Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, will be celebrated soon. Last year, this beautiful event coincided with Labour Day. In 2026, it overlaps with one of the saddest days of history, namely the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. May the memory of all the innocent lost lives be eternal.
To come back to Rosh Hashana (i.e., the Hebrew year 5787), this celebration is an opportunity for families/friends to come together to celebrate pleasant moments, cherish past memories, and hope for a “sweet” future for everyone. Like in the picture shared above, apples and honey are a symbol of wishes for good health and happiness. A round bread, called Challah (mmm!), symbolizes the continuous circle of life. Last but not least, pomegranates symbolize good deeds. Is there anything more heart-warming than kindness, or generous actions, toward someone else without expecting anything in return?
In addition to Rosh Hashana traditional celebrations, the Jewish new year precedes a highly spiritual day in Judaism called “Yom Kippur”. Celebrated 10 days later, Yom Kippur is usually spent in fasting, prayers, and self-reflection about forgiveness. Jewish or not, whether we are observant/spiritual or not, is there anything more liberating than the process of forgiving ourselves and those who have harmed us—intentionally or not?
May the new year bring love and peace of mind to everyone. May forgiveness, peace, love, and friendship spread from heart to heart. “Shana Tova” [A beautiful year] to all, especially to those who will be eating apples and honey soon : )!
From Naharnet, Bambi learned that Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar wrote on X the following: “We expect this stage to be completed during or towards the end of October, a crucial step towards uncovering the truth and achieving justice in one of the most painful cases for the Lebanese people” (https://tinyurl.com/4uk74wn9). Indeed, this translation is accurate and here is the original message in Arabic:
Perhaps criminal indictments do not necessarily have a firm deadline. However, the aching hearts of the grieving family members, and all the survivors, of the Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020 are overtired. Don’t they deserve to know when justice will be served (if ever)?
Of note, some of the 7000+ injured people are still in the coma, six years later. Can you imagine? Indeed, Bambi listened to a mother on a Beirut-based radio station last August 4th. The surreal story of her daughter was heart-breaking. If only for this mother and the young children of her beloved daughter, please Lebanon for once dare to end impunity.
Judge Tarek Bitar did his investigative work, despite all the obstacles and threats to prevent accountability. Beirut deserves to benefit from this judge’s remarkable independence. Same for the survivors and all the people of Lebanon who deserve to be, and to feel, protected by the rule of law.
Shat (շատ) thanks [yes, many thanks] Diana for sharing two lovely songs.
For those of you who do not know it yet, Bambi has always been fond of Armenia and of its culture. There is a reason why her childhood nickname is “Bambineh” : ). One of her dreams is to follow the steps of her parents by visiting Armenia one day.
To come back to the two Armenian songs, Bambi was recently worried about her friend’s drive late at night and under the heavy rain. She was reassured that there was no need to worry because of two Armenian songs that keep her awake and wanting to dance!
Well, after listening to the songs in question [without understanding their lyrics, except for the English part in the first one : )], Bambi understood what Diana meant. She hopes you will enjoy them too, dear readers.
Thankfully, the rain stopped and the sky is blue again. Long live the Armenian music… and may God always protect Diana, regardless of the weather in the Maritimes 💙!
Happy Labour Day… or happy non-statutory Monday (depending on where you are reading this post from)!
According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Labour Day, which falls on the first Monday in September, has been a statutory holiday since 1894. Its origins go back to “the first workers’ rallies of the Victorian era” (https://tinyurl.com/2jxspfjd). Of note, Labour Day is a meaningful holiday in North America because this long weekend marks the end of the summer; indeed, many schools start right after Labour Day.
Regardless of a statutory holiday or not, what does the end of the summer season usually mean to you, dear readers? Did this personal meaning change in comparison to last year? If you wish, please feel free to publicly share on this blog or more privately, if you prefer.
Who knows? Some of you might be feeling somehow nostalgic to what is coming to an end. Perhaps you are also enthusiastic while being concurrently apprehensive about the forthcoming fall season or maybe about a new stage or project (whatever it is)? Life keeps moving on and every change brings an opportunity for self-reflection and for growth.
Nevertheless, Happy Labour Day, if you will celebrate it. Whether you will or not, have a good one. May the week ahead be rewarding for everyone!
Right before going to sleep, Bambi was in the mood for listening to Ms. Ginette Reno. This is how she came across Mr. David Corriveau on YouTube who imitates her voice in such a remarkable way. As you can see below, he also imitates the voices of other great female artists, including Edith Piaf, Bonnie Tyler, Céline Dion, Lara Fabian, Laurence Jalbert, Isabelle Boulay, and Marie Carmen. WOW!
Of note, Bambi was so fascinated that she kept listening to to Mr. Corriveau’s YouTube videos several times. She even heard herself sharing with Louis that she fell in love with another guy from Québec :). Well, he was too focused on a work-related task that he said that he wants to know whom, but only after he completes his task :). Bravo to Louis for his diligence!
To come back to Mr. Corriveau, Bambi read about him and learned that he was born in Saint-Boniface in Mauricie. He started singing at age 7 in front of chicken at his family’s henhouse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he started sharing his talent online to entertain people. He became famous. After a famous TV interview, his artistic career took off. More recently, he was one of the stars of the Montreal-based “Just for Laughs Festival”. On March 26th, 2026, he gave a show in Edmundston, NB (https://tinyurl.com/4rjwkmmx). Wow, just 4 hours away from Sackville :).
Bambi hopes you will enjoy this post, dear readers. As for Mr. Corriveau, Bambi urges him to keep singing!
Bambi does not know Mr. Malik Ghazi. She just recalls how much she was touched by his worrisome story, which took place on October 13, 2025. She read about it in Naharnet, which also published his beautiful picture: “20-year-old goes missing in Ain Aata. Young man Malik Ghazi, born in 2005, went missing after leaving to have a quick workout in his hometown of Ain Aata in the Rashaya district yesterday, Sunday, at 11:00 am, and has not returned home. If you have any information about him, please contact: 03/318505″ (https://tinyurl.com/vykrjse3).
Back then, she wondered what happened to this young man. She suspected an Israeli ugly war act and she prayed for him and for his family before closing her eyes to sleep.
Today, she read about wonderful news coming from out of Israel, as reported by the Lebanese Naharnet: “Israel on Thursday released Lebanese captive Malek Ghazi, who was handed over to the Lebanese Army through the Red Cross. Israel will also release four more Lebanese captives and return them to Lebanon as a diplomatic “gesture” to the government in Beirut amid ongoing negotiations between the two sides, an Israeli official confirmed. Israel’s Channel 12 said the move comes in coordination with the U.S. and within the framework of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. More than 30 Lebanese captives are still believed to be in Israel’s custody” (https://tinyurl.com/mu3rdjh5).
May everyone return back home safe and sound, starting with the four war prisoners who may hopefully be released tomorrow. May the Israeli-related request about the remains of the Jewish Lebanese people kidnapped/killed by the Hezbollah during the Lebanese civil war be also taken seriously.
May both the Israeli occupation, along with any kidnapping, and the Hezbollah’s illegal weapons end. May Lebanon be sovereign and capable of protecting its citizens. Enough of absurd violence and civilian suffering. Enough of wars.
YES, it is Bambi’s dream that reason will return to people’s minds and love, along with forgiveness, to their hearts. May peace prevail in everyone’s inner world as well as across borders. All innocent people deserve to live in dignity, freedom, and peace. Life is already too short… Let’s not make shorter.
As for Mr. Malik Ghazi et al., Bambi who is delighted for them wishes them all the best!
Ms. Céline Dion’s voice is one of the most beautiful ones in the entire world. She is a diva, not just a singer. She is a symbol of Canadian and French-Canadian pride.
Over all years of her global fame, Ms. Dion remained grounded and filled with authenticity and humanity. Of note, she is an inspiring, living example of resilience in the face of life adversity (fertility journey, grief following death of loved ones, illness, etc.). Bravo to her for doing better following a battle with symptoms of the stiff person syndrome diagnosed in 2022 (as per an older post shared below, along with more recent ones). Bambi had the opportunity to watch the 2024 “I am Céline” documentary movie on the airplane taking her to Europe a few months ago. She was deeply touched, especially by the tough-to-watch scenes related to her illness. What an amazing lady and what a great artist.
Indeed, Ms. Dion travelled all the way to Paris, France, for a series of 16 concerts (https://tinyurl.com/49k48jcz). The lovely YouTube video below from Le Parisien shows her singing with her fans spontaneously in front of her hotel. Some seem to be sidewalks. Others on balconies.
Ms. Dion took the time to sing for her fans following several hours of rehearsal. Imagine how tired she must have been with a jetlag and with all the singing, and maybe dancing, practice. Yet, she stays true to herself: generous and loving with others.
Remarkably, Ms. Dion’s French fans are moving too because they seem to appreciate her lot. They also know her songs by heart while singing them well.
To conclude this brief post, thanks to the Le Parisien, and all the other media, for sharing those beautiful human and artistic moments on the internet. As for our beloved Céline, or Ms. Dion, BRAVO. Bless her ❤️ and all the best for her concerts. May she enjoy Paris and have lots of fun!
Twice in his youth, Bambi’s dad visited Jerusalem, from out of Beirut, on his Vespa scooter; the first time with his friends, the second was with his family members.
Unlike her dad, Bambi has never visited Jerusalem. Only once, she had the chance to visit this place for work reasons, as a PhD candidate. Unfortunately, although the reason of that trip was a dream conference and it was fully funded by one of her supervisors, she decided to decline this opportunity to keep being able to visit her family in her birth country. Indeed, for those who do not know it, Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic relationships still (and now there is a current re-occupation). In other terms, these two neighbouring countries remain in a legal state of war.
Even if she can see the beauty of Jerusalem in pictures, videos, and/or hear stories about it from here and there, Bambi does not have any spiritual dream to visit this place. She can read Jesus’ stories, or listen to prayers or Christmas songs, while using her own imagination and this is enough for her.
Despite the above, of course she understands the spiritual attachment toward this place in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Of note, the order used in the former sentence is strictly alphabetical since, in Bambi’s opinion, no religion should have an exclusive monopoly on Jerusalem’s beauty. As a matter of fact, the charm of this place (city or capital, as you wish), is its rich historical and spiritual heritage, at least in her mind… and from very far away.
She does not know about your own thoughts, but as far as Bambi is concerned, she is allergic to the religious component of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to any other armed conflict, including the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). With all due respect to everyone, she isn’t fond of the religious tension or rivalry among religions. She finds it both dangerous and absurd.
Whether it is perceived as the Temple Mount or as the Alqsa Mosque, for Bambi this so-called holy site is the same: a beautiful historical and spiritual place. The same “house” of God/G-D and maybe also a touristic site that everyone would enjoy visiting and finding inner peace in. Why not?
Of course, the above is Bambi’s own perception (yours is likely different) and the reality on the ground is something else. We all know the facts or learned about them in school, regardless of one’s preferred historical and/or current lens. One thing is clear: over the past 59-60 years, there have been many tragedies and crises related to this Temple-Mosque holy site. Many innocent people absurdly lost their lives. Others were injured. Sadly, some unwise Israeli politicians as well as Palestinian religious men fired up the crowds—on both sides.
Most recently, the media keep reporting about an odd AND uncivilized Israeli character called Mr. Itamar Ben Gvir. Along with a few settlers, Mr. Ben Gvir went to Jerusalem, despite his own government’s imposed status quo on the Temple-Mosque holy site (in which he is a Minister, imagine; https://tinyurl.com/ydeb5jcw). In the name of a personal prayer there, which would have been his natural right in a different context, he once again provoked Palestinians and many, if not most, of his fellow Israelis who do not like his reckless methods or messages.
In this highly tensed powder keg of the Israeli-conflict, as an extremist, Mr. Ben Gvir keeps provoking the extremists of the other side (e.g., Hamas et al.). Mr. Ben Gvir is putting his beloved Israel at increased risk of more troubles. Hasn’t he heard of the wise French saying that goes like this: “who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind”?
Because of this risk, at a critical time of history, does Mr. Ben Gvir deserve to remain part of his government? And most importantly, will he remain a politician after the forthcoming Israeli elections? Or will he return to his legal career and let the Israeli public life as well as the world be free of his shocking actions and statements? If so, can this give the cause of peace a better chance of one day seeing the light… if miracles exist even in apparently unsolvable world conflicts?
Unity among nations and religions, or branches of religions, is a noble and wise value. For this reason, Mr. Khamenei’s words appear to have merit. However, actions usually speak louder than words.
For decades, the Iranian regime has funded and organized proxy militias in several countries of the Middle East, including Lebanon as well as Irak and Yemen. Furthermore, the relationships of this regime with Gulf countries have been historically strained. Of course, the current, ongoing regional war between Iran and the USA (+ Israel) has worsened the context described above.
Of note, Tehran has struck Gulf countries several times, targeting both American military bases and infrastructure (water, power, buildings, etc.), namely in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain. Similarly, whether acting independently or under the orders of the Iranian regime, proxy militias have opened fire on Israel, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other military groups like the Yemen’s Houthi movement and the Iraq-based Katai’b Hezbollah. We sadly now know how things are unfolding in Lebanon with the re-Israeli occupation of its South.
Today, the Iranian regime is either too desperate (most likely) or is having an epiphany moment (if miracles happen) to wisely think of unity with “Islamic” countries, “especially the countries of West Asia and the Gulf” (https://tinyurl.com/5he6u3j7). One must also remind Mr. Khamenei that, thankfully, many if not most countries are not “Islamists” like his own state.
Whether the Iranian regime is desperate or still resistant, it would be beneficial for the innocent Iranian people, Muslim world’s citizens, countries, and the entire world if Mr. Khamenei stops speaking in the name of the beautiful religion of Islam. Leaving religions out of the region’s power struggles and hegemonies would be both honest and wise.
Humans are known to naturally resist change. When it comes to radical Islamists, like Mr. Qassem, there is an additional layer of ideological rigidity along with a sense of military entitlement.
Of course, defeat is hard to swallow for any warrior. However, blind loyalty to foreign entities—without a minimum of consideration for the best interests of one’s country—is a recipe for disaster for all.
Concerning disasters, Lebanon is still recovering from (or drowning in) a multitude of crises, including but not limited to the major financial crash that affected its banking sector, the Beirut explosion, and two consecutive wars.
Given all the above, Lebanese people are tired of wars, threats to their safety, and increased reasons to leave their beautiful country. Can Mr. Qassem think of his innocent fellow citizens before making statements (https://tinyurl.com/478dm727)?
Clearly, Hezbollah’s leader remains against the America-sponsored Lebanon-Isarel framework agreement (he does not want his militia group to give its weapons to the Lebanese state). Nevertheless, what is his alternative plan, if any? Or is it to continue with wars, the ongoing one… and future ones?
If Mr. Qassem’s vision for Lebanon is to keep dragging it into wars… NO, thank you. Imperfect framework agreements remain a wiser option under the current TRAGIC circumstances. May wars, local and regional, end as soon as possible. May peace prevail in the Land of the Cedars and in its entire neighbourhood across all borders.
