My diary - April 28-30, 1973
April 28, 1973 Sat.
Dear Smiley:
Kermess Today! I went at 10:00. I worked in fresco stand pushing eskimo thing & selling cakes. I had fun. Joe (marine) talked to me for about 15 min. I went to have my palm read by Diane & this guy goes tell her “Que tiene cara de muchos novios!” I got a love letter (I think Silvia wrote it). Had fun pushing eskimo cart. Alway got someone to help me. Went to party but didn’t stay long. Too many weird people.
BYE!!!
Note: The Kermes or fair was a lot of fun and a fundraiser for our school. Diane Anstead was at the fortune-telling table. The guy said, “She has the face of having lots of boyfriends.” I was tickled! Another table had Silvia writing love letters for people. I enjoyed pushing the Eskimo cart. Eskimo was an iconic Nicaraguan ice cream brand founded in 1942 by Mario Salvo and Josefina Horvilleur.
I am not sure what I considered weird at that time, and it is interesting that my brother mentions it too.
April 29, 1973 Sun.
Dear Smiley:
Went to church. Rosa never came back & Wendy quitting tomorrow! GROSS. Means dishes to do. Dave & Beck got hamburgers from Sandys for us for lunch. Washed & rolled my hair. Read on “Bath Tangle.” Went outside. Don’t think I’ll like Maria Josefina.
Studied.
BYE!!!
Note: I don’t remember who Maria Josefina was but I assume she lived in our neighborhood.
We were definitely privileged. Not sure why Rosa our maid or Wendy our cook quit, but we did the chores which made us appreciate what we had.
April 30, 1973 Mon.
Dear Smiley:
I skipped Spanish. I was going to take a history test but then he said I didn’t have to so I just didn’t go back. Mr. Hooker, Mrs.Tablada, Marlie Bush & Mr. Vallecio were in a car accident. Mr. Vallecio lost 1 eye. Marlies has to have plastic surgery. GYM awful. I recited Spanish poem in recess. Took English test. Went outside. Alvaro & some other guys were out. Had fun.
BYE!!!
Note: I’m not sure if this was gossip or these injuries really occurred. I find it interesting how my teenage self states something awful that happens and then moves on to the next item in her brain or day (gym).
April 28, 1973 Sat. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop.
Today was all-right, As a matter of fact it was great. The junk sale worked out alright- although not many helped, so did the science room and the jello contest.
The party was great. I mean great. I came with Sue but she left after too many weirdos. Gustavo, Carbra, Manuel, Mundo, and Alejandro came. I danced once with Chiu Chuang but then I and and danced with Isabel. Fast and slow. Later we went by the cars, we talked, we went by the fresco stand. I bought her a coke. We talked. . Joe was there. He talked to me about Napoleon (short) that the distance between head and ground is not important, but distance between head and sky is. Don’t worry about being short. Nothing you can do about it. He’s right.
Good nite.
NOTE: I don’t recall interactions between school friends, neighborhood friends, and Marine Joe, but it looks like it was all connected. All in all, though, it looks like I had a great day. I’m thankful to Joe for his advice, though I’m still trying to make sense of it. Chiu was in Sue’s class. Interesting that she and I danced. It looks like the dancing with Isabel is what made my day. It will be interesting to see Sue’s perspective on the party in light of my comment about weirdos!
April 29, 1973 Sun. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop,
It’s actually Monday and I don’t remember what happened. Let’s see. We went to church; it was hot. We talked with he Rueseggies (sp?). I wanted to go to Sandy’s. Instead we went home. I made myself a cold coke. Crunched up ice. Beck and Sue drank a 7 up. I didn’t get any. That’s all I remember. Wait, this is only yesterday. We ate lunch at Sandy’s. I made milkshakes here and Beck and I drove over on bikes and brought food back. No maids today. Outside we were having contests on who popped wheelies the best. Tavi and I have hardest bikes. It’s between Tairo and I. He pedals more but I travel farther.
NOTE: Interesting self dialog as I tried to recall the events of Sunday. Riding bikes with my sister Becky to pick up lunch and to have fun. Even today, I enjoy riding more when I’m riding with a purpose. Eg. Getting groceries or commuting to work (past tense).. Popping wheelies on my ‘sting ray’ bike was a lot of fun.
I recall Mr Vallecio having a glass eye that sometimes would be “looking” its own way… somehow I thought it had been a fireworks accident?
In 74-75, we lived in Bolonia. I’d ride my 10 speed Varsity (with handle bar replaced with curl down type) down hill to the Palacio Nacional philatelic office to buy stamps for my collection. The city was leveled so you could see for blocks, and I’d blow through stop signs, and try to keep up with scooters/motorcycles.
Keith W
I don't remember if we had Eskimo ice cream in CR. The Tico's pride & joy was Dos Pinos, rich ice cream and great tasting milk, even tho it was not homogenized.
Note that the "privilege" of having domestic help in L.A. was actually a necessity. Remember that even back then, in the States we had clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, wide choices of frozen foods, and other labor-saving appliances we just didn't have in L.A. Plus, having live-in help meant the house was rarely left unoccupied which was an opportunity for burglars.
So typical of teens to sort of take in stride a life-altering event (the car accident) then go on to describe the day's mundane events.
Dave's bike…
I noticed this morning that you sign off each week’s introduction to the blog the same way you signed off each day when you finished your diary entry: BYE! I like it.