29 November 1959

Dear Mama and Daddy:

So far I have had three midterm exams, and have gotten two back. On those two, I received an 'A'; Dr. Motulsky was told by one of the instructors involved that I had done excellently on the exam. Subsequently Dr. Roman, who is chairman of genetics, told me that he has a little private deal with the dean of the graduate school as far as I am concerned; namely, that I will be accepted to the graduate school, and given a pre-doctoral training grant, at the end of this quarter if my record warrants it. Both Dr. Roman and Dr. Motulsky have said that if quarter grades bear out the indications at mid term, acceptance to graduate standing is assured. Dr. Roman said that he feels an 'A' in this biochemistry course is a real accomplishment. Not that I am letting this go to my head; I was prepared for those midterms, and I am quite aware of the necessity for being prepared for finals. Anyway, my training grant will cover tuition, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses, how large, I don't know exactly. However, it is necessary for me to pay next quarter's tuition in advance, and Dr. Roman said that he felt confident that I would be reimbursed for it. Anyway, could you advance me the $166 I need to pay next quarters tuition?

What about Christmas? Uncle George mentioned that you wrote something to him about coming up here in December. I wouldn't mind going to Pasadena for the vacation, to do a number of things:

1. Write that paper on the synthesis of the sub-chloride and sub-bromide of niobium.

2. Do something about the Mercedes - what I don't know, but Pete seems to want to sell it.

3. Talk with Sinsheimer, Meselson, etc., about bacteriophage and DNA replication in phage.

But it would be expensive. You mentioned something about that being part of our Christmas present. I made reservations on the airplane, they come to $265.93 for the four of us, round trip.

We roasted a goose yesterday, for a slightly post-Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious. However, there seemed to be less meat and more bones than turkey, also more expensive per pound. But you can't have everything.

Kirstin is beginning to talk a little now, she says 'hot', 'good girl', 'pretty', 'bow-wow', etc. She is a little rascal.

I went sailing on Lake Washington a couple of weeks ago - bundled in long underwear, three sweaters under my jacket, etc. It was beautiful, but chilly. I went with some people who have a 30 foot tall fiberglass sloop, sleeps 5, has galley, etc. Much fun.

All in all I think that biological sciences, and the medical school, are of quite good calibre here, at least at the graduate level. I also am very confident that I made the right decision in coming here. In spite of the high quality of the Reed education, I find the atmosphere here stimulating, and in retrospect Reed appears somewhat stifling. (I hear that Reed has raised tuition to 1250, after the last tuition increase Sullivan was very pious in his promises to keep tuition steady for a while).

Well, this letter, as all mine are, is somewhat disjointed. I could use the money before too long, as Xmas reservations are hard to get, and my travel agent suggested I get my tickets before too late. If you aren't there we might not go to Pasadena at Xmas - let us know. Anyway, our love to all.

The Paulings - of three generations.

I suppose I ought to write Linus and Anita again.

Love, Crellin, Lucy, Cheryl, Kirsten