It happened. I made the move. Me, Ivana, now own a pair of beautiful pink satin pointes ballet shoes. At 34 years of age, I never thought I would ever get to cross that off my bucket list but there it is. How did I get here?? Well, after taking the equivalent of many years of dance class, working out and 1 year of classical adult ballet, I asked the studio director if I could give it a try, knowing fully well that my goal isn't to be a center-stage ballerina, and he gave me his blessing on the condition that I would continue regular ballet classes on the side to maintain technique. I am still not sold that I can pull this off knowing how gruelling this will be, but simply knowing that I can try is more than enough for me. I will have gone all the way and, in the world of me, that road leads to no regrets. Rossetti's 🙌 😍After hearing all kinds of stories on how big a deal your first pair of pointes is, I felt like a fraud. Y'know, the usual: "I don't deserve this, after all, I haven't done the years and year of training this truly requires". But, I reminded myself that if my teacher gave me the green light, I must be going something right, there must be potential to unlock there. So with that in mind, I blew the dust off my childhood fantasy and on to purchase these "slippers" I went. Where did I go? Why, no other place than Montreal's famous Rossetti boutique. After all, I went there for my tap dancing shoes ten years ago and most of my ballet wear and all were great quality purchases. Yet, every time I went, I would admire the mountains of perfectly categorized pointe shoes and salivate over their beauty. Never would I even dare to dream I would one day own a pair. So you can imagine me today, as I walked in, knowing I was to be one of those girls who would be sitting in that old wooden chair having the pointe shoe expert Sean Winston ask me to get up on pointe and say "how does that feel?". But yup, it was happening. Luckily for me, the lady managing appointments and serving clients seated me and kindly congratulated me on this rite of passage. Even after I explained my situation, she mentioned that most girls getting their pointe shoes aren't dancing for les Grands Ballets but rather for fun and that age is no longer a factor. Then, to my shock and delight, as though she read right through my heart, she turned to me and said: "That will be one more thing to cross off your bucket list!"...and that's when I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. No easy task 🙄 👣Needless to say, I wore fitting black leggings and white t-shirt with a wrap so as to show my lines better when rising on pointe. After lending me short nylon socks and comforting sockets, Mr. Winston immediately started to pick out shoes for me and adjusting size and style as he passed me different kinds. As I tried them on, I always felt a little jolt of "Oh my GOD! I'm doing it" but Mr. Winston wasn't satisfied with the fitting. Observing carefully my feet and how I behaved, pulling a little psychology on me: "you're hesitating, these aren't right for you". His mind was focused on finding what I needed and he remained kind and patient as I was placing the numerous pairs on and off my feet. I once mentioned that perhaps it was I who wasn't performing well enough and he said that was rubbish and that it was his job to find the right pair for my feet. I was so surprised by this generosity. He believed in me and he knew I wasn't quite there yet, so we continued on our journey. We went though Russian shoes, Australian shoes, French shoes, all were different yet seemed to look the same. Every time I rose up to pointe, it wasn't to his satisfaction and he does his best to respect the dance studio's requirements. After an hour of trying on and re-arranging the shank and what not, we agreed on a pair that seemed to fit best for now. He wanted me to try one style with a shorter vamp *see image for ballet jargon* but he didn't have any at the store. However, because of their guarantee, I need not worry. I can return at any time and switch them. That's the cool thing about these old school trades and boutiques, the professionals working there honour their word. So I slipped my pink Gazelles back on and paid for my childhood dream shoes. It is real now and I am well aware that I do not quite know what I am throwing myself into. Who knows? Maybe I will go to class on Tuesday and find out that this truly isn't for me or perhaps not. Ballet hasn't been easy thus far so I may as well try to make it though by knocking on the most resistant of doors: pointes. Bee the black sheep ballerina, xx I have always known that I am a soldier more than I am a general. I seek to inspire and influence positively. Being responsible for the performance of others is something I am simply not built for. As a soldier I am, however, the ultimate ally and the pure definition of loyalty in team spirit. I will greatly contribute to a harmonious work environment by remaining positive through turbulent times. I never give up and am believing in the good of others until proven crap. Those are what make me the ideal soldier in a given team. That being said, I do know a person who is the perfect general. The kind who got to know her soldiers well and poured her heart and soul into her work. An exceptional manager who surprised even the most unbelieving; rallied our troop and turned us into shining stars ready to take bullets for her any day of the week. For any team to be successful, you need two main ingredients: 1) awesome team members and 2) an amazing boss. For the past four years, that is exactly what my team was made of. Sure, no team is ever quite perfect. However, ever since this new leader was hired, a synergy existed amidst the practice because her values and style were perfectly aligned with those of the team. Here's what makes her the incredible general that she was. Despite all of our significantly different personalities, she was able to reach out to each and everyone of us and make us as one. Young as she is, her maturity is beyond her years and this is an element that inspired us all. Rational but never ignoring emotions, she remained calm during emergencies and knew exactly how to ground us and orchestrate all instruments for us to play harmoniously through the storm. Recognizing talent, she is a natural born mentor as she gently pushed us out of our comfort zone and trusted in our capacity to conquer. She also knew when to shield us and when to let us battle on our own in order to grow. She heard us and gave us a voice. Unfortunately (for me), her time with us has come to an end as all good things eventually do. And while it is selfishly not something I wished for, I know better as a career counsellor but also as a human, that it was inevitable. It is only normal for such a talented individual to continuously outgrow her shell and recognize when it is time to move to a bigger one that will enable her to reach her full potential. Having an entrepreneurial streak, I have no doubt she will conquer other challenging goals and continue to leave her mark in the world as she did in mine. I have learnt a great deal from her and thank her for all she has done for our team. I wish her the best of luck in her new endeavours and know she will be successful. Thank you NL for the passion you showed us, it reflected our own and I am forever grateful. My heart will recover but until then, I will let Sia sing the rest... Ivana x The holiday season is definitely upon us now and if you haven't heard Mariah Carey's All I want for Christmas is you at least once then you are living under a rock. Here in Montreal, the month of December usually also means colder weather. Though the past few years have graced us with mild weather for the holiday season, this week's glacial minus 30 was certainly a reminder of what mother nature is capable of. That being said, nothing beats sitting around a crackling and toasty fireplace to stay warm. Granted not all of us have an actual fireplace at home. Fortunately, with technology and social media being the vehicle for trends that it is, everyone is now streaming lovely fireplaces on their television. The makers of these fireplaces are getting more and more inventive and talented in creating them. Why, there are so many different kinds to pick from: some with Christmas music, some without, some wih Christmas decor and live animals and some even have winter blizzard winds howling at the same time as the fire crackling! Though some people can find this tacky and unoriginal, I for one find it absolutely delightful. Here is a list of Youtubers that offer fireplaces that are sure to bring you back to your childhood memories or that will create new traditions:
Bee toasty! xx Running from November 26th to December 4th, Montreal is hosting its traditional Nutcracker Market for the benefit of the Nutcracker Fund for Children at Palais des congrès. On pre-opening night, I had the chance to visit many of the exhibitors present, however with over 100 exhibitors this year, it was difficult to see them all before closing time since my friend and I wanted to stop a little bit everywhere to see all of the beautiful products and creations exposed. I do recommend to plan spending at least two hours there if you want to chance to take your time and have a look everywhere. There are so many different products: jewellery, clothing, ballet gear, foods, toys and way more! What with the visual displays and knowing that 10% of all sales will go to the Nutcracker Fund For Children, it was difficult not to stop, shop and start crossing off that Christmas gift to-do list, which I did. The vendors are so patient and kind and all unfolds in an ambiance that is quite festive, bumping into the occasional nutcracker, snowflake ballerina or candy king here and there! It is definitely a must to get creative and unique gifts and contribute to a great cause. Don't find you're in the Christmas spirit just yet? The Nutcracker will kill the grinch in you. I'd post more photos but, you should really just go an see it for yourself ;) Bee shopping! ...xx
Hello Beeple people,
I'm offended. Just kidding ;) but I do have something to say about Millenials and the not so positive image that is given to this generation. First of all and according to my research on the internet, Gen Y and Millenials are the same generational cohort. In essence they are the individuals who were born between 1977 and 1994 (years may slightly vary according to different sources). That being said, I am indeed one of those infamous Millenials. It seems everyone is taking a jab at us lately and I'm getting a little sick of hearing the same generalizations and pointless accusations. We are either too sensitive or too entitled. We are either too connected but then disconnected. That being said, I would just like to put in my two cents about all the negativity surrounding our generation and share my point of view on this non-sense as you will realize that much of it is actually history repeating itself in different ways. Every younger generation seems nuts to the previous ones
Yes, yes. We've heard it all. We are the overly sensitive who had classes cancelled when Hillary lost the elections because we were "upset". What a demanding bunch we are. Not like any one else ever skipped class for important social events in the past, say like five thousand fans, mostly young girls, crowding the upper balcony of the airport's arrivals building Friday February 7th 1964 to welcome The Beatles to America. Nahhh! Screaming Beatle fans who were so...oh what's the word I'm looking for...oh yes, upset, that they fainted for the love of music?! Pfff! Of course not. Just for the record, I would have been first in line. But this is what I mean by history repeating itself. The younger generation of individuals will always seem like a bunch of crazy people to the previous more experienced and understandably so. We weren't born at the same time and the world was a much different place for everyone of us. The veterans who watched their kids scream and cry deliriously at a Beatles' concert didn't understand the music revolution their children were experiencing and most probably, their interest for the most part may have been focused elsewhere at their age. It is only normal.
Gen Y, the entitled
Let's go back to where this entitlement could have sprung from. For the most us Millenials, we have grown in a society that has largely stimulated us to ask questions and encouraged us to be free. Take a look at Sesame Street: forging dialogue, singing, teaching us how to mingle with individuals who are different than us and fostering curiosity! Then we get to elementary and high school where we are graded on oral presentations, team projects and creativity. Who were we watching on TV then? Amazing movies like Back to The Future and Ferris Bueller's Day Off were on the big screen and taking us places we'd never been. Remember how Who were inspiring our styles and thoughts on the radio? Madona, NKOTB, Bonjovi, Guns n' Roses and many other revolutionary bands (I was still on The Beatles as well). In my case, I had already been using a computer mouse for quite some time and was gaining agility and speed with my typing. Yes, we used books for our projects and the teacher wrote on a chalkboard.
Next comes CEGEP and university where you will actually lose marks if you do not participate in class i.e. raise your hand and ask questions or present your work in front of the class and defend your thesis in graduate studies. I don't know about my other fellow Millenials, but ICQ and MSN became huge and that's when I truly became master of my keyboard, managing at least three conversations at once. Already this was like texting but on the computer. More than any other generation, we have been exposed to more cultural differences and have witnessed if not contributed to the important changes that took place in the so-called traditional family household (gay and lesbian movement, transsexual movement for example). We saw the previous generation suffer or were told about their hard times and this inspired us to change or to want to make it better. Just like your generation did by fighting for causes that were important and made the path easier for those who followed.
Now in the work force: of course by now we are not shy to speak up. Of course we'll challenge existing and old systems that make no sense for 2016. We have been wired to do so for quite some time. Also, did you not hire us to "initiate change" and be a "team player?" Yes you did or please stop putting that in your job descriptions. Previous generations seem to forget that they too were once young and ambitious. Back in Baby Boomer days and a little later, hardly anyone needed a university degree to get a good paying job that would last you a lifetime. You could step out of high school and be told by an employer "come on in and we'll train you!" and voilà, nothing like learning on the job as you go. That means that those folks were probably say 19 at the oldest when they began working and that is how and why they easily racked up those famous "30 years of experience". Someone trusted them and gave them a chance while having less education in most cases.
At least 40 years have past since the days where a high school diploma sufficed. Now? The minimum requirement is a bachelor's degree to make it in the work force. Yet, four years or more later, with internships often done without pay, we are told we "don't have experience".....haaaaa did I miss something here? Did you NOT want the degree or what? Even students who worked during their studies still manage to not have the "pertinent" experience. Now who's being entitled, really? Who is power tripping just a little in his big corner office (that really doesn't impress us Gen Y by the way). I often feel like responding for my next fellow graduates entering the workforce "and what about you, sir? Did you have what it took straight out of high school? Did you have those five years of experience?" Yeah, didn't think so. Someone gave you a chance and you gained their trust and that's great, what about us? We studied and now we really would like to work. On top of this, Boomers are living longer (god bless) and are still occupying jobs, making it even more competitive for younger generations to find their place. Are we so off-base to be a little frustrated?
Don't get me wrong, we definitely have to prove ourselves in the workforce as well. However, remember that we were encouraged to "think different" and I quote the brilliant Steve Jobs. He wasn't a Gen Y now was he? How great a leader was this man? Just look at what your reading this from, he influenced whatever product your using. Yet, we, the younger followers who are using and loving this technology are to blame? It is only normal to have generational clashes, as there have always been. We weren't born at the same time and also, you haven't been our age in a long time. But it's all good, we understand, we're sensitive like that or so you taught us to be. Gen Y, the scandoulous
Meanwhile, technology is evolving at a speed we can hardly keep up with and greatly, this has enabled us to be more flexible and efficient. Indeed, our group is no longer impressed by suits and ties and the marble floors. Rather, give us wifi and trust and we'll get the job done. This seems to be quite the issue with previous generation. I don't mean a power suit is no longer impressive, but depending on the actual role you have, I don't believe that dressing with a "complet cravate" is necessary every single day to do your work. It shouldn't affect your performance, or in my opinion, should make you perform even better since you are a more comfortable and probably more confident. Yet, we still hear of stories where a nice pair of dark jeans are simply unacceptable...interesting, coming from the generation of individuals who most likely wore go-go boots combined with hot pants and tights at work. But no, we are the scandalous ones, I insist.
Same goes for the work environment, depending on what you do, it is now common to work from home or remotely. Not that we were the ones who created the technology, but Millenials definitely were the instigators to making this movement acceptable: we were the first to complete degrees online and work from coffee shops. Since we saw our boomer parents working day and night in hard corporate jobs, it changed our views on work-life balance and inspired us to fight for flex hours, working remote. Meanwhile, previous generations also benefit from this. Why, two years ago, I spoke to a 46 year old mother who was all proud to be able to be there for her children on Halloween night since she now worked from home. But please, continue to point the finger on us, we are Millenials, what do we know? we have no experience.
Gen Y, who raised you?
I'd like to end by saying to be careful who you accuse since Gen Y can easily turn around and say "ok, but who raised us?". Who dared to expose us and stimulate us to be these horribly outspoken, pro-environmental, high-tech and multicultural creatures that we are? Why, the same passionate generation who screamed at Beatles concerts, the same generation who marched down the streets for peace, women's rights or to voice their opinion on the war in Vietnam, the same generation who let their hair down at Woodstock, the same generation who couldn't say they were gay or unhappy because it was unacceptable and taught us to speak up and seek help so as to not suffer the same fate, the same generation who wished they would have travelled more and told us not to wait until later. The same generation who pushed us to do what we love but "FINISH UNIVERSITY!!!". Finally, it was the same generation who loved us and wanted the best for us.
Our world is what it is today because of our brave veterans, our hard working boomers, and our rocking Gen Xs. Now if only we'd realize that we all have our brilliance and our weaknesses but most importantly, that we can all learn so much from one another going forward. We aren't perfect, we know, god we know! But so weren't you at our age. For example, we are fully aware we didn't invent the whole "bio food" movement. However, somewhere between our ancestors who harvested the land and Gen Y, çTV dinners happened (circa 1953). Seemed like a great idea then, but along the years we eventually realized that fresh produce versus mass production is healthier and these bio products began surfacing. There! How's that for not entitled? And boomers were never blamed for the whole TV dinner invention in the process. They were trying to be practical and modern for crying out loud! It would be nice to focus on the kindness and positivity that we too are striving for in this world. Alas, as with every other generation, it will most probably only be in contrast to the younger generation following ours and when we ourselves will be old and critical that our achievements will rise and shine. History repeating. Peace, as one. A fellow Gen Y who still believes the best music was in the 1960s herself, Ivana ;) N.B. All Gifs from GIPHY
Finding Dancing Gear In Montreal...Dancer or not, if you ever had the need to purchase a leotard, chances are you didn't have much choice at hand. Dancing apparel seems to be an endangered species of boutiques since there really aren't that many in the city. In addition to this issue, the existing stores I am sorry to say, are often old and dusty. Don't get me wrong, I know that most of them have been around for years and that they seem to want to keep their traditional looks as part of their charm. While it does pleasantly plunge me back into childhood when I visit, a little makeover would do them good...just sayin'. So you are going through the racks of suits and leotards and it's always the same brands and in the same colours: black, white, ballet pink (I still love that one though) and sometimes marine. This is great when you are going for the classic look, but what about a spunky and bright leotards? Why shouldn't ballet classes or practice time be more fun and personalized to your own style? Most importantly the clothes should fit you properly. Well with DellAira Designs you can create your OWN leotard! After taking your measurements, you get to select the style of leotards you like AND the fabric patterns as well. The choices are endless: spandex, lycra, mesh and the combinations with the fabrics? Tons and all beautiful, it's hard to make a choice. Did I mention how very affordable these pieces are? DellAira Designs bySahra MairaA soloist having been with Les Grands Ballets since 2010, Sahra has a diversified repertoire of dance experience and is simply breath taking to watch. I immediately recognized her as the Spaniard dancer in last year's The Nut Cracker performance with her beautiful red dress (like the emoji); she set the stage on fire with every move. She mentions that for her, "dancing is expression through movement" but her sewing also expresses the transferable skills she applies to her dancing. The discipline, the precision and the passion. Whether they are leotards, bodysuits or yoga shirts, the quality of her work is noticeable at first glance. Not only that, they are made custom size so they are sure to fit properly and follow every move you make. When going for coffee one evening, I asked her how she managed to dance full time AND make all this dance gear? All in time management and driven by the thirst to create. She will sometimes use her lunch break to eat at home and complete some of her sewing then and then it's back to dancing. She has made so many leotards already that almost all of her Grands Ballets colleagues are sporting her creations. She is well set up on Etsy and has gorgeous bodysuits ready to go as well if you are of the indecisive kind or in a hurry. No Double Butt!If you have ever worn ballet gear or a leotard with shorts on top, you will inevitably have what is referred to in the dance world as : a double butt. Not sure who coined this term but that is exactly what it is. The lining of the leotard on your buttox shows through the shorts and presses against you so it looks like you may have a total of four butt cheeks. Not many dancers mention it, we just deal but we all hate it. It's not elegant but for the sake of dancing, we all just tell ourselves that everyone knows that we don't have a double butt and that it is understood that it's just the leotard showing through. Secretly though, we are dying inside. It is SO frustrating. Pro dancer or not, no one deserves a double butt. Being a professional dancer herself, Miss DellAira Designs knows this and can guarantee that your leotard will not create an extra butt on top of the one you already have. Knowing fully well most dancers detest this look, Sahra ensures to make this part on the leotard a little longer to reduce the effect of a double butt significantly. I am proud to say that in the leotard order I made, I have no double butt. NONE. Not only that, but I am thrilled to be wearing a body suit that a dancer from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens made especially for me! Did I mention that they are all lined at the chest area as well? Amazing. Just awesome. My black with roses leotard is beautiful and comfortable and as many Italians like to say, I invented it. Well I picked the style and fabric but Sahra sewed it to life. These would make great personalized gifts for young ballerinas or anyone who enjoys their dance class very much! Imagine wearing a custom size and style bodysuit made by a real ballerina from the big leagues...what could be more inspiring? Thank you for the leotard and flowery top Sahra, I am one leotard closer to you every dance class ;) When are YOU getting your own fresh DellAira leotard? Bee unique in your leotard...! It's the Italian week here in Montreal and if you are Italian or Italo-Canadian like myself, you have most probably been associated to quite a lot of stereotypes. For example: how most of us have two kitchens in our home and that we like prosciutto, mortadella and tarantellas. All too often when I discuss Italian immigration however, I am hit by the misconception of individuals who think most Italians made their move to Canada because they were penniless. As a first generation born in Canada having heard the reasons of why both my paternal and maternal grandparents and parents left their beautiful country time and time again, I feel the need to share a little of their point of view. My goal here isn't to claim I know the history of all Italian immigrants and the reasons as to why they came to Canada but rather, to add variety and truth to these reasons by writing about the story I know so well. In the late 1880s, the Italian immigrant population consisted mostly of Northern Italian artisans and shopkeepers seeking a new market in which to grow and practice their trades*. Throughout the 1950s, over 20,000 Italian immigrants entered Canada annually. In contrast during this time, primarily farmers and laborers made the move in search of a steady source of income*. This is, I presume, the part where people misunderstood Italian farmers and laborers for a "lower" class and are depicted as poor peasants. Farmers (who also exist in Canada) were used to working outside all day, eating al fresco and coming back to their home at night only when they were done tending to their herds. No wonder they appeared different from the highly industrialized movements that were ongoing in "l'America". While it is true that some were indeed less fortunate and suffered hardships especially following WWI, WWII and natural disasters and did leave to find better opportunities, not all Italian immigrants left for those reasons. Some of these harvesting farmers, like both my grand-parents, were doing quite well and left for other reasons. Farmers are providersIn a mountainous panorama like that of Italy, being a farmer was something to be quite envious of. Farmers were land owners and usually provided for the nearby villages; selling their fresh harvests and goods. You have land? it means you can be independent from the rest. If taken care of well, your soil gives you back the fruits of your hard labor. Whether you had acres of land or a small patch, you could work for yourself and feed your family through the year and other villagers often came knocking at your door to work on your property. In other words, you had crops? you were an employer, a provider, a supplier and had the potential to be quite prosperous. Apparently, in both my parents' villages, all land owners were quite anal with the definition of their crops as they were often back to back to the neighbour's crops. Big rocks were carefully lined to separate each patch and don't even THINK of getting an inch more on your side. Both my paternal and maternal grandparents had rather large properties and worked off their own land. The farming business was very patriarchal though. The estates were usually ran by the head father figure who had either purchased or inherited the property. This person usually dispatched work and managed revenue and employee wages. La MasseriaLa Masseria is the name of the estate on my mother's side of the family. Masseria refers to "fortified farm house" usually found in the countryside. Sitting on the lower end of a valley and looking up to its nearby village, La Masseria was well known to the citizens who lived around the area. Its acres of land, its architectural beauty, the sheer size running up to three stories high and all painted in white adorned with a balcony slightly hidden under a lovely arch. That's not counting the fountain that had fresh running water all year round. This dreamlike estate was home first to my great-great-grandparents who bought the property. Through the years, La Masseria evolved to have up to 30 men and women working the fields, tending to the animals (chickens, sheep, pigs, cows, rabbits, pigeons, horses, mules and even 110 bees hives!) and essentially running the place like a true business. La Masseria knew many years of glory and became known as a reputable employer and provider for many who came knocking at its doors. It also withstood the unforgiving repercussions of the war with its sturdy walls and endless food supply; a heavenly refuge to a few soldiers as well. Contrada"Rizia"Contrada (meaning "zone')"Rizia" was the name of the estate, also a masseria, on my father's side. It was my great grandparents who purchased the land as well. Facing an exquisite panoramic view of hills and never ending sky. Decorated with an orange terracotta rooftop, Rizia was home to five families and counted up 40 individuals working there at one time. With fresh well water and large stone floors, it was once a harmonious and well ran business of its own as well. Not only that, it was the home to many animals including my grandfather's beautiful black horse that was apparently well known in the village. "Rizia", like the Masseria, also held its share of crazy WWII stories and was in a similar situation to that of la Masseria but in the next door village. It too, like most, was a family estate ran by a patriarchy system. All the same, every member of the family laboured hard, harvesting the land and living by their fresh produce. Reputation is identityAs it often happens in small towns, each family has its identity; one that enabled any family member including the children to walk in a grocery store, grab a handful of candy and the parents paid it later. Families were well known in town and earned the trust of others. My grandfather on my mother's side was recognized for his thirst for learning, he was fascinated with books and reading everything and anything, even the back of cereal boxes or bottles always in a quest to know more. Knowledge is power and, curious by nature, this is something my grand-father understood and applied very well and through which he earned his reputation in town. My paternal grandfather on the other hand was very well known for his brilliant craftsmanship. He built and carved almost anything out of wood: chariots, utensils, tools, toys and even skis for my father. With his own two hands and precise calculations, he brought his ideas to life and turned them into impressive and very practical creations. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix. Grandpa' Lemme was also quite gifted with the ability to understand and play music. He was talented with his accordion and played it by ear and straight from the heart, especially in festive occasions of course. In essence, both my grandfathers were instigators of their own and sought brighter futures. Entrepreneurial dreams and freedomBeing ambitious and visionary workers, the patriarch business model that was running La Masseria and the Rizia contrada caused significant feelings of distress and resistance for both my grandfathers who yearned to grow and manage their own home and revenue in a more modern way. They both envisioned more options for their family and of course, for their children and definitely did not want anyone else to be calling the shots. Being aware of the Italians moving to Canada as its constructions and manufacturing industries required labor and having family members who had done the move before, they decided it was time to seek out new opportunities. In 1958, by coincidence, my grandparents from both sides purchased their tickets to Canada. One foot in Canada the other in ItaliaOf course opening the door to a new adventure means leaving another behind. The price of leaving was quite high: leaving the comforts of home and the security of the Masseria and the Rizia estates. Leaving family and friends behind. Being stripped of your identity when you arrive in a new city, no longer being able to use your family name and reputation as trusted value. All of these sacrifices to answer their entrepreneurial and be independent. Free of patriarchal rules. Free to be the creator of your own future. Learn a new language, a new trade. Still, leaving Italia must not have been easy and I cannot even imagine leaving my hometown not knowing what to expect. Lest we forget though that many, including both my grandfathers, had survived the war and were used to braving the unknown. They kept contact with their families and had pieces of home shipped to them by ordering books and things regularly, keeping up with both countries all at once. In conclusion...On both paternal and maternal sides, the families were crop owners and had endless food supplies. They, as many others did, I have no doubt, sacrificed a lot to come to Canada and left behind a home that they very much loved. They rebuilt their social life and eased the estrangement that came with the process of moving to a new country with the help of clubs and banquets.* They found jobs, contributed to the economy and in building the city, all the while bringing their salsiccia, vino and tarantellas along with them. This is most likely why my parents insisted we maintain the Italian culture and enrolled us in Saturday Italian school (12 years!), sensitized us to old traditions but kept an open mind for new ones as we returned to the old country regularly. They told us the stories of our ancestors to ascertain we properly understand and remember where we came from. We do. Funnily enough now, with the bio and environmental movements, everyone seems to want a piece of land! ;) Bee Italo-Canadian and proud. References: *(http://www.mhso.ca/ggp/Ethnic_groups/Italian/Ital_overview.html) If you are a Montrealer, living in the city and are thinking about making a move, this question has for sure crossed your mind more than once. You're looking at properties on centris.ca and suddenly, your heart jumps as you spot an actual good price for what seems like a small townhouse in a downtown neighborhood you like and it's a 10 minute walk to the nearest metro line! You enthusiastically start calculating and decide to go to the open house until you get there only to realize the house is smaller than anticipated, has no parking or needs major renovations. The other townhouses in the city are...do you have 1.5 million dollars? Me neither. Oiiii....with desperation, you shake your head and hold your forehead in your hand and it's back to the drawing board. I can hear some of you snort already "Pfff! what is so hard about that? Ditch the small condo and move into an affordable castle in the suburbs already!". Unfortunately, for those of us who have now grown accustomed to the downtown life, a move anywhere off the island or, more importantly, away from any metro line (even the blue one), is cause for concern and will make us hyperventilate and reconsider our move altogether. Seven years ago, when I moved from the west island to Griffintown, my morning commute and daily outings became quasi non-existent and this impacted my life a little more than I expected. For years I had traveled back and forth from Beaconsfield to downtown Montreal to go to elementary school, high school, CEGEP and finally Concordia and UQÀM. All these years, getting up early and rushing, hopping in the car (I DO miss the Jeep a little) and leaving an hour early as well to make it on time, you know, just in case traffic was bad. God forbid I'd forget the essay that was due that day at school. I had printed three copies, emailed myself one and had another copy in my usb key. If something happened, home was far away and I only had access to computer labs back then, no laptop. So that's approximately minimum a 75$ tank of gas, registration, insurance and parking when required. Not to mention the time loss. To go back home in high school was even worse. It was the BMW: Bus Metro Walk! The famous joke except it was two metro lines and add a train ride in between for me. I did have my Sony Walkman back then so I enjoyed the musical recharge it provided me. My commute now? Ha! Now?!! I laugh as I make my way to work or, any where for that matter. Most of the time I either walk, grab a metro and I'm there. In the summer? bonus! I can ride my Vespa. Nothing is ever more than 20 minutes away. Consequently this allows me to have more time in my 24 hour day to invest into other pleasant activities. More time to sleep-in, ballet class , or go to the gym in the morning, or stay longer at work if I need to since I don't have to worry about the snow storm affecting my travels or just trying to avoid traffic at all. As I get off at Bonaventure station, I cross paths with those who wait for their "Rive-Sud" bus and watch them waiting. Eeeeiiish...they have another hour or so before they get home. I have 3 minutes left. Priceless. Ever notice that those who live far from the city always arrive very early to work while downtowners are no more than 15 minutes early? When you live far from the city or wherever you work, you are at the mercy of your daily commute. Having to get up extra early to catch that train because it only comes every 30 minutes or worse, you need to take the bus to get to the express bus (i.e. 211 bus West Island style). When you live close to your work environment, the entire commute system is at your service, especially in the metro at rush hour. You got yourself a metro every 4 minutes! Space versus proximityThen again, it was also pleasant to have both the suburban and urban life back then. During the day I would stream through the city grounds and in the evening, return to the calm suburban home which I am certain those commuting folks are happy to go back to as I did back then. Right, so it's fun to be close to everything and everyone but what about space? Indeed. Sharing 700 square feet with another person can have its challenges. For example...the ridiculous closet space. Carrie Bradshaw had a pretty good deal with her small appartment but ginormous walk-through closet and she knew it. I pretty much won the battle on that one even before moving in, my husband knowing full well the large collection of outfits I own. Then there is the simple linen and kitchen storage that is quite limited. I mean it. One more Tupperware and the drawer will burst. "Yeah but everyone's Tupperware drawer is full" sure, but if you own a house, you'll have a spare room in which to put it: a garage, a basement cantina, another closet, something. We on the other hand don't. It will either be given back or it is going in the recycling bin. I also can no longer accept the following gifts: bed sheets, towels, plates, bowls, vases and even books are starting to be counted and carefully managed. You may be thinking woah, you're really due to get moving which is indeed true if we only consider space. However, we have at least 4 sets of sheets, all the pots and pans we need, tons of vases and 100 books that's not counting the lovely record collection. We work around the clock to manage and keep the nest clutter-free since we are limited in buffer zones to hide anything. It's not such a bad thing since it forces us to be highly organized and practical. It would be nice to have a few more rooms to have an office in or a musical instruments with a library and not worry about storage. At the same time, we never have to sweat about mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and we have a gym and a pool with barbecues. Natural tranquility versus the city buzzI was walking downtown yesterday, returning to my Vespa after running an errand. It was a beautiful and hot summer day and civilians like myself were all out and about. Behind me, a man and a woman were discussing and at one point the man exclaims: "coudonc, y'a ben du monde!". I smiled to myself and felt like responding dude...we are standing at the corner of Peel and St-Catherine's, exactly what are you expecting? True, the streets were slightly more loaded than usual since it's July, but you're still downtown. I suppose it is aggravating to squeeze through a crowd when you are used to having your own backyard. I guess it would be frustrating to share the sidewalk with a ton other people if one is used to driving everywhere. Which made me wonder, did I lose my perspective? Do I now actually like for my personal space to be invaded by strangers? Do I enjoy swirming through a crowd of people on the street? Have I now grown a little addicted to the city buzz the city provides for me. Why, yes I have. After almost ten years of city living, I have grown quite fond of the hussle. The sirens, the construction, the dirt, the weirdos, the rat race in the metro lines and this constantly being surrounded by people. Mixed into this to counterbalance however are all of the beautiful old architectured buildings perfectly juxtapositioned. The quaint coffee shops with the adorable bistro terraces, the mount royal mountain that makes its appearance at the top of McGill college and so much more. I can see all of this in one evening as I walk back home. Downtown, any spot is good for an improvised 5 à 7. Even if you're staring at a parking lot, there's some sort of ambiance to it stemming from the city buzz. Men in suits and briefcases, women in skirts dashing in heels, everyone going places. This constance of activity is strangely enough that which gives me energy. The people that I cross are all part of my world in some way and their energy feeds into mine. Can all that turmoil get wearing after a while? Sometimes.
Every now and again, I like to escape the chaos and drive to the grassy and calming suburbs to tame my wired self and spend time with the family. Every time I appreciate just how big the spaces are and how much room I would have should I own a house there. The peace and quiet is almost overwhelming. The suburbs have more curb appeal, privacy and space. It is unbeatable. I would host great big Christmas dinners and have people sleep over. I'd have my own music room and play the drums all I want. Buy all the books in the world without worrying about shelving them. Wait, wait...what about work? I'd need to get a car ($$$). Or take the commute? I'm back to that horrible nightmare of catching the 4:45pm train and arriving home at 6:15pm? What if there's a 5 à 7? Do those still exist in the suburbs or does everyone just go home? Clearly, I would miss the simplicity of pedestrian life and the city vibe. But the space....Argh! Downtown: 1 Suburbs: 1 What about you? How are you deciding? Bee, still in the city! ;) xx Terraces are full, the pools are splashing and the heat is on. Summer is kicking in and the city is buzzing in anticipation of upcoming traditional festivals and events like the Grand Prix. In warmer weather of course, we shed the layers, bring out the lighters colours and strap on the sandals. It is fair to say that we review our style and usually go for a summery fun look. The same goes for wintery perfumes. Personally, I tend to drop the spicy or musky scents and opt for a fresher nose. Scents are important to me as they are like mini time-machines; they take me back to places I have visited or pleasant memories that make me feel good. The scent of a product can make a big difference to the buyer depending on if it is associated to a positive or negative memory. Psychologically, much of human behaviour is based on this concept but, I digress... when I buy sun block, I look at the SPF, the waterproofness, blablabla...but most importantly, I smell the lotion. I do it, you do it, we ALL do it. Why? first of all, because we don't want to smell like something we don't find attractive. Secondly, because a lot of those sun blocks scents probably take us back to fun family vacations, visits to tropical beaches, a picnic by the lake, that weekend at the cottage, basically: good times! That being said, one of my favourite go-to summer product line is definitely Yves Rocher's Monoï collection as well as their after-sun skin care lotions. Presented in a simplistic glass bottle, the Monoï eau de toilette smells like a mix of vanilla, coconut and tiaré flowers. It is a magical blend of sweet and fresh and I am taken to the beach and summertime every time I myst myself with it. Of course, I love this scent so much that I also got the Lagoon Moisturized Perfumed Body Mist which was on special. To me, this is the lighter version of the eau de toilette and is in a plastic bottle instead of glass which makes it travel friendly. In the summer, I keep this in my purse and re-apply when I want to freshen up. I also bring these two bottles with me on my trips to Cuba. The other two Yves Rocher products that I really appreciate are the SOS After-Sun Cooling Gel and the Beautifying Anti-aging Care. The SOS gel is wonderful and it was my mother who introduced me to it. It is a MUST for the summer season especially for sun burns. The gel feels cool when applying it and it contains aloe vera so it truly does rescue your skin from dryness. Best part? It is not sticky unlike pure aloe vera feels and bonus points: smells divine! It actually complements the Monoï perfumes so I usually combine both. I have been using this product for a few years now and absolutely love it. Unfortunately, I went to purchase another bottle last month and was told that the SOS gel would soon be discontinued. Booooo. They still have reserves and as of yet, it is still available online if y'all wanna load up. The anti-aging facial lotion I have only tried this year. I think it is replacing the old anti-aging facial gel they had. In a new glass pump bottle, I have used the product on my face and décolté following sun exposure and I like it! The texture is between gel and lotion and feels light. I feel fresh, hydrated and it too smells nice. I definitely makes a nice alternative to my richer cold weather facial lotions. Might I add that most of these products are also wallet friendly? That means I have money left to fill up the gas tank of my Vespa! ;) What are your summer scents? Bee breezy! I've had the pleasure of seeing Stephan Toss' Rêve creation at its premiere night May 26th and what a discovery! This contemporary ballet was quite unlike anything else I have yet seen. It presents the story of a couple's tumultuous story and unveils the woman's unconscious thoughts and dreams. The complexity of this ballet is quite captivating: the lighting and the video work in the background as the couple's story unfolds. It is a very stimulating performance. Taking us out of our comfort zone with emotions of dominance, anger, sadness and liberation. The precision and timing combined with less traditional ideas, like a person hanging from the ceiling as a chandelier? and every costume was perfect for each act. The thunderbolt of energy in every act was palpable and the audience drank every single drop the dancers gave them. I was treated with a backstage tour afterwards and got to see the highly organized team working behind the scenes as well as the hidden secrets that make the magnificence of any performance possible. For example, did you know that the dancers have a small curtain chamber in which they can change right beside the actual stage to make it for their next act on time? Some acts demand turbo speed for outfit changes and this enables them to jump right back on stage and hit the audience with all their glory, as they always do. Bravissimi! I can't wait for the next one! -Your faithful Bee xx |
AuthorMy name is Ivana. I love photography and meeting people. I hold a Master's in counselling psychology and work as a career consultant. Music is my fuel and an important source of energy in my life. I drive my vespa around the city and I love what I do! :) About this blog: me on my artistic soap box! My first novel!Sign up to get notified with my blog updates!
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