Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #631 | Week #6 Quarantine Update​ Feat. Wonton Chai, Bossam, and Hodo Kwaja

4/24/2020

0 Comments

 
​I've said it already, though I'll state it again: Few changes have taken place in my day-to-day activities, minus the arduous ordeal that is hour-long grocery shopping trips.
But humans are dynamic after all, and so while "unprecedented times" are here, the theory of natural selection applies still
Picture
I'd like to think that I've adapted to the lengthy lineups and costlier checkout totals, as the outcome of these successive trips are expense reports, (food) trend forecasts, and the most important result of all - mitigation measures. Undoubtedly due in response to my efforts was a treat in the form of Wonton Chai.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Cravings are more or less kept at bay by the ability to reproduce a similar enough product in the comfort of one's home. Mild exceptions remain, with Pocky being one of them.
Picture
​Those that hadn't been on too friendly of terms with their kitchen haven been coerced into a changed mindset.
Yet those previously accustomed shall simply yearn for undertakings of greater difficulty.

Crafted from scratch were a series of lunch and dinner items, which sadly proved unsuccessful in lasting longer than several days.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Dish #1: Macaroni x Ground Beef x Sautéed 'Shrooms x Tomato Conpoy Compote Feat. Fried Egg
Picture
Picture
Picture
Seemingly effortless, there was a tremendous amount of preparation work involved. Other culinary techniques were also deployed, though somewhat subconsciously in my regard: boiling, marinating, sautéeing, pan frying, and, finally, broiling for a crunchy gratin-esque covering.
Picture
Picture
After a weekend of mayhem, I started my week off solid: An event known none other than GOT7's long-awaited comeback.

Oh, swear Not By The Moon.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #630 | Week #5 Quarantine Update​ Feat. Espresso Chiffon

4/17/2020

0 Comments

 
​I've seen little to none of outside world occurences, so this entry shall merely serve as a personal recount of items ingested over the week-long period.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​The start of the week commenced with a ground-shaking craving for Chipotle. Rushing out of the house for my guac-garnished assemblage meant omission of a water bottle. Thus, the drive entailed a detour into Galleria for blaze-battling fluids. Oh and kimchi.
Picture
Alas, bottled beverages were deemed too pricey for purchase. I emerged instead with Jessica edition Pepero, obnoxiously salty danmuji, and Kakao-character-like-but-not-quite-themed Dalgona candy bites.
Picture
Picture
​A semi-successful Espresso Chiffon Cake reared its icing sugar-decked head towards the latter part of the week. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Inspired by Cooking Tree and dolloped with a heaping spoonful of vanilla Greek yogurt and toasted desiccated coconut, the fluffy wedges were the ideal format of repurposing my Maxell House grinds.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #629 | Week #4 Quarantine Update

4/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Amidst this global pandemic, there are two types of people:
  1. Those that adhere to precautions and measures implemented by the three tiers of government for the wellbeing of their citizens; and
  2. Those that believe themselves to be invincible to the world and only begin to contemplate their actions - with or without remorse - upon being informed of possible exposure.

Similar to how loss from war was depicted in mandatory Canadian history courses back in our high school days, it's definitely difficult to empathize with certain emotions without firsthand experience. That said, there are those that can predict and responsibly take precautions, yet there are those that refuse to believe in reality until perpetually undoable realities culminate from their lack of prudence.
Picture
​The situation is constantly evolving and, in order to survive, so should the actions that we, as citizens, must take. Humans are dynamic and it is my utter belief that even when confronted with such a tremendous degree of uncertainty, all residents are to fulfill their responsibilities and due diligence. Beyond acceptance, it is even more crucial to respond appropriately in order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and its unpredictable aftermath.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Things I learned during Corona (Rev 2):
  • Innovation is the spice of life - though, I'm pretty sure most home chefs would be aware of this already. As noted previously, eggs are a very versatile ingredient, as are pantry staples like dried herbs. Even the most basic of produce has the potential for simple, scrumptious quarantine meals. Presented above and below are my own Quarantine "Bibimbap" and Basa à la King, because chicken is scarce.
Picture
  • Brewing coffee is an art in itself. And while this comes as no surprise, the popularization of Third Wave coffee shops have rendered roast and brew specifics more accessible to the average consumer. From roast type to grind size, from water temperature to growing altitude, each element has the ability to tweak the properties of the resulting coffee bean - or coffee cherry seed. At times of low motivation, it is important to keep our brains and bodies functioning, whether it be through educational articles or virtual fitness circuits.
  • There is such a thing as too much Dalgona. Since more or less perfecting the infamous Dalgona Coffee, orangecane and I have graduated onto whipping up alternative renditions of the frothy treat with matcha, Thai tea, and (maybe later) houjicha. Personally, Thai Tea is found to taste best on its own; swapping sweetened condensed milk for granulated sugar is blatant blasphemy.
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Laziness is an attribute implanted at deeper depths in some humans versus others, unsurprisingly. Using "no time" as an excuse for daily exercise was a phrase heard all too frequently even prior to quarantine. In our current times, especially for those that work significantly reduced hours (or don't work at all), it merely highlights one's priorities, should they reside in the realms of self-/home-improvement or pure futility.
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Being in isolation is not synonymous to being alone. Countless resources are available to maintain contact with the remainder of the world, without taking a single step beyond one's door. Prominently declared in Mississauga' Tele-Town Hall, technology is a facilitator, adopting an integral role in the forefront of this calamity. I've never been one to shy away from maximizing the potential of my resources, however it was a statement deserved to be heard by all members of the community. Change manifests only where unity and determination prevail.
Picture
Picture
​Easter weekend is nearing, thus I present to you: festively-shaped sugar cookies.

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #628 | Week #3 Quarantine Update Feat. Dalgona + Banana Bread

4/4/2020

0 Comments

 
The world is operating in a period of uncertainty, which can be unsettling. The future knows no stability, no steadiness in what is to come, or what is to pass.
Picture
​As the work-from-home-ers continue to maneuver their daily lives, with technology playing a vital role in remote communication, many of us are starting to notice minor changes every time we set foot into society for our essential activities. From the hordes of hoarders coming at other innocent shoppers last week with full force to distinctly divided lanes and floor markings this week, it's evident that action is being taken to flatten the curve. There is intent to comply with government regulations, with the hope that peace and order can be restored to our community once more.

​And while these preventative measures were imposed out of concern for public welfare, one cannot deny that in its accompaniment is a string of new issues - a hair-pulling situation of inefficiency.
Picture
Picture
Things I learned during Corona (Rev 1):
  • Beyond the significantly reduced store hours (seven-day operations have now ceased to five days or less), restrictions on entry are also being imposed. Whether it be reducing access and egress routes from four to one or maintaining the mandatory 2-metre/6-feet "safe distance" between patrons, one cannot deny that efficiency has now plummeted. So, while many of us have a bit more time on hand, the sheer acts of grocery shopping and regular errand running have also been lengthened, trifold I'd say.
  • Grocery trips are a gamble nowadays. To enforce physical distancing, majority of retailers have limited entry to one member per family, posing difficulty to those that struggle with lifting large quantities across an asphalt lot. At the brighter end of the spectrum, parking lots are not as scarce as they once were in certain plazas.
Picture
  • Supplies are at an all-time low. Obtaining all necessary grocery items from one spot was previously the norm; on the other hand, it's been two weeks since I've seen a single bag of bread flour grace the shelves of Loblaws or Walmart. Needless to say, bread flour is even rarer to come by. This obstacle has been a persisting block on my road to recipe analysis.
  • On a related note, grocery items are now being replenished more frequently than before. The higher the inhabitant count of a household, the faster the depletion of sustenance, which transform into the consequential need for more frequent cooking. I'm not one to complain about being provided opportunities to exert creativity, though it does gradually pose some degree of frustration knowing that every step outside entails PPE and post-trip deep sanitization.
  • Some versatile pantry staples to consider would include: cornstarch, coconut milk, canned beans, canned sardines/sausages/corned beef (not the most nutritious but better than going vegan), dried herb seasoning, and honey. Meanwhile, eggs, milk, flour have the capability of forming the foundation for virtually any dish; while perishable, it never hurts to have a healthy dose on hand to supplement recipes or help them along their way.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Quite frankly, there haven't been noticeable departures from my regular routine, besides working remotely and minimal interaction with friends and coworkers. Home exercise routines, kitchen task undertakings, Lysol-ing of frequently used surfaces, and cashless transactions were elements that had aligned with my preferences even before the outbreak.
Picture
Picture
Picture
And as I half-rant, half-report on such occurrences, I am simultaneously reminded that "This is the, so-called, 'New Normal'", and as humans - mere occupants of this planet - we are to adapt for the sake of survival.
With challenge comes change, and what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger.

Read More
0 Comments
    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


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.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.