Thursday, August 24, 1928

Continuing with the autobiography:

"When she arrived the mountain blew-up,
And for many a life filled misery's cup.
So all her life it will be her true part,
To carry within her a right tender hear."

I came into the world January twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and eleven at the Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippine Islands. My parents were living on buena Vista, Santa Mesa, at the time. About seventeen hours after my birth, Taal Volcano erupted. Whether it was my arrival that caused all the commotion or not, I don't know, but the fact remains, Tall blew up.

I can't remember what my first toy was but I presume it was a rattle. That is the usual thing. In the back of my baby book is a long list of birthday gifts. Among them, the only toy I can find was a rattle. The rest of the presents were silver spoons, baby rings, beauty pins, lockets, booties, baby blankets, etc., etc.

The first time I went to the States I was two and a half years old. I couldn't talk very well but most of what I did say was in Spanish. So, of course I was of much interest to my relations and afforded them a great deal of amusement.

About my earliest recollection is a happy morning spent with a playmate of mine, Louise Edgar. I was about three and half years. My mother had gone out and Louise and I decided to play barber shop. I was the first customer. Louise was to be the barber. I received a beautiful pineapple bob. I was just about to cut Louise's beautiful curls, when my mother came home and to the rescue. That afternoon I was taken to a real barber shop to have my hair trimmed. When I came home my father wasn't satisfied with the result. He though he could do better. Se he attempted it. When he was clipping the ends of my hair he caught the tip of my ear. The blood was smeared and I made a great deal of racket so it appeared much worse than it proved to be.

The first punishment that I can remember is one I can remember very clearly. As most babies do I sucked my thumb, but I was more easily cured, than the majority. One afternoon about two or three o'clock, I was sitting, sucking my thumb, in the kitchen, listening to the servants chattering and talking. Before I knew what was happening I was pulled off my stool and laid over my father's knee, getting the hardest spanking I ever got in my life. I never sucked my thumb again.

I have often been embarassed (sic)by stories told in my prescence (sic) by my parents about my childhood. One of their favorites is this:

One time I returned from Sunday school and told my mother all about a picture I had seen of Jesus with flys (sic) on him. Of course my mother couldn't understand what I meant. Then she asked me why had flies on him, and I replied, showing how stupid I though her to be, "Why, to fly with, of course." (Wings)