Make The Most of Your Student Summer | Read

With a long summer stretched out ahead of you... why not go back to school and read those books you never did or always wanted to. Summer is the perfect time to improve your literary catalogue, whether it sitting outside, on your travels or inside on a rainy day - lets remember this is a British summer - For the first time you have no Uni reading... so why not tuck into something you have always wanted to but have never had the brain power for during term time! 

My picks are;

1. Greyfriars Bobby by Eleanor Atkinson

2. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

3. The Castle by Franz Kafka

4. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 

5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

6. A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

What is your go to 'summer read' book or author?

How have you spent your student summer?

Comment and Subscribe

Sxx

Motivational Mash Ups

As a runner I am constantly on the search for mash up to aid me in my workouts and long runs. For me,   the perfect mashup has to be upbeat, great bassline and filled with some of my favourite records. You can usually download some amazing ones free from SoundCloud. After gaining a few extra pounds on exchange, I am determined to get back into shape so have been on the search for the perfect workout tunes!! 

1) We Love MashUp Feb 2013

2) Pop Danthology 2012

3) PopLove 2012 - Robin Skouteris

4) Top of the Pops 2011 (What the Fuck) - MashUp Germany

These are just a few of my favourites that can really help push me through a workout. Do you have any amazing motivational MashUps that you can't workout without?

Sxx

A little info on Canada

Hello there...

My Mother, who runs a Rainbow guide unit, asked me to put together a small presentation on Canada to show the girls (ages 5-7). Here is the little video I knocked together

Enjoy

Sxx

Montreal Musts | Food

I have decided to do a little series of my 'Montreal Musts', or in other words, things that you must do if you ever get the change to visit this wonderful city!  

The first one on my list has to be food.... and boy did I do a lot of 'reserch' for this blogpost!

Montreal is an exorbitant mix of culture, language and rase, and this is very much seen and experienced in the food that can be found here. That being said, it would be truly impossible to pick a favourite, so here are my favourite few that the thought of make my mouth water!

Eggspectations

'yolk around the clock'

An egg-centered restaurant that originates in Montreal that is perfect for any time of day! The food here is reasonably priced and has always been amazing no matter what chain I have been to. There can sometimes be long waits to be seated and served, but this is the perfect brunch destination that will stuff you full until dinner! The sweet potato fries are also a must here!

Thai Express

A hangover/late night class essential. This Thai takeout can be found on most corners in Montreal, as well as other corners in the world. The food is addictive and the service is always fast! prices may vary from point to point and so does the quality but for $7-$10 you can easy get two meals out of this! 

Dunn's 

Another Montreal original, famed for it's Smoked meat (I'm a veggie so I never tried it) this 24h joint is my go to for hangover breakfast. The food is unbeatably CHEAP and with massive portions this place seems to do no wrong! I also visited the Ottawa branch first and fell in love and returned a few times for 'special occasion' breakfast. they even have HP sauce, a wee reminder of home. 

La Banquise 

You can't go to Montreal without trying poutine, and you haven't tried poutine until you have been to La Banquise. Another 24hour restaurant (Montreal is also a city that never seems to sleep) there is no excuse for to try this famous delicacy. They offer a hugh variety of types as well as veggie gravy so everyone can try it! A small tip, even the small portions are massive but you can get to take away at this restaurant.

3 Amigos

If you want a loud and busy atmosphere, look no further than 3 Amigos and their delicious drinks and mexican food. This mexican food chain has great deals on several days of the week and is a great place to start off the night if you are going to party!

 I hope you enjoyed this post... please comment if you have any of your own 'Montreal Musts' in the food department! 

Thats all for now

Sxx

Hola Chica | My week in the Cuban Sunshine

why hello there, yes it has been a while.

The last few months have been my last in Montreal, so have been filled with finals, friends, fun nights out and farewells :'(

Before packing my French Canadian bags two girlfriends and myself headed off to the Beach on Santa Lucia in Cuba for some much needed sun and girl time.

Enjoying the Sunrise

 The beach was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen... Unfortunately I had to spent most of the week in the shade as my Scottish skin would burn to a crisp in the harsh Cuban sun! We stayed in hotel 'Brisas'. It was by far the nicest resort hotel in this area, but holiday makes should note that a 4 star Cuban hotel is more like a 2 star hotel.

 To summarise, We drank lots of rum, ate desert with every mean, and ever tried a cigar or two. It was the ideal get away! 

Glaces & Cupcakes Les Glaceurs | Montreal

Hello all!!!!

I swear one of the best things about being an exchange student is eating all the time as if your on holiday, and here in Montreal there is so many amazing restaurants and cafes that you are spoilt for choice!

 A few weeks back some girlfriends and myself decided to go for a wander down by the old port and came across this little cupcake and icecream shop; 'Glaces & Cupcakes'!!

Glaces & Cupcakes | Montreal 

Red velvet, Lemon & Chocolate Brownie

With a choice of cupcakes, macaroons and Ice-cream, as well as one of the most delicious mochas I have had in Montreal (and i've consumed hundreds) This place is indubitably worth a visit if you fancy a quick bite when sight-seeing down in old Montreal!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Biosphere Montreal | Facing Cuts, Just Like Our Deteriorating Rainforest!?

The Biosphere 

On no... there is a Nuclear Disaster... better go hide in a locker

Conducting Experiments 

My reaction to one super cool experiment... Can you guess what?

A few weeks ago, three friends and myself, headed across the water to Montreal Iconic Dome... The Biosphere. For Those who don't know, The Biosphere is Montreal's very own environmental Museum on the original site of The World Fair Expo '67 and a short metro ride from Downtown Montreal.

In our quest to go to all Montreal's major attraction we headed down there one glorious Friday afternoon for a day of education, culture and most importantly fun... and I was not disappointed. 

This museum, in my eyes, is excellent and one of Montreal's hidden gems! The staff were beyond friendly and helpful and really added something to the whole experience! They are a true credit to this Museum. Even if you are not eco or science mad there is an exhibition for everyone and we easily spent 3-4 hours here and I haven't laughed as much in ages! 

From the interactive machines in ten first hall, really showing the true value of water to the astounding collection of dressed made from recycled material and my personal favourite... getting to conduct our own experiments and dressing up, The Biosphere has perfectly blended education about a serious topic while enchanting its audience cohesively!!

This is why at the end of our trip I was devastated to hear that it was likely that the Museum was shortly to be closed during to Budget cuts!!! 

We are slowly killing our planet everyday and education on the matter is key if we want to slow down the effects... I find it fascinating that in this beautiful city, people will happily pay $100's for a hockey game yet there is not enough money to keep a beautiful Museum up and running!!!!

I would whole heartedly encourage residents and tourists to visit this amazing attraction while you still have the chance as you will really not regret it!!

Sarahxx