Written November 22, 2009

To my dear family, friends, neighbor, hello to you all.

I am fine, having a real good time. Last week was a busy one and very interesting.  My friend Alima was admitted to the Ichilov Medical center in Tel-Aviv. She asked me to accompany her on the day she will be operated.(All is well, she is doing fine).  I did arrive in the hospital at 6:00 am, got lost in the multiple buildings, was IMPRESSED at the cleanliness of the place and found my way to her room. The unit, a state of the art design, looks more like a fancy hotel lobby. Carpeted, wood paneling, nursing station not like the traditional one. Alima was scheduled for 7:00 am and BINGO, they came to pick her with her own bed, on time. I was able to go with her to the O.R. area. Then I was instructed to stay in the waiting room. Here came the surprise for me. 2 screens.  One, is the ongoing Info. about the Pts. Continuously, Pt. initials with last 4 #'s of their ID. (Every Israeli citizen has an ID card.) on the screen giving info such as: In OR, In recovery, ready to leave, etc. The other screen in the room was a large T.V. Well, Well, the best, educational, informative, interesting movie was screened about Type 2 Diabetes.(made & produced in Israel). The hr. went fast. (November was declared diabetes month, after the UN stated that Diabetes became a world Epidemic).

When Alima was transferred to the recovery unit, I was called & escorted to her side x a very quick visit. A tall woman with the darkest black of black hair and a large hairdo, turn to me and greeted me with a "hello". I could not get my eyes off her, for, around her eyes was painted dark black circles with 2 lines extending to her temples. In addition, 2 more lines were painted under the eyes above her chicks. I guess, my puzzled face,said it all, when she addressed me and asked "what are you looking at"..... I did not miss a beat  and answered " I love your makeup". Then she said,"why don't you do it too ??"  Now I did look closely and said "I am not sure I will look as good as you"......  As I was escorted out, the volunteer, (she is an official escort in & out), told me,: "She is the head MD in the Anesthesia department at the Hospital".....   Only In Israel.....

Last Shabbat, I was a guest at the Bar-Lev,  Miriam Bar-Lev is my friend since I was 12 years old. The live in a Moshav (a farming community) name Bet-Gamliel. Both are Agronomist, having on their farm Avocado & Pecan trees. They both eat avocado daily 7 their Cholesterol is on a perfect level.

I miss you all, I love you all, Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, that me  Esther.