the JOB

I started working yesterday, finally! I had a day of training last week, but the project kicked off at the beginning of this week. I'm doing market research and sales for an international communications company who has a major call center here in Jerusalem. I work from 3-11 pm (eek!), which is especially rough when you consider that I have Ulpan in the mornings from 8-12:30. But I am psyched to be having an income, and we will see what opportunities arise from the experience.

The building is located in this industrial area on the outskirts of the city, and I get to ride through a bunch of religious neighborhoods on the bus ride there. There's a gym there, which is awesome. And the people seem nice, which is important. I work in this huge area divided up into cubicles, where all different kinds of projects are going on at the same time, which makes it interesting. Almost everyone who works there is an immigrant.

We received - 0 - calls yesterday. I sure hope it picks up a little.

In other news, I have emerged victorious in my battle against the national health insurance beauracracy. And no, I am not being dramatic, it really has been a battle. I have been to the offices about 7 times, usually with little or no information, sometimes with the wrong information. Today I went down there, bothered people until I talked to the proper ones who could help me, and I (think) I should have coverage in 72 hours! That's what the woman told me. I'm not holding my breath, but I really think this is it. If it isn't, I might explode. And then because I won't have insurance, it will be a big drain on the beauracracy and it will serve them right!