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