Images(6)

[ Letter to Mollie Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi, May 9, 1942 ]

Maker Akahoshi, Chiyeko

Date1942

Mediumink, paper

DimensionsH: 9 in, W: 5.5 in

ClassificationsArchives

Credit LineGift of Mollie Wilson Murphy

Object number2000.378.18B

DescriptionBlk.12 Bldg.11 Apt.4
Manzanar Reception Center
Owens Valley, Calif.
May 9, 1942
Dearest Molly,
Hello! How ya be? I certainly do hope that you & the rest of the Wilson household are enjoying the best of health and spirits! As for us, we all are fin. Before I start-a-gabbin-I'd like to thank you for that swell letter! I'm sorry that I didn't answer your letter any sooner, but this, that, & the other had me sandwiched, so, I couldn't drop in for a chat sooner. (You know how it is! I hope!)
How's school & everything? I hope all in good condition! (With no defeats!) I bet! I'm missin' a lot of school acti-vities! Track meets, auds, parties & etc. Don't I wish I was back in good L.A.! You can say that again! But, at the moment, my footmobile's out of condition so, that leaves that attempt out!
Today & yesterday, people came in from L.A. Mobuko Igasaki's family came & other families whom we knew also came. They arrived by train & bus with the army's supervision. I'm glad that people, whom I knew came, because this place is so dull & your friends are the answer to make this place lively! Everyday, from sunrise to sunset, I'm so bored! So, my mother gives me "work" to do. Such as, washing, ironing, cleasning house, & etc. Considering all the household housework, one wouldn't get bored, but I don't do it all. I'm getting' so lazy just doin' nothin', & by the time school would strat, my brain wouldn't function. (Has it always?!) I'm going to attempt to finish this term in my new "haven". Every child of school age from the 5th to 12th grade, were eachgiven a type writtin paper & he had to fill it out & send it to the school he checked out of. I just sent mine's today & addressed it to Mr. Blair. The base of the letter was to have to us sent unnecessary books & other materials to finish the term here. We will have tutors, who will trash us. They won't have regular school until, I guess, next September. Boy, do I miss school! (Don't I though?!)
Molly, before I forget, thanks a lot for your picture! I was going to ask you in my first letter but I forgot. (You know how I am!) Molly, my sister wants to see the pictures you took of her & myself, so can you send the picture & I'll send it back when I answer, okay? (I still can't see why she wants to see them!) Nothin' to look at, my goodness!
I bet, you're getting' in shape for outdoor sports! Tennis, oh yes at 5:30 in the morning, ahem! How do you ever get up!? Tennis or anythin', you couldn't get me up that early! Aren't I lazy though? You bet! (See how this place is affecting me?)
Molly, write & tell me how "Youth Week" was observed at Roosevelt! What kind of auds did you see? (here's hoping I didn't miss much!)
Soldiers (MP's, patrol this camp, day & night, rain or shine, 24 hrs a day! They're a battalion form Ft. Ord & they're the "bums" from that camp. They're all "slow, minded or they full around too much, & for their punish-ment, they're sent to guard us here. Every type you can think of-short nes, tallness, good-lookin ones, phooney lookin-ones fat ones, lanky ones, jolly ones & sour red fossils who don't say a word! What a variety, right?
They use to patrol in front of our barrack but they have quit doing so! Sad case! I had more fun when they did!
I've heard from Junko in Santa Anita, & she seems to like it there. (Oh yeah?!) She said that she lives in the former stalls of Seabiscuit, which everyone pulls who like in Santa Anita now! But, what's one horse's stable from another without the horse, boss?
___ You said it!
Well, I think that I'll park my pen here & be signing off with our (Akahoshi) but best regards to you & the rest of your family I remain.
Sincerely,
Chiyeko Akahoshi

P.S. A 24 stamp is all you need to drop me a line here.
;One letter written to Molly from Chiyeko and dated May 9, 1942.