Today would have been my Pop's Birthday...

Hey people,

Today, May 11th would have been my Father's 56th Birthday and his second Birthday since his Death in December 2nd, 2007.

Last year was VERY tough for me. This year, I completely forgot what date it was! I think it's actually a good thing in a way because it shows me that I'm not dwelling on it as much anymore. It took me an entire year to heal, but I think it's finally happened. I still miss him a lot, but not every single day as in the beginning. I know many of you, if not all of you, have lost someone you love so I'm sure you can relate in your own way.

I have come a long way since two years ago. My life is happy now and I'm sure my Father would only be glad to hear that and wouldn't even mind that I ALMOST forgot his birthday.

Just wanted to post a few words about that and share my thoughts that are with him on his Birthday.

Rest in Peace Pop and I will never forget you. .. no one can. ;)

Isabelle

Thoughts on Leaving Montreal

Hello readers,

I guess it's time I actually talk about the title subject of this Blog: Leaving Montreal.

I think we all know why I left my hometown and if not: my hubby doesn't speak a word of French so, finding good work in Montreal would have been too difficult. Me moving here was the logical solution for us.

The whole psychology around it is interesting though. Before, I NEVER thought I could leave my hometown. I loved Montreal with all my heart. To me, it was the best town in the world and I would never leave! My family is over there, my roots, my friends...

However, my mentality completely changed after only a few months here. I thought I would miss Montreal so much, but in the end, a big city is a big city, no matter where you are. You find your hangouts, your favorite pubs and restaurants, your parks and next thing you know, you feel at home. This might sound trivial for people who immigrated from foreign countries or the city hoppers who move every year to a new area, but for me, it was a big deal.

I never understood this before... the whole:" home is where your heart is." Because I always said:" well... yeah.. but my heart's in Montreal!! ". Now I get it.
Of course I still love Montreal. It is still a super special city, but I learned that Toronto is a special city too, in it' own way.

My older brother moved a few years ago to Halifax, on the east coast, then a few years later, he moved west to Calgary where he lives now. I didn't understand how he could move like that and not feel lost. In a way, he gave me the courage to leave. If he can do it twice and he seems very happy out there, why not me too?

I guess when you grew up somewhere and spent all your life there, fear of change is the major factor that keeps you from leaving the comfort of your back yard. Also, you guys should know that my Dad took us to live in a dirt road village in Venezuela for a year when I was 12 and I think that experience somewhat rattled my sense of security. I keep only a handful of actual good memories from that entire time out there. It was a pretty rough yet humbling experience, but that will be for another time perhaps.

I admit, this is a rather small change of scenery from Montreal to Toronto and I probably shouldn't be making such a big deal out of it. The only major difference is that I moved from French Canada to English Canada.. only 6 hours away! But from where I came from in my mind, to being able to grab my stuff and go! It was a huge thing for me and I'm glad I did it.

Sometimes I do miss my folks but.. pardon me saying, I do not miss the "family politics". (Might get in trouble for saying this.. ) Being away helps to detach myself from all the politics and all that stuff. I'm still concerned but, I don't feel obliged to partake in any of it. And with Skype and the webcams and all that, it's as if I never left anyway.

So.. how do you guys feel about this and would/did you ever leave your hometown? I know one of you moved from Europe to Australia.. then to Canada then back to Australia! (and I'm probably missing some destinations along the way.. sorry. "Pppffhhh! ;P )

Any thoughts or experiences you want to share?

Love,

Izzy
Toronto

The New Trend is in! What's hot this season: The Pig Flu.

Oh boy.. here we go again!

Another Spring.. another "deadly bug" we're all supposed to be terrified of. I swear.. this is starting to get on my nerves. As a Microbiologist, it is especially hard to comprehend people's irrational sudden fear and such public interest in "the new roaming bug of the year".

Every single year it's the same tune over again. Someone, somewhere contracts some weird and extremely rare bug because he went to some remote island of Papouasie somewhere in some village and ate bandicoot skull fricassee; now he's suffering from some form or other of "flu-like" disease and gave it to his great aunt who might have to be hospitalized for a day or two. I mean come on!

To name only a select few "disease trends of the year":

2002 - West Nile Virus: I know someone who actually got it. Slept for 5 days, then went back to school as if nothing ever happened.

2003 - SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome): For lack of a better description and a rather "media-friendly" name. That one affected primarily the city where I live now: Toronto. Besides reminding everyone in the world how unprepared the healthcare system was over here, no great notable plague for the history books just yet.

2004 – my friend E.Coli O157:H7: Or otherwise known as the “hamburger disease”? Walkerton?.. Remember that one?

2005 – year of the whole anthrax scare: Seriously. Who gets “anthrax” poisoning? Briefings from the Pentagon on how to deal with “suspicious” mailings all over the media.
On a funny as heck note: I was working at that time at a bank and a colleague received an envelope from some tropical country, with no return address.. and when you shook the envelope, there was powder inside! Everybody let’s panic! Turns out she forgot that her best friend was in Costa Rica and had sent SAND to show her how beautiful the beaches are out there. True story! *smacks forehead in disbelief*

2006 - Clostridium difficile (C. difficile): Intestinal bug that develops when you're being hospitalized for an ingrown big toe nail but you get out crapping your pants for a week.
Another testimony to human sloppiness and inadequate healthcare.
I think it is important to note that the name was given to the bacterium NOT from the fact that it is "difficile" (meaning "difficult") to treat.. but it was difficult to IDENTIFY as a specific strain since it is an anaerobic bacterium (grows only in the absence of oxygen) ... and those are always a little harder to grow in the lab and identify. See how informed people really are? I would bet that most people didn’t even care to know what the “C.” stands for. The bugs causing gangrene, tetanus, and botulism are from the Clostridium genre. THOSE will kill you. So be afraid of those ones, not the gastrointestinal one.

2007 - Avian flu?: Not-so-deadly disease you can only actually catch from close contact with a LIVE chicken. Again, I agree that the idea that the "gene that makes it airborne" would appear in the strain over time WAS indeed somewhat cause for concern, but nowhere near as urgent as the media wanted you to think. It's a flu! You get it.. you get over it.

2008 - Listeriosis: and the Maple Leaf lunch meat saga. Ooouuu.. that one was fun! Because it came from food you shouldn't even be putting in your mouth in the first place if you want my opinion.

Granted that if it were my young child or my own grandma who was affected by the latest seasonal trend, I would be upset too, but there is still no cause for alarm people! Just as every single year when the most recent "deadly outbreak" was raging, chances are you're NOT going to drop dead nor anyone around you. So click off CNN please and grab a book or something. Educated people don't go around spreading false information. I feel bad for the populace though. They are, year after year, bombarded with misinformation that is completely and utterly blown out of proportion, NOT in the name of public health awareness, but for the sake of sensationalism and making a buck.

And of course all the reports contradict themselves. But who are you going to listen to? The biologist in his lab who actually knows a thing or two about genetics and epidemiology? Or the bimbo from Fox News who is merely regurgitating back to you the information that the dude from marketing is telling her to say? You decide.

And so now what do we got?

2009 - Stats so far for the Swine Influenza: 20 cases in the United States. All people who traveled to Mexico. Of the first 12 cases, all but one recovered right away and only one required hospitalization. Was is it now 8 cases in Canada? 8 people! NO deaths.
***NOTE: those stats HAVE changed as expected.. read the comments. ***

Yet, news reporters are obstinately telling you to "be afraiiiid....be veeeeerrryyyy afraid!"

Do you know just how many people WORLDWIDE die from cancer, stroke, and car crashes everyday?! I'm sure you have an idea. Or how many kids die from pneumonia, malaria and AIDS in third world countries? How come that's not making the little red bar scrolling on the bottom of the CNN prime time newscast? Those are the real killers here.

Of course this swine flu thing will most likely get a bit worst before it dies down. We will most probably be looking at more cases, some deaths of seniors and children might even occur, but considering the reality of it, why is this worthy of so much media attention?

Because keeping your people living in constant fear gives you power. The Romans knew that, the Germans knew that, the Russians knew that.. and now you can stop kidding yourself, the United States of America know that.

Oh well, if you survive this one, I'll see you next year for "Dung Beetle Meningitis" then.

Izzy

PS: here come the hate mail again. ^^ Comment!

Welcome to my Newest Blog!

Hello people,

Starting a new Blog. Thanks for visiting and anyone can comment by the way, you don't need to get your own account. That's why I'm writing here now. Less of a hassle for the less computer-literate amongst my people. ^^

Again.. yes. . this is going to be in English, but I'm sure you're used to it by now Mum. ;P

As the title suggests, I recently moved from Montreal where I grew up and came here to Toronto. I never thought I could leave my hometown, but hey.. life tends to be full of those unimaginable surprises. I truly believe this is the best decision I have ever made, to move in with my love and start a new life here. I'm still looking for a job, but I have never been happier as I am now. I truly feel like I'm on the right path... at last.

For those of you from deep Cyberspace who don't know me, allow me to introduce the "usual suspects" and the main characters who's presence will be ongoing on this Blog.

The hubby
(union not actually sanctified as of yet.. but soon... )
Israeli, electrician by profession and the best man in the world in my books.

Cuddles
1 and a half year-old female domestic shorthair, grey.
Part Siamese and 100% trouble.

Dookie
Male ferret, 3 and a half years old.
He is Joy in "energetic fur ball" form!



and I wouldn't feel right not including the late and dearly missed

Pixie
28 July 2005 - 04 February 2009
First ferret to ever grace my life of her energy and companionship.
May she rest in peace.

Friends, folks and strangers, be sure to come back for news update from us in Toronto! ( or to be bored to death.. one of the two. ;P )

You can also check out our Youtube thingie for some silly clips of our life and updates: www.youtube.com/mendels613

Love,

Izzy