Month: February 2023

If you are reading this post from Canada’s New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, have a Wonderful Family Day!

If you are reading this post from either Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia, Happy Islander Day or Happy Heritage Day to you, respectively!

If you happen to be located in Manitoba, Happy Louis Riel Day to you!

Now, if you happen to be anywhere in United States, Happy President’s Day [Hi Rita, Marina, and Charbel among all your fellow citizens :)]!

This being said, this post will feature a family of ducks and… a, yes, a single bird.

First, the family of ducks lives in Zaarour, Lebanon; thanks to Hala for the superb pictures ❤️! For those who have never visited Hala’s Mediterranean country, you may be interested to know that Zaarour is known for its ski resort. The latter is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Sanine (Metn District, Mount Lebanon).

Second, you may perhaps wonder why didn’t Bambi feature a family from her own province? Well, it is because this family of duck cannot stand the economic crisis of Lebanon. It is impatient to migrate to New Brunswick, Canada. However, they have been waiting for their permanent resident visa for about five years [yes more than their age :)]! They are praying for the Canadian bureaucracy to move faster. Yes, this is critical for their fellow ducks and human Lebanese friends who are suffering much. Thankfully, for now, Zaarour’s cold climate is preparing them for Canada’s winter.

Last but not least, now is the time to share the pictures in question and end in music with La vie en Rose; a song performed in French, English, and Arabic by Ms. Talia Lahoud. However, before concluding this post , Bambi would like to clarify the following: she is not discriminating against New Brunswick (NB)’s beautiful species by featuring a family of ducks from abroad. Indeed, below you will also see two pictures of a stunning NB bird, which were taken by her friend Brittany in her own garden.

Happy Family Day to Brittany and her lovely family ❤️, to her Northern Cardinal (or Cardinalis cardinalis) guest, to future newcomers (ducks or humans, from Lebanon or anywhere else), and to all of you dear readers… wherever you are!

GUS1THEGO travels the world (from out of Denmark) and, as an experiment, he asks people the following: “Do you have a country you don’t like? Which and why?”.

His latest “street experiment” took place in Lebanon.

In a world filled with hypocrisy, it is interesting to hear someone asking direct questions. It is also fun to hear people answering with genuine answers, regardless of the latter.

We all have wishes and dreams in life.

Some of our dreams may be impossible… and we find ourselves “dreaming the impossible dream, to reach the unreachable star” as per Mr. Joe Darion’s lyrics of the The Quest . The later is a famous song composed by Mr. Mitch Leigh. It is from the Broadway musical Man of the Mancha (1965).

When should we stop believing in our impossible dreams and give up on them? The answer will obviously differ based on the dream, dreamer, and the circumstances. Perhaps even the timing or stage of life in some cases. There is no single answer. There is no right or wrong outcome. There is the process inherent in each different learning journey from the dream in question to its outcome. The lessons learned may be life-changing and personal growth incredibly enriching.

Regardless, The Quest or La Quête is a song, which moves Bambi’s soul each time she listens to it because of its depth, beauty, and for personal reasons in her life thus far. One thing is sure in her mind: this song will remain eternal, regardless of the language and the performer. Thanks to all of them!

Bambi has earlier posts about the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and the Deutsche Bank and the obsession with diversity. They are shown below, if you are interested in reading them. Today, she would like to share a positive impression and interaction she had yesterday at a branch of the CIBC in the nearby province of Nova Scotia.

Unfortunately, Bambi does not have a picture of the promotional material in question, which is decorating the wall of this branch. She could not find it online for you. However, all what it shows, if Bambi recalls well, is a senior woman with a cute Golden Retriever. While doing her transaction with the friendly and competent teller, Bambi pointed to the picture at one point. She made a comment about the cute dog. Being a big mouth sometimes, she could not help not to add something like the following: Bravo for this beautiful natural picture. Despite the good intentions, such pictures are much nicer because they are more natural. Not pushing to include in the shot someone with a darker skin or an adult, or even a kid, with a veil to show someone who would be Muslim or Arab or whatever (like in the older post below).

Following the visit to this bank and town, Bambi returned home with hope for more common sense, balance, and authenticity, in our approach to diversity in life. In her mind, anyone of this bank’s customers can be touched by a cute dog, like a Golden Retriever, or that lady in the picture could have been Bambi’s mom or grand-mother [had Bambi been younger : )]. Yes, she related to her as an aging human being. She also identified with her as a woman perhaps at a different stage of her life (Bambi would be there too in a few years, if she lives until then). She also saw in her another fellow customer or Canadian citizen. Bambi did not care to know if that lady had blue or black eyes. Actually, she cannot remember that detail now. Same for her skin colour, white hair, darker or red hair, hat or veil or maybe just a nice hairstyle.

All what Bambi liked was the authenticity of the picture. With the latter, she could relate. With the latter, she also aspires to identify with hopefully until her last breath. Just being whom we are and not being “used” in a picture or in/by a movement, whether to score a point or to silence a different point of view.

To conclude this post, well done CIBC. Please keep it up. Today that lady may or may have not looked like Bambi’s mom. Tomorrow, it may be more like her. Perhaps with a tanned or a black skin. Perhaps with more weight on. Perhaps with a veil or a cross. Perhaps this lady’s spouse will also join her in the picture. He may have a kippah on his head. He may have a “Tarboush” (Lebanese traditional hat for men). He may be totally bald. If he seems authentic, she will also say: Welcome and thank you for this advertising picture!

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In the name of diversity, a CIBC branch in Moncton is promoting the sexualization of young girls

In all honesty, do you really care about the “woke” agenda of your banking institution when you bank?

On January 7, Bambi had a post of solidarity with singer Georges Wassouf whose heart was shattered in pieces when his son Wadiw died after a surgery.

Today, totally randomly, Bambi came across a song by the father for his son. What a heart-breaking yet beautiful tribute melody. If Bambi recalls well from a chat with her dad two months ago, Mr. Georges Wassouf recovered from a life-threatening vascular event (before his loss); and here he is singing again to honour his late son with his unique voice.

If you are interested, you may find the song below. The lyrics are in Arabic, but the emotions of sorrow are universal. The writer is Mr. Khaled Tag Eldeen, the composer is Mr. Mohamed Yehia, and the arranger is Mr. Zezo Farouk.

The YouTube video features moving family pictures where we can see Mr. Wadiw Wassouf, as a baby. We can appreciate the father-son love, which shows in their eyes, smiles, and the way they touch or hug each other. It is also moving to watch all the other beautiful family pictures.

Thanks to Mr. Georges Wassouf’s colleagues for their support. May Son Wadiw ‘s memory be eternal. May music contribute to soothe his dad’s aching soul ❤️.

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In solidarity with singer Georges Wassouf and his family

Every day is meant to love and be loved.

Love with a big L or… with a smaller one.

In our minds, some days like this one may be more associated with love.

Sadly, that same day meant for love is also associated with hatred. Bambi is thinking of a certain political assassination, which also killed many innocent citizens in Beirut; as usual with impunity.

However, despite criminality, love remains the most powerful force that can move hearts… and perhaps even mountains. Yes, love in all its forms and shapes, from a healthy self-respect/love to true romantic love, whether it lasts a season or a lifetime, to love of the world and ALL its people… whether we agree with their ideological or political views or not.

If she may, and even if they are sleeping right now, Bambi would like to offer this song to her mom and dad. She wants to thank them for giving her (and her siblings) life, inspiration, continuous support, and especially love.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, dear readers ❤️. Thank you for visiting this blog, whether silently or with your enriching comments.

Dear Roula et al.:

You may not believe it, but Bambi had in mind to surprise you with a post meant to welcome little “Dino” into your family (and in our larger one too).

Well, just before going to sleep now, she thought of reading the news from the Middle East. While doing so, she came across your Tweet Roula about Dino and it is in English [no need for any translation :)]!

Is there anything cuter than Dino?! Bambi fell in love with him and she looks forward to meeting him one day [OK minus any allergies :)].

She trusts he will bring you love and fun moments.

She knows you will bring him safety, food and, much love.

As for your dear Kayla, please trust that she also remains alive in Bambi’s memory since her earlier post about her (shown further below)❤️.

To conclude this brief post on a rather light note, Bambi would like to offer Dino the Lambada dance by a cat, along with two songs: (1) a Lebanese-Arabic one also about a cat [“Bissi”] called “Sissi“; and (2) a famous French kids’ song entitled “C’est la mère Michel qui a perdu son chat” : )!

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Good-bye sweetest Kayla!

Bambi has always been fascinated by those declared international or national days.

Some days are useful to raise awareness or to bring meaning into our daily lives.

Other days may seem senseless or odd to the point of becoming more than funny.

Well, today is “Self-love Day” and it falls on the day preceding Love (or Valentine’s) Day.

Self-love is all about self-respect and self-kindness.

It is surely a sign of a healthy relationship with oneself, which is essential to all relationships in life, whether romantic, friendly, familial, professional, etc.

It is the basis and the precursor. It is the start and it is the end… in the sense that we come into the world alone and we leave it alone, even if are surrounded by a tribe of loved ones.

Thus, we have an interest in being in good terms with ourselves all our lives. Getting to know and being kind with ourselves. This is essential across all the seasons of our journeys. Sometimes, perhaps in more vulnerable seasons like in grief, it may become critical, if not urgent for our survival, sanity, and continuous personal growth, to re-connect with oneself. Yes, this means putting ourselves first, being true with oneself, and re-cultivating (and enjoying!) self-love, if we lost track of it. At times, it may require us to even take baby steps to re-learn how to self-love.

Tonight, before going to sleep, Bambi wants to offer herself a musical treat. Yes, remember today is all about self-love :). One of her pleasures in life is to listen to Mr. Kendji Girac. So, she will self-indulge. However, because she cannot help not to care for you too dear readers, she will also offer you this musical moment. Yes, it is a melody meant to all of us, perhaps especially to women. Indeed, the song is called “Vous les femmes” [“You Women”]. It is originally by Mr. Julio Iglesias. Mr. Girac did a unique and lovely interpretation of it. Bambi hopes you will enjoy it!

Bambi does not want this day to end without paying tribute to the late and GREAT American singer and actress, Ms. Whitney Houston (https://bit.ly/3XoctOK). She has touched so many lives, around the world, with her incredible voice, talent, life, and… death. What a legacy, including international charities like the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children. Thank you and may your memory be eternal, Ms. Houston.