Read Part 1 HERE !

The drive to Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area was quicker than expected. In just thirty minutes, we'd exit the 404 and meander our way through residential grounds in search of signage.

When Google Maps had announced our arrival while crossing an overpass, I was utterly perplexed. Pulling over to determine our relative location was not an option, for the installation of on-street cycle tracks had eliminated shoulders on both sides of the street. Taking a quick gander at the route map, I made a U-turn at Mount Albert Road and 2nd Concession Road, heading west on Mount Albert until hitting Yonge Street. At the southeast corner of the intersection would be one of Nokiidaa Trail's asphalt lots.

Frankly, I hadn't recalled when exactly Rogers Reservoir had earned itself a spot on my to-go list. Neither in the neighbourhood of high-desire POIs nor home to stunning views, my bookmark prompted further research the night before. Being situated in a predominantly residential area with little transition in elevation, the trail was comparable to Riverwood Conservancy back home.

​Weather conditions were splendid for the trek. Sunny, blue skies, temperatures hovering between the positive single- and double-digits, and occasional gusts of wind made for the perfect spring saunter.

Tree cover was minimal, unlike that of southwest Sauga trails. Open areas granted an unobscured view of the skies above, though also subject us to beaming UV rays and the will of Mother Nature in an unapologetic manner.

​Generally speaking, the trail was very easy - ideal for families with small children, physically active elderly, and amateur to experienced cyclists. The path featured varying widths of paved and unpaved sections, the latter being gravel, dirt, or boardwalk and bridges. One could enjoy a scenic view of the Holland River on both the north and south sides, and eventually connect to 2nd Concession Road and East Gwillimbury GO station at grade level, if desired.

The downside was that the trail would not loop.

From the getgo, I had been surprised with Dal Pilates' decision to match clients with instructors based on schedule availability rather than maintain the same instructor for the duration of the package for continuity and steady progress.

We had belatedly been told that our preferred instructor, Jin, would be leaving the North York location for good due to commuting hassles and exclusively working out of the studio's newer Wellesley location starting April. Needless to say, I advocated for one more class with her, even if the slot was inconveniently early at 10 AM. My negotiations with my browsing partner ultimately proved successful; I'd adopt the role of the driver for the day, which also bestowed full power over the itinerary.

​​Arriving in North York prior to 1 PM on Sundays was synonymous with complimentary metred parking. Naturally, I'd park closest to the Kingsdale Avenue entrance, where we'd shiver in wait of a member of staff to allow us into the building. The receptionist was neither the one from our first few classes nor Min, but an unfamiliar face with a positively petrified demeanour. Once in the building, Jin welcomed us into the facility with a joyful smile, and responded with surprise when I pointed out it would be her last day.

​The class would be conducted strictly using the Chair and a foam mat laid on the floor before its pedals; the Reformer would not be touched at all! Our warm-up would comprise of a standing rolldown: With one hand placed on each pedal, we were instructed to sequence through the spine, engaging the core as we resisted the pedal. After inhaling in the bent position, we would exhale and slowly return to standing. At least ten reps were executed, each becoming progressively more difficult. The move was indeed challenging compared to the standard rolldown, since resisting spring tension demanded more core control. Standing cat cows were also conducted in the bent position, with hands resisting the pedal tension while transitioning in and out of flexion and extension.

We were then directed to lay in supine position on the foamy mat. Bending the knees while keeping feet (and inner thighs) together, bridge articulations would be performed. The instructor reminded us to "keep the ribs closed" and articulate all the way back to neutral pelvis upon returning to the starting stance. Bridge variations would follow in the forms of:

• Single leg raises to tabletop
• Straight leg extension lift and lower

Once the glute muscles were active, we scooted further down the mat to hook the heels onto the pedals of the Chair. With the feet flexed, the pedals would be drawn down/close to the hips for lying hamstring pulls. Next, the ball of the feet would be positioned against the pedal, lightly pressing onto the component while executing the same bridge series as before. Needless to say, the bridge articulations, tabletop lifts, and leg extension lift and lowers were much harder while using the apparatus. Most intense were the unassisted articulated bridges, which involved shifting the Chair closer to the lower body but away from the wall beside which it rested. By reducing points of support for the Chair, one was to draw from core strength to prevent pushing the equipment. A combo move of an articulated bridge and crunch was appended to the end of the sequence for isolated core work.

Surprisingly, the session did not comprise of any arm or upper body isolations, though one could argue that pressing the hands into the mat during  bridge articulations would work the triceps, while keeping the shoulders down would engage the upper back. As with previous classes, pulses were not included, and few holds if at all.

In order to instill some degree of relief for the hamstring and thighs, the final ten minutes would be allocated towards stretching. After verifying comfort levels, we were instructed to face one another and take a firm grasp of each other's hands for assisted stretching. Propping the bottoms of the feet together, each leg would be raised to tabletop, then extended and retracted. Finishing on a strong note, both legs would be extended in an open teaser position, simultaneously serving to lengthen tight muscles and strengthen the core via balancing needs. Inner thigh stretches would also be undertaken, where the partners would take turns pushing against the other's calves with the inside of the foot.

Amongst all the classes taken at Dal Pilates to date, this fifth session bore the greatest similarities to my mat practice at home, blended with a bit of Well+Good mobility fundamentals.

​Having been the studio's first users of the day, the space was still relatively cool. With the conclusion of class, however, more clients filed into the compact corridor, consequently contributing to heat generation.

​North York exploration would commence around the 11 AM mark. While I embraced the breezy, single-digit temperatures and low levels of foot traffic, my browsing partner argued the advantages of wandering about in the later hours.
"Nothing is open yet!"
"Well nothing is open when we come at night either!" I retorted.

Most of the businesses of interest would indeed remain shuttered until 1 PM, coinciding with the periods where pay parking would be enforced. Heading northbound, we passed pending openings, including yet another bubble tea venture coming to the former Hey Sugar and supposedly renowned milk tea destination.

​Post-pizza cravings had conjured a vivid image of fluffy sponge and cream, possible fitted with fresh fruit. "I want cake - Strawberry Shortcake." was announced while aimlessly sauntering through Yonge North York BIA's latest silk lantern exhibit at Mel Lastman Square.

​Alternating at-home recovery and errand-running has proven somewhat sustainable for my Sunday schedule, particularly since sleeping early always seems ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ to be denied.

The first half of the weekend had been allocated towards chores, including cleaning until nearly midnight. Perpetually perplexing to me is how even the grandest efforts appear to bring about few physical improvements to the area, but I digress!

My forever helper is not attuned to operating on EST, which usually results in delayed arrivals, and further delays due to my lack of punctuality.

Shops at Don Mills had been designated as the first destination on the itinerary. We arrived at the asphalt lot just before 2:30 PM, at which point I exited from the vehicle to find surprisingly mild conditions and close to no residual ice masses after the previous day's heavy snowfall.

​The two objectives of the visit had been The Body Shop's liquidation sale and Hazukido x Daan Go's collaboration space. When the fair trade beauty giant was discovered shuttered and vacated, we ventured along the other corridors within the retail plaza, noting new openings and persistent presences.

​Hazukido and Daan Go's collaboration space was discovered far more compact than envisioned. The location was supposedly a dedicated facility for workshops and special events, though the limited number of tables, stacks of boxes along the perimeter of the seating area, and nonexistent selection of exclusive items deterred from a longer stay.

​With little else of interest, we continued on our way following use of their indoor plumbing services.

​Although a logistically odd choice, the Barber Greene Plaza had intentionally been planned as the second stop, in fear that my browsing partner would exceed my anticipated browsing period.

​There seems to be some misconception that those that enjoy food can also eat copious amounts of it. This is not true.

I've always been equipped with a fairly small appetite. As the years go on, the capacity has diminished further, with difficulty consuming liquids and solids at once without feelings of discomfort. Hence, the traditional breakfast layouts have always perplexed me: a platter of eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, fruit, and coffee is an extravagant North American take often viewed as the equivalent of two meals.

Wrist pain has been undeniable (985) as of the past week. That said, the desire to bake is also one that cannot be stifled, simply due to physical setbacks. Braving the persistent discomfort, I powered through to re-purpose eight spotty bananas into banana bread. Two loaves could be constructed from the medium-sized fruit.

1) Marbled and Jacked-Up Banana Bread

​The marble is no newcomer to the household, however my coworker's introduction to Jacked-Up marked a banana bread revolution. Additions of salted butter and rum contribute impressive complexity, boasting an entirely different unique profile from its marbled neighbour.

Remnants of the toasted, finely chopped pecans from the Carrot Pound Cake were utilized to differentiate the loaves, simultaneously bestowing an element of crunch to the alcohol-infused treat. Another aspect of note was the use of Kirkland vanilla extract in the Marble and homemade vodka-based vanilla extract in Jacked-Up, which, if you ask me, were absolutely appropriate decisions. Although less concentrated in hue, the DIYed edition was far more aromatic in comparison.

Both loaves were savoured with glee and shared with those in proximity. About four slices of each were then frozen for later enjoyment.

2) Steamed Red Bean Buns

The impromptu encounter with Bao House's Red Bean Buns had my mind whirring. In short, I hadn't been pleased with their $3.99 trio. For an establishment priding themselves in Chinese baos, the order had drawn disgrace; the buns could have been fluffier, but the filling was, without a doubt, the worst part of it all. And perhaps the average person would have sampled the texture-less monstrosity, reviewed the associated the price tag, and deemed it passable. Well, suffice to say, I cannot classify as "average" in my quest for good food.

Homemade red bean buns would constitute a two-part project that, unfortunately, would not commence until the early afternoon hours due to schedule conflicts. First up was the red bean filling. In order to speed up the process, I turned to the Instant Pot. It was neither an appliance I had ever used previously, nor was it mine to start. 

Diving in head first, I'd skim Just One Cookbook's advertisement-laden recipe page instead of reading the manual. She would categorize red bean paste into two categories: tsubu-an and koshi-an, respectively referring to chunky and smooth variations as well as their applications. My heart yearned for a textured rendition, thus I adhered to the formula for tsubu-an.

The pressure cooker edition specified the following:

• 300 g azuki
• 5 cups/1200 ml water (bean-to-water ratio of 1:4)
• 300 g cups sugar (bean-to-sugar ratio of 1:1 - equal weight)
• pinch of salt

​My attempt would involve 325 g of red beans instead, for I had been keen to empty the second-last container in my inventory. Other ingredient amounts of scaled up accordingly. It wasn't until that the unwashed beans and water had been inserted and locked within the Instant Pot that I realized the omission of dried tangerine peel, 陳皮. It was a pivotal ingredient in accentuating the profile of Chinese Red Bean Soup (紅豆沙) that I wished not to exclude. Consequently, I'd run the Instant Pot on the Bean/Chili setting for an additional fifteen minutes after the prescribed twenty-five minute first round.

Leading up to the third session at Dal Pilates, I wasn't in a very content disposition. Fiery and full of fury, it was in the best interest of others to keep their distance until the tasks at hand had all been completed. As a consequence of my seemingly endless to-do list (and dwindling budget for leisure funds), our departure for North York was not made until well into the evening hours.

Our fourth visit to the studio would, coincidentally, be met with another instructor swap. Jin from the previous week had been wonderful, exuding a gentleness amidst her strict, educational presence. This week, I had been informed that scheduling conflicts would hand us over to Min, a face I had been acquainted with briefly while fangirling with the receptionist. With our belongings stuffed into the cubbies, she gestured us towards the exercise space, introducing herself as well as asking of my condition. She was the first of all Dal Pilates instructors encountered thus far that had introduced herself with her name, and the only one which had inquired of possible pain or injuries. (Though, I had been informed that a few had also asked during my washroom-visiting absence.) I relayed my concern of stomach pains to her, attempting to hint at biological causes rather than stress- or strain-induced sources. Whether the message had been interpreted correctly was unknown, however the entire class proceeded without lying on the Carriage whatsoever, much to my relief. Beyond removing inverted inclines from the picture, I was also spared of hair-washing duties later that evening.

​Placing both hands and one foot on the footbar and the other against the shoulder rest, we commenced with hamstring stretches on the Carriage. We then transitioned to a kneeling position facing away from footbar, gripping the top of the tension straps with the hands to execute pullbacks. The exercise isolated muscles in the upper back as well as the triceps. Throughout the routine, frequent reminders were extended to "relax our shoulders", "engage the core" by drawing the ribs "down" and "back towards the spine", and "keep the spine tall"/body straight. Having mirrors placed at either side of the space assisted with regular form checks. The instructor also touched the backs of arms to make sure correct muscles were being engaged, and interjected to confirm that the spring tension was still acceptable after a few reps. One blue spring and one white spring supplied enough resistance for a challenge, yet still enabled me to maintain correct form throughout.
Rotating to face the footbar, we maintained the kneeling position with hands thread through the tension straps. The starting position involved bending the arms such that the elbows were tucked into the sides of the ribs and the palms faced upwards. The arms would be extended forward to about shoulder height with an exhale, where the position would be held momentarily with an inhale, then arms retracted to the starting position with an exhale. Variations of this move involved:

• Extending the arms forward, opening to a T, then drawing the arms back towards the front of the body (By this point, I had switched to just one blue spring to prevent loss of form.)
• Starting from a low kneeling position, extending the arms forward while raising one's body to a high kneeling position (quads and hamstrings), opening to a T, and slowly returning the low kneeling position

The latter would be further elevated with orange 1 lb toning balls placed in the palms. "Just hold, don't grip!" cautioned the instructor.

Needless to say, this portion of the class was the most difficult upper body routine I had undertaken in a while. Min had, impressively, remembered both of our names and gave directed form reminders throughout the exercises. Her frequent encouragement, regulation of speed for rep consistency, rep countdowns were also greatly appreciated.

​Few breaks were included as part of the class, which is my preferred format, especially in consideration of the sessions' fifty-minute duration. 
The next exercise blended core work with lower body isolations. With the Short Box placed across the back of the Reformer, we sat on the box facing the footbar, rolled down into a C-curve, and hooked both heels onto the shoulder rests. The Carriage was to be drawn close while bending the knees, engaging the hamstrings and glutes. Constantly reminded was I to keep my core engaged and prevent my right knee from rolling inward, an indicator of a weak righ inner thigh. The instructor was quick to rectify when any alignment changes were observed, with her tone of voice being much more encouraging and insightful than the second instructor (980). Mirror checks also incredibly helpful as it alowed me to be more mindful when undertaking mat practice at home. Variations of this exercise involved keeping one leg lifted and drawing the Carriage close with the other foot. The lifted foot was pointed, as to work the inner thigh, while the other leg continued to draw the Carriage inward using the hamstring. Before transitioning to the next segment, we rotated parallel to the Reformer for inner thigh drag-ins. In this exercise, it was very important to prevent the pelvis from shifting and keeping both sitbones on the Short Box while continuing to isolate the thigh.

Min also introduced/brought back some of my favourite thigh exercises on the Reformer. Standing parallel to the Reformer with one foot placed on the frame and the other on the Carriage, we would push the Carriage out, forming an inverted V-shape with the legs, then return to the starting position, summoning strength from the inner and outer thighs. Despite wearing grip socks, both of us admitted to feeling unsafe while exerting force on the contraption; as such, sticky mats were derived from the prop shelf and slipped underneath our feet to increase friction. While helpful, it did not remove the hazard completely, for I lost my footing on one instance of the exercise, causing the Carriage to slam into the frame. Thankfully, my balance was maintained - a result of consistent core conditioning efforts, and regular GO train commutes. The second exercise was a side scooter, which involved hinging the upper body to a 45-degree incline, bending the supporting leg, and dragging the Carriage in and out using the other leg. Being deeply familiar with the exercise, both on and off the Reformer, I was well aware of its alignment needs. I received a few reminders to "relax the shoulders" and "keep the core engaged", while my pilates partner was urged to maintain steadiness in the standing leg and keep the knee directly over the heel.

The class concluded with inner thigh external rotation and thigh openers with oblique stretch to provide release of the hip flexors. Overall, the session had been extremely satisfying, with tremendous soreness experienced in the upper back, shoulders, and lats for days onward. The series also demanded stability from the core in unpredictable ways: two-part movements had been instructed with an inhale to prepare, exhale to "go", inhale to hold, and exhale to return. Occasionally woven into the routine were a handful of holds, but no pulses whatsoever. Each exercise was very focused and intentional, yet delivered in an undeniably cheery, supportive manner. Form reminders and being urged to take note of one's alignment in the mirror was especially helpful for personal practice.

Discovering that Thai Iced Tea could constructed with ease in under five minutes paved the way for further experimentation. A shot of Lavazza espresso elevated the beverage with a toasted complexity.

An Iced Mocha compiled using one stick of G7 Espresso, Tim Hortons' Hot Chocolate mix, and 100 ml of milk also served as a splendid mid-day pick-me-up, pairing wonderfully alongside a too-sweet Neapolitan Lindt truffle.

While braving wrist weakness and pangs of pain that would travel from the thumb to the elbow, I attemped baking for the first time in several weeks. Carrot Cake was up first.

1) Carrot Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

​I had vowed to revisit carrot again once cream cheese was on hand, and so I did. Turning to Sunday Baking's Carrot Pound Cake recipe with my last pre-portioned parcel of 80 g of grated carrot on hand, it dawned on me that the remaining quantity of Ambrosia chunks in my fridge were the last apples in our entire household. Consequently, frozen pineapples were summoned for use - albeit at about 20-30 g greater than the specific amount.

The increase in moisture content prompted an additional 20 g flour in the batter and an adjusted baking time of ten minutes more, with seven of those ten minutes involving covering the surface with foil to prevent burning.

Lacking the structure of my previous editions, the cake was incredibly fragile and required cooling completely before handling. Only after it had reached room temperature was it transferred to a plastic cutting board for frosting.

The prominent copper-toned border had vanished in this edition, though the inside was saturated and vibrant.

​Few things are more enthralling than good food and a well-executed exercise session, except, of course, a GOT7 comeback or world tour maybe.

The Mini Stability Ball has proven a wonderful addition to my roster of pilates props, exceeding usage rate of the pilates ring significantly. Acquisition of a proper cloth resistance band was also fruitful, for it yielded soreness like never before - and at just $0.99 plus tax!

On my first office day, I ventured downtown with a breakfast of oatmeal and banana in tow. A few packaged snacks were also slipped into my container, though I hadn't bothered with defrosting my existing freezer stash. (I'll blame the inconsistent spring-summer-winter climate for this decision.)

​The chilly morning was expected to transition to balmy conditions in the low teens in the afternoon, making clothing choice a travesty. Eventually, I settled on my go-to look of black pants, black sneakers, and long-sleeved shirt and Taiga zip-up vest

While searching for budget-friendly finds on the World Wide Web, I chanced across a Reddit thread. Embedded within the comments, I discovered Mystic Muffin. Its location at Richmond and Jarvis was deemed feasible for the lunchtime walk - after all, I've made it Third Wave Coffee a handful of times without issues.

Advertised - not once, but twice! - on its storefront as a business in its 30th year of operation, the long-time diner had somehow went unnoticed despite my passing through the Y-configuration intersection of Richmond East and Jarvis many times.

​The interior was as Google Reviews had depicted: a cozy space with checkered tiling, casual seating, and ample space for circulation of takeout customers.

During my brief visit, I was definitely not alone in the store. A few middle-aged patrons, nearby office workers in their early thirties, and even a good number of young faces joined me. The younger crowd, along with myself (whom I do not really consider youthful enough to file into this category), must have seemed perplexed, for the couple manning the counter clarified the different sections of the counter for all in presence: Baked goods to the left and meal items, such as hummus, falafel, and salads, to the right.

The "spring forward" portion of Daylight Savings is not one many anticipate, sheerly on the basis on losing one hour of sleep in the process. Notwithstanding this inconvenience is the gradual gain of natural illumination during waking hours, which is usually appreciated by most, if not all, of the working class - natural night owls excluded, of course.

My browsing companion was running late and arrived nearly thirty minutes later than scheduled, a rare occurrence given our prominent differences in punctuality. Our arrival at First Markham Place was delayed by roughly the same duration, extended even later by an impromptu stopover at LCBO.

Hailing from yours truly, the proposal had, surprisingly, resulted in a brief visit devoid of purchases. For once, the assortment before me failed to spark curiosity. Moreover, my sake stash had been replenished not too long ago.

​With flurries flittering about First Markham Place, we braved the gusty trek across the asphalt lot and dove into Oomomo. My roster of to-buy items was limited: a coffee filter case, plastic pouch, and compartmentalized jewellery case were the primary items of interest.

​Instead, I walked out with a far grander amount than the aforementioned trio. Cookie rolling rulers of 5 mm thickness, piping bags of various sizes, piping tips, a lavender storage bin, noodle ladle, and silica gel packets had also made their way into my basket. Asahi Dry Zero Free was nowhere to be spotted.

​Meanwhile, my browsing companion had a blast roaming the aisles, also acquiring a handful of unplanned purchases.

Navigating between the kitchen and craft sections, we bumped into my Birthday Buddy on the hunt for a "bag strap". The encounter marked my second instance of chancing across a highly familiar face far from home.

​Our second session at Dal Pilates had been scheduled for 5 PM as opposed to the 7 PM slot of the previous weeks. As such, we were required to make haste and depart York Region within minutes of the clock hitting 4 PM. Naturally, this meant that desires for egg waffles, HK Milk Tea, and claw machines would be postponed till a later date to prioritize my companion's browsing needs. ​The earlier slot also meant relinquishing slightly pricier parking fees (as the day maximum rate wouldn't persist until 6 PM) and laying eyes on the studio surroundings during daylight hours.

Spring cleaning is often an ambitious declaration that doesn't go well. For the past few years, as my access paths grow progressively narrower, I've recognized the need to clean. However, recognition of an issue not necessarily synonymous with getting started.

Since the start of the year, I've cited active assistance (ie. not emotional support) as the main driving factor in commencing a process. While sorting through nearly thirty years of neglect - perhaps with sporadic periods of re-organization weaved within - cannot be completed overnight, I can, at the very least, declare subtle improvements. In spite of not noticing drastic changes, I was informed that "The floor has improved greatly."

​Categorization of electronic waste, expired food and medication, and paper products such as merchandise packaging and instruction manuals are amongst the easier tasks. Less straightforward is the handling of forgotten childhood toys and knickknacks. The concept of re-selling was proposed to me, inciting a convoluted procedure comparable to selecting medium-term accommodations.

The plethora of re-sale platforms has expanded remarkably in the name of environmental sustainability and the three Rs. Beyond the cult classic of ebay comes Facebook Marketplace for direct sales of standalone goods (no admin-monitored group needed), Poshmark for closet and fashion items, as well as consignment stores for gently used preloved products.
Distinguishing the online platforms and secondhand retail shops is the degree of user involvement: While the seller is responsible for preparing individual item listings, uploading product images, managing correspondence, and packing/shipping of items for the digital realm, consignment stores will review items in bulk, then price accordingly or return the entire lot. Albeit considerably more time-consuming, the former approach summons the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in exchange for the potential to increase disposable income. Meanwhile, the latter is a quicker, fuss-free method of earning additional funds before sending the remnants off to a donation centre.

Posting cosplay wigs and Tsum Tsums have earned me minimal success thus far. Though, a 1999 Cardcaptor doll, entirely unopened, saw interest in under 24 hours of listing. That said, simultaneously listing on ebay and Facebook marketplace had been a poor choice, for I was doubled the amount following agreement of a legally-binding low bid price on ebay. The incident merely confirms the risks and background knowledge required for a self-led undertaking: Assessment of market conditions was non-negotiable, as is time commitment for coordination with potential buyers - be it for price, transaction specifics, or logistics.

I had allocated a portion of my weekend for the exploration of consignment stores. Located within decently close proximity were Once Upon A Child, Plato's Closet, and Style Encore, which catered to children, teens, and middle-aged women respectively. The trio fell within the same chain, much like Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. 

Following a chaotic morning of cooking, I set out for my first stop of Once Upon A Child in Streetsville. Drizzly conditions had facilitated the commute; similarly low traffic volumes were witnessed in the asphalt lot.

My two bags' worth of "fluffy" toys were dismissed instantly on the basis of being without tags. The cashier pointed towards glittery cats by the checkout, confirming that small toys, such as ty beanie babies, would likely be priced at $1, and medium ones at a maximum of $2, be they ty or not.

Strollers, clothing, books, and educational workbooks were also observed lining the shelves. Out of curiosity, I also inquired of their selling price. The cashier admitted that, since the books usually retailed at $1.50 each, the most I'd receive in exchange for the drop-off would be fifty cents, if even.

​Although fruitless, the visit was completed swiftly in a friendly manner and advised on the pertinent details for my objective. Lugging my two bags back to the car, I briefly contemplated conduct a photoshoot for each individual stuffed plush, only to conclude that I was neither particularly keen to recover profit nor possessed the luxury of free time to dedicate to the venture.

Style Encore was my next stop. Located at Hurontario and Bristol, the plaza was admittedly difficult to navigate towards in the face of LRT construction and restricted maneuvers. All-moves driveways had been converted to right-in-right-out accesses only, and annoyingly obstructed by construction fences which reduced visibility further on the already rainy afternoon.

About nine bags of clothing, handbags, and five pairs of shoes (four of which still in their original box) were handed over to the cashier for pricing. First-time sellers were required to complete a Google Form as part of a condensed registration process. Afterwards, a text message would be received to confirm enrollment, then later used to advise on the pick-up period.