Some responses to comments in previous posts

On being a speech pathologist who was trained in America (from Butterflies in my stomach):

I was trained in America and am an expert on language development in English. While the general principles of language development in Hebrew are the same, I do need to learn what the developmental norms are for articulation (pronunciation of sounds) and language construction. I have an additional Master's degree in Bilingual Speech Pathology (or treating bilingual children), but need to learn specific norms for here.

My job here is working with multiply handicapped children who are, for the most part non-verbal. It involves working with switches and augmentative communication (using devices, both hi-and-lo tech) to communicate. My Hebrew is pretty good and I can handle this population. It would be more difficult for me to work with children with mild language delays who are very verbal, because their language would probably be richer than my own. Maybe in a few years.

From Maybe our blogger community can help:

I have posted a comment asking for Asaf's name for those who wish to say tehilim for him. In the meantime, Asaf's family has had some good news.

From Going postal, in which I put up a contest about what you can't do at the Doar, the Israeli post office:

Hah-hah to anonymous who guessed that you can't send and receive mail. You are cynical enough to live here!

To Mom-in-Israel, I heard that all tickets including speeding are paid at the Doar. AHEM!

Safranit adds that you can also buy school textbooks online through the Doar. Something tells me that's probably not a good idea.

Those of you who guessed that you can't get your shoes shined at the Doar are the winners. At least you can't do that at the Doar here in Modiin.

But yes, you can switch your TV remote control at the Doar for a new one, so those of you who guessed that, well, you lose! When ours stopped working for no apparent reason, my husband told me to go to to the Doar to get a new one. I thought he was playing a prank and sending a Candid Camera crew on me. But apparently this is a very normal thing to do here in Israel.

Just another cultural difference to be celebrated.

Finally, thanks to all of your good wishes on our anniversary.

Shavua Tov--have a great week.