Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Québec 400ème anniversaire/Québec city's 400th Anniversary

Le weekend dernier, Marcel et moi sommes allés à la ville de Québec afin de profiter des célébrations liées au 400ème anniversaire de la création de la ville. .

Last weekend Marcel and I went to Québec to take advantage of the 400th anniversary celebration.

Québec City, the only Canadian city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding, which also marks the founding of Canada.


Pour l'histoire vous pouvez consulter ce site/for more history you can consult this website
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/fr/exploration/histoire.shtml

Désolé pour l'ordre des photos le blog ne marche pas bien/sorry for the order of the pictures the blog is acting out











Even Gandhi is represented in Québec

Friday, August 15, 2008

Another reminder ... to fully embrace and appreciate life on a daily manner ....

Through a former co-worker and friend I just found out that a former patient who we both cared for while working at the hospital died of a 2 year battle with cancer at the age of 37. She was diagnosed with colon cancer when she gave birth to her first child and was told then to have 6 months to live.


"As Cancer Lingered, She Lived a Bold Life":
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/05cancer.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss


Too often, I forget how fragile life can be and how suddenly everything can vanish ... Unfortunately, it takes stories like this to bring me back to the appreciation of life and realizing that I need to do a better job at cherishing what I have ...

Monday, August 11, 2008

New Hamphsire/Maine Coast
















Just returned from a few day trip on the New Hamphire and Maine coast. Marcel took me away from Montreal to celebrate my birthday as well as get some rest before starting his new position and my 3 months of intense studies. The weather was not as warm and sunny as expected for summer but we were able to have 3 days mostly dry which allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the coast and being outdoors. I had a wonderful birthday that was extended over 4 days; never experienced this before! ;) Besides having a wonderful time with Marcel, the highlights of the trip were eating a fresh lobster on the beach and getting my toes painted in red for the first time ever! (weird eh for a 38 year old woman ;) )

Monday, August 4, 2008

Ce qu'il reste de nous/What remains of us















Just watched a powerful documentary on Tibet "What remains of us". I highly recommended it; it's a very moving and informative documentary on the impact of the Chinese oppression on the Tibetans' spirituality, traditions and culture. We cannot and must not be insensitive and passive of this tragedy... at the same time I'm not sure where to start...

Forced to seek refuge in India and still viewed by China as a threat to national security, the Dalai Lama had never returned to Lhasa. For 50 years, he had been prevented from crossing the mountains separating him prom his homeland. For 50 years, he had not spoken directly to Tibetans inside the country.

Kalsang Dolma, a young Tibetan refugee in Quebec, crosses the Himalayas. Into the largest prison in the world, she carries a video message recorded by the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans. Families gather around the tiny screen, transfixed, and for one of the first times, the voices of this fragile people under the yoke of suffering reach us from across the distance.
This film was shot without the knowledge of the Chinese authorities, using small digital cameras, during nearly a dozen secret forays into Tibet between 1996 and 2004.

Je viens récemment de voir le documentaire "Ce qu'il reste de nous". Je le recommende vivement. C'est très poignant et informatif sur l'impact de l'oppression Chinoise sur la spiritualité, les traditions et la culture des Tibétins. On ne peut et ne doit pas rester insensible et passif face à cette tragédie ... malgré tout je ne sais par oú commencer...

Toujours considéré par la Chine comme une menace à la sécurité nationale, le dalaï-lama n'avait jamais remis les pieds à Lhassa. Il y avait donc 50 ans qu'il n'avait pu franchir librement les montagnes qui le séparent de son pays. Il y avait 50 ans qu'il ne s'était pas adressé aux Tibétains de l'intérieur. Un simple écran portatif a conjuré le sort.

Kalsang Dolma, une Tibétaine réfugiée au Québec, franchira l'Himalaya. Par-delà les frontières de la plus vaste prison du monde, elle porte un message filmé du chef spirituel et politique des Tibétains. Les familles se rassemblent autour du petit écran et, pour l'une des premières fois, la parole de ce peuple sous l'emprise de la douleur traverse le silence et parvient jusqu'à nous.
Ce film-choc a été tourné à l'insu des autorités chinoises, à l'aide de petites caméras numériques, lors d'une dizaine d'incursions clandestines sur le territoire du Tibet entre 1996 et 2004.

http://www.onf.ca/webextension/cequilrestedenous/

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Cup Rogers semi-finals/Coupe Rogers demi-finales

Just came back from my first ever Tennis Masters Series held in Montreal thanks to a friend of Marcel who graciously gave us 2 tickets! We watched a double (Rus-Ita/Aust-Tch) and half of a single (France/Slov). We left before a major storm started! I had an amazing experience! I more than ever motivated so learn how to play! ;) Here are some exclusive pics!