multiculturalism vs pluralism

In many discussions often Canada equals multiculturalism. And it is, I think. Multiculturalism definitely has an advantage. Whenever you bring different people together, something new and cool and useful can be created.

But apparently the word 'multiculturalism' has lost its initial meaning:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/multiculturalism/editorial-strike-multiculturalism-from-the-national-vocabulary/article1748958/

I like the pluralism word. I liked being 'Estonia' when I was studing in Canada. But when being a citizen, I would like to be a Canadian. But be part of different communities, Estonian being one of them.

One good paragraph from the article summarizing immigrants situation:

Immigrants should know they have an obligation to learn one of Canada’s official languages, to understand that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees both freedom of religion and expression, as well as women’s right to be treated equally. In turn, the host society has an obligation not just to recruit newcomers and their families, but also to find a place for them and to make use of their considerable talents. Immigrants care more about equal access to jobs, housing and education, than about support of cultural enrichment.

I was always surprised that people in Canada do not HAVE to learn the official language. In Estonia it is essential and for a reason.

And the other thing is this 'finding a place'. It still puzzles me how degrees and experiences acquired from the other countries just won't count in Canada. Oh, you were a highly appreciated plastic surgeon in Pakistan (or a kids doctor in Estonia etc)? Cool, but you need to do the entire medical doctor exam again in Canada. It is quite ridiculous. Actually, even when Canadians would study medicine outside of Canada, they need to do the North-American exams concurrently. It is also crazy.

And today my Canadian Estonian friend is seriously considering doing another Masters in Canada, as she can not find a job on her specialty otherwise.

I am back!

I am part of the society again!

I got internet on Monday. And it feels AMAZING. I have been deprived for way too long.

A lot has happened.

Obviously not all would have been worth sharing anyway. Some things have just lost the novelty by now. Some things have a different meaning in retrospect.

At least I will try to write updates more often. And most importantly - I have lots of Skype-dates to organize:)

supergirl

Not the easiest times. I have gazillion projects on the go, home to find and then it is still summer and I should take the last out of it (because who knows how will I make it through the winter). And some days and nights I am just so damn overwhelmed and tired that I don't know what to do...
'But I'm a Supergirl
and supergirls don't cry.'
...

date

A virtual one, but still:)
hence it's the song of the day today.

Nouvelle vague 'dance with me'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQZPozjCX8

I hereby pronounce you husband and wife

I woke up early this morning, around 5.13 or so. It was way too early to get up, so I was levitating on the border of sleep and awake. I was frightened awake again at 6.48, and not because I was late for work, but because of the dream I had.

My friends had arranged a wedding for me. It was just 15 minutes before the ceremony and I even did not have the dress on yet (it was my friend's wedding dress). And I REALLY did not want to put it on and go. I did not know they guy (his name was Tormi... ???) and most importantly I was in love with someone else and my biggest concern was that how will I go home after the weekend, ring in my finger, and tell that 'I just got married'.

Uh, thankfully I woke up before the dress got buttoned up and there was no ring on my finger when I woke up. But I still feel disturbed.

what's wrong with you?

This could also be called ‘Depression is an answer to everything! Or so the doctors think.’

I have more-less recovered by now, but last week I experienced the worst doctor’s appointment ever! It was so bad that I considered immediate moving back to Canada.

First she had double-booked the time and then just ignored the fact that there was a small kid outside waiting. When I entered, there was no ‘hello’. Also the nurse was standing on the patient’s chair and doing something under the ceiling.

‘What’s wrong with you (Mis sul viga on)?’ the doctor asked, when I was standing in the middle of the room with all of my stuff.
‘Well, I … ‘
And then the nurse finished the ceiling business, gave me the chair and started attaching all sorts of wires and telling me not to talk.

Hmmm…

Finally I got the worrisome issues told. She wanted to do the blood work (and so did I), but she wanted to do it on Tuesday morning. I live in Tallinn though… ‘Then take another doctor!’, she said. Well, yes, but it requires energy and right now I just need some immediate help to carry me through the upcoming days (and then I will most definitely take another doctor!!).

Anyway, I got the blood work order for 3 things that I knew I wanted to check (she did not add any new ideas) and even argued with my theory (which I know I was correct). The punch-line: eat fruit, do nice things and rest. And you will feel better.

Wow.

And on Monday I called to find out the results. The tests came back negative, and she concluded: hereby I diagnose depression. Go to the psychiatrist. And oh, by the way, they are mostly privately held businesses.

Did I mention, that I saw the doctor for 7 minutes, she never asked about my health in the past nor did she never touch me. Magical diagnosing skills.
And I thought that the time in Canada, when they thought that I cannot adjust with the different culture, was the worst.
No wonder Estonians have bad health.

PS! Later I recalled that the same family doctor advised carrot to treat myocarditis...

happiness is...

... when your best friend's grandmother is welcoming you with the widest smile after she has not seen you for seven years. And she said: you have not changed at all.

Ah:)

Täpsustus:

Memm: ja midagi ei ole muutunud.

Mina: jah, ainult et lapsi on juurde tulnud.

Memm: ei, sinuga ei ole muutunud.

Mina: jah, ainult et kooli lõpetasin ära.

Memm: ei, ma mõtlen, et sa näed välja ikka sama ilus ja noor.

Not vot siis - blond!