a balloontwister’s aliya saga

Hi -

Its been an interesting day. Due to the fact that we don’t have a TV and don’t have the time and hebrew knowledge yet to listen to the radio… the only way I know what is going on in Gush Katif is through the internet. I also heard that people in my shul were organizing to drive to gush katif and be part of the hafganah… protest.
I don’t see that many “activists” in My area. There are alot of children with organge ribbons on their bicycles and baby carriages. There are also kids that collect money for gush gativ. Give them 5 shekel and you can get a bumper sticker. Other than that its been quiet in my neck of the woods. Tommorrow the kids “graduate” from summer ulpan. Not sure what they learned but it got them out of our hair for 4 hours the past 2 weeks. Now the fun starts.. entertaining kids while trying to get the house in order…
I spoke to shwartzie today and Kenny yesterday… It was good hearing from the old country. Also, David Korn’s daughter sent a letter to Michal that came today.
Our first non bill in israel… Actually Im not sure about two other letters.. Maybe it was a bill.. maybe not.. It was in hebrew.
Today, we got our DSL line… the bad news is I think my wireless router is broken… The lights are on.. but no bites are being sent.. If anyone has any ideas on troubleshooting… you have my address…
Wednesday I have a job interview in Haifa with Microsoft… It involves some telecommuting because it is a LONG drive / commute.. so we’ll see…
An interesting thing you don’t see everyday… In the bank in Ramat Beit shemesh I saw a heter iska hanging, everytime you see a “non jewish thing” in a jewish setting.. you see a “jewish ” thing in a non jewish setting… Its an interesting place…
Tommorrow I also plan on taking the train for the first time. I have to pick up a rental car from the airport so I think I’m going to take the train. If I have to stop for it while on route 38… I may as well take it and stop someone elses drive.
well, its almost 11pm despite efforts to head to bed early… so have a great rest of the day…
p.s. Teps, the 9 days are over… you CAN change your socks now…