​If you're wondering how thirty days have already escaped in the blink of an eye, you're not alone. At least, I hope I'm not alone.

Despite that KCON LA videos have yet to be sorted, the dreadful academic term, in conjunction with a nasty triple-combo flu-cold-cough pandemonium, have ripped my life and overall wellbeing in shreds. Unpredictably scorching weather conditions also inflicted damage on energy levels and motivation. It was as if Mother Nature was taunting an already exausting school-work-life cycle with maximum snarkiness.

1) The surge in computation-heavy assignments automatically meant less time for exploration, and quicker depletion of tea inventory. Weekly CoCo runs remained, however, for sanity-soothing purposes.

​2) Cue the return of homemade matcha lattes and lunches primarily comprised of leftovers
3) Maneuvering DAVIDsTEA's online store was ridiculously easy. Having been exposed to a world devoid of waiting and stupidity, I shall never revert back.

​4) Voyaging to Sarah and Tom's to pick up JJ Project's 'Verse 2'
5) DAY6's Sunrise was obtained in preparation for a fansign event
6) Mornings feat. Brown and an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie from Put A Cone On It

​7) Thai Iced Tea - or rather, Thai Milk Tea, in this case - from Bake Code is a total winner!
8) I'm going to miss Sephora's VIB Rouge shipping...
9) Making my first round of the year to Westdale Bumblebean

​With a name such as "Magic School", there were expectations that Jinyoung's first web drama would consist of cringe-worthy scenes and cheesy dialogue. In addition, I personally did not expect a high budget would be approved for a non-cable mini series.
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My infinite fondness for Jinyoung is not unheard of on this space, so regardless of the production, I had intended to watch meticulously. Each episode spanned approximately fourteen minutes, with some airing in two parts, each about ten minutes in duration. Airing weekdays at 7 AM KST for a total of three weeks, Magic School concluded in 16 wonderfully thoughtful episodes.

PLOT

The story revolves around four young adults, each with their individually unique worries. Throughout the story, magic manages to connect them together and assist them in either mitigating their concerns or providing a new outlook on life.

Lee Nara (Jinyoung), the protagonist of Magic School, commences university at the start of the story. In the first and second episode, he is depicted as a hard-working student that aims only to fulfill his father's wishes. His mother passed away while giving birth to him, which led his father to express sorrow on his birthday every year. A total of twenty-two years passes before Lee Nara encounters an ambiguous situation with his best friend, Woori (Park Gyuyoung).

While observing that his hyung succeeds in confessing his feelings towards a girl in his school with the help of magic tricks, he too tries his hand at determining his feelings for Woori via enrolment in a privately-operated Magic School (마술학교).

Simultaneously enrolling this Magic School are: a medical intern hailing from the United States, a young professor researching the correlation between magic tricks and science, and the younger brother of a famed magician. Jun (Nickhun) aims to adopt a set of tricks to prove to a young patient that miracles can exist, and that she should not lose hope in recovering from an incurable disease. On the other side of the spectrum is J (Yoon Park), a wealthy, snobby man who refuses to accept his brother's death and demands Master Han to reveal the details of the trick such that he can reunite with his brother. Lee Sung (Kang Yoonjae) enters Magic School as a way of researching magic tricks, only to later find himself encaptured by Master Han's daughter, Han Yiseul (Shin Eunsoo).

​At the start of the story, Nara is a straightforward soul with no other thoughts than fulfilling his father's hopes of him. With the discovery of magic tricks and development of feelings for Woori, he begins to rebel against his father's expectations, even going as far to leave the house in order to continue learning magic tricks.
The scene in which he drinks beer for the first time and becomes intoxicated to the point of passing out is very crucial. Not only does this lend him the courage to confront his father about his newfound hobby, but also allows him to voice out his detest for government workers and their distasteful actions towards his father. This is the turning point that enables Nara to discover his hidden talents and confirm his feelings for Woori (with advice from Master Han), while allowing his father to re-consider his actions towards his son.

​The interactions between Nara and Woori are realistic: Nara's jealousy, denial, and concern for Woori are clearly felt by the viewer as tension builds up between the two. His actions are coherent with the progression of the story and provides a clear view of his thoughts and emotions to viewers.

​​Significant variation in paths are witnessed for the supporting characters. Jun strives to perfect a set of magic skills before his young patient undergoes surgery, but ultimately fails to perform them due to her worsened condition. His goals are clear and his actions coherent, though I found it puzzling that he was permitted into the operation room at all. As a hospital intern not on duty for the day, it is unthinkable that he would be permitted to operate on a patient in a frenzied mental state. Furthermore, surgical masks should not have been removed until departure from the operation room. Following his patient's death, he continues with his charity work; there is no further mention of his late patient nor deceptive hospital co-workers.

J's scenes were repetitive and, personally, overly reflective of someone is denial about a family member's death. In spite of being the eldest amongst the four, his character traits showed immaturity and stubbornness; his decisions were rash and unthoughtful, with the only exception being his offer to lend Jun a hand with his magic performance. Overall, his scenes were confusing and not at all amusing like the others.

​Lee Sung and Yiseul's relationship is odd element to add to the story, but provides sufficient comedic relief from the serious aura of J's supposed search for truth and Nara's temporary familial troubles. Lee Sung was instantly captivated by Yiseul's dancing, but there was little to convince the audience that Yiseul felt similarly about the young professor. She expressed frustration when he announced his sudden departure from Korea, but her words drew a fine line between dependence and longing. Regardless, they showed support for each other in their respective fields and were not subject to death glares from Master Han.

The series of events is quite logical: all characters find themselves in a suitable spot in their lives. As the finale, Woori casts Nara as a magician cameo in one of her works, and the two "live happily ever after". 

​Like Jackson, I'm not quite keen when it comes to spice. That said, it's truly a mission find authentic Korean food that matches well with my mild palate.
Safe bets include soondae, doenjang jjigae (normally, anyways), and jjajangmyeon - all of which can be found year-round. Offered seasonally would be cold noodles (ie. 물냉면/mul naengmyeon) - a heat-relieving favourite for scorching summers.

​The dish isn't commonly offered by franchises though; it took a bit of research to determine its availability at Cho Sun Ok in Thornhill. Autumn meant the departure of Chun Byung at Hodo Kwaja, so it remained uncertain whether the dish would remain on offer in late September.
Owing to above-seasonal temperatures, it was still very much a fan favourite when I finally got around to visiting in 40-degree weather.

Within fifteen minutes of opening, Cho Sun Ok was found to host coiling lineups around its exterior. In spite of the heat, enthusiastic diners camped outside in the shade for their turn. Miss Rushka arrived first and joined the waiting list; approximately twenty minutes passed before our number was called - not bad considering the chaos that was taking place before our eyes.

​The staff comprised entirely of middle-aged ladies in red polo shirts, all presumably Korean natives from their high degree of fluency in the language. One of them seated us in a boxy but roomy two-person slot near the entrance. Paper menus were placed before us; a covered box of flat chopsticks and condiments bottles were situated beside us, along a wall bearing a prominently red kimchi stain.

​Following much contemplation, we each settled for a bowl of dark buckwheat noodles in slushy homemade broth. For the sake of my overall wellbeing, I opted out of their special spicy sauce, though Miss Rushka kept her order unchanged.
The request for mildness was perhaps the more informed choice of the two, since I was later informed that the sauce dissipated into the broth at a rate that was startling even for a regular intaker of spice.

Most tables received at least four to five banchan (side dishes), ranging from the standard kimchi to seaweed salad and creamy potato salad. We were merely offered two: a small snippet of fiery kimchi and a handful of radish slivers coated with red pepper flakes. The former had my mouth up in flames and immediately running for the Thai Iced Tea I secured prior; the latter was crunchy, pickled, and inflicted much less of a reaction.

North York is a wonderful strip of fusion eateries that happens to be accessible both by public transit and driving. Traversing up (or down) Yonge Street in search of parking can be a nuisance, though the ever-evolving selection of establishments is worth the effort in my opinion.

New to the Yonge-Sheppard area is Tsujiri and Bake Code's recent Thai Iced Tea launch. When they first revealed a sneak peek of their summer drink collection, I had anticipated to have it tried before the commencement of the school season. A similar case with Pablo, I believe three specialty beverages were added to the menu the same weekend I departed for LA.

​While only a mere two weeks of academia have passed, the workload is tremendous and persistently troublesome. In desperate need of a breather, my mind trailed off on the idea of venturing uptown to take part in the things I had missed.

Bake Code was the first stop. The bakery opened early, which made it a suitable waiting/meetup location. A lineup had already formed at the cashier when I entered, so I took a seat and evaluated their assortment of breads and pastries while waiting for the line to dissipate.

Thai Iced Tea was available in two sizes: Regular and Large, with the latter weighing in at $5.00 before tax. The cost was on the hefty side, but, relative to their bakery goods and standard Chatime drinks, still fairly economic.

​The milky orange beverage was slid over the counter after a few minutes, with perhaps a spoonful more ice than I would have liked. The contents of the plastic cup was fragrant, smooth, and, most importantly, flavourful. Strong notes of tea and spices were tasted, along with a certain familiar milkiness that's often found in bubble tea.
Chatime possesses their own rendition of Thai Iced Tea as well, but as a summertime exclusive. Bake Code's version was less rich in milk power, causing it to be more refreshing than satiating. Expectations were fulfilled with great confidence. I'll likely be trying this again.

​Nanashake was my first visit to the developing apartment complex at Yonge and Bogert. While the site remains un-updated on Google Maps, the reality is that many retailers have settled into the structure's lobby. This time, I chanced upon H Cafe (an expansion of Uncle Tetsu in Unionville), Love Me Sweet, and quite a significant number of new food court stalls.

Facing the south side of the building was Poke Eats - the only spot serving up marinated sashimi bowls in the vicinity. The storefront was comprised entirely of glass which simultaneously allowed sufficient illumination to fill the store and passerbys to catch a glimpse of skillful fish-slicing knifework.

​Seats were few and service was speedy; it's quick-service atmosphere did not skimp on customer service though. The girl behind the cashier was more than happy to respond to inquiries in a pleasant, patient manner.

< Pictured above and below: It's Lit, BYOB with Black Sushi Rice, Crab Salad, Seaweed Salad, Maple Sesame Shoyu, Maguro, and Albacore Tuna >

​"If you've seen one, you've seen it all" doesn't accurately apply to cafe visits in my experience, or any eatery in general really. Each trip holds its own significance and results in a different impression - favourable or abhorrent - depending on the quality of goods and services offered, as well as the environment in which they were presented.

A second visit to the former Johnny's Coffee arose from a sudden urge to immerse myself amongst shrubbery while attempting to re-familiarize myself with the concept of effective stresses. Lavender Latte was the five-dollar seasonal special; quite intriguing by name already, this option prompted me to venture beyond my standard requests, launching myself into a realm of caffeinated beverages bearing floral attributes.

​While the barista brewed, I set out to secure a spot on the backyard patio. Honestly, I suppose it was less of a patio and largely an extended platform that overlooked the railway beneath. Umbrellas were swapped for the hanging branches of lofty trees, and wooden booths in place of metal/plastic patio chairs. Some forms of synthetic seating were present, though it was the dark-toned lumber that caught my attention. As calming as the rustic tint was on the eyes, the mold lining its ridges was not. Years of wet, snowy conditions had encouraged the growth of fine green particles from within the innermost layers of the wood; this not only facilitated fermentation in the shaded regions, but slow decomposition had alslo resulted in an unlevel surface.

​The reason behind choosing a table outdoors was to soak in fresh air while labouring away at the designated tasks. But soon, the peaceful neverland I had envisioned turned dismal and counterproductive against my original wishes.
All had still been fine when two business partners chatted away at the far end of the seating area. Thing took a turn for the negative when two impossibly loud ladies decided to engage in obnoxious gossip at the neighbouring table; the cackle of the one seated immediately next to me was absolutely ear-rupturing. Her coffee-sipping acquaintance had lowered her voice at the sight of me pulling a stack of papers from my backpack, though the other continued  projecting her booming chortles for all in the three-meter radius to hear.

​I retrieved my Lavender Latte at this point, and retreated back to the not-so-great outdoors to admire it under natural light. It was on the chillier side than I would have enjoyed, and did not contain any discernible traces of the pale purple flower. Nonetheless, it was caffeinated and stimulating to my tired soul.

​​Embarking on the public transit network on a weekend poses vast challenges to the efficiency-concerned commuter. Local transit systems almost always experience delays - and extensive ones at that. Had it not been for the arrival of Verse 2, I would not have even contemplated the midtown excursion.

After a solid breakfast of Nutella-Banana Toast (exempt from a flame-torched surface as time was of the essence) and Homemade Matcha Latte, I set off on what would emerge as a three-hour round trip.

​A number of minor changes have morphed Koreatown for the better: updated storefronts, new openings, and an inflatable Taekwondo character were amusing sights to witness en route to Sarah & Tom.

​​For reasons beyond me, the Korean pop culture-centric specialty store already consisted of a medium-sized lineup at my time of entry. No sales were taking place during this period; rather, many of the products that piqued my interest had been subject to inflation.

Soon enough, though, I received my reserved copy of Verse 2 - the Tomorrow Version, since the Today Version is already in possession. It retailed for approximately 1.5 times greater than the standard pricing, but the associated shipping period was lengthy and much too grueling for a dedicated ahgase to endure.

I headed to Put A Cone On It afterwards, since I recalled the jolly staff member mentioning that Montreal-style bagels would soon be added to the menu.

​My all-time favourite Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies in the to-go bag, I requested a Kyoto Smoke (aka Houjicha Latte) and waited in anticipation. Spicy Black Sesame Cookies could not be seen from inside the display cabinet, so I opted for an Oatmeal Chocolate, which was less distinct but equally satisfying.

​The light lunch arrived on a white plastic plate, with butter spread on its surface in a relatively nonuniform manner towards the centre. St. Viateur's creation was thinner than the plump styles of Rosemary Rocksalt and classic, spongy variation at What A Bagel. It was this very property that swapped chewiness for sheer crunch.

​With the gradual rise in mercury, the return trip was made more strenuous with each passing second. By the time my new K-Pop acquisition had reached home, I was exhausted, but eager to disclose its contents.

​The biggest attraction about Westdale is convenience. Being easily accessible by HSR and exceptionally close to campus, it's the ideal spot to camp out when a short break surfaces between classes.

Apparently a number of events took place as I was stressing out en route to the airport last month: Pablo finally opened in the Bay/Dundas area, Bake Code subsequently launched their Thai Iced Tea, and My Dog Joe was revamped to become Paisley.

​I had probably only visited My Dog Joe twice prior, as the environment was loud and dim, the singular washroom stall was dusty and depressing, and the selection lacking. Now renovated to include bright bursts of teal, a shelf of potted plants, and decor in the form of local artwork, the establishment looked promising.

​Service, on the other hand, wasn't. From the very moment I entered the premises, a middle-aged lady glared in my direction, specifically towards the small electronic device strapped across my neck. I was interrogated for taking photos of the cafe in the crudest way possible.
Furrowing her brows into a nasty grimace once seemingly wasn't enough, for she continued to press "What are you going to do with them?". And of course, telling her that I simply enjoyed visiting various places and snapping photos along the way didn't sound acceptable enough of an answer.
​

​The attitude of the eldest member of the cafe made me feel very uncomfortable as a customer, and as if my business was appreciated less than any other non-photo-capturing client. It wasn't a positive manner to commence the visit, nor did the tension ease off gradually during my stay. Said middle-aged lady took a break amidst this trip, but I continued to feel her judging glower until her back was turned against me.

​Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery looks significantly more modern than the its previous occupant. The dreary, drab atmosphere of My Dog Joe has been replaced with lighter-hued walls and a shifted kitchen for additional seating. A laptop-specific area was even advertised on their social media page, evidently as a selling factor to students.
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​Though while seating has increased, spatial density has surged, making grand contributions to noise pollution. There is simply not enough space for customers to feel at ease.
Put short, seating seemed scarce - customers were constantly asking others if they minded sharing tables. I also experienced major issues with squeezing onto my stool in the supposed outlet-powered area - a consequence of the inconsiderate actions taken by a mother and her newborn's stroller.

​Back-to-school season always means a monstrous load of new material to struggle with, assignments to finish, and tests to cry over. For the average commuter, it is also synonymous with earlier mornings and heightened stress levels.

​The sole spot capable of providing relief during hectic study periods is the same destination I declare worthy of a visit to Hamilton: Ark + Anchor Espresso Bar

Purposely omitting a cup of coffee prior to arriving on campus, I ventured down streets that are all too familiar at this point, soon arriving at the coordinates of caffeinated paradise.

​I made my way upstairs and settled into my preferred corner of the communal table. A monogrammed ceramic mug containing a dark, aromatic decoction soon arrived. In accompaniment was a microscopic pitcher of milk, which I had requested in case the roast was too acidic for my liking.
The first sip soothed away these woes, for the coffee was bold and rejeuvenating, yet calming at the same time. The title of "Espresso Bar" was well justified.

​A platter of four lengthy bread slices and my two choices of spreads arrived afterwards. Each piece retained an adequate amount of air bubbles to clutch onto the toppings being spread on its surface; underlying was a slightly yeasty taste reminscent of sourdough, complimenting the sweetness of the raspberry jam. The cream cheese was, as expected, of a full-fat storebought variety, but nonetheless satisfying paired with the dish's other components.
The carby slivers, while untoasted, resulted in minimal flour fallout.

​Nearing lunchtime, an additional purchase of an Egg Salad Sandwich was made. At $6.50, it was quite pricey for a standard sandwich item. However, these thoughts changed once I caught sight of the final product.
Originally a classic vegetarian cafeteria option, Ark + Anchor's rendition was several notches above the stale specimens from La Piazza.
The lovely inclusion of dill and subtle slivers of pickled veggies was a great way to "level up" a standard egg salad sandwich. Moreover, it eliminated any hints of the creamy, sickly aftertaste other establishments fall victim to as a result of mayo overuse. Superb and satisfying, the item far exceeded my expectations.

​Half of the sandwich had been enough to fill my appetite, so I delivered the remainder back to the counter. Prior to this, I had also drained approximately one third of the drip coffee - this time with the addition of milk. It was discovered that the beverage was delectable both ways.

The unfinished halve was kindly wrapped up for me in tin foil, then placed neatly in a brown paper bag with a small square napkin. The thoughtful packaging ensured that consuming the item later in the day would be hassle- and mess-free.

​Again I re-iterate: one cannot go wrong with Ark + Anchor. As of current, it's the single cafe in Hamilton I openly adore and advocate.

You might not know this, but I'm wiping away both virtual and literal tears as my body prepares for back-to-school season. The mind refuses to surrender wonderful LA memories - namely warm weather and GOT7 interactions at KCON - though, at the same time, there is little that can be done about the inevitable passing of time.

Below is a wrap-up of August, as well as a sorrowful farewell to the summer months.

1) JJ Diary
The Moments was a huge highlight of my August. Waking up to a new release and witnessing Jinyoung's angelic proportions in 1080p never failed to bring joy to my day, regardless of whether I operated on EST or PST.

​2) KCON LA 2017
Half a decade could pass and the details of this three-day event would still leave me awestruck. Put simply: it was a majestical overload of happiness and fangirling.

​3) Post-Red Eye Breakfast
When in doubt, a Happy Meal is the way to go. I originally had my doubts about finishing three hot cakes, but somehow managed to polish off the contents of the plate - er foam container - entirely amidst my extreme fatigue.

4) CoCo is always necessary.

5) JJ Project - 'Verse 2'
JJP's comeback EP finally arrived after my fateful return from the West Coast. I'm still on a hunt for the Tomorrow Version, though, along with Jinyoung cover cards.

6) Showing off my Level 10 difficulty Kang Daniel fanboard, since flaunting it at KCON was too strenuous of a mission.
​7) Second Cup apparently retails select Pinkberry flavours now. And it actually tastes better than the Square One location.
​8) Behold my Breakfast(s) of the Day

9) Japan Festival 2017 has expanded from last year's lineup mayhem to include two days of fun festivities at Celebration Square.