exams – Page 4 – A Life in Words

Easter at Elisabeth Gorge (1-7 April)

Published on June 20, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 1/4/85

Maths was hard. Didn’t have hardly any time to learnt before skool – no one (I don’t think) got it finished in time. It was hard. In PES, took notes cos’ of the weather. Science – marking stray HW. History – understand the last part now. Almost finished it 2nite. BP – new topic. Practical, too. English – started Animal Farm essay. Continuing Yentl essay. (Hurry, Liss!) Art – made a vanilla/custard slice looks nuthin’ like it. Rainy today again. Tim – I get nervous and self conscious when he’s near. Never know just how to stand or sit or what to do with my hands. I’ve tried to control it but I can’t. Late nite.

Tuesday 2/4/85

Really worried today that I wouldn’t get my work done. I have my PES to complete tomorrow, 3 assignments due Thurs & my art clay work. Got my History & 1 English assignment done & worked out my art. PES I dunno – & Animal Farm (the otha’ english assign.) tomorrow at school & prehaps after. Today was cool. Didn’t take me jumper. DAY 5 – Science ›blech‹ BP ›blech‹ -er! German ›blech‹ -est! Maths Mr Way was absent. Maths puzzles & english worked to my capacity. ‘S’arvy finished Hist. Dunno if I’ll wear shorts on our Free Dress Day on Thurs, now.

Wednesday 3/4/85

Today was terrible. Couldn’t sleep last night – mozzies buzzing in my ears. When I did sleep my whole body was under the sheet. History is done! Double art – did theory instead of clay work will tomorrow, too. Have to work in lunch time. Maths – got test mark back Below class average. 17½/30. Class AV 18.5/30. [This would no doubt have caused Perfectionist Me undue stress for a few hours.] English – Mr V.S said we only have to hand in one english assignment whichever one we want. Great! Lunchtime – did PES testing – skint! In PES played hockey. fun but hot. BP got all work done in class, so no HW 4 Hol’s. Watching movie – “Xanadu”! Dunno wot ta wear 2morrow.

Thursday 4/4/85

I thought Tim’s family would be comfortable financially cos’ he wears Tab shorts to school but today he wore daggy black jeans like Shane S. used to wear…. Still I don’t look at his clothes – just his spunky face. Wore my red’n’white Sportsgirl shirt, sweatshirt & sanshoes. Took my Sportsgirl bag. All of us were allowed in the science lab, today (only 2 boys had correct leathers on.) German had competitions. Natalie P. won. Art, watched boring video. Didn’t get clay done. Eng. & Hist finished up essays’n’mucked around. Maths – won an egg! packed this arvy. Haircut just a trim. Saving up for perm! [OMG, yes. It happened a number of times in my youth…] Lateish nite

Friday 5/4/85 (Good Friday)

Woke 5:30 today. Didn’t do exercises. Finished packing and went to work. When eski was packed at work, we came home cos’ we forgot somethings then left on our 3hr journey. Tried to sleep while travelling. Sick tablet helped me stay awake. [We often took travel sickness tablets as a precaution. My sister had – and still has – a weak stomach for travelling. She was invariably always the one we stopped for.] Got to Chillagoe 11-11:30. Drove to the Walsh River, saw Karen M & the Holletts ‘n’ everyone. Didn’t see the Strikes. Was too crowded there. Drove on, looking for Elisabeth Gorge. All those who gave us instructs were wrong. Finally went to the “Bellvue” Station Homestead. A real ‘bloody’ Aussie gave us directions. And we cross-countried all over the property, 4wd country alright!! Had to look for certain things e.g.: windmills, dams etc. Like a treasure hunt. When we finally made it (6:30) was already people here! Still, camped a bit away. River’s alriiiight. No trees where we camped. Don’t really like it. Feel homesick already. Jules bedded early. The rest of us went down for a bath/swim. Bed at 9:30

Saturday 6/5/85

Woke quite early 6:30. After brekky cleaned up & set things up totally. Then went for a dip. All of us got Aussie [my stepmother-to-be’s German Shepherd] in & she began enjoying the water. Then went firewood hunting. Got heaps, but dad wanted this giant log – trying to get it, we staked it. The back right wheel punctured BADLY. After changing it & getting back, we all drifted down to the creek & spent most of the arvy in it. Everyone else but me got burnt badly – or visibly bad. Withered the arvy away. After tea I had a half’n’half enamel mug of range & reisling. Anthony the dickhead [stepbro-to-be] was trying to convince me I was drunk. Dad was the only 1 (I think) who knew I wasn’t. Late nite.

Sunday 7/5/85 (Easter Day)

Dad came in at 7:00 singing “Peter Cottontail”. [He pretty much rolled this one out every Easter, since his first performance on a camping trip a few years earlier had delighted all of us kids. You know the way Dad’s do, once they think they’ve hit a ‘winning formula’.] Julia ended up eating all her eggs today. [That was usually MY trick] Hot X Buns for brekky. Lazy, swim about morning. Went walking up the gorge & found a beeauutiful hole. All swam & fossicked until around 1:30 – 2:00. After lunch, lazed ’round – swimming, photographing, playing games. After the last swim/bath, had tea and sat by fire. Am tired. Talked & quizzed each other. I had more wine 2 nite & didn’t get ‘pithed’. Am going to sleep out 2 nite – hope it’s cold.

Tests, Exams, Assignments & Essays (25-31 March)

Published on June 19, 2013 by Elissa Coxen2 Comments

Monday 25/3/85

Dad told mum yesterday how good we were, ironing our own clothes, washing & drying up & making our school lunches. Guess what we have to do now?!!….. Ran late this morning. Woke at 7:00! Rushed around (at a leisurely pace) [kinda oxymoronic] and made it in time! (to the bus stop.) Science was boring, BP test was synch, German was easy too (but I muffed it up) Maths stupid & boring & english fun! (Bag was heavy 2day! Also still rainy’n’overcast!) First day home. Feels different, somehow not as nice as Dad’s… NO HW, really. Laughed at this set of excuses (a joke sheet which I got from Megan W.) that some people have given their Insurance Officers in their ‘crash’ reports. Talkabout funny…!

Tuesday 26/3/85

Today was a little less wet & a little more hot. Got ready at a leisurely pace this morning. Got my History assignment. Bludged in double art cos’ I didn’t have a plastic bag (or an idea of what to make) for my clay. Maths boring, English 2 to 4 assignments, now. Didn’t get my PES routine etc done so I might ‘hafta’ do it in a lunch hour! BP was fast! After school, read my Dolly – is packed with Fashion, this one! Watching academy awards (57th) Stupid! Never show any clips from the movies

Wednesday 27/3/85

Had a dream about Tim last night. Fiona was going with him & I was jealous, but he seemed to like me better, but wouldn’t drop fiona. It was good. I could see his face clearly too… Today; science test – I mucked it up. German listening test I mucked up, too. Got 28/35 for my reading/writing test. History assignment – I got started – will be easier than my english assignments. Art – I can’t shape a pavlova out of clay! English – 3 assignments. all hard. Maths so confusing! Speech was boring. Jemima seemed un-interested with me today. Brent (a new one) asked her today. Went straight home after speech – then to Geoff’s for National Trust Meeting. Did HW. Got some History assignment done. Very Late night. (‘Horse’ geoff’s cat, loves me! sat in my lap for ½hr) [Impressive…that I let the cat sit in my lap at all. Felines have given me hay fever many a time in the past.]

Thursday 28/3/85

Today was rainy – overcast & cool enough to wear a jumper all day. Science: had Mr McIntyre (Irish teecher) “Had to do wee questions!” [I think you mean Scottish, Liss?] English – comp. test – I’ve failed it! (Was hard) Other period did our reading aloud. Was shaky but got 5/5! Double maths – understand a little, now. History; struggling with assignment. German – went over our test paper. Lazy, gutsy afternoon. Started HW late (around 8:00) Another late nite I s’pose. Probly won’t get all me HW done either….

Friday 29/3/85

Today was cool enough to wear a jumper, too. Bought my new PES shirt today. Is big, but not big enough, I think. Science, marked HW sheet. PES – picked hockey as our new subject unit. German – got 12½/15 for Listening test. Extended little lunch. In form, picked our recreation topics for Wednesdays. I picked swimming at the beach, aerobics secondly, then craft. Sooooo many people picked skating – there’ll definitely be cut down. Art – started different thing. Pav. was too hard. BP – got 34½/40. History – Mr VS made me start again, but I’m on the right foot this time. After school watched TV. ABout 5:45 went to park. Mucked ’round with Julia on swings etc. Good place to think…..Early nite.

Saturday 30/3/85

Today made myself sleep in till 8:00. I must have gotten around 11 hrs sleep cos’ I fell asleep about 9:00 Last night! Anyhow, changed my room around and had a MASS clean up. Then did vacuuming for mum. Finally began my History essay around 3:30 I think. Worked until 6:00 went to tape songs for Countdown but when turned on the TV it was just finished. Watched TV all nite. Movie just finished. Going to bed now

Sunday 31/3/85

I am having a blue bedroom now. My room looks’n’feels just too hot in the arvy sun – so I need a cool colour. I’ve been thinking, too, that I don’t know if I like Sean that much. Tim is such a spunk, I think I’ve taken a liking to him. Anyway what’s new, I’m always dreaming.. Today I attempted (as soon as I woke – 6:30) to do my english essays. Can’t start the animal farm one, tho’ its a little easier & the Yentl one is too hard to continue. Lazed around. Painted my first 3 toenails on each foot & gave myself a quick manicure. Plucked my eyebrows & put some “hair stop” on them. [Again, wonderful examples of my power to procrastinate.] Lateish nite – haven’t learnt for my maths exam. I’ll fail it.

Bullying & a New Heart Throb (3-9 December)

Published on June 3, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 3/12/84

Maths was quite easy but I know I definitely have not got 100%. Science was ‘simple’ too but there were some questions and history too was easy but I didn’t know if I expressed myself correctly, in words. Otherwise, am pleased. Carol B. dropped mum’s plants over this afternoon. Had a late-ish nite & haven’t studied any BP …. UH-OH……..

Tuesday 4/12/84

I don’t think I did crash-hot. Around 55/65 I think I’ll get. Gave Rebecca P. more hell than ever today only to find her parents coming down to ‘scream’ at me. At first I packed shit, but then relaxed. Feeling guilty now about having to tell the ‘truth’ ie, naming mim & fi as some of the troublemakers. [I can’t remember exactly what kind of treatment we – because it certainly was not just me – dished up to this girl but it clearly affected her enough that her mother (I don’t recall her father being present at all – if he was, he was definitely silent the entire time) flew into protective mode and was on the proverbial Warpath. I remember standing on our drive-way with mum as Rebecca’s mother verbally let rip at me & my mother. No one in our family is confrontational and our usual reaction is one of shocked silence, so I can’t really recall our ‘defence’.] Early-ish night. Haven’t studied much art…

Wednesday 5/12/84

Art was easy. Got History back 44/50 I couldn’t believe it! I went from 63% last semester to 83% this sem! Not as good as I thought in science: 56/70 OH WELL! Everyone knows about the P.’s coming to see me now. She will cop more shit than ever, now. (Apparently her parents only came to blow me up. Said they were going to see everyone else but didn’t.) Mrs P., they’re all Bitches. Today (generally) was a bludge.

Thursday 6/12/84

Another Bludge. Am so glad exams are over! Got art back 37/40, same as last semester. Fran told Fi in their german class today what Rebecca P. actually yelled to me when we got off the bus. – “Poor Elissa, lives in a flat.” If her parents broke up, I’d like to see HER mum cope – OOH thats so mean. Makes me SOOOOO MAD. (Now everyone in the popular group knows). I think everyone does. [I have concluded that this girl’s parents (or parent, namely her mother) targeted me and my family simply because there was no ‘man’ around to defend us. In a pack of wild animals, I guess we would have seemed to be the ‘easy kill’?! They certainly did not confront any of the families of the other girls involved in the ‘bullying’ so in a respect, Mrs P. was a bully herself. With hindsight, it only serves to illustrate just how strong my mother was; to survive a marriage breakdown, work, build a house and rear two daughters. How can I not feel anything other than gratitude?]

Friday 7/12/84

Is BOILING the heat is suffocating. EVERYONE hates Rebecca P. Tina & everyone in the popular group talks to us more often now the others have left. I think I like someone else. I don’t think Mark is good for as SM would/could be. Tell ya who he is later … Late nite.

Saturday 8/12/84

God Sean is a spunk! I dreamt about him last nite (SM is Sean/Shaun M.) In 9G. Has been at Smithfield quite a while but I’ve only just woken up. I love ‘im! Was disappointed when dad rang to say we couldn’t go to work & had to go to Jenny’s. Went anyway. After shopping & housework (I got $5 for it!) went. Watched TV – very bored. Very late night.

Sunday 9/12/84

*Fuckin’ hot today. Naaah! Forget that* Just hot & boring. Late outta bed. After brekky, sketched & played chess till ’bout 5:00. Went to pub. Staying tonight.

Exams & Old Man Time (26 November-2 December)

Published on June 2, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 26/11/84

Quick day. Got December “Dolly”. Stayed in art all lunch hour. Hard in maths (got stuck in algebra) Have decided now to earn as much money as possible to spend on the Xmas holidays.

Tuesday 27/11/84

Another quick day. History assignment due Friday & I haven’t started, yet. Watched most of final part of “Bodyline”. Is an excellent series. So hot…. Nin came around for tea. BOOOORRING!! English Drama exam tomorrow. Am tired. Know I will not do well.

Wednesday 28/11/84

Another fast day. In fact the whole week is going fast! I s’pose old man Time knows I have exams & wants to make me suffer them sooner. (!!) Very hot. Hate Lucy, the bitch. Wouldn’t let me sit on the very edge of the seat on the bus. Greedy bitch. Just as bad as Justine’n’everyone else who I hate. [Whoa! Such strong words & intense feeling. Glad I’ve grown out of THAT.] Mandy & Bill are ‘minding’ us tonite while mum goes to a National Trust Meeting. English exam was quite easy but I didn’t have enough time, I thought.

Thursday 29/11/84

PE exam was HARD. Actually, I guessed most of it so I suppose I wouldn’t have done too bad. Am tired – my legs are aching (OH NO! NOT MORE GROWING PAINS?!!??!)

Friday 30/11/84

History assignment must be got outta the way tomorrow morning. YOU MUST STUDY, GIRLY. Today went quickly Was bored. Kept getting headaches similar to yesterday’s. Late-ish nite. Hope mim or Fi ring & ask me to study with them. Will be so much more fun. Hot-ish day.

Saturday 1/12/84

Rang Fi in morning after Mum went out and Julia left for the school’s mango stall by the polling booths. [This would have been at Freshwater State School, and it was for a federal election, the result of which returned Bob Hawke as Prime Minister for his second term] Left for Fi’s at 1:00. Went to mim’s at about 1:30. Went for a swim, then rode the motorbike to Fi’s and back. At home, Ben, Trent & Diane were here for tea. Had one hell of a late night. Today Mrs B., mima & Polly dropped in when only I was home to give Julia a brand new white jumpsuit. It didn’t fit Polly so Julia got it for FREE. I got to draw up an invitation for Stereo World Xmas Party. Hope she pays me!! NAH

Sunday 2/12/84

I showed the invit to Mrs B. & she gave me $5!! Went to mim’s around 10:30. Studied maths, had lunch, studied micellaneous, had a swim, study history. Mr & Mrs B. came home & Fi & I went. Had an early-ish nite.

Bitchiness & a Solar Eclipse (19-25 November)

Published on June 1, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 19/11/84

Got around 8hrs sleep last night!! Fun day. On the way home I spillt pineapple juice all over me, my port my pillow & the seat! End’o’unit science test + a german exam tomorrow.

Tuesday 20/11/84

A Life in Words — Queensland Grading System (photo resource: Wikipedia)

Glad I learnt for the science test?? YEAH!! It was quite hard. Wish I could’ve learnt a little more for it cos’ I don’t think I’ll get a VHA in that nor in my german exam. [VHA = Very High Achievement. We only had the 5 ‘grades’ back then: VHA, HA (High Achievement) S (Sound = Pass) LA (Low Achievement) and VLA (Very Low) There were no grey area ‘plusses’ or ‘minuses’ like the ABC grading system had] I shoulda studied. But I don’t think I’ve done that bad, considering I didn’t learn much. Hot today not too bad tho’. Watched 3rd part to mini-seres “Bodyline”. Was excellent.

Wednesday 21/11/84

UNCLE PETER’S BIRTHDAY!!! OK. day. Overpowered with fatigue after school also very hungry. Started a new (self-planned) balanced diet today. House is going good! S’posed to be able to move in, in about 2 weeks, time!! [Haha, pfffft!]

Thursday 22/11/84

Very boring day. Beka, Fi & I talked about J. & how she gets on our nerves. (finally I can talk to someone about it!) She got a yellow bandless hat exactly like Fi’s, brought it to school and didn’t even wear (carried it round) She copies off people. Beka told us she even bought a black’n’white striped top/jacket like Fi’s! Went to Carol B.’s to get some plants [for the new house I imagine]. Stayed (what seemed like) hours!! I got bored & sat in the car. Had an early nite.

Friday 23/11/84

Wierd day! From 6:00 till 9:00 there was an eclipse [solar] & then, cos’ of the Yr 10’s exams, we only had 6 periods but some were 10mins longer while other were 5 mins longer. Late-ish nite. Julia’s going to Catherine W.’s Video Party (sleep over.)

Saturday 24/11/84

Feel so lethargic. Jules came home early. Did you know the TV’s on the blink yet AGAIN?? Now it’s the volume. Sometimes it goes off & stays off for ages. It only mucked up on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Wonder Why!! [Said TV was a ‘Rank Arena’ mum said we had bought not long after colour televisions hit the market (1974-75). It weighed a tonne (!!) despite having only maybe a 10″ screen, had an on/off switch by which you also changed the channels & the volume control was a slider knob. Not many modern televisions could lay claim to such a long working life.] Mucked around this morning Jules & I went with Nin to her new flat at Edge Hill. Is great! Went to mim’s around 3:00, watched ½ of “Flying High II” & “Moving Out”. Ran around Freshwater in the rain, went back had a swim, hot bubble bath & chips. Mum, Geoff & Julia came at 6:30 (with a change of clothes 4 me) and went to babysit Ben & Trent. Late nite. Watched “History of the World, Part I” & the TV movie, then fell asleep. Got home about 12, asleep about 1:00

Sunday 25/11/84

Woke around 8:15 & Had potato & apple pancakes for brekky. [Oh now I don’t remember those but they sound good. I wouldn’t mind trying them out but… I can’t ask mum for the recipe anymore.] Watched cricket & played board games all day with Jules. Went to dad’s around 4:00. Pretty early night.

Meeting the Future Step-Siblings (12-18 November)

Published on May 31, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 12/11/84

Sooo tired but I’m also so restless. Fi admitted she loves Jason P. Personally, I think they’d suit each other. Dad hosted the “Stefan Finalists Northern Zone Hairstyle Awards” so Leanne’s giving him, Julia & I free haircuts (we’re getting it done tomorrow for the presentation night.) She said we could look at books, choose what we’d like & she’d tell us whether it would suit us, how to keep it looking good etc. I’m sooo nervous. How’ll I get mine cut?? late nite.

Tuesday 13/11/84

PRESENTATION NIGHT. It was HOT. but fast. Had our rehearsal of walking up & receiving etc in periods 6 & 7. My haircut wasn’t too bad but Jules’ was great! (Leanne wasn’t there – called out of town on (bad) personal business.) Deep “V” cut short bob. → [see hand-drawn diagram… it’s the ‘rear view’ of Julia’s head, in case you’re baffled.] Concave cut. Mine’s neat too!

Wednesday 14/11/84

Boring, tiring day. Felt a bit sick. Had no dinner. Got whole english assignment completed. Went to speech – found it wasn’t on – finished for the year! I didn’t know!! My hair is spikey in the corner (of the fringe) & fat Julieanne walked past me & said to her friend “Look at her hair!” giggle-whisper-giggle, giggle. BITCH. but Anna loves it.

Thursday 15/11/84

Today was plain & boring. Nothing special to record except that it was BOILING hot & in art, took photos with our pinhole cardboard cameras. Is treadly. [These were pretty impressive! I still can’t believe we actually took photos with ‘cardboard boxes’. Also did the whole ‘dark room’ developing as well. Unfortunately I have forgotten the science behind it all now.]

Friday 16/11/84

Rushed day. Got exam timetable {mon, 3rd Dec = (1) Maths (2) Science (3) History // Tues 4th Dec = (1) nil (2) BP (3) nil//} Monday’s gonna be tough one. At home, vacuumed, showered & packed. Dad came & we went to Red Beret. After to Vic & Liz’s for tea. Fell asleep around 10:00. Got home around 2:00 though!

Saturday 17/11/84

Dozed til 8:00. Dressed & went shopping. Ate big vanilla slice – bee-u-ti-ful!! At work played on dad’s new ‘paper’ calculating machine. At flat, dad did housework, we did HW. When we got to Jenny’s (it’s a beautiful house) the kids weren’t there – Jules & I did some polishing. Anthony came first, then Jacki. (She’s a tart – reminds me of Kim M. but she is very nice.) Anthony is good-looking (but so different to what we expected) & small. Played video games, rode the trail bike & mucked around all nite. Got little sleep.

Sunday 18/11/84

Mucked around – played chess, video games etc. An hour after BBQ lunch, went to Mossman Gorge. Took Anthony, Sean K. & his friend Shane. Jenny, Jules & I didn’t swim but had fun. Lost the key on the track but luckily, Julia found it! [My sister was always the ‘eagle eye’ of our family.] After, went to pub, then had a shower before Keanes came & knocked over the water meter!! (Anthony was in the shower!!) Late, very late night.

THE Party & Dad’s New Girlfriend (29 October-4 November)

Published on May 29, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 29/10/84

Very slow day. Got official invit. to Justine’s, party. Dunno what to wear or take…. Boiling hot 2nite.

Tuesday 30/10/84

Another slow, BOILING Day. Didn’t learn 4 science test but think I did quite well. Thunderstorm has passed – is cooler now. (we didn’t get it, tho) Just. still doesn’t know if Mark’s going or not. She’s got no reply. Hope he can come. Hope he does like me (the way I think he does)

Wednesday 31/10/84

Boring, slow day. Did bad in science but BP was consellation – 15/15 for old practical test! the 1st full mark I have ever received while at high school!! [It was said that our class/year at Freshwater primary school was well above average academically, so my standards were set quite high. Prime for my inherent perfectionism.] Did little HW. Still dunno wot to wear! Wrote a list of what to take. If only I had a double breasted jacket…

Thursday 1/11/84

Sooo excited!! 2 days left! Fast day. Can’t understand maths work. Is hard. At home bathed, dressed & went to Earlville. New layout is beautiful! “Ambition” Clothing Co. is tops – so cheap! Love everything! Got a $5 double breasted jacket!! & a white straight skirt (from splendif.) Jacket needs shortening cos if done up – looks like a lab jacket! Broke my diet UMAH!

Friday 2/11/84

Sooo tired. Got about 5hrs sleep last night. Very Excited. Have a list of all the things I must do take & wear. I CAN’T W A I T ! !

Saturday 3/11/84

Planned out the day but started running late about 1:00. Jumpy, all day. Took Fi. Was FAB!! Mark knows I love him, but Fi got hints that he loves Jemima. Kept calling her “Jamaica-farewell” some kinda code I s’pose. Always asked about her. Otherwise, I think he likes me. Got a bad leg cramp in the pool – had to sit out ½hr alone. Boys didn’t want to leave but finally did. Other Smithy boys – Shane, Gordon were jealous that they got all the attention.

Sunday 4/11/84

Dad picked me up from Justine’s. Met Jenny (dad’s new girlfriend) very nice, but not very pretty or young. [After all, my dad and mum were the Best Looking People in the World, so they deserved supermodel partners, right? Rose-coloured glasses are acceptable at age 14 aren’t they? Jenny proves to be The One for my dad…] Lazed around – did HW. Penwardens came round. Walked to the shop for an ice block, via the beach. Drove to San Remo. Had a large dinner (2 croissants as well) Jenny left around 9:30. Late nite.

Nostradamus, Free Dress & Strudel (10-16 September)

Published on May 22, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 10/9/84

Can’t believe it’s the last week! Shit! My Maths was (18/30) TERRIBLE. This was the 1st time in my whole life that I’ve never wanted a test mark back. Before the test I even predicted 18/30! I could become another Nostradamus, eh?! [I’d ‘loved’ Nostradamus ever since I’d watched a TV documentary on him – at some earlier point in my life. I have a ‘thing’ for the ‘intangible’ and it’s so much more appealing when scientists get involved. All I recall of his predictions now, is anticipation of World War III and the “Plague of the Twentieth Century” …which I believed to be AIDS/HIV but…??] English not bad 6½/10 Slow, boring day. Got a Mr Whippy ice-cream [aah, the soft-serve ‘pig-fat’!] & gave Mandy & Heath a tour of our house.

Tuesday 11/9/84

S(hane) has the paper run now. Shithead. Oh well, I have St Cloud’s job AGAIN – OMYGOD. Another $40! Boring day minus the catastrophe – NANA CAME BACK. God I’m mean. [The Love-Hate relationship I had with my grandmother was mostly due to the Generation Gap; as any teenager would, I rebelled against her ‘out-dated’ beliefs & standards] Free dress day on Friday. Got nothing to wear… [It has just struck me how ‘lucky’ Australians are, that – because uniforms are enforced during our ‘formative’ years – we are not pushed as quickly into the consumerism that is Fashion. I had only one day to stress about “what I’d wear”…can you imagine how ‘imperative’ it would be to shop regularly to maintain a wardrobe for EVERY school day, as in the US? Feed the Machine…]

Wednesday 12/9/84

I said to mum yesterday “I’ll just have to wear my black skirt” & she said “I’ll buy you anything but don’t wear that skirt”. so I’m gonna get an orange top & socks! [I actually don’t believe this was deliberate ‘cunning’ but my, how kids can ‘persuade’ their parents at times.] Did badly in english listening & viewing tests. Had heaps of potato salad, brattwurst, sausages & buns + apple strudel to eat at the german BBQ. I felt sick! Just played games at speech today. Had a late night.

Thursday 13/9/84

Went late night shopping & got a cherry lane, orange cotton shirt (midriff, box shoe, very big) & a black rubber belt. Also a sportsgirl orange bangle. No shop had any orange socks at all left. [The early 80’s witnessed the return – from the 60’s – of Fluorescence in fashion. My fluoro colour of choice was orange.] BP test was easy, but I only just got it finished. Otherwise – boring skool day. Early nite.

Friday 14/9/84

Great day today! Wore all my new gear with mum’s white skirt, black shoes, black lace in hair & additional bangles. BLUDGE DAY! Played cricket in PES. In BP she marked tests, so we bludged. In History watched “Creepshow” in library. [I’ve no idea HOW I watched that movie when I detested the Horror genre (and still do). I can only assume it was for ‘appearances’ sake: to disguise my fear by following the crowd.] In double science did a simple test & an unreal prac experiment. Normal artwork & german was games & puzzles. At home, lazed around till Dad came then worried about what to wear to Jill & Barry’s. (sorted it out) [I often ‘worried’ about outfits; a legacy of Perfectionism. My love of fashion, but lack of ample wardrobe content, combined with body-image issues often resulted in tantrums. “Fat Days” seemed to greatly outnumber the rest, and I have to admit that I still have them, 29 years on. Thankfully ‘reactive tantrums’ have been phased out.] Mulleys went too but Penwardens didn’t. Was a Rage! Talked till the late movie (a comedy) then watched Hoges. Hafta stay the night. Had bad hay fever. (Dad’s too pissed to drive home. So’s R.)

Saturday 15/9/84

Got only 5 hrs sleep cos woke at 8:00. Left at 9:00 & went straight to work. Dad mixed some chemical while Julia & I dressed & STARVED. Went straight to Raintrees – Did shopping & got a custard strudel (for brekky?!) At home, had proper brunch. Lazed around then went to Little Mulgrave to inspect the finishing site of the Hash 200th Run (or something). [Dad was a highly active member of the Cairns Hash House Harriers (a very socially-oriented running club) for many years – virtually since our arrival in the city in 1975 – and many of our family friendships were born of that particular social circle.] Came home, got ready & went to Mulleys. Came home early.

Sunday 16/9/84

After 10hrs sleep I’m still drowsy. Lazed around this morning. Went to beach – sunbaked with cream on but still got burnt! After lunch, worked, watched TV & Penwardens came. Lyn took us to feed the cats with the new sprinklers there, Jule & I finally worked them out but found the ‘jets’ wouldn’t work. Hafta get dad up 1 day to help me or the plants’ll die & I won’t get me money. After that we drove back to the San Remo where Dad & Neill already were. Home early from the pub. Watched movie FLASH GORDON was Ripper! Late night.

Jigsaw Puzzle Panic (3-9 September)

Published on May 21, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 3/9/84

Toni didn’t pick me up today thank god. She got ‘the message’. Karen is upset about our thinking they’re immature so now she gets on at our stop, before me, and gets the seats closest to the back (cos’ she knows I like to sit there)

Tuesday 4/9/84

Haven’t fought once with Julia since Friday! Good, huh?! Mum is going strong on the nicorettes. Am VERY PROUD of her! It took a lot of willpower & she’s done it, alright! [Hmmm, it’s only been a week Lissy…!] Am still very tired. Worked on the jigsaw puzzles again. Did no HW. Got a terrible headache – worse – I got a few more during the rest of the day.

Wednesday 5/9/84

In speech, we asked Mrs McI. if Fi could come to class (we weren’t doing work cos’ exams had finished) so Luc & I got Fi worked up – she was worried all day – thinking it was something bad! Had fun! In Double Science, we swapped rooms with 9B. We had B1 & they went to F1². PES mucked around Got some more headaches today.

Thursday 6/9/84

Woke ‘automatically’ early (6:00). Slow day. Started gymnastics puzzle & finished it this arvy. Fooling around, I bruised my arm – the bone. I was using my right arm for support on the floor, when Julia pushed me, I fell on it & so did she. I panicked – thinking at first it was broken but (un)fortunately it wasn’t. [I’d fractured my right wrist when I was about 10 years old – landing on it after a failed high jump attempt – so I knew the pain of a broken bone. UNfortunately meaning, time off school and/or the excuse that I’d be unable to write…] Early to bed – but I can’t sleep.

Friday 7/9/84

Woke again ‘automatically’ around 6:00. Didn’t learn for maths & I think I’ve failed (or close to it) but – german was a SYNCH. Took $5 to school – $2.20 for German BBQ on Wednesday & 50c for pizza lunch. Watched movie “Can’t Stop the Music” & it’s now the 4th or 5th time I’ve seen it.

Saturday 8/9/84

Did go to tennis finals cos’ didn’t know where it was held/or what time etc. When I rang Fi she said she wasn’t going either cos’ she didn’t know enough about it either. Lazed around. Got words for songs, while listening to a tape. ATE UMAH After yummy salad sammy, went to help mum paint house but Jules & I ended up playing hopscotch, catchey & water fights. At flat – washed my bike for the 1st time EVER! BOY was it DIRTY! After tea watched the movies. Late one “No Sex Please, We’re British” was HILARIOUS!!

Sunday 9/9/84

Woke at 8:30. Had pancakes for brekky. Got dressed, sat down & did HW. Dad came at 10:00 and at his place (took him 2 GIANT pancakes) went to beach & did HW till Jill & Barry came. Looked over their house, then went for drinks to the ‘San Remo Hotel’ Pub. Watched movie and am pooped!

Exam Anxiety on Fathers Day (27 August-2 September)

Published on May 20, 2013 by Elissa CoxenLeave a comment

Monday 27/8/84

Can’t believe Shane’s ear is pierced!! He looks a real punce! It soo stupid! Good, fast day. (but got a lot of HW) Got essay done just in time! Wrote a quick, crappy conclusion. Toni picked me up again as usual. Forgot to tell her I don’t want her to anymore. Don’t know why. Got the bath for the house! Is GROOVY!

Tuesday 28/8/84

Today I was tired & forgetful Here I was picking flowers for a science experiment in double science & I forgot to bring my leather shoes! So Melissa C. & Wanda & I stayed outside for the 1¹⁄3hrs. Had to write lines. [I am fairly sure that was possibly the onlly time in my life I ever had to write lines. I was such a Good Girl.] Mum bought a stupid present for mim, so went to change for nail polish and lip balm.

Wednesday 29/8/84

Gave mim her prezzy at speech ←didn’t do a thing so I hafta go tomorrow for 20mins. Panicked cos’ I thort I had ta do my english artistic speaking, but mine’s on Monday. Am peeling from sunburn. soo tired – don’t seem to be getting enough sleep. Got a seat on the bus.

Thursday 30/8/84

Did I tell you Nana left for Brisbane on Fri. & I hafta start her car every day? [In case you haven’t read previous entries, this responsibility was entrusted to me by my grandmother whenever she left town. I don’t actually recall ever being remunerated for the task, but then unpaid chores were part-and-parcel of being a kid in those days.] Well cos’ o’ skool, I haven’t had time – done it once this week. Horrible, slow boring day. Nothing happened. Xept stayed longer at Mrs McI.’s than had planned to. Didn’t do any HW. Late night.

Friday 31/8/84

Slow, boring day. Mum’s got niccotine chewies – hasn’t started them yet, tho. Worried ’bout speech exam. Late nite.

Saturday 1/9/84

Didn’t go to tennis. Lazed around at home. Studied for speech & helped mum paint Julia’s bed white. Early night. Boring day. Mum finished her fags & started the “Nicorettes” – said they taste horrible. [Mum’s smoking habit spanned about 25 years in the end, and I lost count of the number of times she tried to give up. By the time she passed away, she had been off the fags for approximately a decade. This particular attempt was therefore not one of her successes and the gum’s flavour might just have been one of the reasons, you think?] Worried about wot to wear to my speech exam.

Sunday 2/9/84

FATHER’S DAY. Shitting myself this morning – wore grey pinafore, black & red checked shirt, black shoes, red stockings & black belt. I did terrible!! Only my poem “Mushrooms” turned out good. After, (didn’t see Dad start or finish the Coral Coast Triathlon) we met mim at the triathlon finish, then went to little Di’s after lunch. Saw Kim N. (lives just across the road) Had a fun game of baseball. After, picked up uniform & gave dad his prezzy, then went to Ian B.’s for tea. Home late. little HW done – NOT much at all.