My diary -August 1-3, 1972
- Susan Fisch Good
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
August 1, 1972 Tues.
Dear Flowers:
I got up late. Read papers. Ate breakfast. I finished “The Super Jet Girls” last night; it was good. Watched T.V. I helped Mom defrost the freezer abit. I read most of the afternoon on “Nickels Wife” its good. Dad left this morning to New York. Should be back Sat. Watched T.V. Pray that Dads safe. Read on Nickels Wife.
BYE!!
Note: I’ve mentioned before how Dad traveled a lot and I had such an unwarranted fear of losing him. I am not sure why other than I felt safe and protected when he was with us.
I was an avid reader which probably made me a nerd but I was never bored and fortunately always found books to read.
Nickel Wife was a Harlequin Romance taking place in Australia, in the mining part of the country.
August 2, 1972 Wed.
Dear Flowers:
Got up late. 10:30. Last day I really can sleep in. I finished “Nickel’s Wife.” I got all ready for school. Washed my hair. Mom rolled it. I started a new book “Black Douglas.” Talked to Simmon. I watched T.V. Got my clothes ready for school. I sleep with Mom.
BYE!
Note: School started early August which was earlier than in the U.S. where most schools started after Labor Day.
The first day back was always exciting as we would find out who our teachers were and who was back from last school year. I still get my clothes and accessories out for the next day as it makes my life easier.
Black Douglas was about a man who loses his eyesight in an accident and the young nurse who takes care of him.
August 3, 1972 Thurs.
Dear Flower:
School today. We sat in assembly from 7:30 to 9:00. I’m in 10B. I have Mr. Hooker as a homeroom teacher. I have 1 new girl in my class Pat. She’s moving into to Missy’s house I think. Kelly Griffins back so is Sammy Cohen. I covered books. Went to the dentist at 3:30 & got out at 6:00. The drilled my tooth till its is the size of a baby tooth. I look like a witch. They took about 10 impressions. Pink chocolate colored rubber, white etc. Read on “Black Douglas”. Don’t have to go to school tomorrow go instead to dentist.
BYE!!!
Note: I remember the assemblies in the large auditorium. The director and principal would welcome us and go over the rules for that coming school year. I was excited to have Mr. Hooker as my homeroom teacher. I ended up having him every year either as my history or psychology teacher. He was very laid back; his lectures were similar to what I had later in college. I learned a lot from him. He challenged me not to be shy and to think - use my brain.
Getting my front tooth capped was an ordeal. I had the one I broke capped right after my accident falling on the basketball court several year before. The second tooth was thought to be okay, unfortunately it was not to be. When I moved years later to Puerto Rico, I had to have both front teeth redone.
I covered my text books with brown paper from the grocery bags to protect them as they would be used again next year by another class. It was fun to decorate the covers with signatures and drawings. Now books are online so no need to cover.
I would love to know the whereabout of Kelly Griffith and Sammy Kohen.
Interesting how life happens - you went to school in August and now live in the South where it's the same! It does makes life easier in the mornings to have outfits already picked out - I also still do that even if it's a stay at home chore day! When I taught, I also made my lunch up the night before - I'm not a morning person and am slow going, so that helped me too! I'm sure you told me before, but was the school you attended in Nicaragua bilingual? Were the assemblies spoken in both languages? I'm caught up on your blogs now and looking forward to the next one!
The whole educational experience we had living abroad during our youth was not appreciated until many years later; Before arriving back to the states for my senior high school year in '72, I lamented missing out on much of the 60's counter-culture/music/hippie movement taking place "back home".
In retrospect, I didn't miss much.
Now, with the passing of each decade, I become more aware of the true value of having attended those various schools abroad. Our teachers were a mix of Gringos, Aussies, Brits and natives. Almost by definition, a teacher willing to relocate and teach in a foreign country is going to be more interesting and dedicated to their job than say the average teacher we would have had,…
Susan, Jim traveled a lot after we moved to NC from TN and two of my kids would take turns sleeping in my bed. I think they, like you, just felt safer when their dad was home.
You were definitely an avid reader!
It occurs to me, dear Susan, how pleased ( and surprised) your former teachers would be to find themselves featured in your blog after all these years. Their children, too, would be grateful to have this reminder of the influence their parents had on students in their care. So there’s another good thing you’ve done by writing this!
I think I found Samuel