Tag Archives: University of Guelph

Family • Photo Restoration • 57 • Dusil • Canada

September 29, 2016 Gabriel Dusil 2 Comments

Diary • 22nd October 1993

• I was four when we left Brampton. I still refer to that apartment complex as the “red buildings”. My cousin Roman and friend Laco Dobis lived in the twin building next door. Taci worked in the local Veterinary office while mom was studying at Guelph University. At night Taci and I would go to Judo. As a second degree he would teach the students, and as a white belt I would participate in the warmup and then play at the back of the dojo. The summer before turning five we moved to Burlington. We slept at the Animal Hospital while our house in Tyandaga was being built.

• In September 1974, and it was my first day of school at Holy Rosary. Mom was with me, and our first stop was the Principle’s office (A room I would frequently visit during my elementary years). That first day of Kindergarten was traumatic. When I walked into the classroom all the kids were playing. But, I felt as though everyone already knew each other – as if I was entering the class in the middle of the school season. I was very shy and it took me a while before adjusting to the new setting. My first friend was Patrick Pongetti. He was quiet like me. Neither of us were interested in following the alphas. Our friendship lasted until we graduated.

• Soon enough I became a trouble maker. Partly due to befriending Danny Berris, who got under my skin on several occasions. I’m sure I pissed him off just as often. All kids fight and I was no exception. Kids can also be very nasty, and I didn’t take that lightly. My first report card said, “Gabriel is still hitting the other children”. Budding in line, and name calling were dealt with five-year-old violence. A receptionist at the Animal Hospital – and seventh grader at the time, Michele Cieslik – once told me that she watched someone bud in front of me in line, and I punched him.

• Mom told me that that I was a real trouble maker for the first few years at Holy Rosary. Most of those memories have faded but I do remember one event that ultimately put closure to that behavior. It was grade three and I was in the Principle’s office with Danny, and our teacher. Principle Butt lectured us on our bad behavior, and all the while I was wonder if the pending strap would be on our bare bums, or not. So the time had come, and Principle Butt did me the honours, and Danny got his beating from the teacher. While getting the strap I was surprised how lightly I was being hit. It didn’t hurt at all. When it was all over, Danny was whimpering as we walked back to the classroom. I remembered vividly thinking how stupid it was for him to cry, because it didn’t hurt. So what was he crying about? It was the first and last time I got the strap. And from that point onward Danny and I were separated in our seating arrangements. Anyways,… the pants stayed on.

• Dusil

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• 5 minutes 3 seconds

72.Jul - Brampton · Gabriel, Eva & Vaclav Dusil (park swings) — 72.Jul – Brampton · Gabriel, Eva & Vaclav Dusil (park swings)

72.Jul - Tampa · Vaclav & Gabriel Dusil (football on the beach) — 72.Jul – Tampa · Vaclav & Gabriel Dusil (football on the beach)

72.Jul - Orlando · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) — 72.Jul – Orlando · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (Ripley’s Believe It or Not!)

73.Jun - Guelph · Gabriel, Vaclav & Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Gabriel, Vaclav & Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation)

73 - Burlington · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav (Aldershot Animal Hospital driveway) — 73 – Burlington · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav (Aldershot Animal Hospital driveway)

74.May - Hawaii · Vaclav, Hula dancer & Gabriel Dusil — 74.May – Hawaii · Vaclav, Hula dancer & Gabriel Dusil

76 - Rio de Janeiro · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (pool totem pole) — 76 – Rio de Janeiro · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (pool totem pole)

78.Jul.12 - Burlington · Alica, Eva & Gabriel Dusil (birthday) — 78.Jul.12 – Burlington · Alica, Eva & Gabriel Dusil (birthday)

80.Jul - Burlington · Gabriel, Vaclav & Alica Dusil (reading) — 80.Jul – Burlington · Gabriel, Vaclav & Alica Dusil (reading)

81.Jul.12 - Burlington · Eva & Alica Dusil (Ali's birthday) — 81.Jul.12 – Burlington · Eva & Alica Dusil (Ali’s birthday)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Gabriel is a seasoned sales and marketing expert with over 25 years in senior positions at Motorola, VeriSign (acquired by Symantec in 2010 for 1.25 billion US$), SecureWorks (acquired by Dell in 2011 for 612 million US$), and Cognitive Security (acquired by Cisco in 2013 for 25 million US$). He is a blockchain entrepreneur, with strengths in international business strategy.

Gabriel has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from McMaster University in Canada and expert knowledge in crypto incubation, cloud computing, IT security, and digital video technology. Gabriel also runs his own company, Euro Tech Startups s.r.o.

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family, Pets

Family • Photo Restoration • 52 • Mamička • Farm

August 25, 2016 Gabriel Dusil 2 Comments

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• The first two years of middle school were hard on me. We learned about farming, agriculture, and how to work the land. But my studies had little to do with animals, and that demotivated me. I was immature and undisciplined. It also aggravated my teachers, and subsequently upset my mother. She frequently had to come to school to smooth things over. I was bored with sitting in class when all I wanted to do was be on the farm. By the third year I found my calling since we were finally allowed to spend time on the school’s farm. I loved to be around the horses. I befriended one of the shepherds and many of the farmers. I was in my element, but quickly learned that the horses were not bred for the aristocratic activities that I had imagined. Instead, once they were mature they were sold to co-ops for farm labor.

• One summer my father kept pestering my mother, asking why I was spending so much time on the farm. He didn’t know what I was doing, or even if I was lying about my whereabouts. Most teenagers my age spent their days at the city pool. I did as well, but then went to the farm in the afternoon. By this time my father had retired. My mother eventually had enough of his nagging and told him to go see for himself. So he dressed up elegantly and accompanied me on this one and only visit to the farm. It was the closest he had ever come to such a grassroots lifestyle. When we arrived he talked to the farm employees and I showed him how I taught a mare to kneel, rear up on her hind legs, and kick on command as I tickled her rump. He was amused and it satisfied his curiosity. Then he watched as I disappeared into the distance on my dappled horse. My father had an excellent sense of humor so it became a running joke, among family and friends, that his daughter was more interested in four legged animals than the two legged kind.

• Mamička

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• 5 minutes 41 seconds

71.Dec - Bampton · Eva Dusil (gallbladder surgery) — 71.Dec – Bampton · Eva Dusil (gallbladder surgery)

72.Jul - Orlando · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Disney World) — 72.Jul – Orlando · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Disney World)

78.Oct - Kitchener · Eva & Vaclav Dusil (Octoberfest) — 78.Oct – Kitchener · Eva & Vaclav Dusil (Octoberfest)

74.Dec.24 - Burlington · Stefan Kende & Eva Dusil (dinner) — 74.Dec.24 – Burlington · Stefan Kende & Eva Dusil (dinner)

74.Dec - Burlington · Eva & Alica Dusil (bedroom) — 74.Dec – Burlington · Eva & Alica Dusil (bedroom)

73.Sep - Brampton · Gabriel & Eva Dusil (1st day of school) — 73.Sep – Brampton · Gabriel & Eva Dusil (1st day of school)

73.Dec - Burlington · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Kwanas skating) — 73.Dec – Burlington · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Kwanas skating)

91 - Burlington · Karol, Inchy & Eva Dusil (guitar) — 91 – Burlington · Karol, Inchy & Eva Dusil (guitar)

95.Dec.24 - Burlington · Gabriel, Eva & Alica Dusil (christmas) — 95.Dec.24 – Burlington · Gabriel, Eva & Alica Dusil (christmas)

99.Sep.25 - Prague · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (wedding ceremony) — 99.Sep.25 – Prague · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (wedding ceremony)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family, Gabriel Dusil

Family • Photo Restoration • 49 • Dusil • Canada

August 4, 2016 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• According to communist propaganda, only rich people could attend university in the West. They told us many lies, trying to convince us that Socialism was superior to Capitalism. Constant propaganda brainwashed citizens in believing that the West was an evil imperialist empire. History has told a different story. Either way, the borders were essentially closed to the public, except for a select few who were allowed to travel and see the real picture with their own eyes. This included politicians and top athletes. Communist leaders told us that they were protecting our borders from the evil capitalists. But the ongoing joke was asking why border guns were facing their own citizens, and not the enemy.

• The younger generation believed much of what was told to them. When you grow up seeing, hearing, and reading propaganda, you believe it. Especially when you don’t know any different. Most citizens didn’t have any idea what the West was like. When we finally immigrated to Canada in 1969, our stories filtered back to family and friends in Czechoslovakia. The Canadian government offered us English language courses for free, and financial help get us on our own feet. We bought a cheap camera and took pictures among the fruit stands of a grocery store, to show our parents we weren’t starving. In those days our friends and family had to line up for toilet paper, potatoes, bread and other daily necessities. Store shelves in Eastern Europe were practically empty. Once in Canada, our eyes finally opened to the success of democracy and freedom. It was hard for the Communists to keep that a secret.

• Dusil

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• 5 minutes 43 seconds

70.Dec.24 - Toronto · Vaclav, Eva, Gabriel, Sona, Erika, Roman, Gabriel Dusil (birthday cake) — 70.Dec.24 – Toronto · Vaclav, Eva, Gabriel, Sona, Erika, Roman, Gabriel Dusil (birthday cake)

72 - Brampton - Erika, Karol, Vaclav, Eva, Robert Sr., Vlasta, Roman, Gabriel & Sona Dusil — 72 – Brampton – Erika, Karol, Vaclav, Eva, Robert Sr., Vlasta, Roman, Gabriel & Sona Dusil

71 - Brampton · Roman, Gabriel, Sona, Vlasta, Vaclav, Kajo, Eva, Robert Sr., Erika Dusil — 71 – Brampton · Roman, Gabriel, Sona, Vlasta, Vaclav, Kajo, Eva, Robert Sr., Erika Dusil

72 - Brampton - Karol, Robert Sr. & Vaclav Dusil (living room) — 72 – Brampton – Karol, Robert Sr. & Vaclav Dusil (living room)

72.Sep.18 - Brampton · Sona, Vaclav, Gabriel & Roman Dusil (Gabriel's birthday) — 72.Sep.18 – Brampton · Sona, Vaclav, Gabriel & Roman Dusil (Gabriel’s birthday)

76.Jul.12 - Burlington · Vaclav, Eva, Vlasta, Erika, Gabriel, Roman, Alica & Sona Dusil (birthday) — 76.Jul.12 – Burlington · Vaclav, Eva, Vlasta, Erika, Gabriel, Roman, Alica & Sona Dusil (birthday)

80.Jul - Lake Nippising · Sona, Vlasta, Gabriel, Alica & Roman Dusil (rock beach suntan) — 80.Jul – Lake Nippising · Sona, Vlasta, Gabriel, Alica & Roman Dusil (rock beach suntan)

78 - Burlington · Erika & Vaclav Dusil (sharing coat) — 78 – Burlington · Erika & Vaclav Dusil (sharing coat)

76.Sep.18 - Burlington · Roman, Alica, Gabriel, Vlasta, Noel, x, Sona Dusil (Gab's birthday) — 76.Sep.18 – Burlington · Roman, Alica, Gabriel, Vlasta, Noel, x, Sona Dusil (Gab’s birthday)

75 - Burlington · Roman, Gabriel, Sona, Karin, Vlasta, Anika, Alica Dusil — 75 – Burlington · Roman, Gabriel, Sona, Karin, Vlasta, Anika, Alica Dusil

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family, Gabriel Dusil

Family • Photo Restoration • 45 • Dusil • Capitalism

July 7, 2016 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• When I was accepted at the University of Guelph to attend the Ontario Veterinary College, my mother had settled down with the assurance that I would finally finish my studies. It was my promise to her before we left Košice. Within a relatively short time I made friends in the dormitory. I was surprised how dedicated my classmates were to their studies. It was in stark contrast to the college in my home town, where few students would attend lectures. The atmosphere in Guelph was very collaborative, and everyone was ambitious. Students took their studies seriously. They knew that studying hard was for a better future. I realized how lucky I was that I was accepted into the program. My colleagues explained to me that the University of Guelph was one of the most sought after schools, and one of the hardest to get in.

• At the time, there were only two other universities offering veterinary degrees: Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and the Université de Montréal, Quebec. Candidates were admitted to the program based on their scholastic achievements – not based on knowing the right person in high ranking positions, as was the practice in Czechoslovakia. Competition into the college was fierce. Moreover, in those days less than 10% of the students were girls. Once I graduated I felt that a new phase in my life had begun. I was in a new country, speaking a new language, and part of a new economic and political ideology. I would finally become what I dreamed of since I was a child – to cure animals.

• Dusil

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• 9 minute 42 second

71 - Guelph · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Main Building) — 71 – Guelph · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Main Building)

71 - Guelph · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Macdonald Hall) — 71 – Guelph · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Macdonald Hall)

71 - Brampton · Slavo Sykorsky, Vaclav & Karol Dusil — 71 – Brampton · Slavo Sykorsky, Vaclav & Karol Dusil

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation ceremony) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation ceremony)

73.Jun - Burlington · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital front door) — 73.Jun – Burlington · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital front door)

74.Sep.18 - Alica, Eva, Gabriel, Roman, Vaclav, Vlasta & Sona Dusil (birthday) — 74.Sep.18 – Alica, Eva, Gabriel, Roman, Vaclav, Vlasta & Sona Dusil (birthday)

76.Jul - Burlington · Eva & Cezar Dusil (roses) — 76.Jul – Burlington · Eva & Cezar Dusil (roses)

76.Jul - Burlington · Cezar & Vaclav Dusil (garden) — 76.Jul – Burlington · Cezar & Vaclav Dusil (garden)

76.Jul - Burlington · Cezar & Eva Dusil (garden) — 76.Jul – Burlington · Cezar & Eva Dusil (garden)

80 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital) — 80 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family, Gabriel Dusil

Family • Photo Restoration • 42 • Dusil • Immigration

June 2, 2016 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 October

• Our family struggled financially throughout my youth. My father was paid very poorly as an appraiser of antique books – somewhere around 800 Czechoslovakian korunas per month (equivalent to 33 US$ at today’s exchange rate). My mother earned around 1200 korunas (49 US$) per month as a clerk. As a child I didn’t feel our financial struggle. I even managed to have a happy childhood. Looking back, even though the entire country was poor (in Western terms), I think we were poorer than the average. We lived from salary to salary and frequently my parents fell behind. I remember one day my mother didn’t receive her salary on time and we had nothing to eat. She scraped together some old leftover cottage cheese and mixed it with flour to make dumplings. It was very good.

• Growing up, my parents were very strict. My mom kept an eye on me and punished me if I didn’t do well in school. She consulted with the teachers when I misbehaved, and that kept me in line. I was repeatedly told that I would do better if I applied myself. Throughout high school I was an average student. I really came to my senses once I decided to attend university, and study veterinary medicine. Finally I was studying what I enjoyed. In my first year I met Vašek Dusil, who was in his fifth year of veterinary studies at the time. When we started dating he insisted that I regularly go to lectures, even though they weren’t compulsory. Out of 120 students in the class, less than 10% attended lectures. I came to realize it was good to be seen by the professors who later tested us, since all the exams were verbal. I was among the first in my class to complete and pass my exams. I finished four years of university in Košice before we emigrated to Canada. Once there I completed my veterinary studies at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.

• Dusil

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• 6 minutes 36 seconds

69.Apr - Košice · Gabriel Dusil (sleeping) — 69.Apr – Košice · Gabriel Dusil (sleeping)

69.Oct - Paris · Gabriel Dusil (on the ground) — 69.Oct – Paris · Gabriel Dusil (on the ground)

69.Oct - Paris · Gabriel Dusil (park bench & toy) — 69.Oct – Paris · Gabriel Dusil (park bench & toy)

69.Sep - Košice · Gabriel Dusil (my 1st birthday cake) — 69.Sep – Košice · Gabriel Dusil (my 1st birthday cake)

69.Sep - Košice · Gabriel Dusil (touching 1st birthday cake) — 69.Sep – Košice · Gabriel Dusil (touching 1st birthday cake)

70 - Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (Leslie St., bowling) — 70 – Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (Leslie St., bowling)

70.Sep.18 - Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (birthday cake) — 70.Sep.18 – Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (birthday cake)

70.Sep.18 - Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (glass grapes) — 70.Sep.18 – Toronto · Gabriel Dusil (glass grapes)

71 - Brampton · Gabriel Dusil (Jack & Jill Nursery) — 71 – Brampton · Gabriel Dusil (Jack & Jill Nursery)

71 - Montreal · Gabriel Dusil (Slavo's flat, statue) — 71 – Montreal · Gabriel Dusil (Slavo’s flat, statue)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Education, Family

Education • Photo Restoration • 40 • Mamička • University

May 12, 2016 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• I began my university studies in Košice, Slovakia in September of 1965. There were three other girls in the program. None of them finished. In fact of the 120 students that started only 40 became veterinarians. Those that dropped out either couldn’t handle the curriculum or realized they enrolled in the wrong profession. From 8:00 in the morning until 17:00 I was busy attending lectures and labs.

• When I continued my studies in Canada, I realized the contrast in the educational practices between the East and West. I came from a teaching system of intimidation. I initially believed that I was accepted into the Canadian education system so they could show how little an “Easterner” knew – after being humiliated they would kick me out of the program. In time I realized that wasn’t the case. The objective in Guelph was to teach the students – surprise surprise – and help them become great veterinarians. I soon became a proud student and felt that I was a member of an important establishment. The teaching staff were colleagues as well as friends. They didn’t posture as senior educators, acting pompous or patronizing to the students. That regime was now behind me. In Guelph the lectures were comprehensive and geared toward teaching techniques that were relevant in real practice. I realized that as a student of higher education I could be a progressive force in society, and a positive instigator of change. I graduated two years later. During my time at Guelph I made many friends with the students and teaching staff. I found them to be decent, hardworking, and ambitious. I learned what it meant to be Canadian.

• I lived in residence during the week and came home most weekends. Trips to Brampton on Friday afternoons were filled with anticipation, to see my son, Gabriel. He attended Jack and Jill nursery school until 17:00. Then he had a babysitter until 20:00 when Vašek came home from work. These were difficult times for all of us.

• Mamička

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• Photo Restoration

• 6 minutes 47 seconds

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation photo) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation photo)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation alternate) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation alternate photo)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation, class photo) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (University of Guelph, graduation, class photo)

73.Jan - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation class) — 73.Jan – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation class)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, convocation program, smaller) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, convocation program)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, lawn) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, lawn)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, waiting) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, waiting)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, certificate) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, certificate)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, Dr. Hans Selye) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, Dr. Hans Selye)

73.Jun - Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, Dr. Hans Selye w. Vaclav & Gabriel) — 73.Jun – Guelph · Eva Dusil (College of Veterinary Medicine, graduation, Dr. Hans Selye w. Vaclav & Gabriel)

• Postscript by Eva Dusil • 2014 November • This is an important photo with Dr. Hans Selye, the author of Stress without Distress. I heard of him when I was a young girl from my father. He is a graduate of Charles University in Prague. Dr. Selye spoke several languages including Hungarian. In 1968 he was honored with the Companion of the Order of Canada – the highest decoration award, in Canada. I am very proud of this photo with him.

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family

Family • Photo Restoration • 33 • Mamička • Horses

January 21, 2016 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Story by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• When I was nine years old we went to visit my relatives in Košice. At the end of their huge garden were military barracks. Curiosity compelled me to climb a concrete wall hiding the surprise that was waiting for me on the other side. I saw what I adored the most – horses! Soldiers that were tending the sables came over and we began to chat. On subsequent visits I spent time with them as they maintained the stables. I soon became a regular visitor. The soldiers warned me that if an officer inquired of my present I should tell them I’m the daughter of a soldier from another barracks. They didn’t want to get into trouble.

• When my mother eventually found out, she was concerned that a young girl was among strange teenage military boys. It wasn’t appropriate. So when I turned eleven she decided to enroll me in the city’s equestrian club. My mother lied about my age since I needed to be at least twelve. The horses from the military barracks had since been sold to the Košice equestrian club, because that military division shut down. So I ended up riding the same horses.

• It was the summer of 1957, and in those days very few girls were riding. It was considered a man’s sport and I was one of only three girls. Being the youngest made it even harder. I was endlessly bullied and intimidated by the boys. Even today I wonder how I had the strength to stand up to them. The regiment of riding and taking care of horses was fierce, and was managed in a military fashion. Competition was relentless, and the trainers were very strict. My parents were at least content knowing where I was spending my afternoons. Nevertheless, I still had to be home by eight o’clock, or I’d be in trouble. Those years certainly taught me discipline.

• Mamička

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• Digital Photo Restoration

• 6 minutes 10 seconds

84 - Antigua · Eva Dusil (dinner) — 84 – Antigua · Eva Dusil (dinner)

86 - Venice · Eva Dusil (pigeons) — 86 – Venice · Eva Dusil (pigeons)

86 - Venice · Eva Dusil (pigeon attack) — 86 – Venice · Eva Dusil (pigeon attack)

86 - Venice · Eva Dusil (menu) — 86 – Venice · Eva Dusil (menu)

88.Oct.13 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading in library) — 88.Oct.13 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading in library)

88.Oct.13 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading) — 88.Oct.13 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading)

91 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (cooking) — 91 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (cooking)

93.Oct.2 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (birthday candles) — 93.Oct.2 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (birthday candles)

96 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading) — 96 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (reading)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Education, Family

Education • Photo Restoration • 25 • Mamička • University

November 26, 2015 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• Those years were quite hard on me – frequently falling in and out of love, and ending up with a broken heart. I’d go skating in the winter with my friends. My oldest brother Csaba would chaperon me to Sunday afternoon tea dances. He was my confidante in matters of the heart. On Sunday evenings I would stroll downtown with my girlfriends and flirt with the boys. I was still horseback riding but by the time I reached the end of middle school my commitment in riding weakened as love interests occupied my time.

• In my teens, I didn’t apply myself. I graduated from middle school with slightly better than average grades. My next step was submitting my application to veterinary college. University education in my country was free and everyone had their own motivation. For me it was clear – I loved animals. But for others it was either parental pressure or they wanted to avoid military duty. Entering university was effective in postponing civil service – reduce it to only six months compared to a standard two year service. Getting into university was less about grades, and more contingent on who your father knew. The system was corrupt and everybody knew it. A consequence of this corruption was a lackadaisical attitude towards education. It wasn’t something that was openly discussed but we felt it subconsciously.

• With my father’s help I was accepted into the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. Although I had a passion for animals I also had to work the system to get accepted to university. From the moment I entered higher education my sloppy attitude towards studying ended. I was stimulated by my surroundings, and proud to be a university student. I attended lectures regularly, even though they weren’t compulsory. I loved anatomy and immensely enjoyed dissecting animals in the lab. I recall on many occasions leaving the lab with blood up to my elbows. I studied parts of the body thoroughly, and it never ceased to amaze me that every little bump, groove, or elevation had a Latin name. Latin was also one of our courses, and continues to be the foundation of communication in medicine. That also helped me when I later learned English. My favorite professor was František Hrudka. He taught Histology and made the subject fascinating – a characteristic that I can’t extend to the other professors. Another favorite of mine was the world famous anatomy professor, Peter Popesko, whose anatomical atlases were used in the University of Guelph. The education system in Czechoslovakia was very different from the West. Most exams were oral. If the professor was in a bad mood, or was having personal problems at the time, it would have an adverse affect on how he conducted the exam. If he had some reservations or personal dislikes towards you – because you didn’t attend his lectures – it would negatively reflect on your final mark – or he would just fail you. We were hostages to the emotional roller coaster and personal biases of our professors.

Mamička

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• Digital Photo Restoration

• 7 minute 22 second

72 - Brampton · Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery) — 72 – Brampton · Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery)

72.Jan - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, black lab) — 72.Jan – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, black lab)

74.Jan - Oakville · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Trafalgar Animal Hospital surgery) — 74.Jan – Oakville · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Trafalgar Animal Hospital surgery)

74 - Burlington · Valeria, Stefan Kende & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery) — 74 – Burlington · Valeria, Stefan Kende & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery)

75 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination) — 75 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination)

75 - Burlington · Vaclav & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination) — 75 – Burlington · Vaclav & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination)

75.Jun - Burlington · Vaclav & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination) — 75.Jun – Burlington · Vaclav & Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, examination)

78 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery) — 78 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery)

79 - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery) — 79 – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Veterinarian, surgery)

89.Jul.7 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital) — 89.Jul.7 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family, Gabriel Dusil

Family • Photo Restoration • 23 • Dusil • Emigration

November 9, 2015 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• In my third year of veterinary studies, Prague Spring began. It was January of 1968 and Alexander Dubček was at the forefront of the reforms. Some of the leaders rallied behind him, wanting to give communism a human face. It felt like fresh air was blowing though the country. We began to lift our heads in hopes of a better future. The older generation was cautious but everyone else was optimistic. Eight months later the Soviets decided they had enough and sent 200,000 troops to clamp down on our aspirations. One month after that Warsaw Pact Invasion my son, Gabriel was born.

• Soon after the invasion, a mass exodus began. We decided to leave everything and everyone behind. In October 1969 I was supposed to begin my fifth year of veterinary studies. We fled the country instead. This was only possible because of the general chaos during those few months. There were relaxed procedures in the government agencies responsible for issuing travel visas. My parents were devastated by our plans, but still supported us. Vašek and I assured my mother that I would finish university, but we had no idea how we would fulfill that promise. First and foremost we had to focus on survival and take care of our baby. We believed that as long as we had two healthy hands we would survive.

• There was no looking back. Our flight took us through Paris, where we spent nine weeks waiting for approval to immigrate to Canada. Coming from an authoritarian regime, we thought we had to choose a province. With pressure from the immigration officer, we chose Saskatoon, Saskatchewan because they had a veterinary college. She encouraged us to choose an agricultural province. On the 9th of November 1969 we arrived in the beginning of a freezing cold winter. We met other Slovaks including my favorite professor from Košice, František Hrudka. He had also immigrated! By this time he was lecturing at the University of Saskatchewan. The people we met were supportive and ready to help us, but I felt lonely. Vašek was gone most of the day looking for a job and I was left alone with Gabriel, and nobody to talk to.

• On one occasion a local Slovak family invited us for dinner. I told them I wanted to continue with my veterinary studies. “Well, you’ll be the only female veterinarian in Canada” was their reply. Suddenly I felt that we came to some backward country. But I soon realized that they didn’t know much about veterinary medicine. It was true that there were few women in the profession, but I didn’t lose hope. Meanwhile, back home my mother listened to criticism that all her sacrifices had been wasted, and that I didn’t finish my studies. After ten long days in Saskatoon, we realized that we were in a free country, and could go wherever we wanted. The layers were shedding from the repressive regime we left. We were no longer prisoners of the state. We contacted Manpower and with their help we moved to Toronto, Ontario to join my brother-in-law, and his family. Within a few days we were happily reunited and I was surrounded by family. We lived together in a rented house, attended English language classes together. Vašek worked part time at a car wash with his brother. We took turns babysitting, while the other attended English lessons. Vašek was also studying for his provincial veterinary exams which he passed without difficulties.

• Postscript by Gabriel Dusil

Today commemorates the 46th anniversary of our arrival to Canada.

• Dusil

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• Digital Photo Restoration

• 6 minutes 14 seconds

69.Oct - Paris · Eva, Gabriel, Erika, Sona, Roman Dusil — 69.Oct – Paris · Eva, Gabriel, Erika, Sona, Roman Dusil

69.Oct - Paris · Eva & Gabriel Dusil — 69.Oct – Paris · Eva & Gabriel Dusil

69.Oct - Paris · Eva, Gabriel, Erika, Roman, Sona Dusil — 69.Oct – Paris · Eva, Gabriel, Erika, Roman, Sona Dusil

69.Oct - Paris · Gabriel Dusil — 69.Oct – Paris · Gabriel Dusil

• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 October • Here is my cute son, Gabičko. He had his first birthday in Paris. During our stay in France, you had this red sweater with a leather front.

• 3 minutes 38 seconds

70 - Toronto · Vaclav, Gabriel & Eva Dusil (grocery shopping) — 70 – Toronto · Vaclav, Gabriel & Eva Dusil (grocery shopping)

70 - Toronto · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (kitchen) — 70 – Toronto · Eva, Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (kitchen)

70 - Toronto · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Slavo Sykorsky's house) — 70 – Toronto · Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Slavo Sykorsky’s house)

73.Aug - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (house) — 73.Aug – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (house)

73.Aug - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (front door) — 73.Aug – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (front door)

73.Jun - Burlington · Vaclav, Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital sign) — 73.Jun – Burlington · Vaclav, Eva & Gabriel Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital sign)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

Family

Family • Photo Restoration • 19 • Mamička • Veterinarian

October 2, 2015 Gabriel Dusil Leave a comment

• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November

• Our language course ended in June of 1970. By that time we had learned passable English in six month. I was then advised to take the Michigan test if I intended to apply for university to finish my veterinary studies. I wrote the test in August and submitted my application to the Ontario Veterinary College. When they invited me for an interview I was disappointed to hear their classes were full. In the mean time, the University of Guelph admissions department advised me to complete grade 13 English (the final year of high school at the time), and apply the following year.

• The following summer I was accepted into the University of Guelph. I began my studies in September of 1971, and was admitted to their third year of a four year program. Meanwhile my husband found work in Brampton at a small animal veterinary clinic, so we decided to move there. It was a good clinic because they were constantly busy. Most of our education in Czechoslovakia was focused on large animals to serve the needs of the agricultural industry. In contrast, The only experience my husband had at the time was at the veterinary college in Košice where he was an assistant in a large animal department. Canada already had a large market of domesticated animals. So the Brampton clinic was a great opportunity for him to quickly how to quickly treat small animals.

• I graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in June of 1973. In many ways I fulfilled my dream, thanks to my husband. I also owe my heartfelt gratitude to my mother, Valeria Kende, who always believed in me. My mother could finally tell all her doubters that the sacrifices she made were worth it – Her daughter was a veterinarian.

Mamička

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• Digital Photo Restoration

♥ Happy Birthday ♥ Mamička ♥

I love you,

• 3 minutes 18 seconds

79.Jun - Burlington · Vaclav & Cezar Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital) — 79.Jun – Burlington · Vaclav & Cezar Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital)

79.Jun - Burlington · Cezar & Eva Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital) — 79.Jun – Burlington · Cezar & Eva Dusil (Aldershot Animal Hospital)

00 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital, Komondor) — 00 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital, Komondor)

01 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital, on the phone) — 01 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Aldershot Animal Hospital, on the phone)

01 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Czech visitors, Aldershot Animal Hospital) — 01 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, Czech visitors, Aldershot Animal Hospital)

00 - Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, (Aldershot Animal Hospital, examination) — 00 – Burlington · Eva Dusil (Veterinarian, (Aldershot Animal Hospital, examination)

• Documents & Articles

80.Jun.27 - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Veterinarian Didn't Order Dogs Seized) — 80.Jun.27 – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Veterinarian Didn’t Order Dogs Seized)

80.Jun.21 - Hamilton · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Globe and Mail, Ten Rescured Dogs Destroyed) — 80.Jun.21 – Hamilton · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Globe and Mail, Ten Rescured Dogs Destroyed)

80.Jul.31 - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Order to Destroy Dogs Came From Top, Trial Told) — 80.Jul.31 – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Order to Destroy Dogs Came From Top, Trial Told)

80.Aug.1 - Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Dog Disease in Hamilton Spreading to Burlington) — 80.Aug.1 – Burlington · Vaclav Dusil (Article, Burlington Spectator, Dog Disease in Hamilton Spreading to Burlington)

Bio

• CEO • Strategist • Entrepreneur • Speaker
• Photographer • Designer • Creativist • Writer • Blogger
• Teacher • Trainer • Geek • INTJ • Father

Hobbies include photography, video production, motion graphics, digital graphics, photo restoration, carpentry, martial arts, traveling, blogging, and trying to be better than yesterday.

• Family • Legacy • Mamička • Taci • Googičko • Gabičko • Photo Restoration • Digital Restoration • Photo Repair • Historical Photography • Martial Arts • MMA • Mixed Martial Arts • Kick boxing • Karate • Self Defense • Fitness • Strength & Conditioning • Circuit Training • Aerobic • Anaerobic

Diary • 22nd October 1993

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