Well the big party is over and it was quite a success. We got out of class at 4 o'clock and it was 5 by the time we got on the busses. We had special busses but for some silly reason they can't come on the post to pick us up. So we picked them up in Santa Ana. We got to Hollywood at 7:15 and then Phillip and I walked around town and saw some of the famous places from the outside. We saw the Pladium, Earl Carol's Hollywood High School, the Chinese Theatre where all the imprints are, and the Brown Derby. I think the town is very nice and I liked it immensely. When we got to the hotel everyone was milling about looking for their dates. Everyone had a number and you had to find your corresponding number to find your date. Well, I couldn't find my number so I saw a very pretty girl and took the situation in hand. I asked her what her number was and then changed mine to correspond. She was a good dancer and nice looking. We had a turkey dinner that was very good. The party ended at 10 o'clock and then we took the girls home. Phillip's girl and mine lived in opposite directions so afterwards we met at the YMCA. I got there first and had to wait for him. The place was so crowded there were GIs sleeping in all the chairs and even on the floor. I had to sit down in a corner on the floor and wait. When he finally arrived we went to a hotel and the guy offered us a chair to sleep in but we said we wanted a room. He sent us to someone's house who took cadets in. Lots of people in L.A. take cadets in. They don't take GIs or sailors or marines, just the cadets - seems funny to me.

Well we had a inner spring mattress and towels and were awakened when se asked to be all for $1.50. We got up at 10 o'clock Sunday morning and went to L.A. where we had waffles and pork sausage for breakfast. We came home on the P E (Aurora and Elgin) and it went along the beach for quite a ways. It was very nice - I still can't get over the blueness of the water. I haven't written to that girl yet for I can't find the time - but I'll try. Just one more week of school and then we ship out. It will be some time within the next two weeks. Last week one of my buddies through his arm out of joint at the elbow going over the obstacle course. He will be sent back a class so he'll have to do it all over again. Pa, you said something about letting down in our studies - the fact is that we are really bearing down now. In one subject I had a test Fri. and I have another one Tues. and again on Thursday. We had our final blinker test last Saturday - code over lights. I haven't gained any weight, it seems like I stay the same, always 170 lbs. As for the picture, I still haven't got it. I just can't get the time to get it done. The place closes at 7 o'clock at night and we don't finish supper until 6:30, so I never get over there. Maybe I'll have time in primary. Well, I've got to study for a Air Force Recognition test tomorrow so I better get at it. Oh, I almost forgot, I hope you had a very pleasant vacation and enjoyed every bit of it. I sure will be able to enjoy any vacations after I get out of this man's army.

Love,
Rae