Update #6 2/17/10

It's 4 in the morning, and boy am I tired. I am still working at the debt collection agency, but things are looking up. I had an interview this past Sunday with Citibank, and it looks very promising. It is for a management position, and would be normal hours and probably include a car. The job is in Tel Aviv, 5 minutes from the train station. I have 2 more interviews at Citi, tentatively scheduled for March 1st, but they are trying to move up. I am excited by the possibility of a real job, as I am pretty much exhausted all the time with the debt collection job, and I am way too customer service oriented for this type of work. On the plus side, I taught some debtors how to file OCC complaints. In any case, regardless of whether I get the job at Citi, I doubt I will continue into March.

Caryn has her big Hebrew test next week, which I am sure she will ace. In theory, I also have the same test, but I'm not sure if I'm going or not. Caryn also got a charger for her camera, so now she can post cute little videos of our kids again on YouTube (search the thebrodybunch1 or go to the blog). It has been a difficult adjustment for Caryn and the kids without me around, but they are starting to get used to it. Ilan and I have switched beds, and Tiki usually joins Ilan and Caryn in the middle of the night. Gali gets bribed with junk food, so she stays in her bed.

Ilan's bike was stolen from our front porch, which was very upsetting for all of us. Fortunately, it was cold and rainy for four days after it was stolen, so it took a while for him to notice. My brother Jonny, had an old kids bike in the attic, so Ilan was still able to ride, and we got a new bike lock. Gali is continuing to sing in Hebrew all the time, and seems to be muttering under her breath in Hebrew too. Ilan and Gali still yell at each other in Hebrew. Tiki turns 3 on Friday, and is naturally very excited about it. Every day she wakes up and goes, it's my birthday today? She is really a cutie. Eitan has been a little fussy lately as he has had a runny nose for two weeks, and fever on and off. He is also getting cuter by the day and is cruising away. Ilan and Tiki both had strep this week, but Tiki is happily taking her medicine, as it comes with a cookie or a taffy. Ilan was able to take a pill in applesauce, so the medicine has been a piece of cake. Gali was quite disappointed that she remained healthy, as everyone else got to take off some time from school.

Caryn and I spent out first Shabbat alone together since we had kids two weeks ago. We were in a hotel in Jerusalem and really enjoyed the piece and quiet (I slept for 11 hours). The following Shabbat Jonny and Diane went away for Shabbat and their two youngest, Itiel and Shai-El stayed with us. The older 3 came for lunch so we got a glimpse of what it was like to be in an Ultra-Orthodox family with 9 kids. My parents are coming this Thursday and we are all very excited. I guess I should get to work now. Hope everyone is well.

Kol Tuv,
Zumi