8-19-88

This summer one of the movies I saw was Innerspace. It starred Dennis Quaid, which was extremely exciting because my father previously worked with Dennis on the movie filmed here, Everybody's All American.

The movie was about man who was miniturized and was supposedly to be injected into a rabbit as an experiment, but was accidentily injected into a man! It was really funny and very suspenseful. Dennis Quaid was very good. I'm glad I have his autograph! He was great in Innerspace -- a great movie. One of the best I saw this summer.

8-22-88

"Trials and Tribulations of Tinsel Teeth"

I am thouroghly sick of my braces. I entered this terrible, metal-mouth experience on October 6, 1986. Believe me, getting into that sticky, plastic-covered chair at Dr. K's office that day was a BIG mistake. I had no idea what I was in for. Then I really wanted strait, pretty teeth.

But I wasn't prepared for the throbbing pain and misery of not being able to, at first, close or open my mouth. Or the scratches and cuts on my mouth. Or the bulky, shiny, silver brackets that stand out on my face and nearly blind people when I smile! I'm eagerly awaiting October -- 2 years -- a joyous occasion -- no more BRACES!! (And strait teeth, too!)

8-23-88

Last weekend I got a new kitten. He is a dark, charcoal colar and cuddly soft. He loves to snuggle up to me and purr when I call out his name, "Smokey!"

I have another cat, a tiger cat named Jumper. She's about 3 years old and despises Smokey with a passion. Whenever my younger cat trys to go near her, or anywhere in her presence, Jumper hisses and growels and Smokey gets the message -- take off or he's in for it.

P.S. I'm hungry.

8-24-88

One of the funniest persons I know is my good friend Mary Elizabeth. She is constantly making up hilariously stupid comments and jokes, and is extremely creative. She makes up wierd expressions and faces, and likes to show them off to everyone, and make people laugh. For instance, at cheerleader tryouts she got down into a middle split, propped herself onto her elbows, and said in a mischieviously sheepish voice, "The Lions are swell, yeah yeah yeah." She always crackes me up, cheers me up, and just all around makes me feel up! Whenever I am with her.

Note: She is still one of the funniest people I know.

8-26-88

Friday!
Ah, it's Friday.
Best day of the week,
Relieving to think,
I've lasted a whole five days!
But the weekend is here,
Not far, but near!
I'll enjoy it in so many ways!
Only four more classes ...
And then ...
Oh no!
I have to babysit!
What a way to spend
Such a joyous day!
With such little babies
Suggesting what maybe
We could do today.
I sit down sighing,
My feet, I think, are dying.
Oh, I feel like just crying.
I thought Fridays were fun,
But the woes have won.
I better face the facts.
I'll never get a chance to relax!

8-29-88

My favorite dessert I have ever gotten the gift of having in my mouth is five layer wonder. This is a little square made up of the most delightful ingredients you can even imagine. Rich, divine melted chocalate and luscious, sticky soft marshmellows; crushed grahm crackers and sweet condensed milk all swirled together in a scrumptious, tantilizing mass of ecstasy beyond your wildest dreams.

8-30-88

A Weird Story

My name is Esmerelda Eisenbopper and my cat decided he likes turnips. My uncle got a job selling cauliflower on airplanes. He was run over today by an old geezer in a rusty clunker of a pick-up truck. I assisted in robbing a corner snowball stand and was caught by the old geezer in the pick-up truck, who brought me to a meat refridgerator and locked me in. I escaped with the help of Daphne Doodle Bug and Clarence Catterpillar. We then went to rest under the shade of a giant polka dot toadstool and drank kool-aid koolers. It was an exhausting day in the life of great old me, Esmerelda Eisenbopper.

8-31-88

I'm always afraid something will happen to someone in my family. Like our house catching on fire and someone getting trapped or someone being kidnapped and I hate thinking about such things so see ya later.

9-1-88

My adorable, cuddly, gentle, playful, wonderfully perfect little kitten died yesterday. I miss him so much. See, it was raining, and he was on top of the tire, and Mom backed out on him. When she came to pick me up, she was near hysterics, crying her head off. She told me what happened and 2 seconds later we passed a car with the bumper sticker saying, "I love cats -- Dead Ones." It was so ironic seeing that at that moment.

I just hope Smokey didn't suffer when the car rolled over his frail, tiny body. I hope he didn't feel a thing.

Why did this have to happen? I loved him so much and no matter what my brothers and sister might say, it was me who played with him every day; me who fed him and made shure he was OK; me who took care of him. He was my cat, and now he's gone.

9-6-88

The trees lining the brick path create mysterious shadows along the ground, layer over layer. Leaves, brown and crumbled, descend softly from the trees, towering above, like dancing butterflies. The tips of the trees join together at a peak and guard the path from all. Walking along, I am now enclosed in its majestic wrath, and held in its captivating mystery. The sun peeks in through the tips of the trees and sharply breaks the shadows. I get different feelings from these trees; one minute I feel mirthful as the trees sway and dance, the next I am feeling entrapped in the contrast between dark shadows and slashes of contrasting sunlight.

9-7-88

Last night, at precisely 6:50 pm (I know this because the oven clock stopped when it happened) there was a huge BOOM! and the lights popped out. I figured the electricity'd be back on soon, and it's not dark yet, so no problem. Big mistake! The lights stayed off for 3 hours and 40 minutes! Our whole neighborhood had a blowout! My little brother found it all so exciting to take a bath by candlelight but I, for one, found it a PAIN to worry about singeing my bangs on the candle I was leaning over trying to do my homework!

9-8-88

My favorite elementery teacher was Mrs. Meers, in fifth grade. I don't know what it was about that class but we all had so much fun! I'll never forget 5th grade. Everyone in the class was really good friends, and I think our teacher liked us. She would always joke with us and tell us things about herself. I don't know if it was her, or the people in my class, but 5th grade was great!!! We all had nicknames, now that I think about it was really stupid but in 5th grade it was our "thing." I was Wizzo. Seth gave us these names, he was weird then. Shelley was Pee Wee, Emily D. was Pokey, Emily E. was Smokey, Connie was Condor, Seth was Sether, Craig was Eggie, and Jon was Waun. I think that's how it was. It was really fun!

9-9-88

I have a lot of trouble trying to decide where to go to high school. I don't want to go to SJ because, well, I don't know, it's just that everyone expects me to. BRH is supposed to be a good school. I know a few people who go to school there and really love it. Maybe I'll go there. The co-ed school seems like it'd be fun because it's new and everything; I really don't know much about it, though. I guess I'll think about this another time; it's too early to worry about it. I hope.

9-13-88

Yuck! I have cheerleading tomorrow and the next day. Yuck! It takes up too much time and I have a math test on Thursday. Practice Wednesday is from 7-9. Impossible! I'm going to fail it totally. Math is so extremely impossible! And I wish everyone knew how difficult cheerleading really is. They take it for granted, and it really is hard!

9-14-88

I love to read. So much that it's a habit for me, not a chore, as it is for some others. I'd probably read anything put into my hands. Because of frequent reading, I think I write better then I would if I never read. (Not that I think I write good -- no -- that's Mary Eliz). I read just about a book a day, maybe 2; in the summer, that is. I never have time just to read for fun anymore. It takes me like a week to finish one book! I never have free time to read at school, and barely any at home. I'm reading To Kill a Mockingbird right now; Sweet Valley High books bug me! They are so stupid!!! I've heard To Kill a Mockingbird is a really good book, but almost every book I read is one of my favorites! It's weird.

Note: Never in my life did I not love Sweet Valley High books. I was blatantly lying.

9-15-88

If I had been the man in "To Build a Fire," I'm not sure what I would have done. It would have been awful, I know. I really can't stand being cold; I guess because I'm not used to it. When it snowed here last year, my feet were blue b/c my shoes were so cold and wet, but it wasn't even close to -75. My friend Krissy lived in Colorado, and she'd probably be able to handle the frozen cold better than me. In Louisiana it's usually 75 above zero. I'd never be able to take 75 below! My hands get deadly numb in January, when it's like 20 or above; they would probably be long gone by -75.

It's hard to visualize myself in a situation of being stranded in the bitterly cold wilderness with no shelter or protection. I don't think I'll be going to the Klondike any time soon!

9-18-88

No offense, but I really don't like learning grammar. I know it's important; I know we need it in our writing; I know everything about it -- That's the problem. We've been learning it for 9 years; I think we should be able to move on to bigger and better things! I like doing a journal, that's fun! But capital letters -- sheesh -- they're for the birds!!! (chirp chirp)

9-20-88

To Kill a Mockingbird is an exceptional book! I've reached the climax; Tom Robinson is on trial for rape (which I don't think he did) and Atticus is defending him. He was just pronounced guilty. Atticus is working on an appeal, though. Jem and Scout are presently very sick and tired of Aunt Alexandra's nagging about Scout's femininity, of which she contains little. Aunty also called Scout's friend trash, Calpurnia trash, and Tom trash, which infuriated Scout. Dill is leaving soon; how sad! I wonder how this exciting and amusing book will conclude.

9-21-88

We're doing elections and politics and such in social studies. It's really fun. Michelle is our party's candidate; our name is EJA -- Equality and Justice for All. Our main issue is to make all people equal and rights equal for everyone: not just the rich or whites or other majority groups. Our symbol is a justice scale.

Mrs. Morris is a really fun teacher. She lets us do out-of-the-ordinary things an doesn't give us mediocre, dull assignments. I like her.

9-22-88

I do not think I would ever choose to go back through another grade and go through school all over again! I can't believe I've been here 9 years. That's a really long time -- the majority of my existence and life has been spent here! Not that I hated it, but I'm glad I'm almost finished. I wouldn't go through it all again. I'm excited about going to a bigger and better place, meeting new people, making new friends. It will be hard to leave all the people I've spent every day with for 1,620 days (approximately). I'm sure it will be a sad time, but also a happy time -- going into high school!

9-26-88

I think that an early dismissal would be a good idea for Treat Day. We could have a really short alternate schedule, then go home at lunchtime. People could walk to McDonald's or Pizza Hut as they occasionally do after exams. Another fun Treat Day would be free dress and pizza. We could order pizzas from Milano's and then watch a movie. We could bring a bag of candy for dessert and have a jolly old time.

Note: I do not know what kind of crack our parents were smoking if they let us WALK to McDonald's or Pizza Hut from school unless it was just a very different world in 1988. This blows my mind. I mean, a group of thirteen-year-olds in Catholic school uniforms traversing down two major streets unsupervised in the middle of the day? What?

9-27-88

I'm staring at the back of Krissy's rusty colored hair, boringly trying to come up with a topic to spill my heart out about! Hmmmm ... Craig is pinching my arm ... Ben just asked me for a "pencil with an eraser" and I threw it at him ... Mrs. Stade looked at me with hushed disapprobation ... Emily just threw a pen at me ... Mrs. Stade just said to me "Is your journal done" ... "No ma'am" ... Craig says "Heh heh" ... Ben asked me "How do you spell Jennifer? G-E-" DUH BEN ... Nathe and Connie are exchanging flirtatious glances ... Elisa is staring at Monique ... Adam is draped over the back of his desk ... Kristy is playing see-saw with her pen ... Gretchen is playing finger motions as she reads her book ... Isn't this all fascinating!

9-28-88

COLORS

The color of Mrs. Stade's purse hanging on the chipping cream fence is cranberry. Krissy's hair is the color of a rusty bicycle left out in the rain. Connie's watch is a faded tan leather, slightly weathered because she "swam with it on too much." The sky is a bright pastel blue that serenely surrounds us everywhere we look. The sun on the brick pavement is a chartruese glowing mirror of it's shining brightness.

9-29-88

My choice. Hmmm. Although I can search my mind for a topic and find no ideas what so ever, I'm trying to come up with some vague thought to elaborate on paper. Today is school pictures. Someone (I won't mention her name) I passed by had on so much make-up on it looked like she took a spatula and smeared it on, until every iota of her face was perfected. Perfected, ha! She looked like someone baked a cake on her face! Why she went to such lengths to beautify and dazzle herself for a mere school snapshot is beyond me. She was stunning, I'm reluctant to admit, but I can just see her preening herself before school! I am baffled as to why she went to such extremes.

10-3-88

I wonder if I'll have the nerve to try out for the play next semester when I have drama? Today, the other class was told their parts in "The Little Matchgirl." Shelley got Leisl -- I knew she would. Mary Elizabeth got the Panda Bear -- she's mad. She wanted to be the mean little boy. I asked her earlier if she had cheered up and she replied that she might not be able to keep the part. When I asked her why she said that her mom said that if she didn't get a good part they might have to go on vacation. I've always wanted to be in a musical; I can't wait until next semester.

10-4-88

I want to be an astronaut when I grow up. I think space is SO AWESOME!!! When I try to imagine the millions and billions and trillions of miles within our inner solar system, it is too much for me to comprehend. That our solar system is so huge, yet so tiny, next to the other millions of solar systems in our galaxy -- and the millions of galaxies in our universe -- it is just so fascinating to me. I mean, who knows what is beyond the primitive knowledge of our existence? Who knows what is really out there? I want to find out!

I am not really a science-y person. Science and math kind of go together, and I'm just not gifted in math!

Maybe I'll just grow up and do nothing at all!

Note: My desire to be an astronaut was based solely on my affection for the movie SpaceCamp. Whip me, beat me, take away my charge cards. It's NASA!

10-5-88

The only person I can always talk to is God, I guess. I mean, you can't tell someone every inner and deep secret that I have. Sure, I'll tell my best friends things that no one else knows, but nobody knows everything about me, except God. When I have a really serious dilemna in my life, the person I know I can really trust is God. I can't feel like my secret will be kept really secret, not repeated, by anyone but God. I guess most people are this way, talking to God about their problems they cannot talk about with others. Except, of course, for those who keep their problems crammed up inside. I know I can't do that, though. I have to tell someone.

10-6-88

Today is my 2 years Braces Anniversary! Exactly 730 days ago today I got my braces. Isn't it ironic, my October appointment in a week will be spent getting two more back braces instead of getting them off! Dear me, sometimes it seems like only yesterday I was laying back in that chair, watching a Kenny Rogers interview that was on the TV suspended in the office, and my braces were put on. Yet, then again, it often seems as if I've had these silvery, tinsely, train track tortures in my mouth forever! Ah, to be among the few with pearly whites around here! It would be ecstasy to run my tongue over my teeth and find NO MORE BRACES!

10-12-88

Today is my brother's 16th birthday. He really wants a car -- he's not getting one, to his utter despair. Presently he drives the old station wagon; it is approximately 10 years old. J. never talks to me or anything, but I still feel exceedingly sorry for him. I honestly don't believe he deserves a car -- he's rude and boisterous most of the time -- but he really is a good person. His birthday today is principely composed of a deathly hard chemistry test, and a greeting of "Happy Birthday" from various friends at school. I know he won't be satisfied or content with his birthday; he probably would not even show the slightest gratitude if he did receive a car. Adolescence does very weird things to older brothers.

Note: My brother got a white Mustang and a few years later, I got the infamous Chill Out Wagon.

10-13-88

My idea of a perfect day would be spent with all my best friends, at camp. We would ride the horses through the fields and canoe in Lake Gibson. After a carefree stroll through the woods around the lake, we'd walk over to the dining hall and quench our thirst with cold, icy lemonade. I would be carrying my trusty camera around, as usual, to capture bright moments I could keep forever. For dessert we would eat the scrumptious, delightful treat of five layer wonder which I have previously described in my journal. We would then go to rest in the breezy, cool cabins and lounge around, chatting on the beds. Of course, when twilight falls we would sit out on the pier and gaze, awestruck, at the view of the stars, unobstructed by outside lights. A shooting star flies over the moon, and we are breathtaken by its beauty.

10-17-88

If I could differ something about my personality (flawless might it be -- ha ha) I suppose it would be my impatience and short temper. I don't mean to imply that I am centerly a grouchy mannered person; I don't think I am. At times though even a generally happy person can fly off the handle -- this person I'm referring to, of course, is myself! I can be in a mood full of mirth and laughter, and the slightest thing can set me off into a fit of anger. Usually at the end of the week is when this occurs, mostly on Thursday or Wednesday. I guess it is all this built up stress.

10-18-88

We have an algebra test tomorrow! Ugh, Ugh, Ugh. Ugh, Ugh, Ugh, Ugh! Sick, gross, repulsive, grotesque, revolting. Oh, spare me the gruesome details, you say! I wish I could, but alas ... it is not possible. Too true, too true. Algebra, ah ... how can that wretched 48 minutes a day, those 1152 seconds be described? As monotonous agony -- that's very beige in color. Beige -- how dull, how bland an existence. I think "algebra," I think "beige." It is like a hammer pounding aimlessly throughout your brain -- an interminable ache pressing and pushing against your mind, searching for answers incomprehensible. And the more answers it doesn't find -- the more aura of depressing failure surrounds you.

10-19-88

I wish we could have creative writing as a subject. It was previously taught here, several years ago, by none other than my own mother. I surmise it was greatly pleasurable -- I know my mother passionately loved teaching it. Also, I know her students liked it -- they were 8th graders like us and would tell me about it. Just recently Mom was pondering over asking Mr. Bennet if she could teach again. (She resigned when she got pregnant with my little brother.) She loves teaching; she simply adores it. She has told me she abhors teaching grammar but loved high school English! She changed her mind about teaching again -- it saddens me because I'm fully aware that inside she aches and yearns to do it, but she is too busy, she says. That doesn't seem fair, does it?

10-20-88

We aren't supposed to do a journal today, but I completed my test and feel lethargic -- so I presumed I might find interest in writing on an unassigned day. Presently I am reading The Catcher in the Rye. I'm approximately mid-way through it. It is quite captivating, steadfastly holding my attention. It is what I could call my kind of book -- it contains wit and humor; it speaks to me in a strait forward, matter-of-fact manner not using flowery words to try to push my mind in separate directions; it reeks a sense of adventure and tragedy. Tragedy meaning, to me, uplifting moments dropping suddenly to an unexpected, despairingly dissapointing book. All around, it is highly exceptional!

10-21-88

Today several students came from the co-ed school to share tidbits about their school to all the 8th graders. They elaborated on some of the main points of their school, and the message came across to me that it is a quite eventful and exciting place to be. I wish I could make up my mind on where to go to high school. It is such an extreme dilemna, over the all girls school, the public school, and the co-ed school. I presume that all of them have good and bad points to the academics, sports, clubs, and general atmosphere of the place. The Catholic schools' entrance tests are the same day, same time. I have no idea which one I should go to! I know I can't be overly cautious about my decision -- after all, this is the next 4 years of my life I'm talking about. It's a controversy throughout our school -- all opinions vary. This is so confusing!

11-2-88

I believe I shall elaborate on various topics today instead of centering on one.

I am breathless with joy today despite the fact that we were smothered in Quiz Bowl -- Hannah, J. H., and Amy P. (7th graders) were on my team. Though I must admit to a smidge of annoyance -- I would give the correct answer to Hannah, and she'd say something different! But alas, that's life. Presently I am happy; we get off at 12:30 today, tomorrow, and Friday!

What mirth! Christmas is in a month and 23 short days! Ah, the ecstacy of the Christmas season: endless carols sing in my heart, everyone's good cheer -- and the feeling that all is hunky dory! How I love Christmas!

On Saturday we went to Van Lee's Music Store. I bought the eagerly received Fur Elise by Beethoven! I've learned over a page and a half -- my plan is to play various tunes for Memere this Christmas -- as Mother said, this could be her last one with us. I do feel that little could make her happier than hearing her kin do what she loved most: running eager fingers daintily at times -- sometimes fervent with feeling -- over the sleek ivory keys of past times, and future expectations. PIANO!

Note: We still say, "After all, this might be her last one!" about every single occasion and holiday, but Memere is still alive at 97.

11-9-88

George Bush was victorious over Michael Dukakis in the presidential race. I surmise that the winner was predictable enough -- I guess I just presumed that Bush would come out on top. He's obviously had more experience; he also certainly had the right people backing him: President Reagan, for instance! Not that I myself have anything against Dukakis -- but I thought his running mate, Bentson, was too frank in his opinionated views of the Republican candidate. I found him to be utterly rude in the vice presidential debate.

But alas, "Campaign '88" has come to a triumphant end! (For Bush, at least!) And I guess we should all be optimistic for a good term with President Bush!

11-10-88

Book Fair is Monday! I am anticipating that it will be a really good chance to get some books. I have always been quite fond of Book Fair, though it is also routine for me to forget my money!

Mary Elizabeth suggested that I read Great Expectations by Dickens. Honestly, every time I bring up his name, she gets fed up and recalls 6th grade when our teacher told her not to read Dickens because his novels are too complex. Anyway, I will look for G.E. at home since I'm fairly certain we have it and read it soon.

11-15-88

Book Fair was yesterday! I acquired The Prince and the Pauper, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and A Year without Michael. The first book mentioned is fascinating! It's setting is in England back a long time ago, and the manner of speaking is with words like thy's, thou's, and thee's; it also contains didst, hast, and twas's. It is exceedingly fun to try to get thru it. Incidently, Mark Twain wrote this novel. I'm on page 29 of 234. Journey... is by Jules Verne and he is noted to be an exceptional writer. I'm filled with eager anticipation of what it will be like.

11-16-88

For Grandparents Day I was selected with Tommy -- don't ask me why they chose me -- to perform this sort of commencement to our school. We have to walk out, peering curiously (a.k.a. stupidly) at the crowd, supposedly in search of our grandparents. We proceed to introduce a pair of students from each grade level. They each have to state their favorite thing about our school. It's going to be deathly humiliating.

11-17-88

The one thing I would not do is jump off a building. Why cascade to your death off of a skyscraper? How stupid can one actually be? I could never take my own life that way. I wouldn't ever take my own life, for that matter. I could never will myself to kill myself. Will myself to kill myself! Ha! I realize I am quite seriously rattling on, but this entry is already late and I must diligently finish it before I must take the test on transitive and intransitive verbs.

11-29-88

If I could have my lunch catered today, I would order it from that demonsteratorily SWELL restaurant. They have the most tantalizingly scrumptious Chinese food in the WORLD, I'm sure. (EVEN IN CHINA!) My mom rarely allows me to send out for it, though; it requires a $15 limit for delivery, and that's an EXTREME amount of Chinese food. Today I crave after shrimp fried rice, moo goo gai pan, won tons, and stewed chicken. (I positively abhor eggrolls.) Chinese food ... ahhh ... the spicy, delicatly delicious taste of fried rice ... the juicy crunch of water chestnuts ... the crisp and crumble of won tons ... I have a definite affinity for them all.

Note: The hell? When in my life did I ever not love egg rolls?! Also, this is where S. took me on our first date in high school. I have not been there since and have no plans ever to go again.

11-30-88

In social studies, Mrs. Moris said that if I didn't stop talking she was going to paint a stupid face on a paper bag and force me mercilessly to wear it! How absurd! I must admit that I was chattering frequently today, though teachers always seem to catch me SINGULARLY! In 5th grade Mrs. Morphy called me "Big Mouth (last name)"; I don't know why (ha). I guess I'm just a talkative person. When I have something to say, I usually say it; though sometimes to my dismay, teachers seem to be agitated when I say "it" in class time. I understand that, but sometimes things can't wait! Ah, I suppose I'm a chatterbox, but I don't babble and ramble on if it's not something worthwhile I'm yakking about. I mean, I don't just jabber on for the mere thrill of it.

12-5-88

1-3-89

I have a thing with chex party mix. Literally. I eat it incessantly! Once I make the first move -- opening the box -- I can't seem to stop eating. It's just one of those addictive snacks that you can munch on for hours on end. My mom always gets severely annoyed because I finish a new box in less than a day. It is composed of four luscious ingredients: pretzels, peanuts, and two different chex squares. I think people should begin serving chex party mix at lavish, gourmet dinners. That's how much I adore it. Oh, chex. What a delicasy!

Note: To this very day, I am pissed off that chex mix no longer has peanuts.

1-5-89

If I could be someone else for the day I would be Colonal (is that how you spell it?) Kadafi (?) and I would decide not to start a war. A few years ago, the U.S. bombed Libia, and we shot down two of their planes yesterday. Kadafi swore to get even. Call me crazy, but that makes me slightly apprehensive. In a state of enraged vengeance he might attack our country or something! And the prepostrous state of my room at the moment would further sadden me -- I'd like it to be remotely organized if it's to be destroyed. My goodness, I sincerely hope Kadafi calms down.

1-6-89

Art is really fun this year. We've done difficult projects and taken enormous steps toward improvement, if you ask me. We've learned how to draw people vividly, intricatly, and realisticly. It's been so interesting; I think I've really gotten to be a better artist. I enjoy it very much. The semester is almost over, though -- so we'll stop having art and computer and have drama and music for the remainder of the school year. How swell! Doing a production at the end of the year will be a BLAST! (I think.) Supposedly we're doing "The Pirates of Penzance" or something of that nature. I guess I'll try out for a part.

1-9-89

I have this massive desire that burns deep within me to sing like Julio Iglesias. He's my idol. No, I am just joshing. He about Engleburt Humperdink? No ... maybe Dolly Parton! She's got such flair, and what a twang! Honestly, this is all farcical. Seriously, I'd really love to sing like -- this is true -- Michael Jackson! Got you there, didn't I? No, I don't in any sense want to sing in the same fashion as Julio, Engleburt, Dolly, or Michael. I'm just in one of my stranger moods. Now, Mrs. Stade, you probably think I'm diminted and deranged. Please ignore this -- it was just a moment of temperary insanity!

Note: I don't know why I was ragging on Dolly Parton. I have happy memories of riding in my dad's car with my sister listening to a tape of her greatest hits and harmonizing on "Coat of Many Colors."

1-10-89

Heath and Shu (Shelley's nickname) have liked each other for so long -- and guess what! He's about to ask her to go out with him. How positively swell! They started off as really close friends but it has gradually formed into a romance. Ah, the joys of love. (I think that is a fragment but that is not pertinent to this journal entry.)

Quiz Bowl semi-finals were today. Thrills and chills! Mary Elizabeth, Emily, Theresa, and Trey won. We didn't even make it to the semi-finals! Weep, mourn, dismay! I really don't care at all. Quiz Bowl is irrelavent to my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

1-11-89

If I could go shopping this very moment, I'd dash over to Baskin Robbins, forke over my money, and buy a turtle ice cream pie. My alabaster fork would slowly slice one single delicious bite, and immense amounts of excess caramel would trail endlessly from the prongs. The grahm cracker crust bottom and the swirls of rich, luscious chocolote combine themselves with the chilled ice creamto create the ultimate delicasy. My affinity for this ice cream pie reaches beyond the limits of true, passionate love. I adore it. You could say I worship it. And absolutely, positively, definately you could say that I am now craving one enormously.

1-17-89

In social studies, we've been assigned to write a short story from the viewpoint of someone living during the Civil War. How cool! I am trying to decide which to do: a slave in the process of running away, a slave whose mother is being whipped and beaten, or a child in the house experiencing the terror of war.

1-22-89

Just once I'd like to be able to come to school and not have to work

Krissy's mom has cancer. It's cervical, and it has spread to her uterus and lymph nodes. I knew about it through Mom but I didn't talk to Krissy about it until last night. She's trying to hold up on the outside, but I can tell that she's really hurting. I mean, who wouldn't? Her mother could die. I know that's really matter-of-fact, but it's true, and possible. We have to face that, and yet I honestly believe that she will beat this. It's not fair, though, that it had to happen to her. She's Christian, kind, smart, funny, and always ready to help. I love her so much. I guess all I can do is try to be there for Krissy, and pray and trust in God that she'll make it through this.

Note: She died later that year.

1-24-89

Recently I checked out The Pigman by Paul Zindel from the school library. It was swell! So yesterday I checked out the sequal, The Pigman's Legacy. I stayed up for hours last night reading it; I couldn't put it down! The characters John and Lorraine alternate paragraphs. These people really seemed to come alive for me. It was so quick, so vivid, so real. I really did love these books. Not love like I loved The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye or Love Story. It's hard to explain; I've never read a book like these before!

1-25-89

The crazed, mass murdering rapist Ted Bundy was executed yesterday. Supposedly he killed over 30 women. What a nutcase! As Krissy would say, he's the green sleaze of the slop. A show, "The Deliberate Stranger," starring Mark Harmon, was based on his bizarre crimes. He lacerated women in his basement, Emily said. He was declared sane; that's weird. How can one justify such cruel treatment? I guess he's just evil through and through. I'm glad and relieved that he's dead. Think of how the families of those murdered women feel! If I was in that situation I'd be jumping up and down that that homocidal maniac is gone for good.

1-27-89

If I could have another pet, I would have a dog. I go crazy over dogs -- especially cocker spaniels. I have no preference, really, though. I'd be jumping for joy if any kind of dog would be mine. To have an animal love you as its master, to sleep on your bed, to lick your face and cuddle when you're distressed, to be greeted by an ecstatic dog when you return -- that would be so swell, I can't even imagine. Dogs are so awesome! I have two cats already. Gray tiger Jumper and black kitten Kitty -- I love them, but a dog would be so wonderful. I've always wanted one!

1-30-89

Cheerleading is such a drudgery. I really detest it. We have the most unfair practices. We had it for 5 hours on Martin Luther King Day and have it for 3.5 hours after school about twice a week. Last weekend, we cheered Friday, Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday afternoon. Today, after school, we've got practice until 5:30; then we have to go back from 6:30 - 9:00 to cheer for the games. Sometimes I wonder if our coach has feelings. I try to keep my mouth shut because she's Ashley's aunt and a great coach, but she's just so greuling. And I didn't see her at school for 8:00 in the morning on Saturday. But as my mother always says when I complain, "It's all part of the commitment, Elizabeth." I guess that's true. I wish I had never tried out in the first place!

1-31-89

Our drama pantomimes are due tomorrow. Oh no! I'm not very good at them. We have to make one up and do it to a suitable song. I got great music, "Arthur's Theme" from American Anthem. I'm a burglar. I still have to work on details though. Also tomorrow is an algebra re-test because everyone did so PUTRIDLY on the one last week. I got a 76, Emily a 77, Jennifer a 73, Mary Liz a 71, Hannah a 65, and Seth a 66! Isn't that wild? The brains of the class did worse than I did. Hip, Hip, Hooray!

2-1-89

The last time I laughed really hard was yesterday. Ashley and I started drawing these utterly repulsive self-portraits of ourselves as a joke, and it continued throughout the day. They got pretty odd and majorly outlandish. I cracked up just about every time she gave me another pictures. How weird! Oh, I have not done my pantomime yet because we ran out of time.

2-8-89

At my last orthodontist appointment, I had to get a bracket fixed. It was so greusome. So I'm back wearing my "impala" rubber bands now that the hook is back on. They are extremely painful, but I must admit that they're better than the "chipmunks" I used to wear. They were minute. Practically microscopic were they. I want to get my braces off so badly! It's hard to explain, the hatred I have for them. Sometimes I feel like wringing Dr. K.'s neck until he agrees to take my braces off. I mean, I've had them for 2 years, 4 months, and 2 days. I can't even bear the thought of having them much longer. I hope they're off by graduation.

2-10-89

Tuesday is Valentine's Day! Allan told me he got me something, but I don't know what to get him. I'm baffled as to what he would like. I guess I'll get candy, but I'd like to get something he could keep. Like a stuffed animal or something. But do guys like that kind of thing? I don't know! He got a haircut. It looks really good. I'm waiting impatiently for my hair to grow again.

2-14-89

Science Fair is Friday. Uh-oh. I'm talking to a plant to see if it grows differently than one I don't talk to. The only problem is: I don't talk to the plant. Do you know hard it is to muster enough conversation to chatter for 15 minutes a day to something that doesn't talk back? Please. I'm just saying that it didn't make a difference, obviously. Happy Valentine's Day!

2-16-89

I'm looking at Krissy's hair. It has gotten so long! I wish my hair was still long. I hate it short. I don't know why I got it cut. Thinking back, I remember just getting it done on a whim. I should have thought it out more carefully! It's always a mess, and I can't do anything with it anymore. What a pain! I can't wait until it grows long again. It won't even go up in a ponytail anymore. I always have to wear it in the same, dull ways.

2-27-89

I think my research paper is going to be quite swell! I went with Dad's yesterday to a man's house in St. Martinville. I interviewed him and got a lot of juicy information. It was really exciting. I understand why he loves it out there. It's so serene, so peaceful. They have two dogs and about a million cats. His wife, Bubbles, is really funny and talks in a Cajun accent. There's a tree growing through the middle of a room! How nifty. I took a whole role of slides I'll show in social studies for the visual presentation of this topic.

2-28-89

Today is my birthday so I'm writing in joyous colors. In the gym this morning, Emily D. gave me a cookie cake and balloons. Jennifer gave me two pairs of huge dangly earrings: gold forks and black stick people. I love them passionatly! I'm going to bring them to wear at Junior Optimist Convention this weekend. I got my stereo and some other stuff from Mom and Dad. So far it's been a really good birthday.

3-6-89

I think that uniforms are, in a way, both a good and a bad idea. They are helpful in that I don't have to figure out what to wear every single day. They are a pain in that they are ugly, unstylish, and don't let people express their personality through their style of dress. In high school next year I won't have a dress code to abide by (yea!) but I'll have to buy more clothes. I guess it's good that it's free -- I'll probably spend as much as St. Joseph's tuition would have been on clothes anyway.

3-15-89

I find it really interesting how the classrooms are so swept and freshly cleaned; we had a long prayer service on Wednesday; the teachers are all wearing very nice dresses; and Mr. Bennet has on a suit. I suppose it could all be because SA is getting evaluated for the first time in 10 years! In music on Monday, Mr. D. was telling us how he's not supposed to have xeroxed the scores for "The Pirates of Penzance," so if the evaluation people should walk in, we should stop singing and discuss the nationalistic music period and the influence of the accordian. Today when the evaluator came in we stashed the scores and started singing "May Me My Mo Moo." It was amusing.

3-16-89

It is not fair! Ugh. Today in social studies we had junior achievement. We were put into groups of four and moved our desks to analyzle an ad. Okay, so I'll admit that the class in general was being pretty raucous today, so anyway, Neal had the ad and Peyton wanted it, and somehow a piece ripped off in the process. NOW all FOUR of us have to come in at recess. Wil and I were like, "We were just sitting here." It was an accident anyway. Recess. How greusome.

3-17-89

Last night, Shelley, her mom, R., Mom, and I went to the Amy Grant concert. It was highly awesome! Michael W. Smith opened for her. He's regularly her keyboard player. He was so cute! He had a ponytail. He danced and sang the best songs. Then Amy Grant came on. She was fabulous, too! I SHOOK HER HAND! Oh wow.

3-28-89

I saw Dream a Little Dream over the holidays. Shelley insisted -- she's passionately in love with Corey Feldman. It was very bizzare. I mean, I liked it a lot, all the actors were quite appealing to the eye, but it had a far-out plot. I really didn't understand what was going on. Neither did Shelley, so we just sat there, gaga eyed over the guys in the movie. Meredith Salinger is highly gorgeous. Corey F. switched places with a guy who meditates while his wife pulls on her lip. Strange. Too strange for me!

3-31-89

One of the things I'm afraid of is that God will get fed up with the world and end it just like SNAP that. I mean, man can't sink any lower than he already has. The world has decreased to such a pitiful state. People have so much money they can't even spend it, and others go hungry and homeless. Why? People will kill other people just to get ahead. Why? Nations war with other nations, and where does it get them? Nowhere. There is constant hatred, feuding, revenge, murder, stealing, lieing, cheating ... if this present world of total bad-ness isn't as far as we can go, then I don't know what is. What's the point of living in a "free" country if a woman can't walk down a dark street for fear of being raped? Or a child can't ride on his bike or play in the yard without fear of abduction or molestation? It's all just so absurd.

4-3-89

I have to admit that I really don't expect us to have another world war. Who would be stupid enough to start one? I mean, they would have to be extremely ignorant. One or two nuclear bombs could destroy everything. Just say that some country decided to bomb us. We would just respond by bombing them back, so what is the point? A country's motive might be to have total control, but who wants control of a burned out earth? I sure wouldn't. That's why I think we will not have another major war. It's not like I'm trying to blow it off, because I know that it's a serious issue; I just don't think we'll get to that point.

4-5-89

Hitler was such an ass. I really hate him. We talked about him in social studies today. How can a person be so cruel, so ignorant? I can't understand how he could treat human beings, who had done nothing wrong but be faithful to their religion, so disgustingly. He put them through torture, through hell, and for no reason but to satisfy his insane mind. I feel such anger toward him. How can one be so prejudice that he mercilessly kills millions of people? He was so blind. I can't suppress the fierce, fiery resentment, hatred, detestation, and anger I feel toward him. He's dead, so I know it isn't accomplishing a thing. But I can't help it.

4-17-89

"The Pirates of Penzance" is Friday!!!!! Oh my gosh. I really don't know if we're ready. We have two dress rehearsals after school. To play Ruth I'm wearing Hannah's Mexico-type peasant blouse, a long dark skirt, a black crisscross belt, and a mop hat. I am so nervous. Watch me get laryngitis or something. My teacher wants to do my make-up. She'll make me old, ugly, and ghastly-looking, I know. It doesn't really seem like we've worked on it for that long, but it's going along really smoothly. I hope I'll have the courage to get totally into character. I always kind of hold back. Help me, puhleeze!

Note: That's the last entry in the journal. I still remember the words to "When Frederic Was a Little Lad."