Resolutions are tricky. On the one hand, who is not invigorated by a fresh start and the potential for improvement and change? On the other, some of us are known to bite off more than we can chew (myself included), taking on more than we can manage, and in no time we throw in the towel and are back to our old habits.
I am not a fan of the word resolution, therefore, I am calling my Resolutions, Proposals. By using proposal instead of resolution, putting them in writing and posting them on the blog, I feel I have more accountability. And more accountability can and should lead to greater success. It will also allow me to share my progress and at the end of the year report back on how I did.
So without further ado, here are my Proposals (in no specific order)....
1. Teach Arabella how to make snow angels and catch snowflakes on her tongue. This is a proposal stems from fond memories that I have of my own childhood. I remember playing the in snow with my mom and brother and we used to make snow angels. We used to have so much fun and this is a "tradition" that I would like for Arabella to be a part of.
2. Join a Mom's Group. I have already begun the process for joining the Wee Wiggles. It is one of Montreal's largest and most active mom's group on the West Island. I am looking forward to joining to meet new friends and to have some wonderful play dates and groups for Arabella. We need to get out the house and experience all that Montreal and the area has to offer, so bu joining this group, I hope to achieve this.
3. Journal. I would like to start journaling more often. I am not too sure why, other than it helps to clear my thoughts and refresh me.
4. Yoga. I loved doing yoga and would like to get back into it. Not only does it relax me, but it helps to keep my mind and body in top performance. I love the peace and quiet that comes with practicing. It will also help with the back issues that I have right now and it will continue to keep me limber and flexible. I need to be in order to keep up with Arabella and all her energy. In theory, I would like to find a studio and be able to attend class at least once a week.
5. Pre-Arabella Weight. I need to get back to my Pre-Arabella weight. Not only will I feel better, but I will be able to wear all the clothes that are hanging in my closet. This will be a challenge for me, but I am going to try my hardest to get back to where I should me. Not only do I need to do this for me, but I also need to be in good health and shape for Arabella and Jay. I have started my exercise regime again and we do not have "junk" in the house. I know it takes hard work and dedication, and I am ready to give it my all.
6. Run 5K. A follow up to Number 5, is running a 5K. I am not a runner so this will be a challenge for me. Who knows where it will lead, maybe I will become a runner. It is also motivation to aid in my weight loss.
7. Learn French. My lessons will be starting next week. I am not sure that I will become fluent in French, but I would like to learn enough so that I can manage and understand people when we are out. It would also be helpful when we go out to eat as many menus are in french. I would also like to be able to have Arabella become bilingual while we are living here. So if Jay and I are speaking French at home, it will be that much easier for her to pick up.
8. Create Wedding Album. As many of you know, Jay and I just received our wedding photos last summer. Yes, that would be 3 years after our wedding. Part of the legal agreement that we came to with the photographer was that we would receive all the photos on DVD/CD but we would not get an album. Therefore, we do not have one. So I would like to create one. There are many online websites that help you to create beautiful albums. It will be a creative outlet for me and I am looking forward to it.
9. Update Arabella's Scrapbook. As a shower gift, I was given a beautiful scrapbook for Arabella and the chronicling of her first year. For a while I did really well keeping it up to date. But then I slacked off so I need to finish it up.
10. Clean Eating Cooking Method. I subscribe to a wonderful magazine called Clean Eating. It encourages you to eat and cook food that is raw and unprocessed and does not have preservatives. They also suggest eating foods that have no more than 5 ingredients listed in them. We do a good job of eating a lot of organic foods, as well as, fruits and vegetables. We eat meat this is organic, free range and not given hormones. So if I follow the method, it will help our overall lifestyle and health.
11. Create a Home keeping Schedule and Stick to it. This is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time. Now that I am home with Arabella, I think that it will be easier to stick to. It is also easier to do a few things every day instead of waiting until one day on the weekend to clean the whole house. By creating this schedule it will allow us more time to do things as a family. And it is always nice to have a clean and orderly home. I think that if I can do this, Martha would be so proud!
12. Go through Clothes and Shoes. I am going to go through every piece of clothing that I have. I will do the same with my shoes. I will get rid of or donate anything that is ripped, torn, stained, outdated or I just won't wear again. This one will be tough for me, but I need to do it.
13. Travel and Explore. Living in a new country will allow us to visit places we have never been to. We will also be able to travel to different provinces. I am also looking forward to exploring Old Montreal and Quebec City. There can be an adventure each time we walk out our door.
14. Catch up with Family and Friends. I realize that time is precious and you never know what tomorrow will bring. I would like to get back in touch with friends that I have lost touch with. I also want to spend time with my family back in Connecticut. Now that I am not working and we are only a 6 or so hour drive away, Arabella and I will be able to make more frequent trips to visit.
So there they are, my 14 proposals. I am going to give them my all!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.
Every year when I hear this song it brings back so great memories of when Jay and I spent New Year's Eve 2006 in Times Square in NYC...what an amazing experience! However, this year was just a little more low key. We stayed up and watched Dick Clark's countdown and went to bed shortly thereafter. We did not even have champagne, we did not have any in the house and when Jay went out at 5:30 to pick up a bottle the stores were closed! And to think I used to think it was bad in Connecticut when you couldn't by alcohol after 8 pm or on Sundays.
Happy New Year! It has been snowing here for 3 days now. On Day 1 - New Year's Day, we took Arabella sledding for the first time. When we were moving in, one of the local mover's told us that the Pointe Claire Golf Course, which is nearby, has great hills for sledding. So we looked it up and actually found that it is the Beaconsfield Golf Club (a private course in Pointe Claire) that had the sledding hills. So we got bundled up and set out for a snowy drive to try and find the golf club. We found it and it was packed with cars! I find it amazing that a private golf club allows sledding on it's hills in the winter...now that would never happen in the States!
We all had fun and will go sledding again soon. Arabella loved it and she kept asking for more!
We also watched Ohio State win the Rose Bowl, GO BUCKS! Arabella was even cheering and clapping for the Buckeyes, and is now able to say "Bucks", now that makes us proud!
Our little gymnast watching the Rose Bowl!
We are sending Birthday Wishes to Uncle Bill who celebrated his birthday on New Year's Day - we hope you have a great year!
Yesterday we just did boring errands but did have brunch at a restaurant called Chez Cora. It was so yummy! We all had crepes!
Jay had the Sarrasin Surprise
I had the Lucie-la-framboise
Arabella had the fruit and custard crepe
May each of our family, friends and blog followers, have a healthy, blessed and wonderful 2010!
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, for Auld Lang Syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.
Every year when I hear this song it brings back so great memories of when Jay and I spent New Year's Eve 2006 in Times Square in NYC...what an amazing experience! However, this year was just a little more low key. We stayed up and watched Dick Clark's countdown and went to bed shortly thereafter. We did not even have champagne, we did not have any in the house and when Jay went out at 5:30 to pick up a bottle the stores were closed! And to think I used to think it was bad in Connecticut when you couldn't by alcohol after 8 pm or on Sundays.
Happy New Year! It has been snowing here for 3 days now. On Day 1 - New Year's Day, we took Arabella sledding for the first time. When we were moving in, one of the local mover's told us that the Pointe Claire Golf Course, which is nearby, has great hills for sledding. So we looked it up and actually found that it is the Beaconsfield Golf Club (a private course in Pointe Claire) that had the sledding hills. So we got bundled up and set out for a snowy drive to try and find the golf club. We found it and it was packed with cars! I find it amazing that a private golf club allows sledding on it's hills in the winter...now that would never happen in the States!
We all had fun and will go sledding again soon. Arabella loved it and she kept asking for more!
We also watched Ohio State win the Rose Bowl, GO BUCKS! Arabella was even cheering and clapping for the Buckeyes, and is now able to say "Bucks", now that makes us proud!
Our little gymnast watching the Rose Bowl!
We are sending Birthday Wishes to Uncle Bill who celebrated his birthday on New Year's Day - we hope you have a great year!
Yesterday we just did boring errands but did have brunch at a restaurant called Chez Cora. It was so yummy! We all had crepes!
Jay had the Sarrasin Surprise
I had the Lucie-la-framboise
Arabella had the fruit and custard crepe
May each of our family, friends and blog followers, have a healthy, blessed and wonderful 2010!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Let's Get Outside
It has been really cold, but we still have managed to get out and get some fresh air. We just have to put on a few more layers and bundle up. Arabella has been pretty good about getting dressed for our outdoor adventures. The only problem is that once she is dressed, she is ready to go and it takes a minute for us to then get bundled up!
We noticed that many of the families in the neighborhood take walks and since the roads are still pretty snow covered, they pull the kids in sleds. So Santa brought Arabella a sled for Christmas and we have been using it to take walks. She just laughs and laughs as she bumps over the snow! I am so happy that she likes the snow and being outside!
We noticed that many of the families in the neighborhood take walks and since the roads are still pretty snow covered, they pull the kids in sleds. So Santa brought Arabella a sled for Christmas and we have been using it to take walks. She just laughs and laughs as she bumps over the snow! I am so happy that she likes the snow and being outside!
Merry Christmas...better late than never....right???
It seems a little odd to be saying "Merry Christmas" on New Year's Eve, but I need to do a few more entries and the blog will be up to date!
We had a great Christmas and Arabella made out like a bandit, Santa sure was good to her. I must admit, it was very quiet and a little odd to not be around family. It almost did not feel like Christmas, I really did not do too much shopping or decorating and the move made things a little be crazy, but we made do. However, next year will be a different story when we can celebrate properly and be around family and friends.
Arabella helped me make pizzelles and she had fun. She also liked to eat them as soon as I took them off the press. My little Italian girl!
We also received care packages from Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill and Grampie. Aunt Margo sent us yummy Italian cookies, which Jay dove right into. Grampie sent us his world famous sausage bread, I have no idea how customs let it through, but we are so happy they did. The box had a big sticker that said "CLEARED" and we are very thankful that it was. Arabella helped to take the bread out of the shipping box and as soon as we opened it she wanted some. When I toast up a piece, she wants it and all I am usually left with is the crust, if that!
On Christmas morning, Arabella walked down the stairs and she peeked through the banister, it was as if she was checking to make sure Santa came. Jay was able to get a picture of it!
Here are a few shots of her opening and enjoying some of her presents. Thank you to everyone who sent her gifts, we are so thankful and blessed to have family and friends like you! Arabella sends her thanks as well!
We had a great Christmas and Arabella made out like a bandit, Santa sure was good to her. I must admit, it was very quiet and a little odd to not be around family. It almost did not feel like Christmas, I really did not do too much shopping or decorating and the move made things a little be crazy, but we made do. However, next year will be a different story when we can celebrate properly and be around family and friends.
Arabella helped me make pizzelles and she had fun. She also liked to eat them as soon as I took them off the press. My little Italian girl!
We also received care packages from Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill and Grampie. Aunt Margo sent us yummy Italian cookies, which Jay dove right into. Grampie sent us his world famous sausage bread, I have no idea how customs let it through, but we are so happy they did. The box had a big sticker that said "CLEARED" and we are very thankful that it was. Arabella helped to take the bread out of the shipping box and as soon as we opened it she wanted some. When I toast up a piece, she wants it and all I am usually left with is the crust, if that!
On Christmas morning, Arabella walked down the stairs and she peeked through the banister, it was as if she was checking to make sure Santa came. Jay was able to get a picture of it!
Here are a few shots of her opening and enjoying some of her presents. Thank you to everyone who sent her gifts, we are so thankful and blessed to have family and friends like you! Arabella sends her thanks as well!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
As Promised...Photos of the New House
Before the movers began to move in boxes and furniture, I went around and took pictures of the empty rooms. Once we have everything organized and situated, I will post new pictures, but this will give you and idea of the house.
The Kitchen looking into the Dining Room
The Breakfast Area
The Dining Room
The Living Room
Arabella's Playroom
The Spare Room upstairs...we are not sure what we are going to do with this room...
The Front Hallway/Stairs
Jay's Office/Work Area in Basement
Family Room Area in Basement
The HUGE Refrigerator
The Master Bedroom Sitting Area
The Master Bedroom
The Guest Room
Arabella's Room
We love it! Jay is not used to all the room and in his silly way, he keeps asking me the names of the rooms and is acting like he keeps getting lost!
We have plenty of room for guests, so just let us know when you want to come and visit, we would love to have you!
The Kitchen looking into the Dining Room
The Breakfast Area
The Dining Room
The Living Room
Arabella's Playroom
The Spare Room upstairs...we are not sure what we are going to do with this room...
The Front Hallway/Stairs
Jay's Office/Work Area in Basement
Family Room Area in Basement
The HUGE Refrigerator
The Master Bedroom Sitting Area
The Master Bedroom
The Guest Room
Arabella's Room
We love it! Jay is not used to all the room and in his silly way, he keeps asking me the names of the rooms and is acting like he keeps getting lost!
We have plenty of room for guests, so just let us know when you want to come and visit, we would love to have you!
New House
Bright and early on Tuesday morning...although it was not too bright...it was snowing, we met the moving truck at Customs in Montreal to have our personal belonging cleared for entry into Canada. Customs in Montreal is a pretty busy place and right next to the airport, which was a good distraction for Arabella. We waiting in the car while Jay accompanied the driver of our moving truck inside to meet with the Custom's agent. After about 45 minutes the exited the building and we were on our way to the new house!! Again, no issues so we are very thankful for that!
Following the moving truck through the Custom's Area.
Arabella had fun watching the CAT wheel loader pick up snow piles and load them in the dump truck.
We officially made it to our new house and Arabella had fun in the snow waiting for the moving truck to arrive! She loves to play in the snow!
I felt bad for the movers, they were moving our belongings into the house in the snow. But they did not seem to mind. They emptied the truck in a day and were on their way. Now all we have to do is unpack! It was another successful day!!
Following the moving truck through the Custom's Area.
Arabella had fun watching the CAT wheel loader pick up snow piles and load them in the dump truck.
We officially made it to our new house and Arabella had fun in the snow waiting for the moving truck to arrive! She loves to play in the snow!
I felt bad for the movers, they were moving our belongings into the house in the snow. But they did not seem to mind. They emptied the truck in a day and were on their way. Now all we have to do is unpack! It was another successful day!!
Our Introduction to Socialized Medicine
We spent today becoming acclimated with the Canadian government service bureaus and had an introduction to socialized medicine. (Please note, that this is only our experience and may not reflect the experience of others.)
We started out at 8:45 on a snowy and cold morning for the drive to downtown Montreal. Our first stop was to obtain our SIN or Social Insurance Number. It is similar to the SSN in the States, but is only used for banking, credit and employment. Therefore, it was not necessary for Arabella to obtain one. If we choose to open a bank account for her while we are here, she will then need to have one issued. When we arrived, there were 4 people in front on us in line to check in. We got checked in, had to fill out a form and then sat in a waiting area for about 20 minutes. Once called, we went to a window, they took our passports, checked our Visa's and then issued our numbers on the spot. We received a form with the number on it and will receive the official card in the mail in about 7 - 10 days. Things seemed to be going smoothly, one down, one to go!
We headed back out into the snow and onto the next service bureau. It was in another building in downtown Montreal.
I should preface this section, by stating that in the province of Quebec, there are only two (2) offices that handle the services associated with health insurance registration. As a point of reference, the approximate population of the Quebec province is 7.8 million people.
Upon arriving at the bureau, we waited in a line that was out the door of the office, I would estimate that there were about 50 people in front of us just waiting to check in with the receptionist. There were 2 receptionist windows, however, there was always a sign at one that stated "FERME" or "Closed", so really there was only one person checking people in. Once checked in, we were given a number, B113, and told to have a seat in the waiting area. At this point, have a seat was just a figure of speech, it was standing room only. The room was filled with all races, ethnicity's and people from all economic status'. See below...
We were told the wait would be approximately 1 hour to be seen regarding our registration. We finally obtained a seat and waited for our number to appear on the screen telling us that it was our turn to be seen. During our wait, Arabella had a few meltdowns, but that is to be expected when she is forced to wait in a room with hundreds of other people that is hot and stuffy and she has all sorts of pent up energy. Good thing we brought some things to keep her occupied and fed, since if you left for food and they called your number you were out of luck! 1 hour and 45 minutes later, our number appeared and we headed on to the next station. We presented our passports and visas to the individual who was processing our registration. She wanted to see a letter from CAT stating that the office was in Quebec since on Jay's work visa the location was stated as "unknown". We provided a letter, but it was not acceptable as it stated the office is in Ontario. Jay explained that our residence is in the Quebec province, his office is in our home and his customers are in the province. Still not good enough, we will have to fax a letter from CAT to the bureau for the final processing of our applications. I was thinking, "Great, we are going to have to come back and do this all over again"...but they were able to process the rest of our paperwork today. Thank goodness because I am not sure Arabella (or I) would be able to handle the wait again. We provided other necessary documentation, signed papers and after about 45 minutes, were informed we would have to return to the waiting area to be called to have our pictures taken for our insurance cards. We waited for our number to flash on the screen again and after about 30 minutes, we paid $8 each for our photos, had them taken and then were told by the picture taker "You can leave now"! I was thinking thank goodness because if I am told to go back to the waiting area one more time, I am going to have a tantrum like my overtired Arabella! At this point, we collected our belongings and headed out the door. Yippee!! I am very glad that we arrived at the bureau when we did in the morning, because as we were leaving, the line to get into the office snaked around the whole floor (I think there were at least 150 - 200 people, just waiting to get in to register with the receptionist). This number does not include those already checked in and waiting.
Once outside, I think I was just as happy as Arabella to be out of that black hole and into the cold Montreal air! As they say, it was "A Breath of Fresh Air" and it was so refreshing! We returned home at 3 pm, it was very long and tiring and I wanted to crash like Arabella!
When we receive our card in 3 months, which is the requisite waiting period upon establishing residency in Quebec, this is what our cards will look like:
The Régie issues a Health Insurance Card to persons eligible for the Québec Health Insurance Plan. Because the Health Insurance Card gives access to insured healthcare services, it is important for insured persons to carry their card with them at all times.
Information appearing on a Health Insurance Card
A Health Insurance Number, unique to each person, consisting of:
the first three letters of the last name;
the first letter of the first name;
the last two digits of the year of birth;
the month of birth (to which 50 is added to indicate female);
the day of birth;
an administrative code used by the Régie.
The person's identity:
first name (if the number of characters in the first name exceeds the space available, only the initial will appear on the card);
last name at birth;
husband's last name, if requested by a woman married before April 2, 1981 or by a woman married outside Québec who exercises her civil rights under that name;
the number of cards issued to the person since 1984.
The person's birthdate and sex.
The year and month of expiry.
The person's photograph and signature, both of which are digitized and incorporated into the card. Cards issued to persons not required to provide a photo and a signature, such as children under age 14, have no photo or signature spaces, while cards issued to persons exempt from providing their photo, their signature or both, are marked "exempté" in the appropriate space(s).
On the back of the Health Insurance Card, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux offers the insured person the possibility of consenting to organ donation (info taken from http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=canadaonline&cdn=newsissues&tm=20&gps=62_979_1339_846&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citoyens/assurancemaladie/carte/carte.shtml)
Until we receive our card, if we need to go to the drs, we will have to pay out of pocket for our care. However, once we receive our card, we can go to any dr we want and will not have to deal with insurance paperwork, co-payments, referrals or coverage denials!
With the above being said, not having been in the loop recently about the health care debate going on back home and at at the risk of offending some people back in the States, I think the US government really needs to think long and hard about how they will implement universal healthcare. And before everyone back home jumps on the bandwagon for universal healthcare, they may want to take a look at how it works elsewhere. It may change some minds.
We started out at 8:45 on a snowy and cold morning for the drive to downtown Montreal. Our first stop was to obtain our SIN or Social Insurance Number. It is similar to the SSN in the States, but is only used for banking, credit and employment. Therefore, it was not necessary for Arabella to obtain one. If we choose to open a bank account for her while we are here, she will then need to have one issued. When we arrived, there were 4 people in front on us in line to check in. We got checked in, had to fill out a form and then sat in a waiting area for about 20 minutes. Once called, we went to a window, they took our passports, checked our Visa's and then issued our numbers on the spot. We received a form with the number on it and will receive the official card in the mail in about 7 - 10 days. Things seemed to be going smoothly, one down, one to go!
We headed back out into the snow and onto the next service bureau. It was in another building in downtown Montreal.
I should preface this section, by stating that in the province of Quebec, there are only two (2) offices that handle the services associated with health insurance registration. As a point of reference, the approximate population of the Quebec province is 7.8 million people.
Upon arriving at the bureau, we waited in a line that was out the door of the office, I would estimate that there were about 50 people in front of us just waiting to check in with the receptionist. There were 2 receptionist windows, however, there was always a sign at one that stated "FERME" or "Closed", so really there was only one person checking people in. Once checked in, we were given a number, B113, and told to have a seat in the waiting area. At this point, have a seat was just a figure of speech, it was standing room only. The room was filled with all races, ethnicity's and people from all economic status'. See below...
We were told the wait would be approximately 1 hour to be seen regarding our registration. We finally obtained a seat and waited for our number to appear on the screen telling us that it was our turn to be seen. During our wait, Arabella had a few meltdowns, but that is to be expected when she is forced to wait in a room with hundreds of other people that is hot and stuffy and she has all sorts of pent up energy. Good thing we brought some things to keep her occupied and fed, since if you left for food and they called your number you were out of luck! 1 hour and 45 minutes later, our number appeared and we headed on to the next station. We presented our passports and visas to the individual who was processing our registration. She wanted to see a letter from CAT stating that the office was in Quebec since on Jay's work visa the location was stated as "unknown". We provided a letter, but it was not acceptable as it stated the office is in Ontario. Jay explained that our residence is in the Quebec province, his office is in our home and his customers are in the province. Still not good enough, we will have to fax a letter from CAT to the bureau for the final processing of our applications. I was thinking, "Great, we are going to have to come back and do this all over again"...but they were able to process the rest of our paperwork today. Thank goodness because I am not sure Arabella (or I) would be able to handle the wait again. We provided other necessary documentation, signed papers and after about 45 minutes, were informed we would have to return to the waiting area to be called to have our pictures taken for our insurance cards. We waited for our number to flash on the screen again and after about 30 minutes, we paid $8 each for our photos, had them taken and then were told by the picture taker "You can leave now"! I was thinking thank goodness because if I am told to go back to the waiting area one more time, I am going to have a tantrum like my overtired Arabella! At this point, we collected our belongings and headed out the door. Yippee!! I am very glad that we arrived at the bureau when we did in the morning, because as we were leaving, the line to get into the office snaked around the whole floor (I think there were at least 150 - 200 people, just waiting to get in to register with the receptionist). This number does not include those already checked in and waiting.
Once outside, I think I was just as happy as Arabella to be out of that black hole and into the cold Montreal air! As they say, it was "A Breath of Fresh Air" and it was so refreshing! We returned home at 3 pm, it was very long and tiring and I wanted to crash like Arabella!
When we receive our card in 3 months, which is the requisite waiting period upon establishing residency in Quebec, this is what our cards will look like:
The Régie issues a Health Insurance Card to persons eligible for the Québec Health Insurance Plan. Because the Health Insurance Card gives access to insured healthcare services, it is important for insured persons to carry their card with them at all times.
Information appearing on a Health Insurance Card
A Health Insurance Number, unique to each person, consisting of:
the first three letters of the last name;
the first letter of the first name;
the last two digits of the year of birth;
the month of birth (to which 50 is added to indicate female);
the day of birth;
an administrative code used by the Régie.
The person's identity:
first name (if the number of characters in the first name exceeds the space available, only the initial will appear on the card);
last name at birth;
husband's last name, if requested by a woman married before April 2, 1981 or by a woman married outside Québec who exercises her civil rights under that name;
the number of cards issued to the person since 1984.
The person's birthdate and sex.
The year and month of expiry.
The person's photograph and signature, both of which are digitized and incorporated into the card. Cards issued to persons not required to provide a photo and a signature, such as children under age 14, have no photo or signature spaces, while cards issued to persons exempt from providing their photo, their signature or both, are marked "exempté" in the appropriate space(s).
On the back of the Health Insurance Card, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux offers the insured person the possibility of consenting to organ donation (info taken from http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=canadaonline&cdn=newsissues&tm=20&gps=62_979_1339_846&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citoyens/assurancemaladie/carte/carte.shtml)
Until we receive our card, if we need to go to the drs, we will have to pay out of pocket for our care. However, once we receive our card, we can go to any dr we want and will not have to deal with insurance paperwork, co-payments, referrals or coverage denials!
With the above being said, not having been in the loop recently about the health care debate going on back home and at at the risk of offending some people back in the States, I think the US government really needs to think long and hard about how they will implement universal healthcare. And before everyone back home jumps on the bandwagon for universal healthcare, they may want to take a look at how it works elsewhere. It may change some minds.
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