering, I know, if the signs in NC look any different than the signs any other place.  Well, check this sign out?

Actually, I think there’s a lot more open space and foliage.  This was my first time in NC, and I can say that is is a beautiful place!  More to come on its beauties soon.

Well Shirley McCauley is retiring this year, and after having spent one day with her, I can tell you that she will be sorely missed.  She is one of those irreverent laugh-a-minute people who entertains you without really even trying.  At Nobel, I had my own parking space reserved, as well as a library aide named Tyler who was behind-the-scenes helpful the entire day.

We had four wanna-be teleporters at Nobel.  The first was Chris, who wanted to go to the Celtics Practice Facility.  He was hilarious, despite the facts that he was a Celtics fan.  We then had Riley (Miami), Daniel (who wanted to go to Disneyland, and then Tayeshaun (I’m probably spelling that wrong – I’m a horrible speller), who, in logical fashion, wanted to go a Santa Barbara beach. 

Nobel made a production out of the day (complete with signs, bookmarks and food) and it was a great Friday.

And on to North Carolina!

It’s always good to come back home!  Last week on Thursday, I had my first OC Bookstore signing.  Despite the fact that I was competing with the Lakers game, I had a great turn out thanks to some old and new friends.  Special thanks to my mother’s bridge club, who showed up in force!  Also, I’d be remiss without thanking a champion organizer, community relations-extraordinaire and a downright charming woman — Linda Rowe.  She rules, among other things she does.  Here is a picture of me and her at the store.

It’s always surreal for me to be back at the B&N in Tustin Market Place because I used to write and drink a white mocha there.  If someone had told me that I would have had two book signings there by age 26, I would have accused them of lying and then recommended they seek professional help.

Anyway, thank you, a million times thank you to everyone who showed up.  Turns out, the Lakers game wasn’t really worth watching.  I don’t know if I was, but at least the company around me was exceptional.  

There’s no other way to put it . . . I had a blast at McAulliffe Middle School.  I was in and out in three assemblies and was nice introduced by Principal Mr. Sackett and Mr. Platt.  I also had some of the most interesting answers for vampires that we all know of!

Anyhow, McAulliffe students were excited (or at least were very good at faking it).  It was also about the end of the school year and they still managed to be entertained by my dog and pony show (which includes neither a dog or a pony).  And as a northern OC school (I’m pretty sure we played Los Al all the time in high school), I took a certain amount of pride.  Everyone was so incredibly nice . . . it was a great way to end my stay in Orange County.

Hello again!  

Yes, it’s me.  Well, I have finally recovered from the Lakers poor showing in the NBA Finals and am ready to be back blogging.  

Anyway, About a week and a half ago, I was at Don Juan Avila Middle School, and a good time was had by all.  Well, I can’t guarantee that a good time was had by the students, but I certainly had a good time.  Teleporters Ayrton may have come up with the most interesting place to teleport to.  If I’m remembering correctly, I think it was the Star Wars Planet Corellia Coronet City.  Actually, I have no idea if that was correct.  I think it was, but it’s been a little while and Star Wars planets tend to go in one ear and out the other for someone like me.  But I do want to wish Mrs. Burgus, media specialist extraordinaire a happy retirement!

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting Rancho San Joaquin — and I’m still full from the wonderful spread that Mrs. Mayfield provided for lunch (and nutrition).  Not only were the students so excited and asking great questions, but I got such lovely gifts as a thank you, including Weird California (to help me with settings for future novels) and a Dodgers book, complete with two of my favorite Dodgers pictured on the cover — Drysdale and Kofax.  Needless to say, I loved spending time with the charming Mrs. Mayfield and listening to her delightful southern accent.  I left with the warmest of feelings, so thanks to all parties involved.

Also, as a side note, there was an article in the OC Register about yours truly.  Keith Sharon was a fantastic interviewer.  Check it out if you’ve got some time to waste:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/themorningread/article_2062287.php

I’ve now got to focus on the Lakers game, so you’ll have to excuse me.  I’m worried we may get shut out.

Yesterday, I went to Hale Middle School.  Math-teacher-slash-media-specialist Mr. Shatkun welcomed me and although Scott, Julian and Jordan picked good places to go, we were unable to make it happen.  It was my first school in The Valley and it was a good way to start.  Though I think it’s about ten degrees warmer there than it is in the OC.  

I don’t know if it’s a New Jersey things, but they name their schools there in such a logical and systematic way.  Like Crossroads North and South.  Or Montgomery Lower and Upper.  It just makes sense.  On Friday of this past week, I found myself with in front of Montgomery Lower Middle School.  Mrs. Strawn was spirited and so enthusiastic, it was hard not to be the same way.  Also, I have to say that both Montgomery Lower and Upper are on Burnt Hill Road, which is a pretty cool street name.  In my humble opinion.  

Huge thanks to Ms. Coates for inviting me into her classroom.  She was so, so nice and I got such wonderful questions from her 7th graders.  

Also, I should give a special thank you to everyone who has emailed me and said nice things about the book and those who have emailed me just to say “hi” or to ask a question.  I really need to start asking the fantastic librarians/media specialists that I meet for permission to post the pictures I take with them so I can stop the monotony of me posing in parking lots by myself.

On Tuesday I learned that there are three Brunswicks in New Jersey.  There’s a New, an East, and most importantly, a South Brunswick.  I don’t know what happened to North and West Brunswick, but apparently, they didn’t make the cut.

Anyhow, South Brunswick is where Crossroads North was situated.  Kim Zito and the library gang were a class act.  No really, they were.  There was delicious cake, fruit and drinks.  It was top-notch.  Everyone there was also hilarious.  I was laughing hysterically when I was hanging out with the library ladies.  South Brunswick also has it’s own Koi Pond and an executive board to go with it.  At Crossroads North, there were two of the most unusual requests for teleportation destinations:  Narnia from Brendan and my personal favorite, Atlantis, where Jason wanted to become a Merman.  Both teleporters were hilarious.  Kelly was more sensible and chose Seaside on the Jersey shore.  A great time was had by all.  Okay, okay, so I can’t guarantee that other people had a great time, but I sure did. 

I then headed to Crossroads South the next day.  Which is actually right in back of Crossroads North.  I was welcomed by both assistant principals, who were as nice as can be and Rita Nannini was all smiles and reassurances and a great lady to hang out with for the day.  My favorite teleporter for Wednesday was Elizabeth, who decided, very logically, that she wanted to teleport to Mrs. Nannini in the back of the auditorium so that everyone could see if it worked.   I also have to thank Mrs. Gleim, who was with me at both Crossroads (the crossroads of the crossroads, you might say) and she was great fun both days.   

Here is a picture which begs the question:  What exactly is the Hershey Luggage Drop off?

Last Monday, I finished off my Reunions Weekend (it was my 5th year college Reunion) by visiting with Steve Dunbar and the gang at Witherspoon Middle School.  I must say that I got some of the most “advanced” questions I’ve received yet.  In particular, one student tried to explain, in detail, how to teleport and he lost me as soon as he mentioned “atoms” and “quarks” in the same sentence.  Brock, Ben/Lucas (I’m not sure which name was his actual name) and Caroline all were valiant in the line of duty, but I’m afraid we had no success once again.  Another thing Witherspoon excelled at?  Longest sign.  check it out: