Bambi's Thoughts
Bambi discovered a wonderful singer yesterday evening while working. Thanks again to her Lebanese-American radio station from LA 🙂 . She now learned that Ms. Yasmina Joumblatt, singer and songwriter, is the “great-granddaughter of the legendary 1930s diva Asmahan” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asmahan). Wow!
Anyhow, her voice is SO beautiful…
Her message is moving (in French, with a sentence in Arabic, sub-titled in English).
Yesterday, Bambi learned from Reuters that “Lebanon warned Israel on Sunday against any “aggressive action” in disputed waters where both states hope to develop offshore energy, after a ship arrived off the coast to produce gas for Israel” (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-warns-against-any-israeli-aggression-disputed-waters-2022-06-05/).
Today she read in Naharnet that “Israel is relieved over border row after Iran reassured it on Hizbollah” (https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/290238-report-israel-relieved-over-border-row-after-iran-reassured-it-on-hizbullah).
We can read the above piece of information with relief, and even joy, that apparently there will not be a round of war over the latest confrontation in Lebanon. Plus another reassuring news is that Lebanon wants US mediation to help solve this new crisis (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220606-lebanon-wants-us-mediation-after-israel-gas-ship-move) and Israel states that this gas dispute can be resolved “diplomatically” (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gas-dispute-with-lebanon-be-resolved-diplomatically-says-israeli-defmin-2022-06-06/). How wonderful if fairness in diplomacy can have the last word. Thanks to the United States if they will accept Lebanon’s invitation.
Bambi does not know much about the history or story behind this latest development. She just knows that the people of her birth country have suffered from domestic political paralysis for a LONG time. Her questions today are neither about the “(still) official enemy” of Lebanon, Israel, nor about Lebanon or even the Hezbollah. Her questions are about how the fate of a tiny supposedly sovereign country is decided, far away, in another country: What does sovereignty mean? Does the international community care about Lebanon’s sovereignty, like it cares or would care for other conflicts? Is this story strictly about gas or could it be related to the larger problem in the area about the nuclear ambitions of Iran? Or is just raising the latter question a form of a “conspiracy theory” by Bambi, as they say, she wonders now?
Anyhow, regardless of any question, what matters the most is to ALWAYS allow diplomatic channels of communication, even through a third party, to have the last word. Only a good communication, ideally along with good faith by all (as much as realistically possible), can solve imminent problems and prevent long-term armed conflicts in our world. In the end, we have no choice but to return to the negotiation table to solve the world’s problems, even when they last for 15 years like the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). Last but not least, it is Bambi’s hope that Lebanon will not be used as a battleground for (any failed?) US Middle Eastern policy.
To conclude this post on a light musical note, and if she may with all due respect, Bambi would like to offer this kids’ song entitled “I am a good listener” to the US mediator, Mr. Amos Hochstein (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Hochstein), if he will re-visit Lebanon soon. Best wishes!
Sometimes Bambi likes to hear the same song over and over. There is something soothing about repetition in life (when it does not becoming boring to death :).
Seriously, since yesterday evening, one song has been on Bambi’s mind, even before closing her eyes to sleep. It is called Bayti Ana Baytak [My home is yours] and it is like a prayer (spiritual). Thank you Fairouz and the Rahbani Brothers for the Key Guardian album, which includes this beautiful melody. In Arabic, the album in question is called Natourit el Mafatih.
Did you know that tiny Lebanon,10,452 km2 (4,036 sq mi), has several small islands, including the largest one called the”Rabbit Island” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_Lebanon)?
The overall area of the Rabbit Island is about 4.2 km ² (likely also including the two smaller islands of Ramkeen and Sanani). It is located 5.5 Km from the coast, namely from the Noth-West of Elmina, Tripoli.
Now, if you are curious about the cute name of this island, like Bambi has been during her childhood, here is its origins: It comes from the LARGE number of rabbits that were grown on it during the French mandate of Lebanon in early 1920s (Lebanon got its independence on November 22, 1943). Cool, isn’t it? Here is picture of a rabbit for you taken from Plus 961 (https://plus961.blog/2020/07/16/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-rabbits-island/).
Before showing you two short yet fun videos featuring this island that Bambi found on YouTube, here are some interesting pictures and facts.
The first picture comes from 961:
The next picture below shows another resident of the island, thanks also to Plus 961. Well, as can you see it is a beautiful giant sea turtle!
This picture of the giant sea turtle is now bringing Bambi perhaps 37 years ago [when she was born : ). That was a joke obviously]. She was a teenager at the time on a kayak by herself across from the coast of a city North of Beirut, called Jounieh. She saw five giant turtles floating and looking completely still. Her excitement to bump into them did not last long as she quickly understood that something was deeply wrong about them. She quickly reached the shore and called for help. Two men came and checked on them. They were divers and experts of the sea. Their verdict was that the five turtles got killed by the heavy shelling the night before that morning. Leaving this very sad story behind, Bambi will now share a happier scene with you:
OK, enough of rabbits and turtles now and back to the island itself and its human guests, the tourists.
Indeed, there will be a last fact or fun human story for you before the two promised videos, which will be followed by three songs, to end this post on a musical note.
First, we will hear our own Mr. Daniel Lavoie singing in French, with English sub-titles, J’ai quitté mon île [I left my island]. Second, if you wish, you can hear a very talented Lebanese singer discovered lately by Bambi, thanks to a Lebanese-American internet radio station. Her name is Ms. Christina Haddad. Her first song does not need any introduction as it is Madonna’s La Isla Bonita. Last but not least, Mr. Haddad’s last song is actually on of Bambi’s favourite ones in life, as you may know. Yes, it is the Egyptian Three dakat [3 heart beats] about a summer love on the beach. Ms. Haddad interprets it in her unique way and pace. Bambi hopes you will enjoy it.
Before letting music have the final word, it is time now for the last historical piece of information related to the Lebanese islands that Bambi mentioned earlier. Thank you Plus 961 for the interesting information!
Mr. Wael Kfoury is a Lebanese artist filled with talent. He is a songwriter, musician, singer, and even actor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wael_Kfoury).
Below you can find a quick English translation of his Lebanese-Arabic song entitled “Kilna Mninjar” [We all get pulled], which Bambi loves, especially the first sentence. The latter reminds us that we are all human. Yes, a hardship can bring out the worst of human nature in anyone of us. However, the good piece of news is that it can also bring the best of human nature… Thank Goodness.
This being said, thanks/bravo to Mr. Kfoury for his great talent, beautiful voice, and inspiring career!
“We all get pulled. We start walking on a path, which starts good and turns evil (2)
And you are free
This life is very alluring
Our planet keeps spinning
And you want us to walk straight?
An to ignore the truth?
Do you want to hear the truth?
People hate hearing the word “No”
This world turned upside down
What is forbidden is what we desire the most
The difference between what is right and wrong is getting smaller
If you want a lot from something
Don’t reveal your love for it
What you want the most
Ignore it the most”.
In 2021 Bambi offered her sister and nephew personalized birthday songs with their respective names found on Youtube. A year later, their double birthday post is slightly different with one song meant for a nephew and the other for a sister (thanks to a certain Mr. Claude Marceau for making his two videos public).
In addition to the above, Rania and Michael you will also be jointly offered “Sana Helwa Ya Gamil” [the Arabic version of Happy Birthday] and “Oui, c’est la vie” the joyful song of Sheb Khaled inviting you/us all to dance.
May you have a wonderful day and a great year, each one of you! Bambi loves you beyond any word in any language, including music 🙂 ❤️❤️!
Bambi has an older post on “love with a big L”, as shown below.
This post is more focused on romantic love and it is strictly musical.
If she may, Bambi would like to offer this lovely song, produced by Sway Entertainment, to to her friend Mary and her sister Roula. If she recalls well, both of them shared with her this beautiful artistic performance on the streets of Beirut. Well, while searching for another Lebanese song, she came across this one. See it was meant to be posted :).
Bravo to these Lebanese artists who creatively blended a famous English love song with an Arabic classical one, Ahwak by the great Egyptian singer, Mr. Abdel Halim Hafez (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdel_Halim_Hafez).
May ONLY love fill the streets of Beirut… May love, with big and small Ls, warm people’s hearts and inspire their minds wherever they are in Lebanon or around the world, including us here in Canada!
Bambi loves Ms. Ginette Reno. Indeed, she admires her incredible voice and inspiring career. We are so lucky (blessed even!) to have her in Québec/Canada.
Tonight, almost randomly, Bambi discovered one of Ms. Reno’s most uplifting songs entitled “Merci la vie“, which means “Thank You Life“. Below you can find an English translation (in bold) for you, taken from Musixmatch, followed by the melody.
Bambi hopes you will enjoy this song as much as she did. If she may now, she would like to offer it to a good friend, much talented in gratitude toward life, who also enjoys travelling around the world (e.g., Yerevan among other destinations).
Lyrics (English in bold)
“For the earth and for the water
/ Bravo!
Pour la terre et pour l’eau / Bravo!
For the
sky and the bird / Hats off!
Pour le
ciel et l’oiseau / Chapeau!
For the sun, the rain / Also!
Pour le soleil, la pluie / Aussi!
I say
thank you!
Je dis
Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
For this world that goes / Viva!
Pour ce monde qui va / Viva!
For those
peals of laughter / Hooray!
Pour ces
rires en éclats / Hourra!
For a few tears too / Too bad!
Pour quelques larmes aussi / Tant pis!
I say thank you!
Je dis Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
For the stream that goes to the
sea
Pour le
ruisseau qui va vers la mer
For the oasis in the desert
Pour l’oasis dans le désert
The showers of stars and their procession
Les pluies d’étoiles et leur cortège
For major holidays and for
Christmas
Pour les
grandes vacances et pour Noël
For the bees and for their honey
Pour les abeilles et pour leur miel
Easter bells and snowmen
Les cloches de Pâques et les bonhommes de neige
For that grenadine/Chin milk!
Pour ce lait grenadine / Chin!
Chin!
Chin!
When we have to go / Bye!
Quand il faut qu’on s’en aille / Bye!
Bye!
Bye!
And for all these feedback / Hello!
Et pour tous ces retours / Bonjour!
I say
thank you!
Je dis
Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
For all we have / Extra!
Pour tous ce que l’on a / Extra!
For what
remains to be done / Great!
Pour ce qu’il reste à faire / Super!
For this infinite dream / Also!
Pour ce rêve infini / Aussi!
I say thank you!
Je dis Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
Lalalalalala / Gift
Lalalalalala / Cadeau
Lalalalalala / Hat
Lalalalalala / Chapeau
Lalalalalala /
Lalalalalala /
I say thank you!
Je dis Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
Lalalalalala / Will live
Lalalalalala
/ Vivra
Lalalalalala / Extra
Lalalalalala / Extra
Lalalalalala /
Lalalalalala /
I say thank you!
Je dis Merci!
Thank you life!
Merci la vie!
Lalalalalala / Great
Lalalalalala / Super
Lalalalalala / Bye Bye
Lalalalalala / Bye Bye.”
Hope in Lebanon did not last long since its last May 15 Parliamentary elections.
Hope of change with some new faces of independent, and highly skilled, elected politicians.
Hope of economic reforms and accountability to end corruption and bring justice.
Hope of the end of sectarianism and ghosts of strife or wars.
Why is Bambi saying all the above? Well, she just learned from journalist Roula Douglas’ re-tweets that the new Lebanese Parliament elected the same (highly corrupt) “dinosaur” for the seventh times in a row as President of Parliament. What a joke. Should we sarcastically laugh or cry “dam albna” (cry the blood of our heart, as they say in Lebanese Arabic)?
How sad for Lebanon. There too, like in Canada, politicians like to use beautiful words. Bambi read that someone said: It is a big day for democracy in Lebanon. He is right: it is a BIG day. Mabrouk! Not for democracy… but rather for STUPIDITY :(.
In the meantime, look at where Lebanon is now in terms of economic distress: Yes # 1 on the list before (in order) Belarus, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine.
To conclude this post on a musical note (even if the heart does not feel like singing), one melody comes to Bambi’s mind while thinking of the people of her birth country. It is Mawtini [My Homeland] interpreted by the moving Ms. Talia Lahoud and sub-titled in English.
Is Bambi’s mom who, 49-50 years ago intuitively knew she was carrying a girl in her womb and even chose her name, simply “one of the people we love“? How is that possible? Yes, are our mothers “people we love” and are we to our children “people they love“? Why can’t we still call the most meaningful spade of our life a spade? Don’t mothers of the world deserve it?
Thank you Dr. Mathieu Bock-Côté for your thoughtful article in Le Figaro from which Bambi learned the following (https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/societe/mathieu-bock-cote-fete-des-meres-ou-fete-des-gens-qu-on-aime-20220527):
“The media informed us this week that, in a growing number of French schools, Mother’s Day is replaced by a strange name, namely “Day of the People We Love”. The stated reason is often the same: Mother’s Day would discriminate against children from single-parent or homoparental families, or, even more, against those who are victims of parental abuse. Why then confine love to an exclusive figure to which not everyone would have access?
Behind this claimed sentimental pragmatism, a completely different movement is revealed, which we have become accustomed to associate with deconstruction. In the name of diversity, It is a question of erasing all clearly marked cultural or anthropological symbols, to replace them with more general terms, often floating, and even elusive, deemed more “inclusive” and less restrictive…”.
The rest of the article appears in the link above in a free-of-charge-format, as explained by Dr. Bock-Côté below:
To conclude this post, which seems to indicate collectively insane times have also reached France, Bambi would like to end with a kids’ song she loves so much. She would like to end with a song written for French mothers. A couple of years ago, she offered it to her own mom in Beirut on her Mother’s Day, which falls on March 21st. It is entitled “Maman, les petits bateaux ont-ils des jambes” [“Mom, do small boats have legs“?]?
