September 25th,
1972
Dear Diary,
When I began my
freshman year at Indiana University in August I knew that I would have tons of
amazing opportunities but I would have never guessed this… I am typing on a
computer!! I have never been able to use one before but IU has entire labs full
of them! My journalism professor encouraged us to ditch our type writers and
test out these computers. So I have decided to keep my diary online! I have
always had one but now I can share my experiences with everyone through the
internet. I’m not entirely sure how this will work but I feel so lucky to have
access to such modern technology at IU. My professor always talks about how you
need to understand the audience and learn to write for them. I want to relate
to college students through more than just posts about my classes. I want them
to see the real me and relate to the challenges we all face. What better way to
do that then to just share my diary? I better introduce myself first. My name
is Jennifer Brown, but my friends call me Jennie, and I am from Evansville,
Indiana. I am studying journalism to hopefully become a journalist or author
someday. Some of my favorite things are the color yellow, sunflowers, and
fashion. Unfortunately these computers have a time limit so everyone can have a
chance to use them. But I’ll tell you more about me later!
Talk to you soon!
Jennie
November 8th,
1972
Dear Diary,
Today is such a
wonderful day! Richard Nixon was re-elected last night as President of the
United States! He has done an incredible job keeping our economy up which is
exactly what college students like me need. Now there is going to be a huge
party on campus tonight to celebrate! I have made a lot of great friends here
but I have not met a special guy yet. I’m hoping that could change tonight! Any
of the guys at the party tonight will be Nixon supporters which already gives
us something in common. Since I am on the search for a guy tonight I want to
look my absolute best. As I have mentioned before, I love fashion! I am always
reading fashion magazines like Cosmopolitan and Vogue to keep up with the
latest trends. Everyone at IU is wearing bell bottoms right now and I am
becoming obsessed! I think I will wear my new pair tonight with my bright
yellow blouse. I hope I stand out! Isn’t that what all of us college girls
want? I better start getting ready now!
Love,
Jennie
January 27th,
1973
Dear Diary,
I can hardly believe
I am saying this… there is finally peace!! A peace treaty with Vietnam has been
signed and the war is over!! This war has been hard on so many families,
including my own. My oldest brother Ryan has been fighting for our country for
so long and I cannot wait until he is home! They aren’t all leaving at once
according to my dad. They are doing some kind of “slow withdrawal” which means
we won’t know when exactly Ryan is coming home. On another note, I just found
out I got my first job! I applied to be an assistant in the journalism office
and I start next week!! I am not too nervous about filing papers or taking
phone calls, which are my main responsibilities, but I am nervous about what to
wear! I have never had a real job before and I want to make a great impression.
In this month’s Vogue they showed a vest suit as being the trendiest office
wear. I think I may get one. After all, I deserve a little treat for being
chosen right?! Anyway, I’m off to celebrate with my friends about the war
ending and my new job!
Peace!
Jennie
April 3rd,
1973
Dear Diary,
I began writing in my
diary online at the beginning of the year and now this year is almost over! It’s
been a whirlwind year full of ups and downs. But keeping this diary has helped
me through it all. I hope this diary has also helped other students out there.
I am so grateful to my professor who encouraged me to try writing on the
computer. It’s incredible that one person motivated me to create my own blog. My
supervisors at work have been so impressed with my writing that I think they
are going to offer me a job at the student newspaper for next semester! Even if
I get that job I would never quit writing on here. Actually I have some news
for you… I am going on a date tonight! I was at a concert last weekend and met
the cutest boy. His name is Henry and he will be at my dorm to pick me up in an
hour! I knew I had to write in my diary about it before I left. I can’t wait to
wear my new dress out tonight! The milkmaid look is all the rage right now so I
couldn’t help but buy a dress! Fashion really is my weakness…
I’ll tell you more
later!
Jennie
August 15th,
1973
Dear Diary,
I am so disappointed
in President Nixon. I have always been a strong supporter of his, as you know
from my previous entries. But what he has done is inexcusable! The Watergate
Scandal, as everyone is calling it, is such a tragedy for our country. We have
lost faith in our leader and now what are we supposed to do? It’s times like
these when I know for certain I am going into the right field. I have such a
passion for uncovering the truth and informing people about current events. I
want everyone who reads my blog to be up to date on everything from fashion to
politics. I want people to know my own personal opinions and why I feel that
way. This blog is my true diary which I think is important for people to
understand. I’m starting my second year at Indiana University and I have a
feeling it will be just as monumental as last year. I moved back on campus a
couple of days ago so tonight I am going to a friends for a party. Although I
am not really in the celebrating mood thanks to President Nixon. But I have a new
outfit which you know I can’t resist wearing!
Peace and Love,
Jennie
February 12, 1974
Diary,
Today I am heartbroken.
I have been seeing Henry, as you know. I was so in love with him. We did
everything together and have grown so close. But, today he broke my heart. He
walked me to my History class like he usually does on Monday’s and then we went
to lunch. At lunch he told me that he thinks we should break up. I asked why
and he said that it was because I have been so distant lately and he thinks we
are growing apart. I just have been so busy! I just don't get why he would do
this out of the blue and when Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! I
guess I will not have a Valentine this year. My heart is broken and I am
feeling overwhelmed with my schoolwork, the newspaper and now this mess with
Henry. I wish I could fix it all in an instant. But, I guess this is just a
learning process. I will figure it out and do it all somehow!
Bye,
Jennie
August 9, 1974
Diary,
Today I am mixed with emotions. Today
the newsstands are buzzing! President Richard Nixon resigned from office. This
is unbelievable! An article in the Washington Post stated that after the bitter
public debate over the Watergate scandals, President Nixon bowed to pressures
from the public and leaders of his party to resign. I can’t believe he is the
first President in American history to resign. We discussed this topic today in
my journalism class and I was assigned to writing the article for the school
paper. I am a writer for the Indiana Student Daily. My advisor assigned me this
task because he knows how much I love politics because he reads my blogs. I’m a
little nervous because I have so much to research and investigate. I wouldn't
want to inform the public with wrong information! Well, better get to my
research!
Wish
me luck!
Jennie
October
30, 1974
Dear
Diary,
I
have a dilemma! I have no clue what to dress up as for Halloween. Halloween is
a popular night to go out with friends in college. And, you have to dress up in
a costume. I thought I grew out of this costume thing! But, luckily I have been
writing about fashion more in the Indiana Student Daily. After my article about
President Richard Nixon a few months ago, my advisor was so impressed that he
gave me the freedom to write about whatever I want! Of course I choose to
research and write about fashion trends on campus. Speaking of politics, I have
to say that I am impressed with the new president Gerald Ford so far. He seems
to have some good ideas and plans for the future of our country. Okay, back to
my costume… what should I dress as? Also, maybe Henry and I should do couple
themed costumes. He and I got back together the other day and I am so happy. I
guess I will rummage through my clothing and see what I can come up with. Maybe
it will inspire me to do an article in the IDS about student costumes in the
next issue.
Talk
to you later.
Jennie
January
6, 1975
I
am extremely excited today! I was promoted to fashion editor for the school
newspaper. I get the authority to delegate responsibilities to the other
writers in the fashion section of the paper. It is fun to hear other people’s
ideas and then I get to make the decision of what we write about to each issue.
So that is some exciting news on the work front. Also, today a new television show
aired. Everyone on campus has been raving about this show starting. A group of
my friends got together to watch it this evening. It was so good. It is called
Wheel of Fortune. It is a trivia based game where people spin a wheel and get
the chance to win money. Wouldn’t it be so exciting to go on that show! I think
I would do great because I am great with puzzles and words. I guess I should be
good with words though because after all, I am an editor now!
Bye,
Jennie
Dear
Diary,
Today
is the senior classes graduation day. I have many friends who are graduating
from Indiana University today. It is a very exciting and thrilling event. I am
proud of all my friends and their accomplishments. It makes me wonder what it
will be like for me to be in those seating waiting to get my degree next year. I
have recently found out that I was chosen by the IDS advisors to go on a trip
to see the construction of the Alaskan Pipeline in a few months. It is
extremely exciting and thrilling to get this opportunity. Watching this
graduation ceremony makes my wonder what will the world be like in a year? What
will our political leaders be doing for our country? What trends will be “in”?
What will be my purpose in the world? All these unanswered questions have my
head buzzing with thought and wonderment. The future is unwritten. The future
holds hope for my career, our school and our beautiful country. I guess today I
just reminding me to live life to the fullest.
Peace
and love!
Jennie
