Tuesday, July 31, 1928

Well, we got a lift down to Physics today. I guess we will every day now. Helen went to the show with Don yesterday. That’s about her first date with a boy I think. We had a test in Trig today which I think I made a miserable mess of. Went to Helen’s and gave her a dancing lesson. Later played bridge with Helen, Lucy, and Alice. they brought me home about 7:10. After supper I drove Mom over to the church to some kind of a meeting. I think I’m getting so I drive pretty well.

Monday, July 30, 1928

We got some of our experiment sheets back today. I got mostly B. I got two A and two C. Maybe we’ll get a ride yet. The possibilities are looking favorable this morning. Got ninety four in the History test we had Friday. I went swimming about 4:30. As usual after I got out I had to wait an hour for the car.

Jane's Notes: On this day George Eastman shows 1st color motion pictures.

Sunday, July 29, 1928

I was behind in the Sunday School lessons so I had to teach my class two lessons today. After church we came home had lunch and at one we went to the movies. Pop wanted to see the show at the Lyric so June and I went alone to see “Road Romance” at the Ideal. It was a good picture. Next week Norma Shearer and Ralph Forbes are coming in “The Latest from Paris”. I am anxious to see it. About five June and I went for a ride. At 6:30 we went after Mom at Salmons.

Jane’s Notes: The Road to Romance is a 1927 film directed by John S. Robertson, based upon a Joseph Conrad-Ford Madox Ford novel, Romance. The film is considered lost. “The Latest From Paris” was released in 1928. Also on this day Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" was released.

Saturday, July 28, 1928

About nine Mom, June, Louise and I went swimming. I had hoped it would be sunny because I wanted to get sun burned so of course it was cloudy. In the afternoon at 3:20 we went down to see Mrs. Bagry and Jean off. Only eight more months before we will be leaving. There was a college orchestra on board. They were snappy and now Helen, Lucy, and Alice were down just to see the boat out. After we left the boat we went calling with Mom. I haven’t got a date for tonight, I wish I had.

Jane’s Notes: Right after graduation from high school Mom and her family all leave on a boat for the US and an around the country tour by auto. You’ll love reading that part of the diary and all the friends and relations they visit along the way.

Friday, July 27, 1928

We got our marks in Physics and to my joy I got 83. Mrs. Rothenberger was at school today after being absent yesterday. I sewed and read most of the afternoon until about 5:30 when June and I suddenly remembered we were to go to Dora Perkins at 6:00. She was entertaining the Camp Fire Girls. Their house is beautiful. It looks like an old Spanish castle inside as well as out. After we had sung numerous songs we had dinner. Like Tommy Tucker we had to sing for our supper. After dinner we were entertained by slides of the Perkins trip around the world and three comedies (movies). About 9 we had our pictures taken then we went home. We brought Louise Larkin to spend the night. Mom was having a dinner party so we played Mahjong till the guests left and so to bed.

Thursday, July 26, 1928

I think Don thinks we don’t want to ride with him down to Physics because we didn’t get a lift today. Trig is getting me pretty confused. I seem to be about the only one who doesn’t know what it’s all about. I went downtown after lunch and bought two bathing caps and some lace. About four thirty I went swimming and wore the caps and actually kept my hair dry.

Wednesday, July 25, 1928

Helen and I decided we had stayed our welcome so we didn’t ride to Physics today. Mom had tea guests about 4 so June and I spent the afternoon working with Paintex. I made two fairly decent looking handkerchiefs. Pop decided he would see if he could help me with my Trig because I had been having trouble. So after dinner he worked with me at my desk for more than an hour but we didn’t make much headway.

Tuesday, July 24, 1928

Got another ride to Physics today but Don wasn’t any too cheerful about it. After lunch I worked with Paintex until about 3:30. Then I had to hurry to get down to the tea on time. It was the O.E.S. Tea. I had a table. My guests were Helen, Lucy, and Pop. The tea seemed to be a huge success. There were about 300 people there. Just as we got home Fred called up and said Phil S. was in town and that they would like to call in about three quarters of an hour. They came and stayed until about 10:30. So I didn’t get my lessons done.

Jane’s Notes: O.E.S. is an Eastern Star reference. My Grandmother was a life long member and very active when they lived in Manila. The fun part about this entry is the lack of time to do her homework. She complains bitterly throughout about school and especially when she gets less than satisfactory grades. But you’ll see that social events seem to have a higher priority. Studying is lower down on the list.

Monday, June 23, 1928

At last we got our ride down to Physics. We just went and sat in the car until Don came and drove us down to Physics with a boy. Shocking! The old maid. I went with June downtown to buy some Paintex and look for shoes. I found just what I wanted but they wouldn’t let me sign. So I told them to save them for me. When I got home Helen was waiting for me. We came right downtown again with Mom and I got the shoes. By that time it was about 4:30 so we went swimming.

Sunday, July 22, 1928

I’m beginning to like my Sunday School class quite a lot although they are pretty curious. After church we came home to a gorgeous lunch. About 2 we went to see Richard Dix and Betty Bronson in “Paradise for Two” then we had a short ride, came home, had dinner, played three games of MahJong and so to bed.

Jane’s Notes: “Paradise for Two” was released in 1927.

Saturday, July 21, 1928

I sewed all morning but didn’t get much done. I’ve got some felt flowers I’m making and by degrees I’m getting them done. In the afternoon I went swimming. There were a lot of little kids out there. Just after I got home Fred called up and asked for a date. I was worried to death because my hair was a mess. I put combs in my hair and sat in front of the fan for half an hour and my hair looks fairly decent. We went to see “Slide Kelly, Slide” and after that we went to Tom’s Oriental Grill. It was the first time I had been there. It was noisy and crowded and all kinds of kooks there. It doesn’t compare with the Hotel yet some many people like it better. I can’t understand it. We went with Edna Dorey and Bob Madox. I met him for the first time. I was supposed to meet him two months ago at a dinner at Frenchie’s that I forgot to go to.

Jane’s Notes: 1st woman to win an Olympic gold medal - Halina Knonpacka of Poland. The 1928 Olympics were held in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Friday, July 20, 1928

Oh! My arm aches and my legs ache. They will make me play ball. We were supposed to get our report today but the teacher decided to wait until a week from Monday so we could have our Physics grade because lots of kids will have only that one grade. Went swimming this afternoon. I didn’t see many people I knew. Mom and Pop went to Stur. I sat up and read until almost eleven. And so to bed.

Thursday, July 19, 1928

We didn’t get our lift after all. We tried to work it but it didn’t come out the right way. About four I went downtown with June. We couldn’t find the car. After going up and down the Escolta (St.) three times, we found it. We had passed it twice while we were looking for it. At five we went to Camp Fire and I had baseball. Base Ball!! And I pitched at that.

Jane's Notes: Since Mom didn't seem to know or at least didn't reflect in her diary what else was going on in the world, I thought I'd add some world events as they occur. So on this day King Fuad of Egypt grabbed power and disbanded parliament.

Wednesday, July 18, 1928

In HIstory today Mrs. Rothenberger said instead of outlines we would keep History Scrap books. As soon as I got home I looked around for pictures and found heaps. Today I met a friend of Harry Morton’s who the Mortons are entertaining. It is a relief to see a boy just from the U.S. even if he is funny looking. At least we have gotten the promise of a lift to Physics. Don saw us walking. We looked as weary as we could. He offered to take us down every day. This afternoon I didn’t do anything, but fool around my desk.

Tuesday, July 17, 1928

It’s getting pretty tiresome carrying all our heavy books all the way to Normal School. Mr. Newton took the kids to see Jackie Cooper. I had nothing to do so I trailed along. William Haines is coming in “Slide Kelly, Slide” Rah! Rah!

Jane’s Notes: Most of Mom’s classes were at Central High School but she walked to Normal School for her last class which was Physics, or was it the other way around? Slide, Kelly, Slide is a 1927 comedy film, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Edward Sedgwick, and starring William Haines and Harry Carey.

Monday, July 16, 1928

After what Mrs. Rothenberger said this morning in school I see many days for oral theme. Days I will dread. The first is tomorrow when we talk on Johnson. Today I gave Helen her second dancing lesson. After the lesson we had lemonade, olives and crackers and jam. About 6:15 we went for a ride.

Jane's Notes: This going for a ride business reminds me of rides we used to take, especially on Sunday's after church. Must have been a tradition both my parents remembered from childhood.

Sunday, July 15, 1928

Spent the usual Sunday. Sunday School, quick lunch, movie (Winning of Barbara Worth) and ride later in the afternoon.

Jane’s Notes: The Winning of Barbara Worth is a western film, released by United Artists in 1926, and starring Ronald Colman, Vilma Bánky, and Gary Cooper (in his first feature role). The film is based on the novel of the same name by Harold Bell Wright and was filmed in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada.

Saturday, July 14, 1928

Did nothing but read in the morning. In the afternoon went to tea and bridge at Mrs. Stevens. I was second high. I got a lovely little fur for a favor. Francie is spending the night with June so I have to sleep on the couch on the porch. Not very comfortable.

Friday, July 13, 1928

In the first place we had long lessons in English and history, then a test in Spanish that I wasn’t sure of. On top of that a hard experiment in Physics. At 3 o’clock I went over to Helen’s and gave her her first dancing lesson. I’m so glad she is gong to learn. She’s so easy to teach. After taking me for a ride the Morton’s brought me home about 6 o’clock.

Jane's Notes: No mention of it being Friday the 13th. Must not have been a superstition then. Here's picture of the Morton's car from the scrap book.

Thursday, July 12, 1928

At last our teacher has arrived Mrs. Rothenberg. She has given us enough home work goodness knows. We had our first test in Physics today. It was fairly hard although he gave us plenty of time. One of the teachers at Central has stopped our getting Magnolia Pies on the way to Physics. Gr-r-r. What business is it of hers. After lunch I went to sleep until about four o-clock. About five I went downtown then after Pop who had three letters for me. Went for a ride, came home and ate. Went out for June at Salmons.

Jane’s Notes: In the scrap book there is smoothed out foil from a Magnolia Pie. It is described as a “Velvety, smooth Ice Cream with a pure, rich, chocolate coating. A wholesome food!” It was manufactured by Magnolia Dairy Products Co., San Miguel Brewery, Manila, P.I. The time period is fall of 1927 and there’s a reference that says “School days coming home from Biology”. I'm guessing that science classes were at Central school, some place nearby that they could walk to.

Tuesday, July 10, 1928

No history or English teacher has come in sight yet. It is so late now that we won’t have any history or English marks on our card. Helen had beautiful finger waves in her hair this morning. My waves were exceptionally nice, too, this morning. So be it and may it continue. This afternoon I went swimming with Helen, Lucy, and Alice. Alice is lovely. I like her more and more.

Monday, July 9, 1928

We had our second experiment in Physics today and I found it a great deal simpler than the first one. I’m going to let my back hair grow out so that it will be long enough to put up when the rest is cut but it is going to look terrible I know! Oh, well. One must suffer for fashion. I went swimming in the afternoon. There were a lot of kids out there but the pool was filthy.

Sunday, July 8 1928

My Sunday School class graduated today. There were ten of them. They were taken upstairs and awarded diplomas. There are eleven in my class. They sure are a lively bunch. We went down to see “New York” a movie, right after lunch. About six I took the family except Pop for a ride. After dinner we played Mahjong. We hadn’t played for ages. It was fun for a change.

Jane’s Notes: Mom used to say that when her parents would go out for an evening to friends houses they would play Mahjong and Bridge. Her mother would often come home with the Mahjong prize and her father would come home with the Bridge prize. They were very good players. We had a Mahjong set when we were growing up and Mom would get it out for us all to play. It seemed she had to reteach us the rules each time. It was fun. The set has real ivory tiles and bone money. It is still in the family. Who has it?

Saturday, July 7, 1928

The sewing girl came today and is making my new Indian head dress. I think it will be quite becoming and gay when it is finished. Went to the Prom this afternoon. Pretty dull with so many kids gone. June had a wonderful time. She got a new bou, Johnny Watkins. He’s precious. He’s a great friend of Steve and Jack’s. He told me that Alice was engaged to Steve. That’s the second time I’ve heard that. I wonder if it’s true.

Friday, July 6, 1928

Today was a second laboratory day. We worked again on the same experiment and I just barely managed to finish it. After school I spent the rest of the day reading these two new books. I finished 8:30 and found that there is still another. The second book ends abruptly in an intensely thrilling part of the story and I must hold my place until I can get the next book.

Thursday, July 5, 1928

And still no English or history teacher. This is getting bad. Perhaps we will have one Monday. Here’s hoping. I saw Alice again today. This noon Pop brought home two books written by two Frenchmen. The books contain what happened between “The Three Musketeers” and “Twenty Years After”. I have started the first book and I like it tremendously. They have caught Dumas style exactly. I did my little trick again this afternoon. I went out to the club to go swimming and of course it was closed so I had to sit by myself again until the car came for me at six.

Wednesday, July 4, 1928

After riding with the kids out to Salmons, I came home and read until dinner time. At dinner I suggested the movies. Mom and Pop weren’t very enthusiastic but it was decided that we would go. June would rebel if she found that we had gone to the movies without her so at 3 I went out and got her. We went to see “Don Mike”, a regular Doug Fairbanks picture. When we got home Pop rushed up and flopped in his long chair and couldn’t be moved so I took the family for a ride. Came home, had dinner and went to bed early. A fine Fourth of July. I didn’t even shoot one fire cracker.

Jane’s Notes: Dinner was probably the main meal of the day, mid-day. “Don Mike” - I can’t find any reference to this movie in Douglas Fairbanks’ Filmography. Mom is often an alternate chauffeur when the regular chauffeur is off. I don’t believe my Grandmother ever learned to drive.

Tuesday, July 3, 1929

Helen said that the reason she didn’t come to school was because Mary had been married. From her account of it they must have had a thrilling and wonderful time. In the afternoon about 4:30 I went to the cooked food sale. The Camp Fire Girls had the candy booth. I was asked to bring candy. I tried to make butter taffy but I burnt it so I went with out any. We didn’t have much candy to sell but we made about 4 pesos. That night I went to a leap year party given by Kate Sticker. I had a miserable time. The last part of the evening Mary, Frenchie, and Ruth sat around and chatted with Phil and Don and I was left out in the cold. I hate leap year parties.

Monday, June 2, 1928

Helen wasn’t at school today. I called up as soon as I got home but no one seemed to be home. I wonder why she was absent. Lura walked to Physics with me and gave up a ride on the way back to walk with me which is very surprising. She talked a great deal about Camp Fire. I wonder if she was campaigning to get me more interested in it? We had our first experiments in Physics today. It seems very complicated and not very clear to me. I went to the Polo Club in the afternoon all by myself. I was ready to come home at 5:30 and the car didn’t come for me until 7:00. I waited all by myself and didn’t see a sole that I knew until Lucile H. came. I sat with her and her B.F. until Mom came.

Jane’s Notes: The Car - they had a chauffeur who was sent here and there to take family members places and come and pick them up. Mom frequently writes of swimming at the Polo Club. I presume they were members.

Wednesday, July 11, 1928

This morning everyone was told that our teacher would appear tomorrow. They have told us that several times already. I wonder if this report is true? This afternoon we went down to the Lyric and saw “Young April”. Bessie Love was precious even if she is thirty-two. I think Helen looks like her. We also saw Peter The Great in “Wild Justice”. That’s the first time I’ve seen him.

Jane’s Notes: “Young April” is a 1926 silent film romantic comedy starring Bessie Love. It was financed by Cecil B. DeMille and directed by Donald Crisp. I can’t find a reference to “Wild Justice.”

Sunday, July 1, 1928

After teaching Sunday School I went to church with Pop and June. She stayed of her own accord, too. Mom didn’t come to church because she wasn’t feeling well. We hurried home after church was out, then rushed down to the movie as soon as we had finished lunch. The movie was fairly good altho’ I have seen better. We got home about 3:30. I spent the time from then until 5:00 spending all kinds of time getting dressed to go to Frenchie’s. She had five couples. I saw Phil and Don for the first time since they came down. I was glad to see Phil again. Don is the same as ever. I wonder why he doesn’t like me and never has! I had a pretty fair time but nothing special. I came home about 8:15 and read until 9:30.

Jane’s Notes: I’m fascinated by the constant references to time. It’s just beginning with this entry but is prevalent throughout the rest of the diaries. Maybe it has something to do with getting the watch a couple of days earlier.