August 16, 1972 Wed.
Dear FlowersI got a 100% on my Science Quiz. Mrs. Tablada drew a face that was sticking it tong at me. My back acked today. Had P.E. wore shorts. I had to stay for lab. We dropped Kelly G. and Pat off. I went with Mom to the super. I went for a walk with Pat & sat our gossip bench & talked. She confided in my that the mom she has now is her stepmom. Her real mom died when she was 8. Quess what, BAH! I have a fever 38.4. No school & pictures are taken tomorrow. Shoot!!!
Watched T.V.
BYE!
Mrs. Tablada was a wonderful and fun science teacher. She was very beautiful and many of the boys had crushes on her, including my brother. I remember when she was teaching us biology she brought in a cow’s heart for us to examine. We had to stick in a finger to feel for the different chambers. Totally grossed me out.
Interesting that I called the bench a “Gossip Bench”. It took a lot of courage to tell me about her mom. I didn’t give it much note in my diary, jumping right into being sick. I will blame it on not having much room in the diary.
A 38.4 Celsius temperature would be a 101.12 Fahrenheit .
August 17, 1972 Thurs.
Dear Flowers:
I didn’t go to school today. I finished reading “Operation: In Search of Love” It was so good. I outline all of my history which took me more or less 2 hours. I watched T.V. Talked to Pat & Simmon. I read 2 stories of Alfred Hitchcock. I took a bath & wash my hair. Mom rolled it. Oh do I have loads of test tomorrow. Watched T.V. Lola’s on vacation. Mom’s cooking. Pray I pass all the test tomorrow & that I get my picture taken & everything comes out alright.
BYE!!
Note: Even though I was home sick I kept pretty busy. I love how I was always reading.
I still have a hard time just resting as there is always something I want to do.
Lola was our cook so Mom had cooking duty. She always made spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, or chili.
August 18, 1972 Fri.
Dear Flowers:
I got all prettied up & no picture taken till next Fri. I did 2 compositions, 1 in English; other in Spanish. Took 2 test science & Geometry. I had study hall. I was nominated in Dave’s class for Secretary of Student Council nominate, 5 kids voted for me. Cynthia won. I voted for her. I babysat for the house for a short while while Mom was out with Dave & Beck at tennis. I watched T.V. Talked to Simmon & Pat. Had spaggati & brownies yum!!! Hope I finish History report tomorrow & do a good job.
BYE!!
Note: Getting “prettied up” was a big deal especially if I had my unruly hair rolled.
I love how I babysat the house. At least I wasn’t afraid to be alone at home.
Sounds like Mrs Tablada enjoyed teaching and made class memorable. My memories of High School Biology was having to examine a cat and being an animal lover, it really upset me. The teacher understood , which was nice.
"Tong", "Acked", Spaggati", I love it! (I still have to look up common words in English. What a pain).
Our British school had our version of your Mrs. Tablada...Miss Sally Montford, a young English 2nd grade teacher, resembling Ali MacGraw. Rumor had it she'd been warned on occasion by the Headmistress regarding her hemline. Quite the topic of conversation amongst us 11th grade boys.
Your fever of 38.4 reminded me we too used "centígrados"...or in English "centigrade". It was later renamed "Celcius", but in Spanish I think it's still "centígrados".
Your house looks so contemporary 1960's! Our little rental house in C.R. looked similar. Was the photo taken when you first moved there? Around 1968?
I loved Mrs. Tablada!! I became a teacher because her teaching us so well. I remember her having us bring something in we would direct. My dad and I got a cows heart which I loved detecting. She was an outstanding teacher!!
I’m so glad you have included this photo of your house in Managua; all these months reading your blog, I had a mental picture of you in the street where you and your family lived. I had it completely wrong and am really pleased to now be able to imagine you in the proper setting. I think I hear the voice of your sweet mother in the phrase “prettied up.”