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396 Sunday 9 December 10:30 pm (Listening to a Beethoven symphony broadcast from Tokyo) [turned out to be the U.S.!]) My dearest darling, No Special news to report, but I thought it was about time I sent you a Special. I've been hesitating until now for fear you’d take it as the news. Well, it won't be so very long in coming. I'm sure of that, but I definitely won't be home for Christmas and I am disappointed. My hope now is to make it within four or five days after New Year's Day, and I think it likely that I will. My guess is that I'll leave here about the 20th. We had the fire parade this afternoon (my whole weekend was shot what with having to help make arrangements for it) and it went off on schedule, though with no great public enthusiasm attending it. The police (Szathmary's) were well drilled and the Scouts with their banners and slogans picturesque. [pg 2] Relief arrived for Szath and Arthur K. this morning - two young Ensigns (D-L = Deck Limited) who, following college and midshipmen's school, had just 3 months at Boulder followed by 3 ½ at Stillwater. You can imagine how much Japanese they know. But I guess they'll do - they seem to be well-balanced youngsters. The Japanese Language staff and program have all moved to Stillwater, a hot, flat and uninteresting place, leaving the other language programs at Boulder. The Stillwater program is still a 14 months’ one but so far no one has been graduated. At the end of the war men were given their choice of finishing with the understanding that they remain in the Navy two years, or switching to D-L. About half did the latter, and the rest are still in school. It was a little confusing to get an envelope numbered #472 and dated the day after #484, until I got your note! [pg 3] #484 (11/28) Where did Doug and Valerie go on their wedding trip? I'm anxious to hear all the details - I mean the public ones. Mayonnaise? At first it struck me funny that you should have to go out of your way to get it. Then, suddenly, I began to taste it - Mm, I could really go for salads! Haven't had a real, honest -to-goodness one since I left the states; just carrots and raisins and that sort of stuff - cucumbers, but they’re flat and tasteless even for cucumbers. #472 (11/29) Gosh, Sweetie, I was glad to hear that you woke up feeling better - everytime I hear of your feeling ill (particularly from tension) my stomach sinks. I'll do my best to keep my ship headed for SF, darling. As for your waiting at home for me in case of uncertainty, I know how you feel about that, and don't want you to have to. However, this might be sensible: [pg 4] For a number of reasons I shall have to report to the Federal Building in SF before I can come to Carmel. So if my ship is to dock somewhere else, I can telephone you (at home) from that place when I arrive and we can make arrangements to meet in SF. If you’re in doubt about meeting me even in SF, better wait at home for me to call, as that's the first thing I'll do. But more details when I find out the ship, date of sailing, probably running time, probably port, etc.; I'll report to you in a last letter from Saipan. Thank you for mending my camel's hair sweater, sweetie. I don't know whether I'll be able to wear my tropical at all - the change in climates will make it necessary for me to be cautious. Do you think I'll need my overcoat-raincoat? It's going to be so good to sleep with you again! I love you very much Warren
