Category: Birthday Buddy

Out & About #864 | Le Génie, Gingerbread House Construction + Karaoke

12/18/2022

Just when I thought the sleepy polar bear's revulsion towards raisins were childish and abnormally choosy, the office crowd proved the popularity of this opinion, deserting a raisin-filled banana bread loaf in favour of the chocolate chip-containing rendition.

Typically, my in-office days of late have been spent exploring the cardinal directions of the intersection. When the need to undertake a mid-day venture downtown emerged though, I jumped at the opportunity to extend the lunch break and explore the unknown.

Boarding Line 1 southbound during the lunch rush made for an interesting trip. The train was noticeably less congested than the afternoon peak, yet busier than in the morning. As we pulled into Wellesley station, I caught sight of a filthy blanket entering my peripheral. Huddled underneath the grimy mess was a red paper cup and a mop of mental instability. I was fortunate enough to be far away enough to escape any potential interaction, though a girl who had found herself next to an empty seat was not so lucky.

I exited at College station, first out of intent and second out of contingency; I was not looking forward to any further happenings in that passenger car.

The trip had been centred about Le Génie, a bakery that I learned of for nearly one year, yet never visited due to its inconvenient coordinates.

Gargantuan pastries and elaborately decorated cakes filled the display case. These specimens were larger than the typical puff pastry, yet also exponentially pricier.

Beyond their impressive assortment of baked goods, Le Génie also served espresso-based beverages and wine, complete with a wine fridge against one wall of the asymmetric establishment.

My first pick was the Vanilla Flan. Reminiscent of an egg tart, the $7.38 delicacy contained a semi-viscous custard speckled with vanilla within wispy thin layers of puff pastry. I had been expecting a looser consistency to fill its cavity, along with more widespread fragrance to be perceived.

The buttery, flakey shards were lovely, but the filling left a little to be desired.

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Out & About #848 | Pursuit OCR + Myungdong Kalguksu Shabu Shabu

10/22/2022

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When a self-proclaimed "casual climber" proposed the idea of Pursuit OCR, I leaped at the idea. Technically, it could have been a mention of great nonchalance, but I took it to heart and immediately began planning. Prior to their relocation from Etobicoke, I had already been interested in the entertainment facility, but not invested enough to make the trip.

The date was confirmed about two weeks in advance, with a group booking for seven at 5PM arranged after two rounds of consultation.

I spent the morning revisiting a writeup with supposedly insufficient details, then enlisted the services of the sleepy polar bear to complete some errands.

Most of the stops proved speedier than expected, enabling a walk through Sandford Farm Park. Despite having driven by on a number of occasions, I hadn't exactly trekked through on foot.

With temperatures hovering about the comfortable double digits, we explored the last of fall foliage amongst lean and lofty barren trees, fenced off from the playground and paved pathway. An asphalt basketball court and spacious soccer field were found towards its west limits, in close proximity to the narrow - yet sizable - parking lot.

We set out around the 4:15 PM mark and arrived just before our check-in time of 5PM. Having pestered other members of the group to not only arrive early in athletic gear and sign the waiver in advance, it was admittedly a tad annoying to have some reveal themselves in tardiness, for our allocated 90-minute slot would be enforced.

I proceeded to inquire of the location of washrooms and lockers in the meantime. Beyond the neon lights and colourful wallpaper were arcade games (boasting a handwritten "Out of Order" sign) and two "gender-neutral" stalls. Several girls had entered beyond the orange-lined, prompting me to use the next one, lined in black. Within this space was a single stall, two urinals, and sink. Despite being the only user of the space at the time, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that other participants would enter. The introduction of gender-neutral facilities had not been executed in a manner that offered comfort; should there have been insufficient space for gender-separated facilities, standalone unisex stalls ought have been considered.

Guidance through Pursuit's confusing, saturated corridors was not provided. Our group, along with other groups, were left to discover these routes on our own. At a three-way fork, we bypassed a flight of stairs and finally found the lockers. They were situated just before the obstacle course section along both sides of the wall. I proceeded to place my belongings in one of the numerous half lockers, slide into my cycling gloves for protection, and join the safety orientation.

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Out & About #847 | Apple Mania (Part 2)

10/21/2022

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Zealously having picked three (or four?) times more than the rest of Chudleigh's other patrons, we took home about forty-ish apples. Amongst this assortment were:

Northern Spy

Referred to as the dedicated "Pie Apple", these were the largest species observed. True to the description, they did indeed taste like "pie apples" in that, consumed raw, they retained their shape but also exuded a juicy freshness upon biting. This species was the quickest to oxidize. Peeling away the dusty skin revealed numerous bruises, along with tender areas. This revelation was quite shocking, as we had taken to picking the apples personally, thus eliminating any potential surface damage sustained through the transport process.

Kerr Mini

With an appearance that could be mistaken for plums, these golf ball-sized apples were either deep purple or marooon in hue. We sampled one prior to picking, noting its dense, tart properties. Albeit dense, it was quite juicy. Though, I couldn't think of any uses beyond eating out of hand.

Creston

The most apple-like variety to lay eyes on, these sported a red-yellow cloak with a fragrant fleshy interior. These were best suited eating out of hand; minimal bruising was observed.

McIntosh

Stouter and wider than the Northern Spy, this white-fleshed apple is generally easy to find in grocery stores, but often retailed at a price point steeper than its worth. True to user reviews, McIntosh disintegrated quickly after coming into contact with heat, proving most suitable for applesauce (rather than apple jam). Left too long, these can also turn powdery.

Mutsu

Larger than Ginger Gold and roughly two shades lighter than Granny Smith, I had expected tartness and structural integrity from this breed. Its skin was unmistakably thicker than Ginger Gold; there was also a greater quantity of discard: rotten centres, bruised surfaces, and questionably tender areas. Again, I couldn't pinpoint the reasoning behind the damages sustained, as we had obtained the apples directly from the tree and kept them secure throughout transit.

Fuji

Smaller and less vibrant than its neighbours down south, Ontario Fuji tasted less floral than Washington imports. Nonetheless, they were delicious.

Naturally, these apples were subject to participation in the second round of Apple Mania.

1) Apple Cake with Oat Crunch Crumble

After peeling, coring, and slicing upwards of nine apples the morning after, I proceeded to construct the Apple Crumble Cake I had visited just over one month ago. The base of Sunday Baking's Blueberry Crumble Cake was utilized (doubled); just as before, the formula was thick and difficult to spread throughout the base of the pan. However, I remained confident that the cake would steadily acquire volume in the oven, resisting the weight of the apple slices arranged on top.

Instead of meticulously arranging wispy thin slices on the surface, I took to alternating layers of cake and apple. This time, the slices measured 1/3 to 1/2 inch in thickness. Distributed in clumps about the surface was a crunchy oat topping, modified from SK's formula with the addition of an measured quantity of porridge oats.

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Out & About #833 | Two Weeks of Visuals + The Final Bay

9/3/2022

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If my work schedule is tumultuous and unceasing, then my internal state of mind can only be more chaotic.

For seemingly every challenging task, there is an even more grueling hurdle.

Interactions with residents can be tiring, but even more so is the commute, which constantly fluctuates between forty and sixty five minutes.
Early mornings, sleepless nights, and long drives are exhausting, but even more so is the act of deducing unclear objectives and obtaining direction from those unwilling to provide them.
Corporate greed and inconsistent work responsibilities present further obstacles for fairness and equality, but even more so are the underlying, unspoken financial matters surrounding my everyday life.

I've come to realize a distinct weight loss over the past few months. While originally thought to be temporary and ensuing as a result of poor eating habits, fluctuations in the scale have been minimal. The combined effects of fatigue, restlessness, stress, and anxiety are evident. Physical strain - cramped hamstrings and chest pain, to name a few - and emotional pressures have surged from extenuating circumstances, none of which could have fallen within my realm of control even if I tried. 120% of efforts were exerted in vain, for one cannot reason with the world. Society is discovered to live on rotating about the axis of each individual's selfishness and lack of consideration for unity. One could say that I've lost faith in humanity, yet, as third-party spectators never fail to point out, "I care too much to stop trying".

The mindset is both a blessing and a curse: a drive to constantly find new ways to perform better, all while succumbing to the thoughts and beliefs of others and losing yourself in the midst of it, unconsciously.

This short-term fieldwork assignment has taught me plenty. It was more than mere education by ways of municipal priorities and sidewalk remediation. Throughout this project, I've had the opportunity to witness unyielding stubbornness, a typical element of small town culture, as well as the interconnecting implications of certain actions. Certified within the company was the boundless gluttony of those who have tasted profit, and the drastic actions taken to ensure consistent flow of such profit for personal gain. And while I tried my very best in handling a daily routine occupied by work, timely conflict resolution, and weariness, my actions were responded to with laziness, lack of consideration, and further pressures to "do more", to do "better".
It would be a lie to say that feelings of inadequacy weren't experienced thoroughly.

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Out & About #823 | Weekly Roundup: Papa Giuseppe's + Banh Mi

7/7/2022

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My two-month on-site project has been suffering continuous delays: from locate issues to a supposedly industry-wide cement powder shortage, I've been waiting anxiously for the commencement of a potentially calescent challenge. I had shifted some appointments to prepare for this assignment, only to heave a sigh of relief as my on-site presence got delayed. Albeit exciting, the very act of being away from home is restricting in its ability to maximize and re-purpose time accordingly, whether it be completing chores, running errands, or taking calls. Without access to a computer, controlled setting, or A/C, the flexibility of my working environment diminishes drastically.

Another aspect I've yet to re-adjust towards would be the need for packed lunches. Soupy, boney components are difficult to compress into a thermo, and even more difficult to consume while on the go. It is unlikely that frozen kale (and ready-to-toast snacks) would be as accessible as they are currently in my work-from-home state.
This is not to say that I don't have days of low sustenance. However, such situations can easily mitigated by the retrieval of a Cape Seed slice and mozzarella chunks, both preserved in the freezer for days demanding instant solutions.

I'm learning that purple strands are not so easy to maintain, even with the assistance of pricey purple shampoo. Sectioning the hair is crucial, as is dampening prior to application. Gloves provide a more thorough application, for ungloved digits reveal signs of staining even after washing. As evident in recent outings, the original intensity is impossible to sustain; furthermore, tinting the hair evenly is tragic without third-party help.

Rapidly disappearing leftovers had prompted another purchase from thairoomgrand. This time, a different struggle was encountered with the online ordering system. As I fell outside of the 5-kilometre delivery radius, there was no way to take advantage of the 18% off promo using the most convenient address.

Instead, my Mango Chicken, Calamari, and Panang Curry were sent to the sleepy polar bear's. In hindsight, I ought to have pushed the delivery boundaries a tad more, for my $2 points redemption became the equivalent of my roundtrip gas spendings.

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Out & About #794 | Week #104 Quarantine Update Feat. Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

3/12/2022

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Snow arrives when you least expect it, just like the influx of work requests robbing me of hard-earned periods of spec and drawing familiarization time every Friday.

The despair ought be apparent in my utterances: Week 104 (aka 52 x 2) has arrived. While a multitude of COVID-19 restrictions have been eased - and continue to be eased - there remain several aspects unchanged since its first appearance:

My work-from-home situation persists, upholding my title as an involuntary homebody
My professional license remains unattained, despite the tremendous degree of hell I've somehow survived and lived to tell the tale of
My next concert has not yet happened, nor have I seen GOT7 since the summer of 2019

I've debated continuing with these titles as the world gradually regains its pace. No longer is every day a quarantine day, masked with fear of the scientific unknown. These thoughts hinder us from moving forward as individuals, as a society, and as a global community. Inflation and supply-demand issues prevail, their impact undeniable in our daily lives, but, if anything, I hope for these comparatively minor struggles to be less daunting than the past two years endured by the Earth and its inhabitants.

Can we possibly leave it all as pawprints in the show? Let's learn, digest, and forge ahead.

Creations of the week included:

1) Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

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Out & About #607 | Halo Espresso Bar + Bread and Salt Bakehouse

12/24/2019

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"Crabby" encircles the complex attributes shared between myself and my birthday buddy, for we are both loud and stubborn citizens of the west GTA, forever living our preposterously overloaded lives.

It was with great displeasure that our previously arranged plans (603) were infinitely postponed. That said, a last-minute incarnation of brunch plans made up for the lost catch-up time. On a chilly Christmas Eve, we headed to Halo for some much-needed chitchat. I had actually been meaning to pop into the cafe for an eternity, but an appropriate opportunity never seemed to arise.

< Pictured above and below: Latte, Bagel w/ Cream Cheese, Turkey Croissant Sandwich, Pour Over - Single Origin, Columbia >

Seating was ample, just as Google search results had professed. Dispersed throughout were two- and four-seaters, while two communal tables assumed space at the north end of the interior, by the Christmas tree and opposing bathroom stalls. At each table was a short stack of books, mainly coffee-themed, to tie into the vibe of the espresso bar. A swivelled mound of magazines adorned one of the communal tables. One of these was picked up and transported to a lounge-style two-seater to commence our coffee date.

We - or really, just me - requested recommendations from the menu. The beverage listing were quite diverse, and some items even featured tiny pink hearts. Given the spot's total operation time of one year and three months, I was informed that some of the fan favourites had changed. For example, Iced Coffee had been a popular pick during the warmer periods, when the café had first opened. Nutella Latte remained a top-seller; espresso-based drinks were also well-loved.

I inquired about the Pour Over, to which was met with a confident nod of approval. Beans were, in fact, roasted in-house, therefore allowing quality control. Options of the day included: Single-Origin Guatemala (light) and Single-Origin Columbia (medium). As I had previously ingested two cups of cold brew, the latter was the less-ideal-but-nonetheless-safer bet.

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Out & About #587 | The Apple Factory

10/6/2019

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Kind enough to spare me several hours of her scarce vacation days, I roped my birthday buddy in on an annual tradition: a drive to The Apple Factory.

It was the designated destination for all things autumn-related - where peace and pleasure were procured by way of pies.

Fun fact: Last year's visit had coincidentally been executed on the precisely the same day! Differing this time around was the absence of the giant pumpkin display (and the fact that I had a fellow photo-snapper for the journey). Straw bales and scarecrows retained their presence, on the other hand.

With raindrops materializing from the grey blanket above us, we dove into the market in search of dryness. Once inside, interest was piqued by cheese curds (that ultimately went unpurchased), apple cider samples, Hewitt's Dairy cartons (previously only observed east of the city), and a supposedly limited edition Pumpkin Pecan Crunch Pie.

The opportunity to indulge had been presented, and we, as wary of our daily sugar intake as enthusiastic about sweet treats, exhibited zero reluctance to taking two pies home each. Blueberry, No Sugar Apple, and the new Pumpkin Pecan Crunch were our picks of the day.

Since the 9-inch rounds were intended for sharing, immediate satisfaction could only be obtained through individual pie slices. As such, we stashed our possessions in the trunk and returned for a duo of Strawberry Rhubarb and Apple Streusel pies.

The first was my personal favourite, as it has been for the past several years. Tart and delicious with chunky bites of fruit, it was the ideal complement to the much slicker Apple Streusel. Occasional swaps were made to cut sweetness in the absence of water glasses. We concluded that while the crunchy streusel topping was delicious, the filling was overwhelming; meanwhile, both slices had ought to been served warm for maximum enjoyment.

Municipal roadwork has finally ceased along the corridor, so the return trip on local roads wasn't too fearful. We arrived at the Square One exit soon after, in preparation for our scheduled visit for Inju-Oreo Bingsu.
Passing by Cineplex, however, the topic of JOKER was brought up. K-Idols had posted about the movie on the day of its release, and I, as one to be easily swayed by such idols, conjured up the suggestion of verifying its showtimes.

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Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

9/7/2019

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My birthday buddy and I go way back.
Back to our awkward teen years and cringe-worthy webcam group projects, from spending break time discussing absolutely nonsensical topics to filming a self-choreographed segment to a then-popular Franco-pop track.

As the years passed, it was inevitable that the frequency of our meetups dwindled due to schedule and financial restrictions. Semi-annual gatherings transformed into annual appointments, with a few sporadic meals in between.

The quoted individual recently returned from a three-week trek and, though it was yet her turn to walk down the aisle, I had the opportunity of catching up with her over a celebratory affair.

With a freshly-washed mane - a rarity, I dare exclaim - a crush velvet gown, and heels (another sight to behold), she nearly towered over me, someone who always prioritizes comfort over charisma. The ensemble was fit for a wedding, especially that of immediate family.

I was sadly not seated at Table 7, but my tablemates and general positioning within the hall compensated for that. Before each plate was a dainty butterfly cut-out, crafted in a similar manner to the glittery wedding invitation I had belatedly received from my birthday buddy. Glasses filled to the halfway point with champagne were set before each plate; ceramic tea cups and empty wine glasses beside it.
Seating was spacious, for the dining hall was vast. I was nestled between a few foreign faces near the dance floor, which meant a stellar view of the evening's happenings.

The menu was presented in both Chinese and English, thoroughly depicting a classic Chinese dinner lineup. It wasn't my style, but my insider informed us that the decision had been owed to familial preference.

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Out & About #399 | Part 2: Dear Fro + Ni-Ji

12/12/2017

View Part 1 HERE !

"So we went to Latea Era again, because Dear Fro was packed." is something I've heard several times now.

Is it really busy to that extent? I had thought. Situated in the same tiny plaza as Marathon and Snow Time, amongst countless other eateries, I could comprehend why weaving around the one-way entranceways and locating parking would be a headache. However, two other bingsoo-offering establishments resided in immediate vicinity. Adequate competition existed within a fingertip's reach, even if subpar and unauthentic.

Visiting on a weekday afternoon ensured that the burden of finding a parking spot would be lifted from my shoulders, simultaneously reducing the stress associated with checking the lot's numerous blind spots for speeding drivers.

The first thing that caught my eye was the prolonged strip of icicles that had formed directly beneath the storefront. While pretty to gaze at, both of us worried for our overall safety and well-being, as there was no way to predict when one would detach from its roots and come shattering down on our heads. Temperatures had been hovering about the freezing point, after all.

We carefully tiptoed around the prospective area of danger, heaving on the door to reveal a nearly empty dining area.

The interior of the dessert shop was stunning: each section of the seating area retained a slightly different vibe. Some featured couches and low tables, while others high stools surrounding a rectangular communal table. Moreover, the entire setting was decorated beautifully with festive bobbles and garlands. Atmosphere-wise, Dear Fro - or is it "Dear & Fro"? - raked in full points. By
means of customer service, food quality, and general accessibility though, quite a significant number of deductions were made.

Visually appealing furnishings and skillful implementation of colour were appreciated, but one needs to beware of the slippery floors (especially as heavy snowfall is just around the corner) and non-uniform floor heights. The latter is particularly important to take note of as orders are not delivered to one's tables. Instead, customers are provided LED-powered buzzers that alert them to head over to the pickup counter, Panera-style.

Dear Fro consisted of two bathrooms: a roomy, accessible one of utmost pristineness, and a second exhibiting the exact opposite qualities. When an "Out of Order" note was tacked on the first, we were forced into the narrow sliver of a restroom that not only boasted an overflowing wastebin of paper towels, but noticeably yellowy griminess (to illustrate: urine smeared on seat).
I had a flashback of Icha Tea at this point, where in contrast to generally sophisticated seating area, the bathrooms were found to be utterly revolting. It defnitely was not to the same gruesome extent, but had the potential to be.

We chose version 2 of the Matcha Bingsu, which was topped with green tea ice cream and red bean paste instead of questionable blocks of matcha jelly (that were apparently worth tacking on an extra dollar). The presentation of the item was consistent with the photos circulating social media: coarse, narrow shreds of pale green shavings made up its profile.

View the full album HERE !

<<Previous

Out & About #864 | Le Génie, Gingerbread House Construction + Karaoke

Out & About #848 | Pursuit OCR + Myungdong Kalguksu Shabu Shabu

Out & About #847 | Apple Mania (Part 2)

Out & About #833 | Two Weeks of Visuals + The Final Bay

Out & About #823 | Weekly Roundup: Papa Giuseppe's + Banh Mi

Out & About #794 | Week #104 Quarantine Update Feat. Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

Out & About #607 | Halo Espresso Bar + Bread and Salt Bakehouse

Out & About #587 | The Apple Factory

Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

Out & About #399 | Part 2: Dear Fro + Ni-Ji

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