Wednesday, September 30, 2009

December 31, 1997

Dear Di,

I'll have to make this quick. This'll be my last entry in you for '97, and I won't be able to write 'till tomorrow because I'm sleeping over at Francine's.

A few resolutions:

1. Try to be a better friend.

2. Try to be a better person.

3. Have a story accepted by Dec. 31, 1998.

4. Talk about something other than boys.

5. Be less boy-crazy (Eli-crazy).

6. Say at least two words to Eli out of my own free will every month.

7. Spend less time on homework.

I don't know if I can achieve all these goals, but I'll certainly try! P.S.-- From now on, all my entries will begin w/ "Dear Di" and end w/ "Sincerely, Vanessa." Also, I'll mark the year on each page, so you & I won't be confused.

Sincerely,
Vanessa

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

December 29, 1997

Dear Di,

It happened. No, Eli did not call me. It's actually something I'm ashamed of. Nothing major like a murder, but still...

Okay. You know how I told you about Titanic? Well, I didn't tell you who was in it: Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The latter (Leo) was supposedly this really hunky guy girls went gaga over. I thought this was really stupid. Why have a crush on someone unattainable? But after 1/2 an hour of the movie, I got this sinking feeling in my stomach. I knew what I swore would not happen was: I was falling into a deep, deep crush on America's hottest guy. I'm so infuriated. But I can't help it- he's so CUTE! It's not really my fault. If I knew Eli liked me, L. DC would be the furthest thing from my mind. But my mind's been wandering, and it's wandered straight to his face. Great!! Now I'm just like about every other girl on the continent. Only I'm not to that obsession level yet. It seems I'm rapidly approaching, though. My only hope is I'll come to my quickly declining senses and realize someone like him, who's reached "that level" of success, has absolutely no interest in a lowlife like me. Either that or Eli falls head over heels in love w/ me and simply can't hide his feelings. Looking them over, it seems possibility no. 1 will happen much more quickly than no. 2, although I'm already infatuated. And it seems I'll get a date with Leo sooner than Eli, the way my love life is progressing!

Yours truly,
Vanessa

Monday, September 28, 2009

Updated Caribou Coffee Fall Drinks/Combinations which I have now not had

Wild Caramel Apple (sample or no sample)

Cinnamon Bundt Cake

Updated Caribou Coffee Fall Drinks/Combinations which I have now had

Small Wild Pumpkin

Large Wild Pumpkin Cooler ($1 off coupon!)
Pumpkin Pecan Bread (to match)

Wild Caramel Apple Cooler (sample)

Maple Oatmeal Scone

Coffee Drinks/ Combinations which I will have had between Monday, September 28th and Monday, October 5th, 2009

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH: 16 oz. cold press white chocolate coffee ($2, caribou)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH: 12 oz. coffee (FREE w/ coupon, dunn bros.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST: 20 oz. nonfat large wild pumpkin ($1 off w/ coupon, caribou)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD: 12 oz. nonfat hot chocolate ($1.87 plus tax, dunn bros.)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4TH: 12 oz. nonfat pumpkin spice latte (3.25+ tax, starbucks)

Films which I have seen in the Mann Highland theatre in 2009

Doubt
--with my father
--on a Sunday
--in spring 2009
--starring Amy Adams
--starring Meryl Streep

Julie and Julia
--with a cherie
--on a Sunday
--in fall 2009
--starring Amy Adams
--starring Meryl Streep

December 28, 1997

Dear Di(ary),

Sorry I haven't written for awhile, but there's nothing new to report. I sound like a newspaper writer. It's same old, same old, as Daddy would say. I'm still mad about Eli. Nothing new there!

Adios,

Vanessa

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

December 23, 1997

Nothing much to report until now. My grandma is staying over, so she gets our bathroom. This means Amanda and I have to use Mom & Dad's bathroom. The point I am trying to make is: On the way back from my bedroom from brushing my teeth, I HAPPENED to spot Amanda's journal. And being the nosy person I am, I HAD to see if it contained any "boy gossip." Fat chance of any boy-talk in an 8-year old's journal! That is how I found out I am getting a book and ANOTHER diary. Honestly! I mean, I just started you! WHY in the world would I of all people need another diary? It makes me feel as if I have to hurry and finish you so I can start yet another diary. It is all very frustrating to me.

'Night,
Vanessa

Sunday, September 20, 2009

December 20, 1997

FFFD-- Fun, Friend-Filled Day. First, we, meaning Tess and I, went to Francine's sister's basketball game. They lost. Bummer. Then we went back to Tess' house, where she taught Francine and me hockey after a trip to the frozen lake. And finally, as a big ending to our big day, Tess took Francine and me to see Titanic as a Christmas present.

Words cannot describe the movie. It was, without a doubt, one of, if not the best, movies I have EVER seen. It was tragedy and fierce undying love between two people all at once. The movie was, in short, spectacular. I could never be as devoted to a guy as Rose was to Jack.

Any guys in particular? you ask. Weeell, there is one. And we are now on to the "personal matters" I promised you yesterday. I have a BIG crush on Eli Klein, a guy who goes to my school. He's in 7th grade, same as me. Eli is cute and funny. He sorta liked me last year and a little this year, I could tell. But I think he has his gorgeous eyes set on Nancy Heinkel, and vice versa. She (N.H). get straights A's (like me), but is also into and good at figure skating. (Not me). And while not exactly bratty, she IS snobby, and is nice to me on rare occasions. Well, on the way back from our field trip to the Nutcracker, E.K. was doing some PRETTY HEAVY flirting w/ her, or as far as I could tell. You know, writing notes to her, trying to take stuff from her, that sort of thing. So what if I don't stand a chance against her or anybody else? So what if he doesn't like me? I can still dream, can't I?

Sincerely,
Vanessa

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Things which I have now done this autumn and to which I usually look forward

9/19: Barnes and Noble/ Barnes and Noble Cafe/ Marshall's (Har Mar)
--wanted to order tall Caramel Apple Spice from Cafe (and did so)
--wanted to order slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake from Cafe (but did not do so)
--wanted to look at children's autumn and Halloween books (and did so)
--wanted to look at Clifford's First Halloween (and did so)

9/19: Barnes and Noble/ Starbucks Cafe/ Half Priced Books (Highland Park)
--wanted to order tall Pumpkin Space Latte from Starbucks (but did not do so)
--wanted to look at books on twentieth century art (but did not do so)
--wanted to look at children's autumn and Halloween books (and did so, again)
--wanted to look at National Geographic Issue on New York (and did so)
--wanted to look at National Geographic Issue on 50 Places (and did so)

9/21: Borders/ Borders Cafe/ Film(s)/
--will be ordering Borders Cafe Smores Mocha half-price!
--will then have had Borders Cafe Smores Mocha half-price AND
--will then have had Borders Cafe Cookie Crunch half-price

Things which I have now done this autumn to which I was looking forward

September 13th: Ramsey Hill House Association Tour
--saw stop B: carriage house: 358 Laurel Avenue
--saw stop G: example of English gardens (twice)
--saw stop T: James J. Hill House
--saw stop U: Cathedral of St. Paul (with tour!)

--saw Common Good Books and admired sayings on walls (not part of tour)
--saw Nina's Cafe and almost ordered a cappuchino/treat (not part of tour)

December 19, 1997

Dear Diary,

Hi, and welcome to Vanessa Waltz's boring and predictable life. I'll update myself on how I got you in case in years to come I want to read this and know. Our 7th grade class had Advent Angels, and as my final gift, Isabelle Norris gave you to me, along with 1 of the 2 pens I am using. (And some tic-tacs). OK. Time for me to snap out of this formal introduction stuff. One more thing: I'm going to call you Di. Not after the princess, but as a shortened version of Diary. I know I'm going to put stuff in here way too personal for a journal. Such as... you would probably be asking if you could talk. The answer: You'll see tomorrow, or whenever I have time to write in you.

Sincerely,
Vanessa

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Things which I have not yet done this autumn and to which I usually look forward

Barnes and Noble/ Barnes and Noble Cafe/ Marshall's (Har Mar)
Barnes and Noble/ Starbucks Cafe/ Half Priced Books (Highland Park)
Borders/ Borders Cafe/ Film(s)/

Evening walk with self down Summit Avenue
Evening walk with self down Summit Avenue clutching coffee

Food items totaling twenty dollars which I have purchased between Sunday, September 13th and Wednesday, September 16th

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH AT STARBUCKS
--tall nonfat pumpkin spice latte: $3.25
--tall nonfat pumpkin spice latte with pumpkin bread: $5.60

--grande nonfat iced mocha with receipt: $2

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE TEA GARDEN
--large matcha green tea latte with full pearls: $4.10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH AT DUNN BROS.
--12 oz. nonfat chocolate steamer in mug: $3.05
--tall coffee with room for milk: $1.50

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH AT DAIRY QUEEN:
--small cookie jar blizzard: $3.76

$5.60+2= $7.60
$7.60+4.10= $11.70
$11.70=3.05= $14.75
$14.75+1.50= $16.25
$16.25+3.76= $20.01

Friday, September 11, 2009

Caribou Coffee Drinks/ Combinations which I have had the week of September 6th-11th

CARIBOU COFFEE DRINKS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH: tall skim wet cappuchino (Mom paid)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH: tall americano (I paid)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH: one-size kids' cocoa with cookie crumbles (Dad paid)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH: one-size kids' cocoa with cookie crumbles (Dad had paid)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH: large wild pumpkin cooler ($1 off!: I paid)

CARIBOU COFFEE COMBINATIONS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH: blackberry white chocolate scone (I paid)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH: multigrain bagel (Dad paid)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH: pumpkin pecan bread (I paid)

Caribou Coffee Drinks/Combinations which I have now had in fall 2009

Large Wild Pumpkin Cooler ($1 off coupon!)
Pumpkin Pecan Bread (to match)

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Starbucks Coffee Drinks/ Combinations which I have now had in August 2009

STARBUCKS COFFEE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH: one-size strawberry banana vivanno smoothie

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH: one-size chocolate banana vivanno smoothie

MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH: one tall nonfat vanilla latte

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH: one tall nonfat caffe mocha with light whip

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19TH: one tall nonfat vanilla latte

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20TH: one tall nonfat caffe mocha with light whip

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST: one tall nonfat latte with one pump of hazelnut

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23RD: one tall nonfat latte, red. fat blueberry coffee cake

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30th: one tall nonfat latte, red. fat cinnamon coffee cake

Dunn Brothers Coffee Drinks/ Combinations which I have now had between August and September 2009

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH: 16 oz. iced coffee with milk

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22ND: 16 oz. coffee iced crema (half off!), three cake donuts for $1

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29TH: 16 oz. coffee iced crema (half off!), one lemon marvel, one bran cream cheese muffin, one chocolate chip scone

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH: three cake donuts for $1

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Caribou Coffee Drinks to which I am now looking forward in fall 2009

Caribou Coffee Wild Pumpkin
Caribou Coffee Wild Apple (for a limited time only)

Caribou Coffee Wild Pumpkin Cooler
Caribou Coffee Wild Apple Cooler (for a limited time only)

Monday, September 7, 2009

Things to which I am looking forward in autumn 2009

Ramsey Hill House Tour on September 13th
--Cathedral of St. Paul
--The James J Hill House

Chopin Society Concert on October 4th
--BEETHOVEN: Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110
--CHOPIN: Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op. 61
--MENDELSSOHN: Variations serieuses in D minor, Op. 54
--SCHUMANN: Humoreske, Op. 20

Chopin Society Concert on November 8th
--BRAHMS: 4 Klavierstücke, Op. 119
--DEBUSSY: Estampes
--LIEBERMANN: Gargoyles, Op. 29
--SCHUMANN: Carnaval, Op. 9

Caribou Coffee Pumpkin Pie Latte
--with Caribou Coffee pumpkin bread
--with the Star Tribune on any day
--with journaling
--wearing a scarf tied the French way
--studying the Brontes

Starbucks Coffee Pumpkin Spice Latte
--with four shots of white chocolate, as recommended by a barista
--with Starbucks pumpkin bread and/or muffin
--with the New York Times Style Section on a Thursday or a Sunday
--with journaling
--wearing a scarf tied the French way

Fall walks with--
--with hand attached firmly to Levi's jean pockets

Fall walks with self
--with coffee attached firmly to hand

The September Issue of Vogue

Television shows which I watched with much frequency from 1994-2004

The Baby-sitters Club
Brotherly Love
Flash Forward
The Little Mermaid
In a Heartbeat
My Brother and Me
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TGIF!)
Step by Step
Teen Angel
The Torkelsons

Television shows which I watch with much frequency

Boy Meets World: seasons four, six, and seven, or, all episodes centering on Cory and Topanga

Felicity: seasons one, three, and four

My So-Called Life: season one (and only)

The Wonder Years: seasons one, three, and seven, or, all episodes centering on Kevin and Winnie

Television shows which I have been watching with much frequency between spring and summer 2009

Blossom seasons one and two
Brotherly Love seasons one and two
Everwood season one
Party of Five seasons one and two

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Films which I am looking forward to seeing in the theatre in autumn/ winter 2009

Amelia: due out 10/23
The Bell Jar: due out 12/2008 originally
Coco avant Chanel: due out 9/25
New Moon: due out 11/20
The Princess and the Frog: due out 12/11
The September Issue: due out 8/28

Films which I have seen in the theatre in summer 2009

500 Days of Summer: seen 8/23
Julie and Julia: seen 8/26
Postgrad: seen 8/26
The Time Traveler’s Wife: seen 8/23

Films which I was looking forward to seeing in the theatre in summer 2009

Cheri: due out 6/26
Easy Virtue: due out 5/22
Herb and Dorothy: due out 6/5
Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldenberg: due out 7/10

Films I have seen in the theatre between spring 2008 and spring 2009

17 Again
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Confessions of a Shopaholic
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button—twice
Doubt—twice
Earth
He’s Just Not That Into You
Inkheart
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Penelope
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire—twice
Wall-E
Twilight
Up

Films I have rented from the library with much frequency since 2006

The Italian Job
Mona Lisa Smile
The Namesake
The Painted Veil
Sliding Doors
Stardust
Starting Out in the Evening