Don't Peek (The Diaries of a Teenage Girl)

by Marita A. Hansen

  On Thursday I have Art first, and I will do my mural then. I won’t finish it on time – too bad – but I still enjoyed doing it. Second is the Computer test on file handling, which I will fail, but personally I don’t care, and there’s no way I’m doing Computers again. 3rd is Typing. I will probably do a Christmas card thing then, so it’ll be a good period. And after that will be Study, which I will most likely dedicate to art. And last, but certainly not least, is my final subject for the whole year – English. It will be a good period because we’re going to watch the 3 videos that our class filmed. My group filmed ours today. It was so funny, but I got a headache out of it. At least I missed Bio due to doing it, so it was worth it, headache and all.

  I’ve read heaps of ‘The Stand’ but it will take a lot of time to finish because it has well over 700 pages. 734 to be exact. I want to read all the books that Stephen King has written, also I want to read a whole lot of other books as well – including Sara Collins, and the lady who wrote ‘Lace’.

  Well, I have plenty more to write, but ‘North and South’, the new miniseries, has just started and I want to watch it, so I’ll write the rest tomorrow.

  Bye!!!

  SUNDAY

  20

  NOVEMBER

  Sorry I didn’t write when I said I would. Anyway, I bought the Fan Club album – it’s good. And the best thing of all – School is finished! I won’t be going back for approximately two and a half months. Isn’t that great?

  I went to karate today. Only one black belt showed up, the oldest one. We did heaps of things. I’ve got to check whether they are marking me off the roll or not, because sometimes they don’t call my name out. What a bummer. I’ll be going on Tuesday, so I can check then.

  The 5th form exams start tomorrow – not counting their music exam on Friday. Thank goodness I don’t have to do anymore exams or stuff for school.

  This school year went so quick – it’s unbelievable. I think it’s a leap year. I’m not sure. But that’s only one day.

  I’m going to do heaps of things in the holidays. It’ll be so excellent. I’ve already read three books by Stephen King that Shena gave me, and I’ve got one more at home to read. Also, I’m going to go to the library and get all sorts of other books out. And, I’m going to do a lot of artwork, mainly dealing with sculptures and stuff like that, and I’ll make clothes and design my own too.

  I want to train; the only problem is getting off my butt and doing it, not just talking about it. I should set up a sort of timetable, even though I may not do it like that, it still could give me other ideas that are similar. I can try and do it from tomorrow.

  There’s swimming,

  running,

  cycling,

  weights, and there is also that rowing machine Dad has.

  My brother used to have these things that went around the ankles with weights. He would run with them on. I could use something like that. Also, I need more sleep. I stayed up too late reading. I don’t want bags under my eyes, now do I.

  On a different note, I’m going to watch heaps of videos in the holidays. There are loads that I want to see. I reckon the holidays are going to be good for me. And also, I won’t be going out of my mind over those boys, because I won’t be seeing them much. Maybe they will be going to karate, but I won’t have to look at them every day. Good!

  I love holidays, they are so excellent, especially because you don’t have the pressure of school with homework and other stuff. I can do whatever I want now, so I won’t ever be bored like in school.

  I’m glad I bought The Fan Club album – it’s really good, I’m listening to it now.

  Well, I better go help Mum with the birds.

  At Night

  Tomorrow I’m going down the road so I can do shopping with Mum and Clara, then we’ll get a video out to watch. I also want to go to the library, just wish I could spend ages there.

  Miss World was on tonight. Miss Iceland won. Let’s hope that I will start training tomorrow. The problem with me is that I’m lazy in the morning – I just can’t be blowed to get up for a run. Well, most people are like that, but I won’t be able to get anywhere with sport if I just laze in bed and not train. Other athletes can do it, so I must try my best.

  Goodnight!

  MONDAY

  28

  NOVEMBER

  Went to see Aunty Tiana’s new house yesterday for her birthday. It was gorgeous inside – the lounge was so beautiful and it had gorgeous paintings.

  I finished reading ‘Lace’ today. It’s different from the miniseries on TV. Two of the women from the book were combined into one for the miniseries.

  My younger sister went to hospital today to get her foot fixed up. She left home around 10 in the morning and came back just after 8 at night.

  Last Friday I went to Shena’s and watched a video and played her video game.

  I’ve got karate tomorrow and another of the white belts that is a friend said she will go too for the first time on a Tuesday. Her name’s Melanie or Celia. I don’t know. I get her sister’s and her name mixed up. I think it is Melanie. Yep, I’m pretty definite it’s Melanie – I think? Actually, I’m not sure??

  I reckon the holidays are great. And also I’m not crazy over Mike anymore. Most likely because I haven’t seen him since I finished school. Although, when I do see him I’ll probably get all stupid again. Still, it’s pretty good not being high-strung over a guy. High-strung really isn’t the right word for it, but close: girlish, babyish, whatever. I reckon the word ‘crush’ really does describe how you feel when you fall for someone, because it crushes you, or more accurately – your heart, especially if they don’t return your feelings.

  I’ve got nothing else to say – So Goodnight.

  WEDNESDAY

  30

  NOVEMBER

  It’s the last day of November for this year and in 25 days it’ll be Christmas day.

  I was right, the girl from karate was Melanie and her sister was Celia. Celia has a crush on Liam, who is going out with Vicky. Celia lives next door to him. I don’t blame her for being jealous. Man, she must be pissed off, although Vicky is a really nice person, friendly anyway.

  I went with Mum and my younger sister to Mum’s exercises the other day. She came second for her hat (a fun) competition and her friend came first. My sister won a raffle that Mum gave her a ticket for. We then went shopping, etc. It was a good day.

  Got karate tomorrow, and on Friday Shena is coming over. I’ve got to get a good video. I don’t know what she has seen. I saw ‘Moving Target’ last Saturday with my younger sister. It was good.

  I’ve been collecting a lot of recipes today so I can do some cooking in the holidays. I’ve got heaps of them out of the old Woman’s Day magazines that Mum gave me. I’ve finished all of my library books, except for one. I think I might try to finish it by Friday so I can take it back when I get the video.

  I want to start doing up my room now, because I said some time ago that I wanted to rearrange it, but I didn’t have the time back then. Well, I certainly have the time now, and I want to (maybe) do some of my own furniture and other things, like making some clothes and writing a book. Actually, more than one book, but I think it would be best to concentrate on one at a time. I get ahead of myself sometimes.

  Yesterday at karate we went over a grading for practice. It felt like a drill. The two sisters were there so I didn’t have to do the exercises alone. Phew! My grading will probably be this Sunday or the next one. At last! I’ll be going for the 7th kyu. It’s the belt with two red stripes on it. I reckon the best way to approach karate is to work for the grade that is one ahead, because it’s no use setting your sights on a black belt when you’re still only a white belt and have at least 5 years of training to get there. It’s stupid doing that and you will soon get pretty bored waiting for it, so the best thing is to set your sights on the grade in front of you and then climb to success. Karate’s so neat; I don’t think I will ever get bored of
it. Well, so far that’s obvious because I go to all the training sessions they have – Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

  I’ve got to remember to say ‘White Rabbit’ tomorrow morning – before I speak to anyone else. It’s supposed to be good luck. I’m not superstitious or anything, I just think it’s fun.

  White Rabbit.

  WEDNESDAY

  7

  DECEMBER

  I did remember to say ‘White Rabbit’ first thing on Thursday. I just thought I should write that. At least I remembered.

  I’ve got this aching back, on the shoulder part. It’s really sore. It’s on my left side. I woke up and went to itch my back and I pulled a muscle. What a bummer. It isn’t quite as bad as when I’d done my neck in though. That was really bad and sore.

  I went to town with Mum yesterday, got Christmas presents and a record by King for me, the last only $2. Good aye? Mum and I had lunch at Farmers (the big department store in town) and we got home around 2 or just before. It was a good day.

  Clara phoned me to go over to her place for a barbecue with some others, but I was too tired and I had to tidy up some stuff.

  I went to karate, and again I went over my grading. I wonder when I’m going to go over it for real.

  Last Friday, I went to a party at a person’s place from the Methodist church. I went with Amy and Lauren, and got a free lift there.

  On Saturday, I went to the beach with Mum and my younger sister after I had done the lawn, and I met Amy and the others from the party and church, while Mum and my sister went to another part of the beach. Anyway, this old guy creeped me out, actually, he might not have been that old, possibly in his twenties. I don’t think he was with the group, just butted in. Still, he definitely creeped me out because he was asking me questions, and I think he wanted me to go with him. No way! I excused myself and avoided him after that. I eventually went home with my friends Lauren and Amy. Boy, can they be a pain sometimes. They took so much time to leave.

  I went to karate on Sunday, same as usual. Amy came and it looked like she wanted to join in, but she turned up late, so she just sat and watched until she had to leave.

  What a mess my writing is. It’s partly because of my sore back and anyway, I keep making mistakes and I’m writing fast. So next time I will try to print neatly. Usually at school, I write in the joining technique.

  (What a mess)

  FRIDAY

  9

  DECEMBER

  I didn’t go to karate yesterday because of my sore back, shoulders, and neck. I wonder who was there? Probably the same people. I’ve got to ring Amy so she will be able to join. I saw her the other day walking past my house (across the street) with this guy. She had some flowers and was talking ninety-miles an hour. I thought it was funny and one of the Murphys who was riding past did too. (Well, it looked like he was smiling). I wonder who her new boyfriend is. She gets them so easily.

  My neck is really good right now, the soreness will probably be totally gone by tomorrow. I went to Shena’s today, and saw a video called ‘Vice Versa’, which was about a father and son swapping bodies. It was really funny. I also fixed my tape (the Bon Jovi one) that my younger sister taped some songs over. Shena gave me a couple of videos to take home to watch. I had lunch there.

  Mum and I went shopping in Panmure. Didn’t buy clothes there, but I got my brother a Christmas present, which was some really nice mug glasses at an excellent price.

  I couldn’t find the togs I wanted at Panmure, so Mum and I went to Pakuranga and I got one from the boutique store. It’s really nice, it was either that one or a blue and white one, but I chose the pink and white one, because I like pink better. I’m not really a fan of blue.

  When I got home, I had dinner and watched ‘Secret Admirer’. I’d seen it before, but it’s really good so I got the video off Shena. Man, would I ever love to have a guy like that. You know, be buddy friends with a guy then end up going out with him. I’ve always wished that some really nice guy would move in next door and that we could be real good friends.

  I’ve got to write a whole lot of letters to pen pals that I want to have. I’ll probably start that tomorrow. Also, I got my first Christmas card from Jill, so I’ve got to start sending out some of my own. I wonder whether I will get one from a boy. I guess it’s too much to ask for.

  I’ll be going to karate on Sunday. I hope that the grading isn’t then, but next week, because I was away on Thursday and I won’t know what’s happening.

  Tomorrow, I will probably be going for a ride to the shops to do something for Mum, I don’t know yet, probably for some groceries or letters.

  I need to wash my hair tomorrow too, because it’s such a mess. My skin’s getting really greasy on my face now, so I have to dry it out with that Clearskin stuff.

  I’m reading ‘The Neverending Story’ at the moment, because I’ve finished all my library books. It’s quite good. The book I was reading before that was by Victoria Holt and it was called ‘Shimmering Sands’ and it was good too. It had such an unexpected finish – about the murderer. But it ended happily for the main characters and she got the guy that I reckon was the best. I really love to read, it’s like a hobby or even more than that.

  I’m not so sure about being a lawyer now. It was something that I became interested in after watching ‘L.A. Law’. I love to write so I think I could be a writer. I also love art so I could also become a graphic artist. I don’t know.

  Next year I’m taking:

  1) Art . . . . . . . . . .)

  2) Art – Sculpture > Graphic Artist

  3) Art History . . . )

  4) History . . . . . . .)

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .> Writing or a lawyer (the second career I don’t think so anymore)

  5) English . . . . . . .)

  I love History so I think that it would be perfect to take, also it would be good to take if I want to be a writer. And, I could work as a graphic artist and write in my spare time, and design covers for books. I reckon that’s a great idea. Also, I reckon my next year will decide what I’ll do the following year: whether it’s going to university or tech.

  I hope I do well next year. You need to in Bursary, especially if you want to go to university or tech. I don’t know what to do if I don’t get into either of them.

  I reckon the best time to write is at night when it’s all quiet and dark except for the desk light. You can concentrate more and come up with some interesting stories. A dream is a story. But they’re pretty weird ones, because the people are always changing in them and you are often in one place then the next. They are definitely weird.

  The days are going really quickly now. I hope that school doesn’t come back too soon. I’ve only just finished it. So far we’ve had about 3 weeks off school, which I think is fantastic.

  Well, I better go to bed now; it’s getting a bit too late. 10:55 pm to be exact.

  Goodnight.

  SATURDAY

  10

  DECEMBER

  I hope I get more Christmas cards. I’ve also got to send some, and if I post them down the road I can get more library books out.

  I’ve just got two presents left to get – Dad’s and Clara’s. I know what I’m getting Dad – some socks, but I don’t know what to give Clara.

  I’ve got to wrap up some of my presents today. I wonder where we will be having Christmas this year; you know, when all our relations gather together. My older sister and brother will probably come and see us in the afternoon, and we will go wherever the big gathering is. My neighbour and his friend will probably come over for lunch or around that time.

  I’ve got to do something to my room. Glitz it up, or something else to make it look interesting.

  I can’t wait to we get our Christmas tree. I like to decorate it and they always look beautiful.

  My younger sister will be finishing school this Tuesday so we can get videos out. Soon all schools will be out – even the little primary kids.

  I b
etter go and do some work now – so bye.

  Continued – Saturday.

  Went to the Yugoslav club tonight. Some people dressed up because it was a masquerade dance. Got karate tomorrow. I might also be doing the lawn. I haven’t started writing to those pen pals yet. It will be neat having a whole lot of people writing to me. They have different pen pals each week (I think) on the Teletext. I want to send in my name so it’s put on TV, so that someone will write to me.

  I’m going to go to work with Dad on Tuesday and tidy up his work place. I wish I had a part-time job somewhere close to home.

  I’m going to do some sunbathing in my new togs soon – maybe tomorrow. Clara will be away all this week, so I could invite Shena over or Amy or even go and see her new place.

  Well, I better get some sleep.

  Goodnight.

  SUNDAY

  11

  DECEMBER

  I went to karate. It was very hard at the beginning – mainly because of the press ups, 100 of them altogether. You should see my knuckles, they’re sore as, because we don’t do normal press ups on the flat of our hands; we do them on the two biggest knuckles. You close your hands like a fist, then place your two biggest knuckles from each hand on the ground and press up from them. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the concrete outside or on the hard wood inside, we still do them, but luckily we did them inside today, plus it would be mean to make us do 100 knuckle press ups on the concrete.

  I also practiced what I will be doing in my grading, because I found out that I have it for real on Thursday. We did sparring during the session too; I was involved with fighting a person who was being graded. I only had to do it once.