Sat, July 24, 54.
Dearest Louise, Maida and Jeannette,
Much had gone through this house last week, with our anniversary party coming off on Aug 21st. We had gone to inquire about renting tables, chairs, dishes and all the various things connected with the party. Alberta and I had worked on the correct guest list, new addresses and who all to be invited for the anniversary, etc., etc., which all takes up much time and careful corrections. However, this will help to bring my Xmas list up to date and into lovely professional file. What a joy to have that done!
Louise, I do want to thank you and your whole family for being so wonderful to J [i.e., Jigi/Jeannette]. She had written me several times telling us all the treats you had given her. Thanks too to Tan for taking her to so many places and social affairs. She is certainly having a wonderful time, thanks to the hospitality of you all. I also appreciate your invitation for her to be your houseguest for the remainder of her stay. I can't think of a nicer home for her to be, so it is up to her to make up her mind, where she wants to stay. So far as taking the Lurline is concerned, we feel she should be returning home and be with us on the 21st. Since the invitations are issued under the children's names, she should definitely be home to participate and do her share. Then it is probably the only celebration we shall have in our lifetime, we feel she should sacrifice her personal pleasure for the sake of the whole family. So we do hope Jeannette can see it the way we all feel.
Maida, we are wondering what is happening to you since your arrival??? Not a word from you. What is the score? Just called Edwin and he said that he is just as mystified about your whereabouts. With Jack not around and you moved into C.V. Starr’s apartment, I wonder what is going on??? Albert is very concerned about the whole situation, so he is going to fly to New York next month and oversee the whole matter. In fact, he and Jack had been in close correspondence and shall meet there also. Since you are such a close friend, I feel I better tip you off, so you can watch your P’s and Q's! Seriously speaking, I do want you all to plan to be here for the 21st, as there are many interesting things developing in the family and we need your advice as well as cooperation. Please make a special effort to be here to add to our joyous celebration as well as moral support. Let me know, so we shall know how to plan accordingly.
We are very concerned about your general health and wonder what the medical report is about you. Both Beulah [Quo, another Ginling classmate] and I wish you would come here, so if you need medical care, you can at least count on us to be your personal maids. Truly, we shall count it as a great pleasure to do something for you for a change. Before I forget, I want to thank you again for the new dresses. I am putting sequins on the black lace dress and shall wear it for many important occasions. Sorry that I did not buy some lace to have more made, while you were still in H. K. Would you trust the tailor, if I should buy some now and send it direct to Jack, for him to have the tailor make into a formal and put sequins on? Please tell me as time might not allow me to have one made and I shall have to hunt for an American gown.
Louise, my Uncle S.K. Ho and wife will be here in August for the wedding of their daughter Phyllis. They shall be our guests during their stay here. What chances are there for you to come to join us for our party? If you are contemplating a trip, please plan to be here at this time. I hope while J. is with you, she will learn some new dishes from Uncle Y.T. She is pretty good at cooking and has an interest in it also.
The weather has been very very hot for July in L.A. but the last two days the heat had tapered off and we are going to have pleasant weather again. Much love to you all.
Much had gone through this house last week, with our anniversary party coming off on Aug 21st. We had gone to inquire about renting tables, chairs, dishes and all the various things connected with the party. Alberta and I had worked on the correct guest list, new addresses and who all to be invited for the anniversary, etc., etc., which all takes up much time and careful corrections. However, this will help to bring my Xmas list up to date and into lovely professional file. What a joy to have that done!
Louise, I do want to thank you and your whole family for being so wonderful to J [i.e., Jigi/Jeannette]. She had written me several times telling us all the treats you had given her. Thanks too to Tan for taking her to so many places and social affairs. She is certainly having a wonderful time, thanks to the hospitality of you all. I also appreciate your invitation for her to be your houseguest for the remainder of her stay. I can't think of a nicer home for her to be, so it is up to her to make up her mind, where she wants to stay. So far as taking the Lurline is concerned, we feel she should be returning home and be with us on the 21st. Since the invitations are issued under the children's names, she should definitely be home to participate and do her share. Then it is probably the only celebration we shall have in our lifetime, we feel she should sacrifice her personal pleasure for the sake of the whole family. So we do hope Jeannette can see it the way we all feel.
Maida, we are wondering what is happening to you since your arrival??? Not a word from you. What is the score? Just called Edwin and he said that he is just as mystified about your whereabouts. With Jack not around and you moved into C.V. Starr’s apartment, I wonder what is going on??? Albert is very concerned about the whole situation, so he is going to fly to New York next month and oversee the whole matter. In fact, he and Jack had been in close correspondence and shall meet there also. Since you are such a close friend, I feel I better tip you off, so you can watch your P’s and Q's! Seriously speaking, I do want you all to plan to be here for the 21st, as there are many interesting things developing in the family and we need your advice as well as cooperation. Please make a special effort to be here to add to our joyous celebration as well as moral support. Let me know, so we shall know how to plan accordingly.
We are very concerned about your general health and wonder what the medical report is about you. Both Beulah [Quo, another Ginling classmate] and I wish you would come here, so if you need medical care, you can at least count on us to be your personal maids. Truly, we shall count it as a great pleasure to do something for you for a change. Before I forget, I want to thank you again for the new dresses. I am putting sequins on the black lace dress and shall wear it for many important occasions. Sorry that I did not buy some lace to have more made, while you were still in H. K. Would you trust the tailor, if I should buy some now and send it direct to Jack, for him to have the tailor make into a formal and put sequins on? Please tell me as time might not allow me to have one made and I shall have to hunt for an American gown.
Louise, my Uncle S.K. Ho and wife will be here in August for the wedding of their daughter Phyllis. They shall be our guests during their stay here. What chances are there for you to come to join us for our party? If you are contemplating a trip, please plan to be here at this time. I hope while J. is with you, she will learn some new dishes from Uncle Y.T. She is pretty good at cooking and has an interest in it also.
The weather has been very very hot for July in L.A. but the last two days the heat had tapered off and we are going to have pleasant weather again. Much love to you all.
Dearest Maida and Gigi,
Didn't want Louise to know what is really cooking here, so have to write you two separately. Alberta and I had spent much time the last few days shopping. Believe it or not we spent two hours at Bullock's Wilshire and tried all the gowns and found two we liked pretty well. Then next day we went to Magnin's and tried everything and found her dream gown. So brought it home and the whole family, especially Dad, approved so it is bought and settled. Also looked at bridesmaids' gowns, but have not made final decision on them, as there is time for that and also we have to wait for the girls to try them on. We also booked the wedding in the Westwood Community church and the reception at the Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Room - all on Oct. 9th! The very limited choice of time, as the Hotel is booked solid for months ahead.
The whole thing is that I like to see Al married before returning to N.Y. for a job, as once she found a job, she cannot leave her work and come back for all the details. Besides I see no point of her keeping an apartment and he does the same, and they can “live cheaper” as a married couple. Also they are so sure about each other, then they might as well get married, instead of having a long engagement with uncertainty. The whole point is that Dad and I do not want to make this public, as we have not yet met Benny and if there are problems coming up, we would all be embarrassed with any retraction. We rather wait till we meet him and think things out aloud, then make the announcement at our party and suggest the wedding date, etc. Dad blew up on us for planning on the wedding gown, guest list and booking the church etc, but if we did not, we shall not be able to get the dates when we want them. Now we got all the major issues settled and booked and can always cancel, if the plans do not come through. Then also if the wedding is to be in April, Alberta does not need to come home early to help me make these decisions and do the last-minute shopping. These are things to be done sooner or later, so it is a joy to have them all done so early and easily. We do not want people to know all this so please keep it to yo urselves.We just pray that we shall love Benny and want him as much as Al to be one of the family. Maida, I am still waiting for your reaction on him and would appreciate an expression from you!
Jeannette, what a butterfly you turned out to be! Why should you skip us completely from your mailing list. Not even one line from you for days and we are curious to know what is going on. How did you come out with your finals and grades? Not one word about your schooling. Walter had told his folks so much about the various professors and how much he enjoyed the courses, but we never heard you mention your work. I do hope you had gotten something out of your work there. How is your social calls coming with all the family elders? We are eager to hear about that, as I do not want you to neglect any of them, for my sake. ow is your bank account holding out? Are you short of funds? Better speak up soon, before we go broke completely with all that is to go on. My! How the accounts [are] going to mount up fast, with so many things to take care of. May be after this wedding, the rest of you have to elope! Also do not announce any plan for marriage at this moment - one at a time is more than ample right now!
Been wanting to start Ron with his Chinese lessons, but with all this going on we have not yet had one lesson. Do hope Allan will be coming with you soon, Maida, so the boys can settle down for some lessons together. Much much love and best wishes to you all. Please write, especially you Jeannette!!! Dad had gone to Lancaster with Howard and Ray to decide what to do with the land they bought for business. Ron caught 7 black bass yesterday with the Phangs, so we are to have fresh fish dinner tonight. Wish you could be with us also. Write!
Much love, Mom
[Note on the envelope:]
Please call Uncle Kong -
We'll meet the plane Aug 4.
Didn't want Louise to know what is really cooking here, so have to write you two separately. Alberta and I had spent much time the last few days shopping. Believe it or not we spent two hours at Bullock's Wilshire and tried all the gowns and found two we liked pretty well. Then next day we went to Magnin's and tried everything and found her dream gown. So brought it home and the whole family, especially Dad, approved so it is bought and settled. Also looked at bridesmaids' gowns, but have not made final decision on them, as there is time for that and also we have to wait for the girls to try them on. We also booked the wedding in the Westwood Community church and the reception at the Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Room - all on Oct. 9th! The very limited choice of time, as the Hotel is booked solid for months ahead.
The whole thing is that I like to see Al married before returning to N.Y. for a job, as once she found a job, she cannot leave her work and come back for all the details. Besides I see no point of her keeping an apartment and he does the same, and they can “live cheaper” as a married couple. Also they are so sure about each other, then they might as well get married, instead of having a long engagement with uncertainty. The whole point is that Dad and I do not want to make this public, as we have not yet met Benny and if there are problems coming up, we would all be embarrassed with any retraction. We rather wait till we meet him and think things out aloud, then make the announcement at our party and suggest the wedding date, etc. Dad blew up on us for planning on the wedding gown, guest list and booking the church etc, but if we did not, we shall not be able to get the dates when we want them. Now we got all the major issues settled and booked and can always cancel, if the plans do not come through. Then also if the wedding is to be in April, Alberta does not need to come home early to help me make these decisions and do the last-minute shopping. These are things to be done sooner or later, so it is a joy to have them all done so early and easily. We do not want people to know all this so please keep it to yo urselves.We just pray that we shall love Benny and want him as much as Al to be one of the family. Maida, I am still waiting for your reaction on him and would appreciate an expression from you!
Jeannette, what a butterfly you turned out to be! Why should you skip us completely from your mailing list. Not even one line from you for days and we are curious to know what is going on. How did you come out with your finals and grades? Not one word about your schooling. Walter had told his folks so much about the various professors and how much he enjoyed the courses, but we never heard you mention your work. I do hope you had gotten something out of your work there. How is your social calls coming with all the family elders? We are eager to hear about that, as I do not want you to neglect any of them, for my sake. ow is your bank account holding out? Are you short of funds? Better speak up soon, before we go broke completely with all that is to go on. My! How the accounts [are] going to mount up fast, with so many things to take care of. May be after this wedding, the rest of you have to elope! Also do not announce any plan for marriage at this moment - one at a time is more than ample right now!
Been wanting to start Ron with his Chinese lessons, but with all this going on we have not yet had one lesson. Do hope Allan will be coming with you soon, Maida, so the boys can settle down for some lessons together. Much much love and best wishes to you all. Please write, especially you Jeannette!!! Dad had gone to Lancaster with Howard and Ray to decide what to do with the land they bought for business. Ron caught 7 black bass yesterday with the Phangs, so we are to have fresh fish dinner tonight. Wish you could be with us also. Write!
Much love, Mom
[Note on the envelope:]
Please call Uncle Kong -
We'll meet the plane Aug 4.
Summer of ‘54: The Scene | 1: Al: Have I been busy | 2: Jigi: Orchid leis | 3: Lil: Go crazy, kid 4: Wally: Don’t change | 5: Ron: Damn nice of you | 6: Mom: A grand success | 7: Mom: My fashion plate | 8: Lil: Who’d’ve understood? | 9: Jigi: The sexy bastard | 10: Mom: That gleam and glow | 11: Mom: So proud of you | 12: Al: Fast Casanova | 13: Lil: Free coaching | 14: Mom: Simply heartbroken | 15: Al: Most scandalous | 16: Lil: Men! | 17: Jigi: Gush it up | 18: Mom: Keep it to yourselves | 19: Lil: Bitter today | 20: Lil: your future brother-in-law | 21: To the convent | The Anniversary Party