In a couple of hours, at Bambi’s end, it will be October 31st. She is eager for the kids’ Halloween visit. Until then, and ahead of time, she will wish Mr. Rudy Ayoub a Happy 31st Birthday (https://tinyurl.com/39ebfbtt)!
Below is Mr. Ayoub’s latest short YouTube video featuring Dracula. Of note, when Bambi read this video’s title “Why Dracula hates Arabs“, she could not help not to wonder if it included any joke related to Israel or to the Israel-Palestine conflict, like other recent videos (some funny and others, a bit too much, at least according to her). Thank Goodness, the character was just an apolitical Dracula :).
Regardless of the above, Mr. Rudy Ayoub is so creative, highly skilled in acting, entertaining, and most often hilarious! With fond regards, Bambi wishes him a great year!
Montreal has many crying safety, housing, social, and economic serious issues.
Montreal is 5,600 miles (about 9,000 km) away from Gaza.
For two years, Montreal has seen violent demonstrations, sadly pretending to be in the name of Palestinians. As a reminder, the vandalism used during such demonstrations was rarely, if not never, punished.
Despite all the above, a so-called pro-Palestinian pledge is circulating among Montreal municipal candidates. More than 100 of them signed it (https://tinyurl.com/p7a9pccy).
Who knows? You might be someone who believes that this is the highest form of morality on earth. As far as Bambi is concerned, had she still been a Montreal resident, she would have definitely voted for a candidate who did not sign this pledge. Why?
Well, Bambi is saying the above not because she does not endorse the Palestinian cause, or feel the suffering of Gazans. Surely, she is also saying the above not out of fondness for Israel.
Indeed, she is saying so because a municipal candidate who does not sign such a pledge would likely be a local politician who has demonstrated that he or she knows how to resist current trends and social pressure, hoping the focus would be on what matters the most: Montreal’s affairs and quality of life.
Mr. Naim Kassem, head of the Hezbollah, has the nerve to inform his fellow Lebanese citizens that he “had no regrets about the decision taken on Oct. 8, 2023, to open a ‘support front’ for Gaza, which led to a 13-month war of attrition with Israel”.
Whether accurate or not, Israel is claiming that Iran managed to smuggle weapons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah via Irak and Syria (written media: https://tinyurl.com/5euj5s29; broadcast media: https://tinyurl.com/4vktsube ). If untrue, this is a war manipulation and it is unacceptable. If it is true, this is highly worrisome and totally unacceptable for Lebanon before Israel.
So, how do we expect the official Lebanon to respond given all the above challenges?
Why would the Lebanese army keep confiscating the illegal weapons in the country, with a key deadline of December 2025, if the land of the Cedar will remain stuck in the same old Middle East paradigm of endlessly absurd wars and terror mindset?
Why can’t the Hezbollah learn to accept its fiasco of military defeat by only playing its significant political role, like the rest of the Lebanese political parties or movements?
And when will Mr. Netanyahu finally stop threatening that “Israel won’t seek approval for strikes in Gaza or Lebanon despite truce” (https://tinyurl.com/475hkdw8)? When will Israel stop killing or scaring Lebanese people with its almost daily drone attacks here and there?
How will everyone TRULY give peace a chance? Innocent civilians are fed up of wars and eternal conflicts. They are sick and tired of violence, destruction, death, and trauma.
In the meantime, Lebanon seems to insist that it won’t negotiate peace, or normalization, with Israel directly or, maybe even indirectly (both suggested by the United States recently, as Bambi heard on an internet Beirut-based radio this morning)? Why not? Why not talk to all neighbours, enemies, former enemies, future potential enemies, and any other entity in the world like a mature, sovereign country once and for all?
How about faking sovereignty, as some fake confidence, until you make it? Fake neutrality. Then, it will become a new practice of neutrality with all (the Swiss style!). Negotiate with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, Palestine, the USA, Europe, Canada, China, Africa, South and North Korea, etc. Negotiate with Lucifer and with deaf walls, if you have to. For God’s sake, keep and never stop negotiating, with everyone, so Lebanese people can finally live in a country that can offers them minimum of safety AND dignity, like most of the noble places of the world!
Bambi’s spouse joins her in wishing both Bente (now) and Salome (five days later!) a double Happy Birthday :)! With much LOVE,”Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag” to both of them ❤️❤️!! This post, which does not need more words, will now let the music talk!
When was the last time you tried to replace your focus on a problem with healthy ways of coping with your problem?
Stated differently, to what extent have you tried problem-solving instead of obsessing with this problem?
Have your tried to maintain a positive attitude while being patient with both yourself and with your coping process?
What did you do to keep moving forward, despite your worries?
Regardless of any particular problem you might have had with anyone in particular, this post features Mr. Kendji Girac’s uplifting song about the choice of lightness, supportive friendships, joy, and personal growth in life.
It is Bambi’s hope that you will enjoy the joyful melody, the meaningful French lyrics (with an English translation shared below), along with the beautiful energy of Mr. Girac et al.
This being said, please have a good one dear readers, whether it is time for a night of sleep like for Bambi soon or time for a new dawn for you.
English Lyrics, thanks to Mr. Google Translate!
“Oh, oh, oh,
You’ve known failures and you still got back up.
You wanted to celebrate and you knew pain.
You’re carrying the weight of your mistakes, a little too heavy.
You looked elsewhere for a little comfort.
Just a little friendship to feel stronger.
That’s how we found each other.
It seems our lives are the same.
It seems our hearts wander.
It seems we see each other without embarrassment.
Together, we forget our problems.
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
When you’ve tried everything, but nothing works
If you want to give up when the problems pile up
But when you’re afraid someone’s going to play a trick on you
You’ll find a little comfort elsewhere
Just a little friendship, to feel stronger
That’s how we found each other
It feels like our lives are the same
It feels like our hearts are wandering
It feels like we see each other and without embarrassment
Together, we forget the problems
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
We know each other, we’re alike
You and I
No need for words to understand each other
You and I
We know each other, we’re alike
You and I
No matter what happens, we’re together
You and I
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
Forget, forget,
You and I
It seems like our lives are the same
It seems like our hearts wander
It seems like we see each other without embarrassment
Together, we forget our problems
You and me
You and me
You and me“.
Original French lyrics found on YouTube
“Oh, oh, oh,
T’as connu des échecs et tu t’es relevé quand même
Toi tu voulais la fête et t’as connu la peine
T’as le poids de tes erreurs pesées, un peu trop lourd
Tu as cherché ailleurs un peu de réconfort
Juste un peu d’amitié pour te sentir plus fort
C’est comme ça qu’on s’est trouvé
On dirait que nos vies sont les mêmes
On dirait que nos cœurs se promènent
On dirait qu’on se voit et sans gêne
Ensemble, on oublie les problèmes
Toi et moi
Oublier, oublier,
Toi et moi
Oublier, oublier,
Toi et moi
Oublier, oublier,
Toi et moi
Oublier, oublier,
Toi et moi
Quand t’as tout essayé, mais que rien ne fonctionne
Si tu veux tout lâcher quand les problèmes s’additionnent
Mais quand tu auras peur qu’on te joue un mauvais tour
Bambi has been silent lately. No time to breath, but she does not want to miss the chance to write, ahead of tomorrow, to wish her friend Olga a WONDERFUL forthcoming birthday!
Olga is not just a friend to Bambi’s spouse and to her. She is literally family!
Olga has a golden heart, which has room not just for her spouse, children, grandchildren, beloved close friends or relatives, but also for Bambi’s family MANY miles away. She thinks of them. She asks about them. She prays for them. Same for her spouse’s parents and aunt.
Every year, Olga sends Bambi and her spouse the most beautiful birthday card. A card handmade by herself. What an artistic talent! Of course, the card is filled with love and this makes it even more special. Since Bambi clearly lacks talent in painting, she will simply use this post as a virtual card to wish Olga a Happy Birthday. May tomorrow be a wonderful day for her! May her new year be rewarding in many different ways!
Of note, this year is a key milestone for Olga. Indeed, she just celebrated her Golden Anniversary with Manouchehr (or Cherri)! Fifty years together, WOW! Sadly, Bambi could not travel to Ontario to celebrate with them as she was flying to the Middle East to visit her dad (et al.). Congratulations to the love birds!! Bambi loves Olga, Cherri, and each of their children (along with their respective families) beyond blog words ❤️! Bravo to them for raising such a beautiful family. They provided their children with roots, to be grounded, and wings to fly and expand their horizons!
Olga, fond regards from New Brunswick to the great lady filled with humanity, mother and for the grandmother that you are. Thank you for being Bambi’s friend in good as well as bad times. Thank for having publicly and privately supported Bambi’s blog when it was under attack. Thank you for your time in continuing to read her posts. What a blessing and… Happy Birthday ❤️!
Have you heard of an incredibly talented singer-songwriter from Québec, called Ms. (or Madame) La Bolduc, and her unique songs? This post shares an uplifting song, which was composed by Ms. La Bolduc during Canada’s great depression of the 1930s. It is entitled “Ça va venir découragez-vous pas” [We will get there!]? For your convenience, and if you wish, an English translation of the lyrics can be found online: https://tinyurl.com/4t4a6xrw . Is there anything more powerful than a message of hope during financial dark times?
If you are a boring dinosaur like Bambi when it comes to movies, you may have missed watching “La Bolduc” seven years ago. Luckily, the distance between Europe and Canada is long enough to watch several movies on board of an airplane. Bambi chose to watch only one movie during her trip back home. It was La Bolduc. She was deeply touched by the character, talent, and life of this AMAZING artist. She went through a lot of adversity and kept her spirits up, just like in her songs. For instance, she lost many newborns, infants, and young children (maybe 6 or 7?). She raised her family in extreme poverty. She supported her husband. She composed up to two songs per month, and performed to her beloved audience even when she was extremely sick. What a lady!
The movie was also historically enriching for Bambi to watch since it included scenes featuring Ms. Thérèse Casgrain. The latter is an inspiring French-Canadian feminist, politician, and senator. As a gifted reformer, Ms. Casgrain successfully lead the campaign for women’s right to vote in Québec. Of note, she was the very first woman to be elected leader of a Canadian political party (https://tinyurl.com/47nxtx2j). During her long and fruitful political career, Ms. Casgrain “vigorously fought against social, economic and political injustices affecting both women and men” (https://tinyurl.com/47nxtx2j).
Bambi will end her post here to leave you with Ms. La Bolduc’s song, along with a brief promotional video of the French-Canadian movie in question. She hopes you will enjoy her song, which is inspired by Irish melodies and French-Canadian folk songs.
Bambi started her long day in the middle of the night (of yesterday now) in Beirut. She will end it soon in Sackville, New Brunswick. Atlantic Canada.
Just before entering the gate from which she boarded her airplane in the Lebanese airport, she saw two sets of double pictures that moved her heart. How could they not to, when they were telling the story of the bloody civil war (1975-1990), instantly contrasted with a story of quieter, yet not peaceful, present times?
The few minutes spent looking at the Beirut pre- and post-war-pictures made Bambi remember Poland, namely Warsaw. This beautiful place knows how to remember war victims, honouring their memory. Remembrance is the least at the human level. Remembrance is a must if we want not to repeat the same mistakes again and again.
This being said, Bambi thought again of Poland in her four-hour wait in Montreal for a third airplane on the way to her final destination. Actually, she thought of Mr. Frederic Chopin because today happens to be the 176th anniversary of his death. Warsaw remembered and honoured him (https://tinyurl.com/bpa9vpmr). May his memory be eternal and thanks to him for the incredible musical legacy.
A picture taken by Bambi at Rafic Hariri International Beirut airport.
A picture taken by Bambi at Rafic Hariri International Beirut airport
While still in Beirut, Bambi could not help not to share with you, dear readers, her quick reflection about how to survive in Lebanon given the highly unstable region and the complex domestic issues.
She gave it some thought and here are two elements of a possible answer to this existential question.
First, you can get inspired by street cats: taking naps on scooters, royally sitting on cars, or finding other comfortable ways to relax.
Second, you may wish to get inspired by T-shirts like the one in the picture below: “I don’t give a damn” OR “I don’t care” [“Je m’en fous” OR “Je m’en fiche”].
Both options are about attitude.
The cat way seems in line with the practice of mindfulness, which can train individuals to reach a calm mental state and be in a mental space of positive emotions.
The human way of “not giving a damn” is more in line with a voluntary state of “indifference“. Perhaps the latter is also in harmony with the psychological concept called “radical acceptance”, which facilitates the acknowledgement of circumstances we cannot control (without judgment, just acknowledging them) in order to ease one’s emotional distress.
May all the cats and human beings of Lebanon be safe and sound, regardless of the awful circumstances in the neighbourhood and domestically.
A picture taken by Bambi in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 16, 2025.
An older picture taken by Bambi in Beirut, Lebanon.
An older picture taken by Bambi in Beirut, Lebanon.
In a few hours, Beirut time, it will be Nicolas’ birthday!
A few hours ago, Tokyo’s time, Nicolas asked Mabelle to marry him… and guess what? She said YES!
His proposal was highly creative: two Japanese street artists [his friends :)] agreed to pretend to be drawing a painting for Mabelle. The painting was already produced by Nicolas himself, wow. Mabelle understood the message, especially when Nicolas knelt on his knees and proposed :). Needless to say, that she said YES! YAY!
Regardless of their uplifting Japan-based proposal, Nicolas and Mabelle make a beautiful couple. May God always bless them. For those who do not know it, Nicolas is not just Bambi’s nephew, but also her godson. Full of talent, he is awesome with his lovely character, mind, heart, and soul. Just like the meaning of her name in French, the gifted Mabelle is a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. They deserve all the happiness in the world. May their love for each other continue to bloom, as they embark on their exciting journey of increased commitment.
Mabrouk/Congrats DEAREST Mabelle ❤️and Nicolas ❤️!
Happy Birthday Nicolas-HABIBI ❤️!!
The “proposal” painting that Nicolas offered to Mabelle, along with a ring of love!
