My diary - February 21-23, 1973

February 21, 1973 Wed.

Dear Smiley:

School was o.k. Gym went through smoothly. I’m starting to peel. I got an 80 on Science test on diseases. I got a letter from Missy last night. Lolas on vacation. Moms cooking so I will gain weight. I read newspapers & Young Miss. I read till I finished “Doña Barbara. I stayed up late writing the report. I’m bushed. Grandpa broke his collar bone.

BYE!!!

Note: Gym went well and finishing the novel “Doña Barbara” gives this day a good rating.

Written in 1929, “Doña Barbara” is considered one of the first examples of magical realism in Spanish literature. It covers the struggle between two cousins over an estate in Venezuela, contrasting the struggles between city, country life, males and females.

It was a difficult book to read in Spanish.

February 22, 1973 Thurs.

Dear Smiley:

We had a medium size tremor 2 period. I had to put my hand on my heart to keep it in. Mom worked at fresco stand today. I took pictures of school & my volunteer models (I didn’t even have to ask them, they came running). Came home ate. Becky & I walked to school & I did some cartwheels (not abit like supposed to but I will conquer them). Doris came over. I went to her house & then back to mine. Watched T.V. Worked on taking notes in P.E.

BYE!!!

Note: We were still haunted by tremors that brought back terror. It’s amazing how muscle memory works. Last night we went to the theater, and while walking through the parking garage, the floor vibrated - immediately, my body reacted.

It was a long walk from Los Robles, our neighborhood, to school. We were rarely allowed to walk this road, and I can imagine I was quite the sight attempting cartwheels.

The fresco stand was a concession stand.

February 23, 1973 Fri.

Dear Smiley:

(Wrote Gisela & Grandpa) School, last day for weekend!!! In recess I got stuck helping Martin do his Spanish report. Gosh I didn’t really want to but he kept asking me so I said ok. Martin is nice but he tries to ache cool by swearing etc. He small skinny, acne, glasses & not very good looking at all!!! In the afternoon I went to Dr. Barrios to get X-rays of my wisdom teeth & check-up. I had one small decay so now I have 3 fillings Yurk!!! Watched T.V. Read on “Shadow of the Lynx.”

BYE!!!

Note: The Shadow of the Lynx by Victoria Holt was a gothic romance with love, revenge, family secrets, and the clash between the wild Australian goldfields and Victorian England. 

February 21, 1973 Wed. (David's Diary)

Snoop, 

Today was average, English was boring- 89 on test. Science all right. Geo test, math-fun, Span boring, PE was fun. I played pretty good basketball, made both of my free shots. I only missed one right handed layup. I didn’t go out today at all except a little bit when I played basketball in the road with her. I helped her in the math a bit. XXXX gets on my nerves. There’s something about him. Boy and is something like XXXX insulting. Wheew, I just finished my geo today in school. I didn’t study too well for the one tomorrow.  Entrevista a Emma, didn’t get much of a report though. I hope I can better my control of the basketball. Right now I’m good relatively but I need practice in all that fancy junk.

Note: I’m not sure who “her” is. I suspect it’s my younger sister Becky. Entrevista is an interview. Likely a class project.

February 22, 1973 (David's Diary)

Dear Snoop, Thursday

Today was a good day. I don’t know why. I was insulted a lot. Now that I think of it, it wasn’t such a good day. School was alright, I played average basketball, did good in school work. Spanish grades are high but that report might pull them down. Typing isn’t so hot. I’m fouling up. Of course I was nervous, we had a temblor which has been the second worst since we came back. 9:14 it happened. Typing was 9:15. I did the wrong page in math. No wonder I was mixed up. Dad got Penthouse. Whoopee doo. At home I didn’t do much. I went out a bit. No one was so so I went back in. I’m controlling my basketball a bit more. You know, I’m better at passing right handed. Also, I’m printing a bit more now, It’s neater but it takes longer.

I don’t know why but I have to myself to right (sp. write?).

Note: The fear of another earthquake (temblor = tremor) was affecting my typing! 

I am a lefty, so it’s interesting that I’m better at passing a basketball with my right hand.

February 23, 1973 (David's Diary)

Dear Snoop,   Friday

Today I had fun. School was regular. Outside I played a bit. Mom and Sue and Beck had to go to the dentist and no-one was home. I had to stay in the house. I’m almost finished with my Spanish. I  mad chocolate syrup for Sue and Beck. Came out good. Later, I went outside. Tavi was driving along and Mom said that I couldn’t ride with . Then I went to Monties house- He wasn’t there but Chance and Charlie were there. Chance left and Charlie and I rode along  (on bikes of course). Then Charlie and I fought against Gorden (Monty’s brother) and Joey (Charlie’s brother)  and Juicing (some kid). Oh oh, just heard Dad say we’re leaving in 10 months. Yuck Yuck Yuck.  Good night

Note: How in the world did I make chocolate syrup?  Nathan was Doris’ brother. Perhaps I was in Las Colinas. By fighting, I might be referring to a form of roller derby we used to play on our bikes. Pretty brutal, and of course, we wore no helmets. I’m not sure about possibly leaving the country in 10 months. We didn’t move until 1975.