I just wanted to update you all since my last post. I'll keep this one brief.

I've received my internship placement, and although it is not what I originally wanted, it is going to be a great experience. I'm going to be at the psychiatric treatment unit at the Center for Behavioral Health at Florida Hospital, doing case management and discharge planning. As far as grad school, I took the GRE and am in the process of applying... I hope to have it in by Dec 1st.
As far as the wedding, we are looking into moving it up to Dec 2007... the main reason being that we decided that having a wedding in the summer in Florida wasn't the best idea. The plan B was to have the wedding in March, but being that my mom is an accountant, the timing didn't work for her. So.... that's how we ended up at December. We're also thinking of having the wedding in Ft. Lauderdale instead of Orlando.... more to come on this later.
Also, my winter break plans are finalized. My friend Carlee and I are flying into NYC (Orlando to LaGuardia) on Dec 9th to finally take the trip we've been talking about for months.... then she'll fly back on the 14th and I'll meet up with my cousin David at Newark... and then he and I are off to Israel for ten days! We'll be back on Dec. 25th. I'll fly from NY to Fort Myers to spend a week or so with Jon and his family, relaxing at the Caribbean Beach Club!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to be the first in the family to post on the Nuko-Nosmas blog! I figured this would be a good opportunity to let everyone in on what I've been up to lately.
In August, I started my senior year at the University of Central Florida, so I will be graduating this May (May 3rd to be exact!). This is my last semester of full-time undergraduate coursework... in January I start an internship. This is a requirement for all social work majors. It's 28 hours a week, so basically 4 days a week, 7 hours a day. The other day is spent in a seminar with my classmates, where we will discuss our internships and work on other projects associated with it. I will also be taking an online class in the spring semester to finish up my addictions certificate. I am currently in the process of completing the internship application process, which is a bit of a hassle. I am hoping to be placed at the Orange county public defender's office, working in the social services department. I am also in the process of applying to graduate school... I hope to have a decision by the end of the semester. For now, I am just applying to UCF for the advanced standing program. It is basically an accelerated, one year program. So, if all goes according to plan, I will finish with my masters in May 2008. Speaking of May 2008, that is also the month that Jon and I are looking at getting married. The tentative plan is to have the wedding about a week or so after graduation. I know, its crazy, but this way my parents can fly in for graduation and then stick around for a little while. Well, that's the plan anyway, but nothing is set in stone yet. :-)
I've also been really busy with my "extracurriculars". I'm president of the BSW Student Association at UCF, and I was recently elected as BSW Student Representative for the Florida chapter of NASW (National Association of Social Workers). Between that and work, I've definitely been keeping busy!
On another note, I'm planning on traveling to Israel this winter with the Taglit Birthright program. More info on the program can be found here. I've applied to tour with Oranim. Visit thier site for more info if you're interested. In the next few weeks I have a phone interview, and shortly after that I will hopefully be assigned a spot. My cousin David is also applying, so hopefully we will get to travel together. Upon returning from Israel, I'll be in Ft. Myers Beach for 2 weeks with Jon and his family at a timeshare they have. I've gone with them for the last few years and its always been a well needed, relaxing vacation.
That's about all I have for now..... visit my blog when you have time, I usually post whenever anything remotely exciting happens.... i'll also post pictures and other items of interest from time to time.

Oh, also, I'll be in Las Vegas from Nov 21-25. So for those of you who will also be in town for Thankgiving, I'll see you then!

TTFN,
Tej

Letters:

Hi Frank,

I just came across your blog while doing an OKUN search. I wish our family had as much interest in completing our family tree as you apparently have in yours. Knowledge of our Okuns is scant. About all I know is that my grandmother, Nehamah Podolnik (Emma in the U.S.) came to New York with a Yetta Okun and her several children, bound for Yetta's husband, Jacob Okun.

In tracing the family online the 1910 census has them as Jacob, age 44, Yetta, 25, Nathan 15, Isaac 12, Bertha 10 and Milton 6. Obviously, the ages are not all accurate. Original names of the children were Notel, Itsik, Broocha, Mousha. I was unable to read the names clearly. The family came from Iguman, near Minsk.

If any of the above is of interest please reply and I'll be happy to discuss.

Thank you.

Helaine B.

Rocklin, CA

Memories
I'm digging up some pictures from the albums my Mother (Tedda Samson Okun) left after her passing. I'd like to add captions to these pictures, but being young or not yet conceived yet, perhaps you can identify them, if there is no caption. You can post a comment or email me (frankokun@gmail.com).

Also, you will notice some additional links to the right. When you do a Google Search for Okun or Samson, you will be surprised what comes up! Search for your name, too...as you may find some interesting facts.

If you have any photos, send them along or email them to me to post.

-Frank

Since we haven't had a reunion in quite some time, I thought the creation of this "Nuko-Nosmas" (Okun-Samson Family Blog) would be a great place for us to "get together" until the next official reunion.

Included in this blog will be links to your own individual blogs. If you are not familiar with blogging, it's very easy to create one. Of course, if you need help, I can create one for you, or manage one for you....or you can simply email me and I'll post your info here.

Basically, a blog (weblog) is a "journal on the web". Sort of like a personal website for sharing comments, photos, info, etc. To create one, simply click this link: http://blogger.com )or go there after reading this) and follow the simple directions. Like I said, if you need help, just email me.

Some of us already have blogs, like my daughter, Tej. Of course, we have the Okun Family Blog from Vegas, as well.

So, lets all "reunite" here....if you are a family member or friend of the family, perhaps you have some information to share. Maybe some family history or genealogy. Even if you are from a different Okun, Samson, or fit somewhere into the genealogy....that's cool, too!

In fact, I'm sending this to all the Okun's and Samson's on the net that I can find. Who knows, maybe we can put all the puzzle pieces together!

Did my father, Max Okun, have a twin?

Anyway, contact me with your blog address or if you need help creating one. You can also leave comments to the blog posts within this blog.

Can't wait to start putting this all together.

-Frank Okun
Henderson, Nevada
frankokun@gmail.com