I LOVE NY?

I get a funny reaction in Ottawa when I tell people I am from NY. Sometimes it is awe, the same reaction I get when I tell people that when I am in Asia or Africa. Except we are only an 8 hour drive (and one hour flight) from NY, so I don't know why people act like it is such an exotic place they dream of visiting one day. Also people ask me if I am bored, disappointed etc. Sometimes I miss NY alot, like when Paul and I had slim delivery pickings at midnight a few weekends ago, or when my foodie tendencies come out and there are very many innovative places to check out, and even less hole in the wall budget gems, or when I want to see a new movie and there is a limited selection, or I want to go shopping and there is really only one great mall, and, well the list could go on and on and on. Thankfully however, I found something to snap me out of it :) There are some things in NY I will never ever miss!

A very Puddles Anniversary

Paul and I realized that today is the 1 year anniversary of me bringing the little ball of flying fur, also known as Puddle Puppy, into our house. First let me say, this isn't actually a date we kept track of, but we knew it was 2 days before Paul arrived in Addis, so a short gmail search and there it was.

Anyways, for those of you who don't know the story of Puddles, which means we must never have met, Puddles was found under a tree on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She had a small "collection" half of a roll of bread, so chewed up plastic bags. She was so cute I had to go back a few days in a row, bringing her food and then, on September 6th, I called the vet, wanting to get her the rabies vaccine, plus any thing else she needed. In Addis the vet, comes to you, and Dr. Dawitt showed up with shots and medication. After giving her everything, we talked and he told me he didn't think she would make it on her own, being so small, without a pack. So I took her home, after a quick call to Paul, promising I wouldn't get attached.

Well clearly that didn't work, because here she is. Naming her was the first problem, as soon as she became Puddles it was probably a sign she wasn't going anywhere. Once we decided not to put up signs for a puppy for adoption, her future was sealed. There are a few lessons to be taken from the story of Puddles, here are some of my favorites:

• Much of life is just being in the right place at the right time. I didn't have to work to the cafe the way I did, and it actually wasn't the fastest way. Only because it was the least muddy road (it had EU headquarters) did I walk that way. That walk changed a bunch of lives, and it wasn't planned. So now Puddles never has to worry about hunger, and I never have to worry about sleeping past 7 am!

• Adopting a puppy is the way to go. If you are thinking about getting a pet, adopt. You don't need to go to Ethiopia to help a puppy in need. Your local shelter surely has lots of dogs and cats in need of love.

• Along with that, Mutts RULE!! Puddles is the most popular dog at our dog park, with people and other dogs. Everyone comments on how beautiful she is, she has the quirkiest personality and can do all sorts of tricks. It was a surprise to see how she ended up looking, and how big she became. Some even say that mutts are healthier, though the results are mixed.

• Its really easy to do something nice. Puddles is a reminder of that every day. I'll be honest, it feels really great every time I remember I saved her life. But a puppy is also great and showing unrestricted affection, and she can often tell when I am sad or need someone to cuddle with. It is great to have that daily "be nice" reminder.

Puddles is walking a 5k for Ottawa's Humane Society on Saturday. If you want to help her (and Paul and I) raise money to help some animals who aren't yet lucky enough to have a home click here.

The End of Summer....

Means at least one good thing! New TV! I am not usually that avid of a TV Watcher, but when I heard there was a promo for the new season of community I was psyched. Then I remembered I was in Canada and network websites don't always work, so I got sad. But it worked! It Worked! So now I am psyched again. If you haven't seen it yet check it out. It looks like there will be a musical episode. Which got me excited for new Glee as well. Joy!

Epilepsy, a global perspective

For those of you don't know, technically I am epileptic. I had surgery to remove the brain tumor that was causing seizures 3 years ago, and I haven't had a seizure since, even though I am no longer on anti-seizure medication. Currently it has little impact one me. I'm terrified of strobe lights and I know I can get out of any future military drafts, oh wait I already moved to Canada! But I am still always interested in news about epilepsy and seizures and a few days ago I came across this article about epilepsy in the developing world.

I've known since day 1 that I was lucky to get the treatment I did. Some of the most recommended neurosurgeons in the county +great health insurance means I had to make very few lifestyle changes following my diagnosis. Not so for epileptics in Sierra Leone, who have suffered such "treatments" as drinking kerosene. The most heart-breaking to me is the stigma. Having a seizure is scary. It is your brain acting without your consent, doing things that you don't remember. Its physically and emotionally painful and extremely draining. To have to face all that and then be be forced into the margins of society, seems to me too much to bear. This can cause children to drop out of school, to avoid the mockery of students, further isolating and stigmatizing them.

I had no idea that 90% of all cases of epilepsy occur in the developing world, but based on what I know about international health, I shouldn't be that surprised. That the only drug available is phenobarbital, often unaffordable at $2 a month is saddening, but also not a surprise. I spent the past 2 years immersed in public health, and the world's poorest countries are plagued with some of the most heartbreaking health problems. While treatment for epilepsy for all should be the ultimate goal, dealing with the stigma would be the most feasible, cost efficient and perhaps even the most important. I am looking into the Epilepsy Association's Africa programs, if anyone wants to donate or become more involved, please do let me know.

If this is a topic you are also interested in I recommend the book "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" one of my favorite books, and it was even before I was epileptic. This true story follows a Hmong refugee family resettled to the U.S. deal with their daughters epilepsy. The books chronicles the family's spiritual beliefs and treatments and how they clash with western medicines own. Very little judgement and truly a great read.

What to write about

If you are reading this, that means you found my blog! So that's a good thing. It means people are paying attention to my facebook page. So now the question is, what to write about? While I am unemployed I would love a way to turn this blog into something useful. So "loyal" readers, what do you think? So far my two ideas:

Somehow use my reproductive health knowledge for good, as opposed to the normal evil and annoyance I usually use it for. This would be a collection and rundown of news and policy related to this and other topics that interest me but would also include some more local "fun stuff" such as visits to the local sex shops here and stories about condoms. My work has meant I have lots of stories about condoms

Use this blog to document the trials and tribulations of relocating with a partner, or just being unemployed in general.

Right now it will probably just continue to be a combination of the both, with maybe some other things as well. Do let me know what you think.

I'm sorry are you being sarcastic?

About a week after Paul to my house for Thanksgiving last year the new Canadian character on 30 Rock had this to say:

“I’m sorry are you being Sarcastic? Canadians have a hard time understanding it because we don't have a large Jewish population.”

I was watching with my mom and dad and we had to pause the DVR we were all laughing so hard. We are Jewish and we pride ourselves on our sarcastic sense of humor, it sustained us as a people after all.

But it turns out there was more than a bit of truth to this quote. I think people consider me funny. Some have even told me I am. But here, nothing. A great example. After paying for a coffee the other day, I pulled out my “frequent customer” card to be punched. “Thank goodness I found that” I said “ being unemployed the free coffee is pretty much all I have to live for”. The barista? She looked at me as if I had told her a free coffee was all I had to live for. But for real.
Oy!

Welcome

Hello loyal readers. Many of you have followed me on my travel adventures throughout the world. I feel honored that so many of you have read along as I went first to Prague and later spent 9 months in Thailand. Another shorter trip to Thailand, followed by 8 months in Ethiopia still hasn’t sated my travel bug! So hold on tight as I take you with me on my next adventure, here in the exotic city of …..Ottawa Canada.
Several readers have told me that you live vicariously through my blogs. I consider this a compliment, and have always tried to do my best to give a glimpse of my life. So come along with me as I observed life in Canada’s capital city through my slightly sarcastic New York Point of View. You can also expect the occasional advocacy topic, global updates and, of course, lots and lots of stories about Puddles. I really am going to try to do my best to not make this blog one big Canada joke or rant on America. It’s meant to be funny not offensive to anyone! Enjoy ☺