Montreal Student Protest March

March 22nd was the Montreal Student Protest march. It was in support of freezing tuition prices in Quebec.
I was a part of Quebec history! I nice thing to check off my bucket list (before I turn 20). I grabbed some nice shots along the 10 km walk in the sun, rain and chill. I was out in the protest from noon until 6 pm. The environment had a vibe of peace and change, there were many people in costume and song. Drumming and dancing in the streets. Its an experience I will never forget.

The Montreal Visit Adventure!

I was really lucky to have my exams finish on the 11th of December, some students don't finish their exams until the 22nd. Bronwyn and Dad came up to the big-poutine city for a retrieval visit. They launched away from Guelph in the wee hours of the morning and arrived close to lunch. While my dad slept in my comfy bed, Bronwyn and I hit the town. I bought her a disposable-film camera so she could take her own pictures of the adventure. We took the Metro to the Pie-IX Station and did the Biodome tour.

Posing in the Biodome, St.Laurent Exhibit.

Amazonian Fish, and the instant camera!

Bronwyn Outside the Olympic Stadium.

After the Biodome, we headed back on the Metro and went back home to my apartment. Bronwyn, my dad and I then went out for dinner downtown at a retro diner style restaurant. They ordered poutine, and I had a salad for starters. My dad ordered a massive smoked meat sand which, Bronwyn had a little burger and I had a vegetable primavera. It was a welcome change from my cheap college meals.

Posing in an alley-way... her idea.

In the Apple Store!

Our dinner at the diner: Nickel's Restaurant.

Driving home in the early morning!

Being a Better Blogger & Resolutions

Happy New Years everyone! I did a lot of thinking over the holidays and have really been thinking about doing a much better job at blogging this year. I'm always thinking about things shoulda-woulda-coulda posted and I really let things fall behind after my first set of exams last year. It's really something I want to do, so I'm sticking to it this time! I have so much to catch up on and some great things coming up that I can't wait to share with you!

Many things have happened since we spoke last! I'm living in my first apartment with my friend Emilie (From Quebec City) and in my second year of Art Education at Concordia University in Montreal! This semester I am entering my second teaching practicum and taking some very interesting education and sociology classes. Not to mention my second year of painting class, and things are going great!

Other changes this "time-around" is a blog make-over coming up and my guarantee is to try and post every week and to always post my best photos! If you have idea for a post, a product review, or something you'd like to see me try, drop a comment or send me a message!

I just finished my new-years resolutions, did you? Fill the comment box with your favourite resolution! I'll be posting mine, later this week.

C'est L'Halloween!

Halloween in Montreal was great! We all spent the whole weekend at parties and events around campus and the city. Me and three other girls went all out and made our own costumes. We based them of Katy Perry's California Gurls Music Video! We looked great! There was also a haunted house in the basement of my residence! The space has no windows, twisting corridors and six dark prayer spaces that lend to one creepy haunted science lab!

Getting ready, me as "Katy Perry"

Jacob the R.A. being a Zombie!

My friend Emilie as the other cotton-candy "Katy Perry"

Halloween back home in Guelph was fun also! Bronwyn was a Giraffe and the front door was decorated beautifully!

Montreal, doesn't seem so small?

Part of the downtown Concordia campus.

The turf field at the Loyola campus (near my residence)

It's been almost two weeks now. It has flown by at times and others lasting what seemed forever. Montreal feels smaller to me now that my perspective and geography has settled in. I've been exploring within reasonable walking distances of the SGW campus downtown. I know where the best cheap shopping is, Thai restaurants, grocery stores, and cafes. I've been down to the luxury district and the poor student area, some of my favourites to browse are; book-stores, vegetarian shops, dollar stores, art supply, Eco stores and much more. There are also lots of great galleries, cinemas and theatres.

The other day I bought a fish for two dollars

and put it in a bowl that I brought from home.

He is very curious, healthy and happy, now that I have expanded his habitat by 90%. He came with food in a neat Betta shaped pellet holder, and a tiny wand for direct "hand" feeding. I think this is why he is so friendly, he'll do anything for a pellet or two. As I type he stares inquisitively at me from the nightstand. He needs a name. I also have a small collection of plants that sit by the window. I'm not entirely sure what kind they are, so I'll have to familiarize myself with more houseplants.

K'naan and Chromeo played a concert near my residence but I had class, so I missed it. I would have also had rugby. There is always so much to do!

The Photoshoot & My last Derby

This photo was taken for the Royal City Roller-Girls 1st Annual fundraising calender. Each set of girls was given a decade set to the theme of "Roller Girls Through the Ages". My group of Angela, Myself and Meredith Brown got the sizzling 80's. The expected release date of the calender is late October.

Last night was my final roller derby in Guelph for a while, it's sad to leave all of those lovely ladies and all the fun I had. But it's time for a new adventure, besides there is plenty of derby in Montreal! My best wishes to all the Royal City Roller girls and their upcoming games this season. For more information on the R.C.R.G. visit www.royalcityrollergirls.com, see schedules, photos, events and fundraising.

Here is some stretching from my last derby practice, it was great to help teach the beginners some old tricks. Malibu Brawler goes to the big city!

August 23rd- Garden Update!

This is "my" last garden update. My dad is going to inherit my massive seed collection when I move out and start some seeds in early April, and hopefully I will be around to maintain and enjoy the "fruits" of our labour throughout the summer. We have one PVC, make-due hoop house that will be great for carrots, onions, spinach, lettuce, peas and garlic in the spring. With two possible green houses we could have fresh produce, young perennials and annuals by late April.

I still have many surprises waiting in the garden that I will be unable to witness eye to eye. Like my multi-colour pack of tomatoes, I have no idea what colours they will ripen into. My luscious leeks, variety of unripe peppers, squash and odds & ends.

Hopefully I can return for Thanksgiving and enjoy them with all the family. But for now, this is what's happening in the Meredith-Thrifty garden.

A baby sparrow taking a flying break, about the size and weight of Toonie.

Tomatoes galore! Early Girl, Beefsteak, Big Boy, Cherry, Plum and surprises are overflowing the counter-tops and window-sill.

My big-giant-mammoth sunflowers are blooming. This one with a head size of 12 in. in diameter and a staggering height of 13.6 ft is a winner. Next year's giant here we go!

"Golden" or blush raspberries are finally ripe and juicy! They have a sweeter more subtle taste that seems smoother than the red raspberries. This is a production variety, thus the cane is loaded with large grade "A" berries!

Keep checking out my blog for photos on my garden, family and adventures! I'll be sure to be posting often about University, Rugby, Dorm-life, the garden back home and Montreal! Who knows maybe you can squeeze some more garden updates out of me.

Send garden questions to: sweeneymere@gmail.com, Subject: Garden Update Questions! Ask me anything from, my next garden plans, plant choices, seed selections, garden problems, thrifty ideas, getting started and unique varieties!