I think you’re absolutely wonderful.
(A letter found in my diary, which was written to my friend. It was messy, so was probably a practice one.)
Dear Penelope,
Hi! I bet you didn’t think I would write. I didn’t either. I’m terrible, aren’t I?
Well, lots of things have happened since you were last here. I’ve got a full-time job with lots of overtime, and I mean lots! I’m working at a clothing warehouse. I’m doing approximately 10 ½ hours a day and a half a day on Saturday. Money’s not so good, but I’ve got no choice. It’s a real monotonous job, but the people are very nice. All I’m doing is pricing clothes and putting them on hangers. Whoopee! (Drink in the sarcasm).
I’m hoping to keep it till the beginning of February, but I’ll probably have it till Christmas, because that’s when most of the temporaries finish.
And now for Art School. I had an interview for the art school on the other side of town, but not for the university one. Well, what they haven’t seen is their loss. Obviously, I’m not devastated, just peeved about not getting an interview. But I can’t say it wasn’t expected with their reputation. Anyway, I don’t find out about whether I’ve gotten into the art school until the end of November. I don’t think I got into the 2nd year, but I think I might have a chance for the first year. The guy at the interview asked me why I didn’t want to do the first year and old big mouth me said that the fee was too high, and I forgot to say that it was because I thought that I might have enough qualifications and experience to get into the 2nd year. He sounded keen on me applying for 1st year. But, I thought that the interview was very unprofessionally done. Slapdash, in and out. The only picture I could tell that he liked was my ‘Canned’ one.
Anyway, so far the wedding preparations are going alright. I have my first dress fitting this coming Friday. I’ve got practically all my material for the dress. I still need to get my material for my after wedding suit, but I’ve already decided what material to get. I’m thinking of making it myself. Well, I will certainly try. The dressmaker costs $15 per hour.
Mike’s doing the invitations for me. It’s part of his wedding gift. So they should be sent off in December.
Darius has his last exam on Saturday. At last! He can’t wait. Then after that we will go off with Sebastian to see their father, and stay the night. Thank God he decided not to go to Wellington, which is a HUGE relief.
1994
Darius and I got married.
EPILOGUE
“Darius” and I are still married, and have two children, one of whom is coming up to the age I was at the beginning of the diaries. And while reading over my teenage dreams and aspirations, I was surprised to discover that I had achieved many of my goals, such as becoming an author. I have published a few books prior to this one and after reading about my teenage idea for the story ‘Town Without Pity’ I may actually write it.
I have also worked as an artist and have obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian Studies and Art History (of which I won an award for being the top undergraduate student in Art History during my 3rd year). Additionally, I obtained an Honours degree in Art History, and have won some awards for my art as well as having painted an important commission for the Dalmatian Cultural Society’s 150 year anniversary. This work (a set of four large canvases) depicts 150 years of the Dalmatian people (from the coast of Croatia) being in New Zealand. The finely detailed works put together are the dimensions of a queen size bed and took several months to paint. The current Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, unveiled it.
In relation to my other activities, although I’m not as sports mad as I once was, I still love it and run regularly. I have completed a couple of marathons, as well as a thirty-K run and quite a number of half marathons. And I would absolutely love to run the New York Marathon, which I’ve heard is quite an experience.
In karate, the highest belt I achieved was a brown belt with a black stripe, which is one below a black belt. I should’ve gone for my black belt, but lost interest when my club dwindled to very small numbers. However, later on, around 2006, I found the club had reformed and returned for about a year or so, taking my children to participate. My daughter achieved an orange belt before we moved. However, where karate left off, soccer filled the void, of which I have always had an interest. I have coached for a number of years and will run onto the field if someone needs a goalie, although I prefer to watch my daughter play instead.
If you wish to learn more about me, my art, and my writing, follow the links below.
Author Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marita-A-Hansen/113130742120676
Graffiti Heaven Page:
https://www.facebook.com/graffitiheaven.novel
Blog Site:
http://maritaahansen.blogspot.co.nz/
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Marita-A.-Hansen/e/B005H5W79K/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads’ Author Page:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5129673.Marita_A_Hansen
Artslant Page:
http://www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/74433-marita-hansen
Twitter Name: @MaritaAHansen
Don't Peek (The Diaries of a Teenage Girl) Page 14
