Gulp. We've done it. We've made it to middle school! Still using the In and Out lists and still crushing on Jack. Turns out middle school isn't much different- except that Alena is a Student Body Officer. And with that great power, comes great responsibility.  Follow @readitandbeep for photos behind the stories.

Read It And Beep

Alena is officially a Sevey!!

This week I am joined by Sebastian Conelli, host of Loud About Nothing podcast and resident Staten Island man. I met Sebastian at one of his comedy shows at UCB in New York and stalked their Instagram page to find him. Sebastian is easily one of the funniest human people I've met and I'm so glad he's joining me on this special episode. Today we're reading our old elementary school books and poems. I don't want to claim we were prolific children, but I will. Listen to the Loud About Nothing podcast and follow us @sebastianconelli @lenahelz @readitandbeep

Alena and special guest Sebastian read their *Pulitzer prize* winning elementary poems

Did you read The Clique novels? No? Well then get out of here! Run! Quick, there might be time to save yourself! For the rest of you, do you remember Massie Block's iconic In and Out lists? Young Alena drew a lot of inspiration from those in the year 2006. Follow @readitandbeep because I said so.

Alena's 2006 In and Out Lists

Still in the year 2005 and it is gooooood to be here. Freddie Highmore the celeb and star has once again made an appearance. Alena thinks she is going to die and writes a whole list of goodbyes. My favorite line? "I know I'm not always fun to be around and you weren't either." follow @readitandbeep on Instagram to see the photo of Alena and her evil foam twin Alana

Alena says her fifth grade goodbyes before *dying*

She's moved to a new school, a special school for the smartie pants. But - plot twist - she misses her old school where she was bullied because she is drunk on nostalgia. Classic! Also, who will she love? Taylor, Jack, or Tommy?! So many options.  Follow @readitandbeep on the gram for photos and fun and polls and all that jazz.  If you're new to this podcast, welcome! hi! howdy! I'm reading my old diary entries chronologically and we're currently in the year 2004. 

Alena hates her 5th grade teacher but loves half the boys in her class

Pretty self explanatory title! We finish my trip to Sweden with an unnecessary amount of details. I journal throughout my day as a 4th grader and surprise, surprise, bullying is involved! And then we end on one of my weirder entries.  Follow @readitandbeep on Instagram for pictures and more!

Alena goes to Sweden and gets bullied at recess

Another week of making my way thru my old diaries. Still perfecting this format so please give your suggestions!  This week we cover my 10th birthday party where everyone dressed up like Hilary Duff. Except for Jenny, who came as Lara Croft because her parents let her watch PG-13 movies. Jealous! We also travel to Sweden in the dead of winter. Not jealous.  Follow @readitandbeep on Instagram for fun photos.

Alena's 2004 aka the year we all wanted to be Hilary Duff

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to listen to someone grow up through their diary? That might be a niche desire, but it's one I am fulfilling. Hi, I'm Alena and I have 2 decades worth of diary entries. I've done episodes with guests where we read our entries and now I'm going to read them chronologically on a weekly basis. Today's episode covers 2001-2003, a young elementary-aged Alena.  Follow @readitandbeep on Instagram for photos from today's episode as well as other nostalgia content. 

Alena Years 2001-2003

Alena reads entries she wrote in 2010 questioning her future career. Should she join the CIA or marry an architect? Would it be okay to marry an Orthodontist if that meant not moving to Connecticut? These are things that have kept her up for 10 years!  Follow @readitandbeep on Instagram and @lenacuisine on TikTok

A Decade of Career Choices

While moving apartments, Grace found the book of all books: an old composition notebook titled The Perfect Boy. All throughout middle school she, along with 4 other friends, wrote a book coaching their version of the perfect boy. They covered everything from style (bow ties ALL the way!) to how to handle a girl's menstrual cycle. Hint: she probably hates it just as much as you do! Grace sat down with me (and her boyfriend) and we read through this insightful and eye-opening book.  If you're not already, follow @readitandbeep where I post funny journal entries and behind the scenes content. I also post photos of my dog so for that reason alone you should follow. If you or someone you know has some old journals they're dying to crack open, slide into my DMs. 

The Perfect Boy Book with Grace

Friends Ellery and Alena read from their middle school diaries. Both of them relive the moment their friends told them they needed to wear a bra. They read some sad entries talking about bad friends, mean teachers, and sick days. They go full emo in this episode, including singing "I'm not a perfect person!" For more content follow @readitandbeep and visit readitandbeep.com

Ellery

Susan and I may have grown up in different decades and in different sides of the country, but our journals still ring relatable. In today's episode you'll hear Susan lament over boys who don't like her and a canceled Dawson's Creek. You'll hear me talk about a fateful day when a love letter ended up in the wrong locker. For photos and more fun check out @readitandbeep and readitandbeep.com If you like this week's episode, please rate and review the podcast!

Susan

After Kirsten and I secretly read her journals and deemed them "boring", Sammy has returned to prove us wrong and she does an excellent job. We both read old song lyrics, including one originating a genre I call "Post-Christmas" music. For photos and more fun check out @readitandbeep and readitandbeep.com If you like this week's episode, please rate and review the podcast!

Samantha Helzer

Hannah slid into my DMs with one of her old journal entries and we decided to make an entire 8th grade themed episode. You'll be transported to a world you didn't want to return to. Hannah talks about liking "sexy songs" and re-watching the honeymoon scene of Breaking Dawn. Alena talks about wishing her 13 year old crush would see her as wife material. For photos and more check out readitandbeep.com as well as @readitandbeep. Send me your funny journal entries! The post Hannah the Economist appeared first on Read it and Beep!.

Hannah the Economist

This episode was recorded at Chismosas salon with my hilarious hair stylist Janely. Aside from reading from our journals, we chat about how we were type cast as Angelica Pickles from the Rugrats, David Archuleta, and putting an expiration date on relationships. Janely shares some wise advice like making your journal pass the Bechdel Test.

Janely Sanchez

Join Alena every Tuesday as she interviews interesting guests using childhood diaries.

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Read It And Beep

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