May 30 - June 5, 1961

May 30 - Tuesday


Nena won second place in the races today after a very exciting race. Her mother really came in second but got disqualified for hitting the last buoy. Bill came today and we were singing and chatting on the committee boat. We ate in Nena’s house then we came home and baked a cake which didn’t turn out very well and it was all my fault. I think Nena was a little mad at me because I used her blouse. I wish I hadn’t. I hope she wasn’t too angry. Nacho is one person I’ll never understand. Gosh is he moody! You never know what he’ll do next. Mercy was a little mad at Margie at Conchita’s gathering. She does get awfully know-it-all when she has those mysterious little powows with Cosme. Mercy and I were trying to make him mad by playing “Teen Angel.” and “Maybe Tomorrow” over and over again. I think we sent him thinking, and Margie angry. Nena is planning to have a little party at her house on Thursday.



May 31 - Wednesday

I went to the ANC this morning and the usual people were there. Big news was that Nacho is going steady with Leslie. So what does Leslie do the moment Nacho leaves? She sits on Honey’s lap and drools all over him. Oh brother! Mercy and Margie ate lunch with me at the ANC. This afternoon while waiting for Mercy, Nacho arrived and I almost told him about Leslie but decided not to. I put on my bathing suit and joined Mercy, Margie, Honey, Cosme at the pool. George Gallent and Mitch Schlachterman were there. Conchita gave Nacho some hints about Leslie and we were all laughing and I guess that Nacho got mad so he picked on me and tells everybody at the table what my hand in cards was. I got so mad. I watched Nena at judo and Nacho came in and I didn’t pay any attention to him. Later Nena, Bill, Marina, Gonzalo and I sat in the Sunset Lounge and watched the sunset. It was beautiful with all those glorious colors and Bill singing. He leaves on June 8th and I’m going to miss him very much. Nena’s “beatnik” party is tomorrow and I haven’t a thing to wear! Oh well, Leslie told Margie that I’ve liked Nacho for 5 years. She’s also saying that I told Nacho about her and Honey this pm. I didn’t but serves her right!



June 1 - Thursday

I went to Nena’s house at 2:30 pm after buying shoes with Dad and the ANC. Marina, Nena and I cooked till about 5 pm and then we started getting dressed for the party. Everybody said I looked like a real beatnik with dark blue tights - Daddy’s olive sweater and a long false pony tail. The party was superb. I danced 3 slow drags with Bill and one boogie. I had to stand on a cushion to dance with Bill but it was well worth it. He said he wished I was taller and 2 years from now when he comes back I will be I hope. He was wonderful this evening. And every time he looks at me or watches me looking at him or vice versa I felt something very nice and warm go through me. He brought his tape recorder and we sang together with Nena. Maybe he does like me just a little bit. It’s just I’m a bit too young yet – 2 years from now....I hope I see him again. He promised to come back. He was the last to leave. Jose Luis brought him home at 4:40 AM. Jackie Rodriguez was there - ugh. But we had a wonderful time cracking jokes, laughing and singing. Marina was flirting dreadfully with Nacho and Jose Luis. I’m sleeping in Nena’s house. All I can think of is Bill and I wish Thursday would never come. What a wonderful evening. (I remember this evening at Nena’s as if it were yesterday. It was the first of two times that I dressed as a “beatnik” and I got to dance with my main “crush” of the moment. The second time would be with Carlos Garcia, but that would take place about a year later. Funny coincidence – both guys’ astrological sign is Pisces and the same birth dates - March 8.)



June 2 - Friday

We went to bed at 5:30 AM and woke up at 9AM. We put ice on our faces to wake ourselves up, ate breakfast and went to the ANC. The usual people were there but not Bill. If I know him he probably slept clear through the day. I can’t get him out of my mind.....He thrills me so and I feel like nothing in the world could ever happen to me while around him. Last night, for a while I was feeling a little blue and he noticed this and told me to sit by him and the next thing you know I was laughing at one of his jokes. And he gives me the most disturbing looks, sometimes I feel like he’s reading my heart or something.....We, (Nena and I) did absolutely nothing today except go to the movies “Fever In the Blood” again. I saw Magu today. School begins Monday. Here we go...



June 3 - Saturday

I went to school to register and buy some books and saw Sr. Mary Angela and Marilena. Then I went to the ANC. Spent the morning talking with Mercy. I ate lunch alone and then Cosme and I waited for Mercy. Leo Kahn was there. The guy hasn’t changed a bit. Mercy came and we went to the swimming pool. I watched Bill play tennis and later he came and joined me, we sat at a table and talked. He told me he’s leaving on Thursday. (I’m going to go to the airport if it kills me.) He gave a hint that he’d like me to go. He went to take a shower and then we went to the Sunset Lounge. Every minute I’m with him I like him more. That wonderful smile...I’m going to miss him like I’ve never missed anyone before this. Cosme and Mercy came home this evening. They ate dinner with me and we played cards. Cosme likes Mercy very much. I don’t blame him. Dad had a little fever this evening. I hope its nothing. I’m dead sleepy. Thursday will seem like an eternity for me.



June 4 - Sunday

It hasn’t been the finest day to finish a lovely vacation but I saw Bill and that’s enough for me. He was friendlier yesterday but when I saw him my pulse was racing and my heart was pounding. That hasn’t happened in a long time. I guess I’ve really fallen for him. What a catastrophe! He gave Nena, Marina and me little kangaroo pins. Cosme brought Mercy and I to see “The Sundowners” with Debroah Kerr and Robert Mitchum. All about Australia. Margie came with us too. There was a gathering in Chiqui’s house this pm. I didn’t go. Anyway I would’ve been bored to death and miss Bill.



June 5 - Monday

First day of school (my senior year!) and everything went pretty smoothly. Miss Juco is the best teacher so far. I was elected PRO (Public Relations Officer) of the class, again. Marina and I went to the ANC. Bill wasn’t there and I was very disappointed but the day of his departure comes soon and he hasn’t yet left but I miss him already. Dad and I went to Nena’s house to pick up my books. Dad chatted with Tita Carmen for a while. Nena and Nacho were there. Nena’s the greatest. I like her a lot. One of the nicest people I know and will every know and despite Nacho’s faults, he’s an awfully nice guy - in fact, the whole family is nice. Marina wore Bill’s little kangaroo pin to school today. So did I, but nobody saw it under the collar of my uniform.