Diary+Entry+-+August+of+1937

June 5, 1937

Temperature 26'C Weather: Sunny

Today was a normal day, except we are getting closer to graduation. Us seniors are going crazy at school, and we are enjoying freedom. However, deep inside us, we feel anxious; we need to start looking for jobs. My parents wish that I get an academic careers, just like my brother, but I don't think I am smart enough for that. I am an athletic person though. I am in tennis, baseball, basketball, and football varsity, and I am one of the "built" guys at my high school. So I have several options to choose from: I could work at a factory, I could go to college to play sports, or I could join the army. As a matter of fact, war is getting pretty hot in Europe and Pacific. Japan just invaded some parts of Asia, as well, Hitler and Mussolini started to make some moves. An army officer came to my English class yesterday to promote the army. He said, "there's strong, and there is army strong!" After class, almost every guys in the class including my buddies, Nick and Jay, were all excited to go to war. They'd say, "let's go shoot some nazi bastards and bring back money!" As for me, I am uncertain because my father's family comes from Germany, and I do not want to kill other Germans. Second of all, I am not that hungry for money as my friends. I could always inherit my father’s textile company, since my brother would not be interested in that job.

Speaking of which, I will talk about my brother. My brother is a super genius, and he constantly got A's. When he graduated, he got into Harvard, the best and most renowned college in the world. He recently graduated from Harvard (as well Caltech for more degrees) and he was studying by himself at home. One day, when I got home from school, my brother looked happy. So I asked, "what you grinning for? anything new?" and he said, "I got a job, Dennis, I am teaching in Berkley real soon!" Oh boy, Harvard, Caltech, and now, a professional job at Berkley? I felt a little envious, but after all, I was real proud for him! Soon, Robert will make the Oppenhiemers proud and in addition, let the world know that not all Germans are evil and anti-America.

Well, I wish I could be as great as my brother. I want to make my father proud.