Blog Archives - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #627 | A Muddled Adieu

3/27/2020

How does one land oneself in the category of a go-getter?

Oftentimes do those interpreted as such act swiftly to attain their goals or check off their to-do list. Locking in on a single objective, they conjure up a plan with utmost precision, then proceed with execution, more often than not possessing a Plan B at the backs of their minds should the first attempt result unfavourably. It's a pragmatic approach to life, which may not necessarily be appreciated by more contemplative types.

I recently had the luxury to attempt pourovers, in addition to burrowing into an insurmountable cloud of thoughts. Slowly but surely, my harbourfront days adjourned in a hazy hush. Nine months in the South Core has concluded. Truthfully, I hadn't stopped to recount that tales of such an endeavour until the arrival of COVID-19 and all its work-from-home-imposing statutes.
"Life doesn't wait for you" and I've consequently been mindlessly trudging along the treadmill of life until corona pushed pause.

Forever one to periodically reminisce but never to dwell without constructiveness, my time was brief but not without vast amounts of opportunities for development. While a seemingly short stay relative to the prospective length of my career, I remain grateful for such opportunities - such chances to contribute in the limited capacity that I am capable - and, moreover, thankful for those that have shed their expertise for my personal development, both as a colleague and a mere mortal persisting on her own journey.

Skills acquired throughout an arduous process translate into individual gain, however the bonds stemming from interpersonal interactions that empower one to truly thrive as a member of society, co-existing and cooperating.

Surfacing from the abyss of reflection, I continued on with regular day-to-day activities. In light of social distancing measures, many eateries had undergone temporary closures and staff reduction. Juicy Dumpling was one of these destinations.

Out & About #626 | Week #2 Quarantine Update

3/26/2020

"We can do Up Up Down Downs aka High-Low Planks."
"Ok."
"How many reps?" I added, "I die at 10."
"Then let's do 20."

Embarking on the second week of quarantine wfh, I was determined to set the tone right. Despite emails flying in and out at all times of the day, I took it upon myself to resume regular routine, just as I would on any other day of the work week.
Lunch would be consumed between the hours of 12 PM and 1 PM, while workouts could take place between 4 PM and 5 PM. Snacking would be permitted between the hours of 2 PM and 3 PM, if utterly necessary.

And on days where cravings were strong, I'd honour them. Because maintaining sanity is just about as vital as economic stability and physical wellbeing during these dreary, stifling times.

My heart yearned for sushi and CoCo, thus I set out to attain both following a damp day of unexpected March snowfall.

Two doors down from the closest CoCo was Sushi Park, a tiny but mighty family-operated shop that had been operating for years beyond the bubble tea shop's arrival. A quick search revealed that it was maintaining regular business hours; a single phone call later and I was on my way for Bulgogi, Shrimp Tempura, and an assortment of maki rolls.

Deluxe Sashimi was the priciest item of the order at $16.99, yet, regrettably, also the most disappointing. Fooled we were by the rigid cuts of despair, in all their saturated ploy. Shrimp Tempura was not far behind in terms of ratings; though not tasted, lukewarm responses stemmed from the strangely tawny beige pieces.
The Dragon Roll earned the greatest praise, spanning a profile of sweet and savoury. The Bulgogi set was quite balanced as well, given the inclusion of short-grain Japanese rice and a small side salad. At a mere $5.95, one couldn't go wrong with a set of California Rolls either.

As for the Miso Soup, there was little that could be said beyond "monosodium glutamate". Redeeming aspects were properly pickled pink ginger and smooth squirts of wasabi.

It goes without saying that more baking took place. Uncovered throughout the week were: the best Banana Bread formula on the planet, Thai Milk tea, and failed-croissant-dough-turned-turnovers.

Out & About #625 | Week #1 Quarantine Update

3/20/2020

I haven't exactly been "out" since my return from the West Coast, but I've definitely been "about" - about the house that is.

As the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and soon Alberta begin to wrap up their first week in Quarantine under the federal government's stringent measures to "flatten the curve" and prevent overloading the health care system, it should come as no surprise that many citizens are struggling, some more others.

There are those unable to request time off work, and may be further increasing work hours in response to surging demand for essential services.
There are those that have been blessed with work-from-home capabilities, though, in turn, suffer from ceaseless conference calls and heavier workloads.
Lastly, there are the tremendously fortunate few: the ones operating front-line in departments deemed "non-essential" that were simply sent home without reduced pay.

Honestly, the past week in Vancity had been blissful. But in under twenty-four hours, the gorgeous weather and sunny skies seemed nothing beyond a lucid dream. COVID-19 was officially declared to be a pandemic, causing the world as I know to collapse into itself. I had found myself squarely in the middle of an apocalypse - an unforeseen social calamity threatening sanity levels and the fragility of human health.

Even upon landing on Ontario soil, the direness of the situation was reflected in plummeting gas prices.

With work-from-home measures being implemented, I commenced email revision from the comfort of my own home whilst adjusting my sleep schedule. It was a terrible tempo to grow accustomed to, for energy levels were unbelievably low, and so was productivity of the mind

Vancity Blitz | DAY 7: Return to Toronto + Recap

3/12/2020

Just as I despise evening movies, I'm not a fan of afternoon flights heading east. Surrendered to the natural phenomenon that is geographical time difference is productivity - a factor that I relentlessly strive to harness in this eternally advancing world.

I booked my return trip around the late morning hours, and proceeded to hop on an Uber after a frenzy of egg-boiling, laundry-doing, and last-minute packing. All was smooth sailing until I arrived at baggage drop-off; my bag refused to join the others on the belt.

"Your bag is too heavy! You need to take some things out and carry it." piped a middle-aged lady in a thick European accent.
She pointed to the repacking area, where I somehow managed to rearrange my belongings to meet the threshold precisely.

Thankfully, there were no issues at security. I had made the boarding call with time to spare, munching on cookies on RITZ as the Zones were called up, one by one.

A Grilled Chicken Summer Salad, several short shut-eye sessions, and a quick round of mahjong tied me over until I was back home at the chillier end of the country.

Vancity Blitz | DAY 6: (Pt. 1) Cafe L'Orangerie + UBC

3/11/2020

Of all the stops along the Canada Line corridor, Marine Drive was one at which I had never disembarked since the completion of the SkyTrain. It had mainly served as a transfer point in its first few years of operation, until shops and services began forming what is known today as Marine Gateway

Development around the station had been observed during previous years, while en route to Downtown. And, with the lunch destination suggestion of a local Vancourite, I was able to peruse the area (with its unopened shops and all their eerieness) at long last.

There wasn't much to see at the early hour of 10:30 AM. Steve Nash was open, and so was Timmy's. But the Marine Drive bus hub primarily served as a transfer point for those heading east or west from the grade-separated rapid transit system.

Vancity Blitz | DAY 6: (Pt. 2) Gastown + Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba

3/11/2020

Read Part 1 HERE !

At the 4 PM mark, I unloaded my first package of baked goods and bid farewell. My next order of business was to head downtown. First on the to-do list was a Compass card from the Stadium-Chinatown service station. It was an odd request from a certain transit-abhorring prehistoric creature, but nonetheless a manageable task to attain in between social activities.

I dreaded the neighbourhood and all its foulness. Personally deemed to be "Homeless Central", it's not a far cry from the poverty-striken pits of DTLA. Brimming with sleazy, smelly souls hunched from overdose and intoxication, the only elements missing are tents.

Having endured my twenty-minute wait at the service counter, I then maneuvering swiftly to International Village's Oomomo for more cookie cutters. International Village was not far from Jackson Square's odd retail attachment, except not even Hamilton had garbage taking joyrides on coattails of the wind.

Thankfully, there are alternate routes to remove oneself from the heinous hoodlum turf and ease back into the calming confines of Gastown.

A Torontonian-turned-Vancourite met up with me and gladly assumed the role of a tour guide. From within Herschel's West Coast flagship, one could partake in retail therapy in addition to appreciating a panoramic perspective of Canada Place and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Dock.

Suppertime crept up slowly, and we proceeded to the pre-determined location of Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba.

Vancity Blitz | DAY 5: Metrotown + Matcha Cafe Maiko

3/10/2020

My former Scarborough suburbanite of an Uber driver had been correct: the city gets a bit grouchier during rainy climate.

I awoke to grey, overcast skies, demonstrating not even so much as a streak of sunlight. There was little incentive to go out, unlike the previous day, where the climate had essentially beckoned me from the other side of the glass.

I took to my partially planned baking endeavours instead. After all, eggs and heavy cream were now in possession (at long last).

First was Sunday Baking's Basque Cheesecake. The concept of the cake was ridiculously straightforward, as are most cheesecakes; obtaining the signature charred surface was the trickiest aspect. Between the "Convection Bake", "Gentle Bake", and "Surround (Bake)" options, I made do with a mixture of the latter settings, then let the cake cool overnight as directed.

Re-attempting smitten kitchen's sugar cookies were another tale altogether. Summarized by an excess of baking powder, insufficient matcha, and a too-tiny oven (that resulted in baking tray burns), the cookies fell short of the brilliant green profile and satisfying bite that I had achieved the last time around. A softer shortbread finish emerged instead.

Vancity Blitz | DAY 4: Granville Island + Revisiting Mister

3/9/2020

Opulent azure skies and beaming rays of sunshine overlooking ceaseless, mellifluent ripples is a honestly sight I could never tire of.

Each morning spawned a different view of the waterfront: some hazy, some cloudy, and some offering a crisp prospect of snow-capped mountains in the remote distance.

The best part of all: I was separated from such breathtaking grandeur by a mere pane of glass, and could easily dive into this scenic dimension at my heart's desire. It essentially beckoned me forth.

"Come enjoy me! You know you won't get the same treatment back home."
And that was an aspect I could not deny.

I suited up for an outdoor run along the river - an act completely out of character. Hiking underneath the shield of forest cover amasses great fondness, though the same can rarely be said, if ever, in regards to sunny sprints. Alas, with such a stunning landscape caressing my vision, the opportunity simply could not be turned down.

Post-shower and post-stretch, I came to the conclusion that weather conditions were too optimal to remain house-ridden for the rest of the day.

A Lyft ride later, and I crossed onto Granville Island, experiencing the breath of the creek and gusts of the dock.

My last trip had entailed only a swing by Steveston. Meanwhile, my most recent memory of the tourist-friendly attraction was so vague I could barely recall the setting, let alone season of visit. Sauntering about the district enabled re-familiarization; the single element that persisted in my mind was the busking area, a space of minimal evolution.

Vancity Blitz | DAY 3: Nature Republic (Aberdeen) + Baker & Table

3/8/2020

"Beautiful British Columbia" - there's tremendous validity behind this description.
Foreshadowing a sunny afternoon was a mysterious blue cloak overlooking the Fraser River. Streaked with a breathtaking glimmer of pink, it very nearly emulated light at the end of the tunnel.

In wait of sunrise, I began to assemble breakfast. But something felt lacking.
I took to another iteration of smitten kitchen's Banana Bread recipe, swapping out vanilla extract for 24 g of honey. Roasted peanuts were also incorporated into the mix, but ultimately discovered to be too big and not as suitable as walnuts.

Observing the oven from a distance, I proceeded with my scheduled blogilates/Zumba program - in bursts, if you will - before munching on some greens and readying myself for some much-coveted katsu.

Dosanko would have been the ideal choice. Alas, the closest outpost in the vicinity was Aberdeen's Saboten.

By no means is Saboten mediocre - since there really isn't "bad food" in this part of the country - however it wasn't a seamless alternative either.

Heavy hankerings for a katsu dish devoid of rice, I earnestly expressed my request to the boy behind the cashier. He turned to evaluate the options on the menu board behind him, then turned back to face my inquisitive gaze. "There isn't one without rice." He went on to suggest one of the sets, for they supposedly "contained the least amount of rice."

Vancity Blitz | DAY 2: Gym, Groceries + Kyabia

3/7/2020

Having somehow sustained the chaos that was a 23-hour period of activity, I expected absolute annihilation by fatigue. Yet, the body was met with a jolt of energy come the next morning.

Weather conditions were unbelievable, in the most wondrous, exercise-encouraging manner. With potential plans in the late morning though, I resorted to heading downstairs to the gym instead.

Post-activity stretching took place while overlooking the beauty of the Fraser River.

Pangs of hunger began to externalize soon after, so instead of gearing up for the arrival of the next bus, foodora's services were summoned.

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky = a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things

Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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