How should I prepare myself for the 8th grade? It's just now starting to get overwhelming with the stress of homework and definitely guys! (My fave topic) Do you remember any info about your 8th grade year that could help me?
RF
Dear RF,
Lucky for you I kept a journal
of my life in 8th grade. And I managed to come through the year unscathed
so I’m sure some of my entries will be of great help to you. Let me just
print a few...
Sept. 4, 1969- I’m off to my first day of 8th grade. I don’t know anyone in this new place. Good thing I have a new cute mini skirt on that I sewed last week. Oh, they are playing the Beatles on the radio!
Sept 5, 1969- I hate this place! I have too much homework already. My shoes looked stupid with my new dress.
Sept 15, 1969- I forgot my lunch today and had to get the school lunch. It was some kind of meat with this awful jelly-like gravy over it, some cold corn mixed with lima beans, and something that may have been a lump of noodles or rice. I couldn’t tell and I didn't want to touch it with my fork. I lost my hairbrush in gym so my hair wasn’t perfectly straight and I looked stupid. Tom that sits in front of me in math (!) let me borrow a pencil when my lead broke and the teacher wouldn’t let me sharpen it. I guess I was supposed to write with the eraser!
Oct 31, 1969- My great idea of being a hippy at the Halloween dance was stupid. Half the kids there were dressed like hippies from Woodstock. I did dance a few times. Once was to “Bridge over Troubled Waters”. (slow song!!!)
Dec 26, 1969- I got so much cool stuff for Christmas. I got the Beatles Abbey Road album (yeah!), some new bell bottoms, a new really wide metal belt, some ring scarves that I can wear around my neck or head, a purse with fringes, and some more singles because that’s all I care about, music and clothes.
Jan 12, 1970- New decade! I can’t believe it! Its been snowing so much and I hate walking to school every day in the snow. I’m freezing and wet by the time I get there. And my hair doesn’t stay perfectly straight from all the wind. My lockermate Julie got a new midi coat. But can I get one? NO! I have to wear my old one. Mod Squad on tonight! (Yeah! Pete is so cute!)
March 17, 1970- I had to do a huge book report on my life with chapters in it like a book. I put pictures in it and everything. I called it “All my years: A baker’s dozen” because I’m 13. Guess what? I got it back and got a B+. Story of my life and its only a B+. Sounds about right.
April 22, 1970- Today was Earth Day! We barely had any class because we got to spend the day demonstrating against pollution and the mess this Earth is in and we went outside and cleaned up. Don’t people realize that we can’t keep destroying this planet? And then there is the war in Vietnam. That’s another whole mess this world is in! When are people going to start caring more?! Oh I just remembered, I have to babysit tonight and I wanted to go over to Linda’s house and watch “The Wild Wild West” (James West!) If I miss it I’ll have to wait another whole week! AGGH!
June 8, 1970- I was so sad that school ended today. I
had such a great year. My friend Carol had a big sleep over on Friday
night and all our best friends came and we got to sleep in her parents
trailer out back. But we were up most the night talking about everything.
And then I found out yesterday that my Dad is changing companies and we
are going to sell the house and move again. Oh great. I’m not going
to know anyone next year! Oh they are playing James Taylor “Fire and Rain”
on the radio. I love that song!