New Year's Eve Party at Mary Ellen's - Monday, December 31, 1962

We welcomed in the New Year at Mary Ellen's house while playing cards and listening to the radio countdown with "toasts" to 1963. After that we danced till 4:00 with time out at 3:00 for meatballs and spaghetti at 3:00. No one except Helen and I showed up (we thought some of the guys tried to come but couldn't find their place where they live now between Tiffin and Cosgrove) but we had fun with her brother Dave and his friend. I finished up my red dress this afternoon and wore it tonight. They liked it and so do I. Phyllis and Virginia drove me to Birkeys and then they took us on to Frytown where Dave met us and took us to their house.

1962 Has Been a Good and Profitable Year - Sunday, December 30, 1962

1962 is about over (one more day but I probably won't be writing again before the year is gone). It has been a very good and profitable year for me. I am really very lucky, so many nice things have happened to me. This afternoon we worked on my financial aid application blank for next year. I probably won't be able to get anything since I don't have a 2.0 average (Park's top, by the way is 3.0, whereas most colleges use 4.0 for A) and they have always said we have enough income that I didn't need financial aid. Virginia is staying all night at Bonnie's. Betty was here for a while this afternoon.

Went to See Karen and Her Baby - Saturday, December 29, 1962

I got a good start on my dress, though I didn't work too hard on it. I'd like to get it done in time for Mary Ellen's party. This afternoon I went to see Karen Baker Speas. They live where Karen used to live now and have a baby girl, Tammy Lynn, born a week ago yesterday. She's real cute. Except for the chance meeting last summer, I haven't talked to Karen since the day of her wedding. It was sort of interesting catching up on the West Chester segment of the class and recalling old times, but it makes me feel rather old! Yesterday I went to Advance Ross Manufacturing and to the Journal office to see about the possibility of a job starting the last week in April. Maybe I can get one or the other.

First A in a College Course is in Psychology - Friday, December 28, 1962

My grades came this morning. I finally got an A in a college course - psychology! Thank heavens, I got a C in religion. I was sort of sweating that one out. I got a B in French and phys ed, and C in history and sociology. It comes out to a 1.6 average [on a 3.0 scale] - not quite as good as my planned B average. Oh dear. We went to town this afternoon. I exchanged the brown skirt for a pink wool sweater with hood and two print blouses. I also got a cute print dress on sale at Penney's for $3.00 and my pattern. I cut the dress out tonight. I called Helen and then she called me back tonight about going to Mary Ellen's New Year's Eve party. They wanted me to call Bob Parcell and tell him about it, but he  already had plans made (he may see about going, though).

Bought Material For a Red Cocktail Dress - Thursday, December 27, 1962

I have a headache, but I guess I should be glad I don't get them in college (can only remember having one) like Gloria, I think it was, who said she had had one for the last year. We went down to Parcells for dinner. It was the New Year's dinner early. We stopped in Fairfield on our way down and I got three yards of a pretty red material to make a cocktail dress. It's going to be stunning! Mrs. Kline was here tonight. She's selling Minnesota Woolens now and I ordered a knit (cotton) shift dress in a green and white stripe with a green tie. It's real cute. Phyllis is getting a tan one.

Made Cookies For Children's Home - Wednesday, December 26, 1962

This afternoon Phyllis, Virginia and I and the rest of the girls in the Sunday School class went out to Grandma's to bake Christmas cookies for the children's home in Ottumwa. Jeff was so cute and "helpful" rolling out cookie dough with his own little rolling pin and so forth. These days seem to go so fast. I wrote a few more Christmas cards. It doesn't seem to me like Christmas should be past already, I guess because it was so late in the season before I could even think about it. I patched my blue slacks where I caught them on a nail down at the gym, but I see it didn't hold.

Christmas 1962 Was Truly a White One - Tuesday, December 25, 1962

Christmas 1962 was very nice. It snowed here last night for the first time this winter. It won't happen that way very often, that you get the first snow of the year right on the day for a truly "White Christmas." I got a new tan sweater, brown skirt (that I'll probably exchange), Laura Ingalls Wilder's new book, On the Way Home, red knee socks, billfold, diary, post-a-notes, silk blouse, and girdle from Santa Claus, necklace from Ann, magic mascara from Virginia, circle pin from Phyllis, note papers and star fish pin from Schwartzes, and $3.00 from Grandma Kay. We all got the game of Troke from Schwartzes. Cuddebacks, Grandma and Grandpa, and Varners were here for dinner. This seemed like a fast Christmas. But it was really a nice one.  

Ann Helped Virginia Make Christmas Cookies - Monday, December 24, 1962

Christmas eve once again. The years go by so fast. I wrote a few Christmas cards this evening. I'm really late getting mine sent out this year. I got Margie's package ready and mailed it to her. This afternoon Mom and I drove to Wellman. Phyllis's colored picture was supposed to be ready, but we found out it wasn't after all. She got Ann a few more presents and we got some groceries. It seems like I'm wasting my time, but maybe a few days of doing nothing is good for me. At least I don't need to feel guilty about not getting any homework done. Virginia made Christmas cookies almost all day. Ann helped her some.

Luggage and a Card Table and Chairs - Sunday, December 23, 1962

Today we had the annual dinner and gift exchange at Grandma's. I got a pretty little brown coin purse from Grandma. All of the families together got Grandma and Grandpa a set of luggage for Christmas. This evening I helped Mom wrap up the card table and chairs she bought as the church's gift to Peterses.  The Sunday School program was tonight. For once I just sat in the audience (what there was of it) and enjoyed the whole thing. The college didn't even let us out in time to send Christmas cards to get there on time hardly, so since I haven't gotten around to mine, I guess they'll really be late.

Saw the Very Nice Mid-Prairie High School - Saturday, December 22, 1962

This morning I went with Phyllis over to Wellman to get her senior pictures and then we went out to get Virginia, Diana and Kathy who were helping decorate for the Christmas dance. Phyllis showed me around the new school. It's really nice. The meeting room for the school board has a big table and blue leather chairs! This afternoon we went to town. I got Margie a curler bag for Christmas (that's what she wanted) and that was the extent of my shopping. Patty and Delbert came on to Grandma's last night rather than spend the night in Boone since they thought the weather might get bad.

Train Was Three and a Half Hours Late - Friday, December 21, 1962

The train was three and a half hours late leaving Kansas City so we didn't get to Fairfield till 5:15 and didn't get home till 6:00. I didn't go to bed till after they left for school, then lay down and slept till they came home at 1:30 - not quite as bad as last year! I got to ride in a parlor car since the coach was filled up, but it was the last car on the train and didn't have any heat till 4:00. A man who works for the Rock Island, two girls going to Chicago, and I about froze! Phyllis and I went to the two girls basketball games at Kalona tonight. I visited with several of the college crowd.

Christmas Shopping in Kansas City - Thursday, December 20, 1962

I finished my finals with the French standardized test this morning. I checked on my soc grade with Mr. Gibson and found I only got a C for the course! The first low blow! He said he was sorry, but I told him it was my fault. I have him for ed psych next trimester so thought "well enough" was best left alone. I then went down to talk to Rev. Seamans about a scholarship contest, came back to Hawley and decided to pack, eat, clean the room and change clothes in time to go in to Kansas City on the 1:00 bus to Christmas shop. Vivien was going in, too, so we shopped till time for her 4:45 train. I took a taxi to the depot (my arm was nearly paralyzed after carrying my suitcase down to Parkville).

Called Home for First Time - Wednesday, December 19, 1962

I took the religion test tonight instead of this morning. My studying all day for it (I couldn't be ready for it this morning with my history test, too, I discovered), I'm not sure did me that much good. I hope I got a C on it. The history test I found to my liking, though, thank heavens! Well, fast changes again find me going home by train tomorrow night after all. Patty called to say Esteps can't come since their baby's sick. I called home then - first time. I don't know why our family doesn't make a practice of calling more often. Well, now to start packing! Hurrah, I'm going home! Thank heavens it's about over - that homework grind!

French, Sociology Finals Were Two Hours - Tuesday, December 18, 1962

I have done nothing today but take two tests - French and soc - two hours each - and study and hope and pray. All I can say is, that if I live (and pass both my history and religion finals), by this time tomorrow night I'll be the happiest person alive.

The Psychology Final was Okay - Monday, December 17, 1962

The psychology final was okay. I wish I could hope for as much on the others. I spent the afternoon trying to study religion but got nowhere fast. I got a bath sponge, little pin and some pretty shells from Mrs. Cowan for Christmas. I also got letters from Patty (hope someone plans to stop for me on Friday) and Mary Ellen.

Reflections on Christmas and Park - Sunday, December 16, 1962

I spent the afternoon reading history and tonight going over my psychology notes. Now I have to study a little more about certain behavioral characteristics and review Freud's psychoanalysis. The church service tonight was all meditation and carols. Again, as I say, it's hard to believe it's so nearly Christmas, everyone is so wrapped up in studies. It was warm today. Some college days seem so different from others. Weeks, too. Sometimes I wonder if we don't all fall asleep and wake up later. I love Park. I'm quite sure its a unique institution.

Listening to Hawaiian Music - Saturday, December 15, 1962

I am listening to some pretty Hawaiian music on the radio. I just finished reading about the ecology of Hawaii for sociology. I spent the morning sleeping and the afternoon reading - I'm getting no where fast and have so much more to do. Margie and I went to the movie, "Bachelor Flat," tonight. John Blair and Tom Straus went along. Tom walked me back to the dorm. A year ago we were home by this time. It's awful to mix finals and Christmas, but at least we can look forward to no studies during vacation. But there isn't much Christmas spirit on campus this year. And only ten days.

An A- on "Two Days Late" Religion Paper - Friday, December 14, 1962

At five till 9:00 tonight at least five kids, myself included, were rolling the last pages of psychology research papers out of our typewriters and dashing madly over to Mackay to get them in Dr. Gochman's mailbox before the 9:00 deadline. I didn't even get the last half of mine proofread - with my "tiredness" plenty of mistakes will probably show up. I got an A- on my religion paper. When I got it back and read what Dr. Johnson had written on the first page, at first I thought it said "too damn long." I thought, coming from Dr. Johnson, that was pretty bad. Then I realised he had written "two days late."

Student Peace Union Assembly - Thursday, December 13, 1962

I've done it again. My psychology paper is due tomorrow night, and I've barely started. I'm still reading. I guess I'll get up at 4:00 and work on through. But this time I'm limiting my topic! The Stylus was printed in green this week for Christmas. I've done so much writing for  it. Wait till I show some of my talents to Mrs. Fordyce and Mrs. Kephart. I took time out to go to the Student Peace Union assembly this morning that some kids from Southern Illinois University sponsored. I should have asked the senior girl if she knows Frank Stewart, Almita's brother. I bowled 81 today, 82 Tuesday.

A Ride to Iowa - Wednesday, December 12, 1962

I thought I'd be writing home tonight to say they could meet my train next Thursday morning. Mom sent Edna's letter saying they could stop for me next Friday but they both thought I'd still be taking finals Friday. I meanwhile thought I'd be done Wednesday so thought I'd go ahead by train. Then I went to French class and Dr. Hampl provided a nice happy medium: a standardized French test on Thursday. So I guess I'll wait till Friday and have Esteps pick me up. I'll be one of the last kids left on campus, but this way I can rest up Thursday night and not get in at that inconvenient hour. I must work on my psych paper.

A New 16 MM Movie About Park College - Tuesday, December 11, 1962

It was one of those really cold winter days today. In assembly, after President Morrill gave some nice thoughts on Christmas, we saw the new 16 mm Park College movie. It was very good. It would sell me on Park College any day. I was in it at least three times, all from the fall of our freshman year: helping Vivien move into Hawley, in the snake dance, and watching the Hell Week softball game. I think I'll go to bed and get up early. I feel beat, and have a slight cold, too, so it will do me the most good. I did an article on the Military Degree Completion Program and hurried it down to the print shop at 5:15.

Turned in Religion Paper - Monday, December 10, 1962

I took the religion paper over to Mackay this morning and got it there just before 7:00. Some of the kids who got theirs back today got A+s after staying up Friday night to do them - I don't think they had put as much work in on them, so maybe my work was in vain (but not as far as my own personal satisfaction is concerned). I guess I'm doing my psych paper on mental telepathy. It better be short and to the point for a change! It snowed. It's so beautiful. I spent some time with Vivien this afternoon getting psych books. I rarely see her any more.

Finished Religion Paper is 50 Pages - Sunday, December 9, 1962

My religion paper is finished! Gosh, when I said it'd take a miracle to get me through the trimester, I didn't consider it including a 50 page religion paper. Guess I'll take graduate work in religion and hand it in as my thesis! Christmas at Park was today. The choir concert was magnificent. We all stood up for the Messiah. Then we had a lovely Christmas dinner with the brass quintet playing Christmas songs. But I couldn't go to the party in the J.R. - after I finally finished typing the paper I rushed it over to Mackay at 11:40 only to find it locked. I can't win! That means "in the morning ____."

Religion Research Paper is Not Finished - Saturday, December 8, 1962

All day long today, whenever I've taken time out from my paper to come up to the floor (I'm typing it in the trunk room) someone invariably asks me how it's coming. Gosh, it's 37 pages already with a lot of that being single space quotes. Gee, I hope it's okay. I would have been crazy to stay up all night - there's still quite a way to go before it's finished. Barbara McDowell, you've done it again! When will you ever learn? Honestly, the only things I did today besides work on the paper were eat three meals, make a trip to the library, and clean my fingernails and polish them!

Will Go to Bed at 2:00 AM - Friday, December 7, 1962

It looks like my religion paper isn't going to be handed in tomorrow at 7:00. It's 2:00 a.m. and I've rationalized myself into coming to bed. I'll only lose one point anyway - that's not worth staying up all night for when I probably couldn't finish it anyway. I've heard and know of instances when he hasn't been very strict with late papers. Herr House played Nickel in a challenge basketball game tonight but I wasn't able to go. Good thing I don't live in Herr House, or I'd probably have been playing. I would have liked to, but it would have been crazy with a paper due in the morning. I'm crazy anyway, I suppose.

Long Way to Go on Religion Paper - Thursday, December 6, 1962

I've got a long way to go on my religion paper, but it should be a good paper that had better earn me at least a C for religion. We got our pictures back. Mine are good, though the pose is more like last year's than I had remembered. I gave one to Judy Paxton who does an excellent job of coloring for 50 cents. Put in a small gold frame, it will make Mom a nice Christmas present. For the record: I stopped to talk to him for a second in the J.R. this morning - he was doing French. I went to the first half of the Park-Tarkio game, but the kids I met at church evidently didn't come.

Margie Has Gone Downstairs to Call Home - Wednesday, December 5, 1962

Margie has just gone downstairs to call home to see if she left one of her religion books at home - she can't find it (but the strange thing is the library no longer has a card for it!). The case of the missing book. It would be something if I called home about a missing book! I never have called home. Last night I was working on my paper in the trunk room when I heard boys' voices. It was Nickel coming to bring our tree back and give us a party. It was nice. Proof read this afternoon. Doing terrible in French - but I imagine it's only temporary (gosh, I did the one right she called on me for, so maybe she doesn't know).

Signed Up for the Idler Staff - Tuesday, December 4, 1962

Just an ordinary day for the most part. It rained this morning. I worked on my research paper in the library, then went to the last African Series lecture, Dr. J. Gus Liebenow on African Nationalism. I wrote up a short summary for the Stylus. I signed up for the Idler staff. Barb had me sign her up, too. In bowling this afternoon Mrs. Dorsey wasn't there. Gary Bruce came all the way up from setting pins twice to show me how to do it the right way! Now back to the religion paper.

Gave French Book Report to Dr. Hampl - Monday, December 3, 1962

I reported on my French book to Dr. Hampl this morning. I guess she was satisfied. It was okay that I only read what amounted to 150 pages rather than 200. I'll try to make up for it next semester. I didn't do very well on our pop quiz in French class, however. We had a Stylus staff meeting this afternoon. I voiced (as did others) opinions! Neither Lou or Regina will be here next semester. I hope we get some good reporters to replace them. Got to get to work on my religion paper.

Open House Doors Looked Like Packages - Sunday, December 2, 1962

Tonight was Hawley's open house. Margie and I got our room cleaned up this afternoon (cleaning on Sunday!). Everyone on the floor decorated their doors like packages. (Our theme was Christmas on the Mezzanine.) Margie and I made a cute little Santa Claus. My possessions seemed to bring a lot of nice comments. I typed Stylus news during open house - with time out for visiting, too. Now I have to finish reading history. I should have read up on the Jewish education system for my research paper, too. I'm getting tired of studying!

"Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus" - Saturday, December 1, 1962

I spent the day in Mackay working on my religion research paper. I've got quite a way to go on it, but at least I know where I'm "going" now. (I hope!) My topic is "The Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus." Tonight I took time out to go to the show, "The Young Doctors," with Barb. It was good. Open House is tomorrow night. Most of the freshman girls are going all out in decorating, but Margie and I will do well to get our room straightened up. I wonder as I wander.