Hi again :-)

This will probably be my last update from Chicago, I am leaving Tuesday afternoon... Hard to believe that by tht time I get home it will be 3 weeks since I left... These weeks were SO much fun, it is so nice to be alone and able to do whatever you want, taking only yourself into consideration... Knowing that the girls and Ofer are having a great time together, allowed me to really make the most of my time here, and for that I am grateful... SO what happened since last week?? Work wise, it looks like I may have someone joining me in Nikken after all!!! This will happen after I return (she still needs to see a preview) but she seems interested. I am very happy because she is someone I will enjoy working with.

Today we had a "sing along" at my house here, Israelis like to get together and sing... OK, maybe not all Israelis, but I do, as do a lot of my friends. Right when I arrived I suggested having an evening, Yoni, a good friend of mine was very excited about the idea he plays the piano beautifully. Yoni went through a bone marrow transplant about 2 months ago, he has a rare blood condition called Mylo Fibrosis and this was the the only treatment option... tough times. (If you are the praying kind -especially my Neuroblastoma family, please keep him in your prayers)
Yoni turned 43 on October 3, my birthday is on the 13th, we figured what better way to celebrate our birthdays, Yoni's new beginning and the new year :-0) my house was chosen since we wouldn't be disturbing anyone and tonight at around 8:30 about 35 people gathered together and we sang until past 1:00 AM We had so much fun, there was Yoni on the piano, 2 guitar players, a Darbuka (no idea what that is called in English, I promise to look it up :-) and very enthusiastic singers... we sang new songs, very old songs, anything that came to mind... Singing and music gives such amazing energy,you can't help but smile when you sing, it was amazing...
So much so that I wanted towrite it all down before the feelings fade with everyday activity... Once again pictures were taken, as soon as Silvy sends them to me I will upload (along with my Birthday pictures ) But now, it is almost 2AM, I think I should say good night...

hugs and love to all,
Ronit

Me again

Can you believe it? all these updates in such a short time??? But tonight is a night to share and remember :-) Some of you may know that my birthday is coming up (on the 13th), when I lived here there were 5 of us who traditionally celebrated our birthdays together, very set routine, dinner at the birthday girl's choice restaurant, movie preferably a chick flick (although we have had some glitches...) and a gift, a good gift... Something you don't usually treat yourself to... This is a tradition, no surprises, we all expect it when our birthdays roll around.

I didn't expect it to happen tonight,,, I spent the afternoon with Orly and Orit, Orly wanted to go out to dinner and a movie, I was game... Orit said she needed to stay home so the two of us headed out. Orly decided that she wanted to go to a tapas place she heard about, I didn't care... On the way she wanted to stop at the drug store to pick up some stuff, no problem... We get there, I find the stuff she needed and am ready to head out, but NO she remembers she needs healthy snacks for the kids to take to school, she's all out... Health snacks? at a drugstore??? We went up and down the aisles looking for healthy snacks, how about granola bars? well, I don't know, is that all they have? no carrots? apples? Orly, this Walgreen's... Those who know me know how much I L O V E to spend time at stores, those who know Orly know how quickly she makes up her mind (NOT) I was starting to loose it... But then I took a deep breath, reminded myself that I wasn't that hungry, and if we didn't make it to the movies, it wouldn't be a big deal... I told her not to worry about the movie and started looking at Halloween decorations... She finally finished, spent $50.00 and we headed towards the restaurant... We get there, a bit hard to find but we did, we walk in, and we are asked "are you joining a group"? I say no, she says yes, and who do I see?? Orit, SIlvy and Nechama sitting at the table... I was shocked... Turns out she was killing time at Walgreen's to give Orit enough time to make it to the restaurant... Expensive time killing....We had a great dinner, drank LOTS of Sangria, at a certain point I realized I should keep quiet because I wasn't sure what i would say... Silvy brought a camera so we took some pictures I will upload some as soon as she sends them to me. After dinner we went to the movies, we saw Nights in Rodanthe with Richard Gere, beautiful sad love story, reminded me of the Bridges of Madison County for those who remember the book/film. I could relate to many aspects of the film, and I LOVE Richard Gere, it seems like he always has a new film out around my birthday, well maybe not always, I haven't been here for my last two birthdays... but the one before that was Shall We Dance with him, so he is becoming another tradition of sorts LOL. I had a great night, and the "surprise" aspect added to the whole thing... So thank you my friends, when I realized I would be spending my birthday in Chicago, I knew it would be great thanks to all of you!! I am very lucky!

Good night,
love,
Ronit

Quick update

Just to let everyone know I am still here, still enjoying my solo time, and still making the most of every day :-) I've been having quite a few Nikken meetings, unfortunately nothing has really developed into anything solid... I still have 10 more days, but I'm a bit disappointed... I don't know if it's everything that's going on around here with the economy and people just feeling down... You would think it would be a motivation factor but... Well, maybe it will get better... I hope so. On other fronts, it is so much fun seeing my friends and just hanging out... I saw Righteous killing the other night with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, very disappointing, I had great expectations, 2 such great actors... But it just wasn't flowing... you know what I mean? Well I hope to see a better movie soon :-).

I will ck back later I don't seem to have the muse tonight... Have a good rest of the weekend
love,
Ronit

Remember us????

Well...it's been forever, many things have happened and those of you who follow through our blog, are not aware... BUT, life is good! We are all happy and healthy and doing well. So who is where? (The million $ question with us) The girls are in Israel, going to school and living out their daily routine. Ofer is also in Israel visiting for the holidays, and yours truly? well I am in Chicago (latest version of trading places :-) I will be here for 3 weeks (arrived this past Wednesday PM) Giving Ofer some time alone with the girls, getting a VERY much needed break, and also working on expanding my NIKKEN business. I can hear the "your WHAT business?" if you're interested go to nikken.com and find out a bit more about what I do.I will only add that I've been doing it for about a year, love every second I spend doing this, and as my cousin said, "You spend a lot of time, not making any "real" money yet, and yet I've never seen you complain or moan about it"... The people, the product, the ideas I've been surrounded with for the past year have given me much strength and optimism to endure what has been a very challenging time on a personal level.
Back to my stay here in Chicago, I haven't been alone in such a long time, Maya is almost 12... I can't tell you how happy I am, to just be... It hasn't been easy being a single parent for the past 2 years, I even joked with a friend that at least when you are divorced you have every other weekend off and a weeknight, but with Ofer being on the other side of the world, this has never happened... So I really feel like I've earned this time :-) Last night I went Israeli dancing with my friends, truth be told I haven't danced in so long I barely recognize the music not to mention the dances, but seeing everyone is always fun. A very good friend of mine who didn't know I was in town was there by chance, we were SO happy to see each other... most people except my very close friends didn't even know I was in town, it was fun to see their expression when they saw me :-) remember I was here less then 2 months ago :-) So what are my plans... Sleep, Nikken.. Eat Nikken... Morning movies, Nikken... Friends, Nikken... See how great it is when you can do your job while having fun :-) Wish me well, and to all of us, a new year is upon us, may this be a year of health love and happiness! a few $$$ wouldn't hurt either :-) Love to all,

Ronit