My diary - February 12-14, 1973

Attending classes in hot army tents

February 12,1973 Mon.

Dear Smiley:

What a rotten day. P.E. gross as ever. School YULK!!! I got a B on English one good thing of the day. After school I read on Doña Bárbara”. YULK & on “The Shadow of a Lynx. Went for a walk with Becky. Not really fun today. As I came back there was Dave & his group. I smiled at them. Well afterwards Dave told me I made a fool of myself with my fake smile. It wasn’t fake.

BYE!!!

Note: I really hated P.E., and gymnastics was definitely not my thing. Unfortunately, it didn’t get any better with time. Now, I love exercising. I actively practice strength and core training along with yoga and Qi-gong. If our teacher had offered these, I would have done well.

Siblings, especially brothers, know how to push our buttons.

February 13, 1973 Tues.

Dear Smiley:

School was mas-o-menos. I don’t like Mr. Sanchez our new math teacher. Nothing really exciting today. Went for a walk with Becky. Didn’t see Roberto. Doris is back & lives in Los Robles. Watched T.V. Lucecitas really good!!! I read on Doña Barbara.

BYE!!!

Note: School was more or less. I remember riding occasionally on the school bus home and Doris and I would sing at the top of our lungs, Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.” It is a song that always transports me back and brings a smile to my face.

Lucecita was a Venezuelan soap opera about a country girl who goes to the big city and gets a job as a maid to a wealthy family. She falls in love with the family's son and faces many obstacles.

Telenovela (soap opera) Lucecita

February 14, 1973 Wed.

Dear Smiley:

Happy Valentines day. I got one from Dad. School was okay. I had a nice recess with Daniella & Chiu. I told them who I liked. I hope they don’t tell anyone. Starting Feb. 26 I have school from 1:00-6:00. YULK!!! Simone came over. I met Doris half way. We walked all around. My feet ache. Watched T.V. DADS home!!! YEAH! Maria Mercedes never came over (YEAH!!!, Bengis sister) Got to study vocabulary list. Wish me luck.

BYE!!!

Note: It wasn’t working with the high school students attending classes in army tents and under trees, so the administrators decided to be creative. The elementary building wasn’t damaged in the earthquake, so the elementary continued having classes in the morning, and then the high school would attend in the afternoon using the elementary facilities. It worked out pretty well, just took some getting used to.

Not sure why I was happy that Maria Mercedes didn’t come over.

February, 12, 1973 Mon. (David’s diary)

PS. I’m getting hair under my arms

Hi Snoop, today was lousy as a whole. School was alright. Typed imp. Del terremoto. Outside I rode bikes a lot (Beck’s). Cabra wanted me to go to Las Colinas, I said no and they made fun of me. Riding Beck’s bike, Tavi crashed into me, bending the fender. I brought it in and rode or tired to ride mine. I had to take the seat off and lower the black thing - how will I ever get it up? O, I smashed my funny bone against the wall. People don’t respect me as much now. You know, we’re finishing that flowery puzzle. Sue’s mad at me. She made a phony smile and when I told her so she got pist off. Billy Brown got me and friends in trouble though it wasn’t my fault...his fault. Good night.

Note: Looks like I’m hitting puberty! Looks like I’m also frustrated with bike issues. Las Colinas was a neighborhood 3 1/2  miles away but I would have been riding on a major thoroughfare. Glad I didn’t join.

Sue clearly didn’t appreciate feedback on her smile!

Dr. Bisbee

February 13, Tues. (David’s diary)

Hi Snoopy, 

today was pretty good. School was like usual except a little harder. The way things were going it seemed like I was getting 4 tests on Wednesday. Now I have two, maybe 3 tests tomorrow. 

My basketball is not so hot. 

Sue and beck got their new desks from Pan Am. I got some of my junk out of the half-mine desk.

Outside, I rode a bit looking for the Manton’s house. When I saw my friends, I talked with them.  

Kids are selling food now. 

I talked with Cabra and later went home. 

We finished the puzzle.  

Dinner was pork. Yuck.

I’m losing weight and I look stronger now. Doc. Bisbee is a weird teacher.  He and Tom and Brown are giving tests.

Note: Good to see I was having a good day!

Martha Murphy

February 14, 1973 Wed. (David’s diary)

Dear Snoopy, today was. Day with good and bad parts. (lots of bad). P.E. was a lot worst. Steve got most of the balls. In Geo. Martha asked for some gum. I only had one saved for lunch and when I told her, she called me a dork - whatever that means..The hell with her. I got two valentines today. One from Dad one from Sue. Eng. and science tests weren’t that hard. In Spanish we got notices that starting the 25th or 24th schools for high school is from 1:00 pm-6pm. I typed up my spanish and we visited the Seehafers. Dad came tonight. Brought me a book. I already finished it. It was interesting. I was hoping for a bicycle. Dad is going on about 2 more business trips. I don’t like this. Good night

Note: I still remember the incident with Martha and trying to find out what a ‘dork’ was. Susie gave me the definition. I also must have been disappointed to not get a bike. This entry also clarifies our memories of the timing for high school classes after the earthquake.

David's Diary