Date Chocolate Chip Cake

1 cup dates chopped
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup  hot water
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup white sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup nuts
Soak dates in soda and water. Cream butter and sugar. Stir in 
flour, eggs, cocoa, vanilla and 1/2 chocolate chips. Add date 
mixture Pour into greased cake pan. Add remaining chocolate 
chips and nuts to top of cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 
minutes.