September 22 & 23, 1967–Two letters

5:15 P.M./22 /Sept. 67

Momsette:

It is Friday today. I will have no class tomorrow. So that I can look forward to a sound long sleep tonight. Now I can write you again.

I just came from the Psych. Library to catch up with some of my readings in Physiol. Psych. under Earl. I was very drowsy. My mind could not register the materials I read on neural conduction. I could not quite distinguish the transmitting effect of acetylcholine from the inhibiting adrenergic effect of muscarine at the post-synaptic site. I was drooping. In half-sleep I told myself I was oing all that for my Momsette, kids and Buchucoy. Where must they be now? East, west? Where is east, west, north or south? Damn it, it does not matter. They are certainly down below me as I am sitting straight up, or right above me if I somersault. Would I somersault? I may be taken for crazy or something. Better wake up to read.

Almost 6 years ago. Would you like to listen to the 5th symphony? This will finish the world. Yah, she has a pair of strong, long beautiful legs.

The American Librarian. I must renew the book card. But it’s 5:00 P.M. Better go home.

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Bryn Mawr is a tough and good school. I made a really good choice. It is very very good in Literature. It makes students study really hard. I wish you were its student. It can give you the air for the mind. Very few students. But chosen.

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How are you getting along with your papers and subjects? Does not Buchucoy burden you too much? You don’t have to get good grades. Just finish with your studies. That will be enough for Lola or Tatay. [My maternal grandmother and my father–ethel] After all if you don’t expect quite much, you don’t have to work. We will manage to live. Don’t I intend to take home the bacon or Ph.D.? We will have a better deal with it anyway. By the way, have you received your allowance from New York? It should start about September 12. Write me about it right away, so that I may know what to do. Do I have to send you some of my allowance? Tell me, so that I can set aside some amount. You know me I am not good at handling money unless I have to. Although at the moment I have a definite plan to save so that I will have cash to buy you and the kids a car and good clothes. Yesterday, someone was announced selling a 1960 Valiant car for $350. But I don’t have money yet, can’t yet drive, and I don’t need a car for my own use. Dalton Hall is just 15 minutes away by walk.

O yes, ask Fevi and Boboy what they like me to send them. Tell them not to quarrel with each other. Tell them I am fine and they will soon join me. Do you think you can manage all three of them in the plane? Just plan things out with them.

My studies are so far fine. I am a little behind in my readings though. Earl is all right. Bitterman will only come from Europe on Wednesday. You see, he just got married a 2nd time to a Bryn Mawr undergraduate, so I was told. He is, accordingly, about 49, a highly demanding professor. Somebody said he is quite hard to please and that he throws failing students out; but he teaches well. I certainly must please him, or else you will not see the U.S.A.

The weather is cold. Even though the sun is up, the wind is bitingly cold. I shiver all over when I go out.

Last night I stayed in the Library until 12:15 a.m. It rained hard, so I just tried to read as hard. Perhaps I must buy an overcoat when my allowance comes.

By the way, when do you plan to come? Bryn Mawr says my contract is one year or until June. However, if you think you and the kids can survive winter, then come on Before Christmas. I will find a small apartment around Bryn Mawr where you may stay while I am at the G. Center. At least I can be with you on weekends or you and the kids can see me in school. I think w/ some thrift we can afford that. I would rather spend my money and be with you than have it and be far from you. But prepare yourself for bad weather and homesickness.

In anyway, tell me at once if you like to come in December so that I can soon request the Rockefeller to arrange your visa with Echaus.

Tell Inay I am now fine. School work makes me busy and leaves no time for homesickness.

So long. Write me a long letter about anything. Let Fevi scribble her thoughts for me.

I miss you. Protect yourself from any mishap.

Yours, fg

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6: P.M. Sept. 23

Momsette:

I just came home from Philadelphia. I bought an overcoat on Market St. Overcoats for men and women are costly; prices range from $43 up. However, I windowshopped first from 3:00 to 4:00 and I hit upon a sale at York Department Store where there are many good buys for ladies, girls and boys. I bought one, size 20 which is for boys but which fits me in every way. Here are some prints on its tag: 90% Reprocessed Wool, 10% Other Fibers; Pile 70% Orlon Acrylic, 30% Verelmodacrylic; 100% Cotton Back, Pile 60% Back 40%. The Pile inside is in the shape of a vest which is zipped and therefore detachable in fair weather. It is so heavy that its weight is enough to warm me up. It is black and it just cost me $19.99. You will have to see it to appreciate it.

There are many beautiful and cheap ladies’ things: shoes, dresses, overcoats, dusters, bermuda shorts, gloves, sweaters, handbags, etc. If you were with me, I could have loved to run out of money. Why not, damn it. So that if I were you I would not burden myself buying clothes there in P.I. and would bring only the essentials for travel.

Household utensils and appliances are at good prices: toasters at $8, Olympic 21″ TV at $80, and so on. Overcoats, with good boots for kids like Fevi, Boboy and Buchucoy are available at reasonable prices. And so with toys. I don’t want to risk sending anything like these. So just assure my four (You + “3″) apples of my eye that they will get their due when they finally join me. But of course you must also expect the worst during the period of adjustment, especially without a handy maid. You certainly will do it for me and our future of 35 or so years more.

Try to write me at least twice a week. I miss you. I was invited last night as a foreign student to a party of consuls and foreign students at Philadelphia. Of course I did not go. I slept early instead thinking of all of you.

By the way don’t go to movies alone.

Yours,

fg

Regards to my beloved mother. Try to be kind to her. I shall feel insulted if Boboy or Fevi doesn’t ask that of someone about you someday. My respect may not be much but they can’t or won’t get it by such a way.

Love,