My diary -April 4-6, 1973
- Susan Fisch Good
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
April 4, 1973 Wed.
Dear Smiley:
Mrs. Habed mosn’t be feeling well. She really bawled our class out. I got a History report (oral) on Diary of Anne Frank. Gym is fun but it reminds me of kindergarten. All hold hands & dance. Bus picks & drops us off at the corner. Went out & had fun. Silvia & Carmen invited us in their house. We got home 45 min late. Mom furious!!! Mom & Dads engagement day.
BYE!!!
Note: Mrs. Habed was a wonderfully challenging teacher. She prepared us for college, because she taught as if she was still teaching university classes in Chile.
We were finally done with gymnastics and on to dancing. At least, I could do this.
We didn’t make our curfew and were rightly punished. Mom was worried sick that something terrible had happened to us.
April 5, 1973, Thurs.
Dear Smiley:
In recess & study hall Martin, Michelle & few others watched movies. (Cinderella, Snow White & Scrooge!!) Mrs. Tablada no vino so another Study Hall. In Math Bill & Julio & I got in huge fight over a problem. I disagreed with them & SPARK!!! I thought Bill would hit me over the head for a min. when I couldn’t see his point. Can’t go out tonight cause yesterday. Did English report. Sewed on fish patch! I’m beat, bushed etc!
BYE!!
Note: I don’t remember how or where we watched movies. No vino means did not come.
I love how I used the word SPARK to illustrate the friction.
We were grounded!
April 6, 1973 Fri.
Dear Smiley:
Math test mas o menos. We had last period to making adresses etc. on envelop for project Phoenix. To send to school in U.S.A. asking for money for our school. Went outside but no action. Missy hasn’t written me I’m worried if she still likes me. I did more outside than most night rode Patricia moto around block. Alejandro rode me on his minibike & Marta loaned me her bike.
BYE!!!
Note: Worried Missy had forgotten me. I am proud to say we still stay in touch and see each other as often as we can.
If Mom found out about me riding on minibikes, I would have been grounded again!
Project Phoenix was an initiative to quickly rebuild the American Nicaraguan School (ANS) after its original campus in Managua was destroyed. In 1973, the U.S. government stepped in to assist the institution.
April 4, 1973 Wed. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop
I have one week to read over 100 pages. Phew! I’ll never do it. Patricia said that Hilca’s terribly in love with me. I wonder, I guess I’ll just ask her.
You know, now we are picked up at the park! I think because Patricia lives on the main road.
We had two earthquakes, tremors today. Small. Steve really likes Leesa. He thinks that just cause she’s nice to him, she likes him. She’s nice to everybody.
Today was a silent night. Not a twig was moving. Not a breeze. Cerro Negro is up 2,000 degrees. Good luck. Good night.
NOTE: I find the analysis of Leesa and her possible feelings towards Steve to be a bit humorous. On a more serious front, I can see the continued worry over another major earthquake or volcanic eruption. Cerro Negro (black hill) volcano erupted twice during our time in Nicaragua. Once in 1968 and once in 1969 but didn’t have another major eruption until 1992.
April 5, 1973 Thurs. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop,
Today was like always, good and bad. School was alright. 90 on science test. Spanish was a little easy. Chess wise it was bad. Dad beat me 5 times. I beat him two.
Today I’ll read Spanish, tomorrow I’ll finish studying Geo and lab report. Sue and Beck couldn’t go out because they’re punished. Got home at 11:00. I played lousy basketball.
Good night.
NOTE: I smile when I remember playing chess with my Dad. So glad that he encouraged me to play by playing against me. In his later years, backgammon was his game of choice and we all enjoyed the game.
I wonder what my sisters did to get punished. Perhaps it’s tied to coming home at 11?
April 6, 1973 Fri. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop,
Today was lousy. In science I was playing a game of tic-tac-toe while (Mr.) Tom was cutting a piece of wax. No one else paid attention except for Danielle and Steve. Everyone else got an F for the day.
I feel so short. Steve , Becky, everyone’s taller than I am. I’m as tall as Danielle but that’s about it.
I like Hilca. On Sunday, if she doesn’t come out, I’ll go to her house and call her. Everybody’s got mini bicycles. They’re fast. Mauricio’s motor bike. And Cabra’s got one. All in the same family.
Danielle avoids getting an F for the day in science by being one of the few who paid attention in class! Way to go Danielle!
NOTE: Just another tough day. I remember everyone getting motor bikes, but I don’t think I ever really wanted one and certainly our parents would not have allowed us to have or ride one!
Always so impressed to see how thoughtful and analytical both of you were... your diary comments show such insight and wisdom at a young age... For example, I do not think I ever once thought about what kind of day one of my teachers was having.
It made me laugh to see you write about whether or not Missy still liked you... since you are her most important friend to this day!
Always enjoy reading your blog - even though do not always get to comment... hasta la vista amiga
When I was about 13, the family was taking a day trip through the mountains in C.R. and we witnessed a rather gruesome accident between a motorcycle and a cattle truck on a hairpin curve. Dad always said motorcycles are dangerous, except in very specific circumstances, and the image on the road that day stayed with me for life.
The exception was when we vacationed in San Andres, we (Dad and I) rented mopeds to get about. Back then, virtually every other vehicle on the island was a moped (top speed about 25MPH) and a few little Renault taxis at the airport. I probably looked pretty goofy, a tall skinny Gringo with a traditional C.R. canvas "campesino" hat, I imagined…
Interesting to hear about Project Phoenix.