November 1, 1944

Dear Kathleen,

There is nothing like starting the month off right so I shall endeavor to drop you a few lines. Yesterday we got paid as you probably know. We get paid the last day of every month except sometimes they don't pay on Sunday.

Well it seems quite safe down here now but when those storms come up it is a very good idea to be in a storm proof building and away from the ocean. I must admit it did change our routine for a few days. Mother did not know there was a storm in this part of the country or she would have worried and I have not heard from my bro or Dad. Actually there isn't any reason to worry if one gets prepared for it.

I caught a nice cold so I had to stay out of the Physical fitness test. Perhaps it was the best thing that could happen. I feel a lot better today, but I'm still eating tablets to get rid of it and seem to be winning the battle.

Alfred Bates is a Cpt. in the Field Artillery but I don't know what his duties are but no doubt he is on a gun crew of one of those big guns. I've not heard from Dayton in a very long time but the last time I heard he was still at the same place he was when I was over there. Dayton and I went to Scotland together and we certainly spent seven grand days traveling and seeing sights, Kathleen I spent thirteen months overseas and all of that was spent at one camp over there.

Certainly glad to hear you are busy and like your job. You must be working in an interesting Dept. and also your fellow workers must be quite nice. I'm sure glad you are getting along so well.

I don't know too much about the seasons but I think from now on till about April is rather a dry season. They don't have a rainy season here like the one in Calif. It may rain very hard for a few hours but the sun comes out for a few hours at least each day. In a lot of ways I like it better down here but the country has not been developed as well as Calif. has been.

From what I read in the local papers I had the impression they paid about as good here as anywhere but of course they always make things look good in a local paper. I also like to work outside so I guess we got something in common there. It is also good to know that there are jobs open here for you. From what I've read in the papers jobs should be quite plentiful at the shipyards for sometime to come.

I've not eaten a lot of Chinese food but what I've eaten I liked very much. We had a Chinese cook with us overseas and he used to throw together some Chinese dishes but naturally they were not as good as they could have been if he had been able to get the proper combination of food. I've not eaten in that Spanish Cafe.

Gee! I'm counting the days till I can take off for home and see you. I have to start my furlough on Dec. 4 but I'll be able to leave on the evening of the 3rd which should put me in Topeka on the evening of the fifth providing everything goes okay. Well here's hoping for I've been looking forward to meeting you a long time. You said it about making this month fly by fast. Dec. just can't get here too soon to please me and I don't mean perhaps.

I've been out enjoying the sunshine the past few days and tomorrow I intend to go fishing in the bay since I have the day off. Last eve I went to see Kay Kyser in "Carolina Blues" and I enjoyed it a lot.

That is all for now as I've ran out of things to say. Good-nite and pleasant dreams until I hear from you. I remain

Truly Yours,
Milan