Will Be in Charge of Periodicals - Wednesday, January 31, 1962

I think I'm going to like my two new classes of anatomy and physiology and introduction to music, and I know I'm going to like my job. Dick Connett is leaving the library for a job in the chemistry department so I am taking over his job in charge of periodicals. It involves sorting the mail, recording all incoming magazines and newspapers, and putting them on the racks. I won't have any morning work so I'll try to get my French done after second hour. I got a good letter from Mom. Tonight we had a Campus Church meeting with election of officers.

Finding Fossil and Geode Specimens - Tuesday, January 30, 1962

I got my registration taken care of after the usual hour long procedure in Mackay. I went for a walk with Gloria. We went up to Alfalfa Point (I've now seen it snow covered) and then started looking for fossils and geodes on the hill above the highway. We brought back several specimens. We stopped in the science building to show them to Dr. Hamilton but he wasn't there. I got an A on my biology final and an S+ on my succession lab report.

First Semester Grades and a Job at the Library - Monday, January 29, 1962

I got to Kansas City about 12:30 after getting on the bus at 8:50. I shopped around in Kansas City and then ran on to Marge and Carolyn in Macy's. We got back to campus on the 4:00 bus and I had my grades waiting for me. I'm real pleased with everything except world lit. They are as follows: French, B+; biology, B; phys ed, B; speech, B; world lit, C; and art, C+. I also got my 12 hour a week job at the library. Tonight I was busy helping make punch and pop corn for our party for Copley (they returned our stolen hair dryer) and cleaning up afterward. I felt perfectly fine this morning.

A Case Indigestion Puts a Damper on Visit - Sunday, January 28, 1962

Darn! Why does this happen to me? I had a case of flu or indigestion today of all days - I bet the last time I was sick like this was at the FHA state convention in Des Moines. They had to stop the car for me to throw up on the way home from church. I hope it is only a one-day siege - I think my stomach's aching now because of hunger. Pat, Delbert and Jeff went to a church meeting tonight. I stayed here and read the Sunday paper. I slept this afternoon. It was fun going to Sunday School and church in El Dorado. I've had such a nice time at Varners.

Watching Milking Chores on a Spring-Like Evening - Saturday, January 27, 1962

This afternoon we went in to El Dorado. I made my reservation for my return trip at 8:50 Monday morning. Then we looked around the stores. I got a Valentine for Mrs. Cowan. I had about forgotten about that. This morning I wrote a letter to Verna Thompson on Patty's typewriter. This was a real spring-like day. I remember several identical evenings  in Iowa - when chore doing seems almost a pleasure. We were out in Varners' barn at milking time. Delbert also does the milking at his folks' place. Astronaut John Glenn's orbital flight was postponed this morning.

Fracking Oil at a Well on Varners' Farm - Friday, January 26, 1962

Tonight we went in to Towanda to the basketball game. Towanda beat Florence. I guess they haven't been winning too many of their games. Those kids look more like junior high than high school kids. This afternoon we went over to watch them fracking oil at one of the two oil wells on the farm. They've gotten $8000.00 worth of oil since November (Pat and Delbert's share was $500.00 of the $1000.00 the owners got (1/8). Then we stopped in at Delbert's parents' place for a while. Curtis who was the ring bearer in Pat and Delbert's wedding was there. He's grown.

Thinking in Complete Quiet on the Kansas Plains - Thursday, January 25, 1962

Gee, a month since Christmas! Today I spent a very leisurely day entertaining Jeff and watching television. The snow covered Kansas plains were cloudy and rainy out today. I treated myself to a sleep till 10:30 in the nice room I have upstairs here. Pat and Delbert have a nice house. Jeffrey is such a cute little boy. Boy, I'm lucky. College and its extras like this are really a ball. It's nice for a change to be able to think in complete quiet though.

A Nelson Art Gallery Tour and A Trailways Bus Trip - Wednesday, January 24, 1962

I got to the El Dorado interchange and met Delbert, Pat and Jeffrey at 8:00 tonight. It was sure a nice bus trip with a hostess and everything. It was a nice, modern "Five Star Service" Trailways bus, and the new Kansas City station is real nice, too. The school bus driver that took us to the Nelson Art Gallery let me off at the station. The art gallery was so nice and we felt as if we got quite a good understanding of it with our art background. Oh boy, a semester of college over with (doesn't even seem possible!) and a semester break to celebrate!

Feeling Okay About Biology and French Finals - Tuesday, January 23, 1962

Tomorrow night I'll be spending my first night in Kansas - it's about time after seeing it every day since September. I thought the biology test was quite easy considering and I don't think I did badly on the French test although of course I would like to have done better on both. I now have world lit coming out my ears and I bet I look mighty tired. I got a B for the speech course - I'm proud of my first college grade.

Studying for Our First Round of Finals - Monday, January 22, 1962

We soon will have experienced about everything in the lives of college students - what with finals tomorrow. I (as has anyone else with a little sense) have spent most of the day studying and thinking about tests. We had a world lit review for an hour tonight. I'll have to find some time to study that after 3:30 tomorrow since I was able to get my test changed to Wednesday morning at 8:00. Phyllis sent me a newsy letter. She said Phyllis Crone  and Jim Young are engaged. So many kids my age have been getting engaged - it seems so funny. I always wondered what some of them were headed to. I don't think life means as much to some of them as it does to me.

Some of Us Received A++'s on French Papers - Sunday, January 21, 1962

I have a strong desire to go to bed. Why should I be so concerned over the amount of sleep I get? It probably averages out to about as much as I ever had. I went with Margaret and Regina to the band concert tonight. It was good. It's nice not to have to think about classes tomorrow and to have a break from French homework. Bob Grinnell said I have an A made for the course, but I don't know if she gives A's very often. She did give A++'s for some of our 100% papers the other day! Vivien would have a fit over that as she doesn't believe in A+'s unless the work is mighty good.

Reading Lucretius in Library and in Girls' Lounge - Saturday, January 20, 1962

I spent the afternoon reading Lucretius in the library and the girls' lounge in Mackay. First semester classes are over. Everyone has the thought of finals crowding out all other thoughts. I wish everyone and myself success!!?! I think I'm in sort of a cranky mood. I can't decide, I think I might go to bed now while it's quiet - no, I should make use of a few more good hours. I wish I wouldn't be getting a C in world lit - or any other course, but thank heavens I'm not getting a D in art - I better not!

Written Fencing Final Took Two Hours - Friday, January 19, 1962

Since I spent two hours on my written fencing final this morning (it called for a lot of details) I didn't get to lunch till 1:00 and therefore didn't get to my world lit reading this afternoon like I had planned. I washed and ironed and before I knew it the afternoon was gone. Tonight Marge, Linda Keith, Carolyn Frobig, Regina and I went to see Swiss Family Robinson. I saw the good old Gone With the Wind preview again. I must see it again. Guess I'll read Lucretius. I got two C's and a B on the last test. I should be doing better in that course.

Art Class Will Tour the Nelson Gallery of Art - Thursday, January 18, 1962

I'm exhausted after a wonderful day. First of all I found out I don't have to go to the scheduled speech final, and then we found out that the art class is going to tour the Nelson Art Gallery in place of having a final!! It's like seventh heaven for me, and I got an 89 on the last test. So I wrote to Pat and Delbert saying I could come to visit them over semester break and made my reservation for next Wednesday at 4:15. I finished up my last bio lab reports. It's been snowing so beautifully out. I mailed Ann a rocks and minerals book for her birthday.

Still Doing Okay in French After All - Wednesday, January 17, 1962

Vivien isn't feeling too well tonight and is about ready to go to bed. I've been writing a letter home tonight so for once I believe she is going to actually beat me to bed! We had fencing tests today. I felt as if I was fencing pretty well. I surely intend to get at least a C for the course. Gee, after all my stewing about the French quiz yesterday I got a B+ and "Tres bien!" on my paper. I had stated the rule correctly after all. I feel unworthy. I guess I'll go do French in Marge's room in a little bit so Viv can get to sleep. She was up till 3:15 this morning doing her philosophy paper and skipped two meals today.

Concerned About French But Still Having Fun - Tuesday, January 16, 1962

Urff! I'm a slob. I'm letting my best subject, French, get me down - I never should have put off that assignment for last Thursday - the only reason I did was because I had three tests that week. At this rate finals just might kill me! Oh, come on - I've got to get more optimistic. Marge, Jay, Dave, Betsy, Dick and Bev and I (the 'party' (table) crashers!) had a riot at supper tonight. We spent a whole hour just goofing off - and I was surprised at the funny remarks I could contribute. The assembly program this morning was about the Washington Semester - sounds fun! The freshmen had a lecture tonight about exam preparation.

A Nice Care Package Arrives From Home - Monday, January 15, 1962

I have a cold that I'm going to put to bed, though I guess I'll read The Aeneid till 10:00. I got a pretty magenta sweater, cookies, candy, pizza mix and other mixes from home. I caught Marge in the act of squealing in delight as she discovered my package downstairs. Dr. Hampl was back and for the first time I didn't have my lesson done. I hope she wasn't well enough to notice - she didn't look very well. I have three finals (biology, French and world lit) on Tuesday, art Wednesday, and speech (?) Thursday. We can have it changed if we have more than two on one day, but I may get them over with.

Getting More Snow and Eating OAC Pancakes - Sunday, January 14, 1962

It is snowing again - someone said we're supposed to get nine more inches. I spent all afternoon doing French and I'm still not done. I should have started about Thursday. I had a headache for a little while tonight. Sharon Fritts and I went over to the J. R. about 9:00 to eat OAC pancakes. Sue Brainard is here studying languages with Vivien. They both take both French and Spanish.

Seeing Roundworms and Reading The Aeneid - Saturday, January 13, 1962

Another college Saturday is gone. I finally got a few more things in my culture - roundworms and a few other new ones. I started The Aeneid of Virgil for world lit. I wrote a letter to Ruth and Bob thanking them for the cream sachet they gave me for Christmas. My "hatch-a-cactus" is growing. This has been a typical Saturday with not a lot going on so I guess I'll call it quits and go toward bed.

We Rearrange Our Room For More Space - Friday, January 12, 1962

Marge and I went to the show Fanny tonight. It was a good show. I'm hungry and I've been doing a lot more snacking the last few days than I used to, too. I got another letter from Mrs. Cowan. I guess she's feeling better after her inflammation of her kidneys. This afternoon I made a trip to Parkville to get my pictures (they're pretty good) and some supplies. We changed our room around so that now Vivien's bed is under the shelves and our desks are together. It gives us lots more space.

Hoping for a C in Art - Thursday, January 11, 1962

Patti Dewing is here to study world lit. I wasn't going to sweat this test - I don't know what will have come of this notion by tomorrow morning at 11:00. I didn't do as well on this art test as the last, but I hope I can get a C for the course. I got a B on my speech test. I never speak as well as I'd like to. Still didn't have a big variety of culture organisms. Boy, I'll be glad when a few tests are over - I need a breather.

Studying for Another Test in Art - Wednesday, January 10, 1962

I got a letter from home and started writing one tonight. Maybe we'll be on a better letter writing schedule now than when I'd write, get a letter in the same mail, and then wait a week to answer it. I now have to finish studying for the art test (I spent the afternoon in the library reading the book again.) I guess Dr. Hampl is still real sick - I wish we could have had the French test Tuesday - at least this way I'm not bothered with assignments but I'd like to know when we'll have the test.

A Beautiful Movie With a Greek Score and Dialogue - Tuesday, January 9, 1962

We had a beautiful world lit movie tonight on the development of Greece with the musical score and dialogue by ancient Greek musicians and authors. The scenery was fabulous. It was very cold today - zero or below this morning. Dr. Hampl wasn't there this morning and won't be tomorrow so I can sleep an hour later. If we have our test Thursday that will mean three tests right in a row. I haven't had much luck yet with my White Aloe Creek specimen in biology - my culture just doesn't have many interesting organisms yet.

Lounge Conduct Problems Don't Apply to Us - Monday, January 8, 1962

There's word about a house meeting shortly. This afternoon I made a trip to Parkville and then went to the library. I went back with Marge tonight to study French and art. I have tests this week in those two, world lit, and have to give my speech final. I also heard a rumor about no French test tomorrow. We just can't have that one Thursday! The house meeting was about lounge conduct - we're a good bunch here on second - none of this applies to us - and most of Hawley's problems never do.

Park House is Now a College Museum - Sunday, January 7, 1962

Well, back to chapel going after three Sundays of church at home. I wore my snow boots and carried my heels - several others were doing that, too. After chapel I went with Nancy Taylor to the Park House. It's been fixed up as a Park College museum and they usually have coffee and cookies there after church on Sundays. I was the first person to sign the guest book for 1962. This afternoon I went to the "winter" chamber orchestra concert with Kathy Gillespie. We were really having a riot up here last night - and making so much noise - and Mom Hawkins even said it was alright!

Looking at the Cultures We Made in Biology Lab - Saturday, January 6, 1962

I slept till 10:00 this morning and then got up and we cleaned our room. This afternoon some of us went over to the science hall to look at our cultures. Mine still doesn't have many animal specimens in it. Vin Pronger - the old pro - says I have too much earth in mine and to "let it go a couple hours yet." Some of the kids have gotten some real good specimens. Then I went to the library for the rest of the afternoon. It seems like we've had a lot of half riots today. Oh, the studying ahead of me - four tests next week, I think. Must get to my "thoughts" book.

A Deep and Drifting Snow Since Morning - Friday, January 5, 1962

Brother, what weather now! It began snowing this morning and it's really deep now. It's drifting a lot, too. It doesn't seem like I got a whole lot done today. I washed two weeks' accumulation of laundry and even got my ironing done. Judy Xelowski (can't begin to spell her name!) and I went to the library for a little while tonight. Tonight I've had a discussion with Marge and then went to Nancy's room for a gab session. Maybe later I'll feel more settled down about what Marge and I were talking about. Right now I'm tired.

The Beauty of Those Chimes - Thursday, January 4, 1962

This has been one of my favorite college days - we've been having such spring-like weather and I still marvel at the beauty of those chimes sounding against the hills. I went up to the fourth floor john to take a look at the river from there - Theresa called me up - they have a wonderful view. I turned in my work application blank for twelve hours. I also talked to Mr. Carey about my schedule and education courses. I guess I'll take the anatomy and physiology lab since astronomy doesn't count as a lab science. I should have taken music rather than art this semester so I could take poly. sci. intro at the time intro to music meets. Anthropology's an education "elective" so I may not take it this semester.

Hearing the Chimes for the First Time - Wednesday, January 3, 1962

I made good use of the library today. This morning I went over to ask about a job - there aren't any library vacancies at present but I did get a work application blank. Now to decide how many hours I think I can work. We didn't have French class. Dr. Hampl was sick with a virus infection after driving all the way back from South Dakota. It's good to have Merry Lee back again. I can feel work, work, work ahead of me. Gosh, what a left margin! I'm spoiling the looks of Diary '62. I've got to start writing in my "thoughts" book. I sent a post card home. I love the chimes - if every 15 minutes isn't too often.

Benjamin Fairless Died Yesterday - Tuesday, January 2, 1962

Here I am at Park a fast and interesting 24 hours later. Pat, Delbert, Jeff and I drove practically "non-stop" all the way from Grandma's house to Hawley. We left at 7:00 and got here at 12:30. I was the fifth one to check in at Hawley. We had just arrived in my room (the hall looked deathly still) when I heard the chimes. They hadn't been working in the first three months we'd been here. It was so nice to hear them - now it is college. This morning on the car radio we heard that Bejamin Fairless died yesterday. That beats all - but I guess I'll have to give my speech in memory of him.

Packed and Ready to Go Back to Park - Monday, January 1, 1962

I'm packed and ready to go back to Park. It has seemed like a fast vacation. They have to go back to school tomorrow, too. We went down to Parcells for New Year's dinner. My watching the Rose Bowl parade and game was skimpy this year what with getting up just in time to get ready to go to Parcells and taking a last turn at doing chores almost as soon as we got home. If you'd call taking notes on Benjamin Fairless's book "completing" my "planned vacation" homework, it was really down to the wire because it was the last thing I did tonight! Well, here's hoping for a successful 1962.