April 26, 1995: Associate in Arts Degree from MCC

I had commencement rehearsal in the afternoon. Afterwards, Mary Korpi and I went to the main building to check on our grades.   I got a B+ in Economics which made me happy.   

Grandpa and Grandma Thomas, Grandpa and Grandma Gonyo, Mom, and I had dinner at Bil Mar's restaurant in Grand Haven.   I love their cheese and cheese toast.   

Mary gave me a present. It was a beautiful address book.   

I graduated with honors.   The speaker left us with a good message:    "Always strive to be great; not just average.   Don't let someone put you down for being great.  Anyone who does that is just fearful of success.  Choose the path that is right for you and be willing to take risks in life."  

It was a nice ceremony.   I am glad I went to MCC for the first two years. 

April 9, 1995: Golfing with Mike Weinert

Mike called me to see if I wanted to go golfing with him at the University Park Golf Course over by Muskegon Community College.  I met him in one of my classes there.    We enjoyed playing golf.   I beat him on the first hole.   It doesn't sound like he gets out much.  He said his dad does nothing but watch TV.   His ending score was 61 and mine was 78.
I acted so dumb while playing. I lost one of my balls. In fact, I even walked over one of them.     That might be why I couldn't find it.  We both seemed to have a good time together.

February 9, 1995: Dr. Boyd

Dr. Boyd was my dentist since I was 4 years old so he knew both my mom and I pretty well.    I had my dentist appointment today and we had a nice chat.    We were talking about my dad. He said that I should find out from the psychiatrist about my dad.   He said he thought I was the strong one in my family.   He also said he thought I was not like my dad and that I won't have a problem adjusting to new changes.   He said its a problem finding a spouse in Muskegon, as so many of the people are not educated or culturally diversified.    I agreed with him on that, as Muskegon is not the best place to look for a man.     I want a man who is smart, family oriented, and likes to travel like I do.    Plus, I want someone who can make me laugh. I don't care how much money he has, just that he has a job.      

On a good note, I got my weight down to 119.5.

December 27, 1994: Briarwood and Yost Arena

After Christmas, I drove to Ann Arbor to visit with the Gonyos and Lawvers. We had our annual Christmas party at the Lawvers house.     We went shopping at Briarwood.   Wendy had got her wisdom teeth removed so was resting.    She was knocked out for the surgery.   

In the evening, Joy and I went to see Adam play hockey at Yost Arena in Ann Arbor.      Adam was on a hockey team.  They lost their game today with a score of 2-0.   Adam was happy that we came to see him play. I enjoyed chatting with Jo Lawver. 

December 22, 1994: Marilyn Monroe

In the evening, Grandpa and Grandma Thomas, Steve, Charlene, Kelsey, Mom, and I went for dinner at Pietros Restaurant in Grand Rapids.  We surprised him with a Marilyn Monroe impersonator.   The lady who impersonated Marilyn was a substitute teacher during the daytime and Marilyn Monroe at night.   It was so funny!  Grandpa got to take her garter off.    Grandpa looked like he was in heaven.   She really did a great job.    We were laughing so much. 

December 10, 1994: Ron & Joan Morse's House

Mom and I went to Ron and Joan Morse's house for dinner.  I met Joan's brother, Ron. I told my Mom that I thought we would have mac n' cheese, as she used to always make that as a part of our dinner, which I loved.      Sure enough, we had mac 'n cheese which made me so happy.     We also had breaded chicken and a creamy vegetable casserole.    

Jim came home and Joan told him what she wanted for Christmas. She said she wanted a nightie.   He turned bright red and was embarrassed.  We laughed so hard.

We all went to the Holland mall to go shopping.  

Jim told us he just bought a new Dodge Neon and a cop hit him and tried to blame it on Jim.  This happened about 6 weeks after Jim had bought the car.    I can still remember when Jim and I were kids and he would follow me around and I would try and run away.
His brother, Danny, was attending Ferris State University.    His younger brother, Phil, had grown up so tall.      Jim's dad, Ron Morse, was a good friend of my dads. They met while attending Muskegon Community College.   Ron was in my mom and dad's wedding.  

December 3, 1994: Annual Chicago Trip

Mom and I took a bus trip to Chicago for Christmas.   Lisa Micka's parents were on our bus which was a surprise.   Mom and I went to the Art Institute and saw Picasso's paintings.    Mom kept saying "That's art?   I could slop that together."   I was so embarrassed.    

We went shopping at Marshall Fields and of course, went to the 7th floor to see the famous Christmas tree.  Then, we went shopping at Water Tower Place.  On our walk, we saw a taping of the TV show, "ER".    At TJ Max, we ran into Karen and Ernie Simons.  Karen has been our friend and accountant for years.   

We had a really good time on our trip.   We look forward to this every year.