Category:

Out & About #1160 | Ongoing Stresses Feat. Burnt Pecan Pie + Fig Jelly & Caramel Tart

3/13/2026

Anxieties have surged this week, which means that the urge to crawl into a hole and remain there until the tsunami passes has returned.

Frankly, I'm not sure what to make of office situation. Despite being in dire need of time off, I've been deferring time off, as well as work-related reimbursements, for there is tremendous uncertainty surrounding the imminent future.

Assuming one of the scarce stretches of respite in my daily work life are lunchtime walks. Often are these strolls executed in solitude, however I enjoy the moments when fellow ranters wish to take part. Even excursions as short-lived as a Tim Hortons run has the ability to bring about a sense of connection - confirmation that I am, in fact, not out of the ordinary for merely desiring work-life balance.

I returned home that evening to munch upon a Traditional Hot Cross Bun from COBS Bread, an Easter staple.

The subsequent afternoon was brimming with meetings; my attempt to weave both pie-making and a Nene Chicken order into the mix resulted in a woeful amount of stress. The emotional rollercoaster was a foreign feeling, an element that wouldn't have been experienced in my former job due to fair workload distribution and a priority for worker sanity. Alas, the current load of meetings and duties customarily refrain one from exercising their hard-earned lunch break.

Despite the ongoing UberEATS BOGO offer, the Nene Chicken transaction totalled a whopping $93.53! After tip, the grand total came to a preposterous $109.17. The order comprised of 16 pieces each of Bone-In Soy Garlic Chicken and Boneless Swicy Chicken, plus $2.75 of Pickled Radish. Three generously-filled containers constituted the side; the mu was indeed superior to MyMy Chicken.

Both varieties of chicken were fleshy and well-seasoned, but regrettably spicy. The heat propagated from the centre of the mouth towards the throat and temples. Although we enjoyed the chicken fresh, leftovers grew progressively spicier, eventually leading to discomfort in the throat and body.
I began to perspire and shake later that evening. The combined effects of spice and grease had conflicted with my body's needs. Propelled into a low fever and headache, I decided to call in sick. Informed was this decision, for the one-day breather provided the overdue physical and mental relief I desperately needed.

Prior to deterioration was the preparation of a peanut-soy-black sesame tangyuan (from Laurel, instead of our go-to brand of LKF) and the creation of Fig Jam.

1) Fig Jam

The decision to obtain sun-dried figs resulted from an unavailability of raisins at Costco. Given their size though, it was impossible to use them in a 1:1 application as an oatmeal topping. Moreover, they harnessed a notably intense sweetness.
I decided to soak a handful in water to alleviate the cloying qualities. Somehow, this transitioned into an impromptu undertaking of Fig Jam.

0 Comments

Out & About #1159 | Yet Another Week, ENHYPEN Walk The Line + Boyfriend on Demand

3/7/2026

0 Comments

Often we tell others to "hang in there" when they express having a hard time, but is that really the best approach? Until when are they to keep holding on?
The saying "hanging by a thread" applies to situations such as these, for one's grip can only be sustained for so long. Continuous challenges without adequate moments of rest, recovery, and happiness inevitably lead to one's regrettably predictable demise.

Being "depressed" would be an understatement given the latest state of affairs. I'm merely living a nightmare that won't end - a reality where even fitful dreams are better than awaking to see another work day.

I'm absolutely done with this place, and have been for almost one whole year.

Similar to the soul-sucking days of consulting, those in my surroundings have strived to show support during these times. Whether listening to my ceaseless rants, dissecting dilemmas that have somehow plagued me, and just interacting with me in a way that shows appreciation and acknowledgement, I am deeply grateful for it all. It's nice to know that humanity exists in this world, even if not within my immediate team.

A small amount of anguish was released during a much overdue lunch walk with a coworker. The conversation comprised of future career plans, the unbelievable act of a team member failing to provide notice for a three-week long vacation and setting others as her out-of-office contact without discussion, and Roll Up The Rim insights.

I learned that Tim's Chai Oat Latte was far superior to their London Fog with Oat Milk. Their Double Chocolate Donut was much better than their Chocolate Glazed and much, much better than Chocolate Dip. It was also discovered that not all menu items were eligible to earn "rolls".

With knee pain being persistent and progressively prominent, a physio appointment was booked for the next day. Driving to Markham after being placed on a three-week waitlist simply was not feasible. A clinic hidden within a pharmacy provided swift treatment coupled with convenience.

On my way back home, I couldn't resist attempting another Roll Up The Rim chance.

Biscoff dipped in Chai Oat Latte proved a stellar pairing. Unfortunately, I lost all three rolls on this purchase.

A Fruit Explosion was received in place of the supposedly discontinued Chocolate Hazelnut Muffin. The concoction was less desirable than in my childhood days, for recent iterations have omitted the slice of apple on the surface and increased the stabilizer content in the jam filling.

With the exception of flights, setting my alarm for earlier than 7 AM hasn't happened for the past year. With an all-day training course scheduled to commence at 7:30 AM though, I found myself awaking groggy and irritable to pre-sunset hours.

I still arrived about ten minutes late, though the instructor was, thankfully, very friendly and lenient on latecomers.

During the well-deserved one-hour lunch break, I hurriedly ate my pre-packed lunch and made my way over to Costco. Within forty-five minutes, I had somehow succeeded in completing the trip for paper towels and detergent.

0 Comments

Out & About #1152 | Costco, Stray Kids the dominATE experience + Career Contemplations

2/13/2026

0 Comments

By this point in time, I've mostly come to terms with how my work days will play out. This is, not to say, that the emotional rollercoaster has been integrated into daily routine - why, not at all! However, at the very least, I'm not astounded when the day begins to freefall from the unwanted involvement of a certain fatuous feculence.

Maintaining positivity is an arduous task. Throughout the week, I struggled to keep my head above water. The responsibility matrix had been revised out of pure idiocy: an increased workload for me (which didn't even seem possible, but here we are!), the requirement to shift from an automated Excel tracker to the constrained format of a SharePoint list, and reinstatement of useless meetings that could assume format of a straightforward email. The apparent aim was to hinder progress by making more redundant work for everyone, eliminating written trails to prevent accountability, and exchanging words without advancing understanding.

I was even accused of being too prideful to ask questions - a claim to which I could only scoff and silently rage - in addition to being informed that I wasn't all-knowing. And although no one embraces fulsome knowledge about everything, I, at a bare minimum, can identify logical consistencies. As someone who is eager to learn, there is never a moment when I'm not seeking out additional details. But why would I need to ask questions when I simply have none? Why would I seek out vague, incomplete responses when I could obtain swift comprehensively using other methods? Why would I choose to be reliant when I have ability to be independent and productive?

It pains me to think that no one along the sidelines would see this: the insurmountable stress summoned by a selfish, incompetent manager.

Throughout these ordeals, I've strived to find joy in the mundane.

Lunchtime chats with my Birthday Buddy was a healing exchange. Hearing her perspective affirmed a number of my suspicions, but also shed light on a different perspective: Many people would yearn to be in my position, even if the work itself wasn't fulfilling.
But I suppose I'm an ambitious character, or at least one that firmly believes obtaining a professional license wasn't to chip away at a cause that did not provide a sense of accomplishment or belonging. This was especially true when stifled by the reins of upper management.

Over the course of my ten months on the floor, an undeniable shift in food-sharing culture was witnessed. I relished in the exchange of gustatory opinions, and didn't hesitate to sneak away cookies of interest if spotted. Even senior members of staff had finally acknowledged my competence! "We might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but you're okay. You know your stuff. That's a compliment!"

These interactions were fleeting, yet nevertheless amounted to a supply of "small wins" that I frequently turned towards for support.

On the second day of work the week, I lay low at home. While I'd normally venture towards the office, life had other plans in store.

A Costco run was executed in the early evening hours instead of pilates.

Constituting dinner was a Polish Hot Dog and thirty-five cent bottle of water. While in wait of my order, I gazed in the direction of the condiment section in a daze, wondering how on earth I'd be able to draw close without leaving my cart. It was then that I heard a "Boo!"; one of my colleagues happened to be shopping at the same time. She later told me that her daughter had marvelled at my hair for being "purple like Rumi's".
Again, the exchange was short-lived, but it confirmed I wasn't hated by all in the office, as much as my manager had endeavoured to construct the illusion.

One of my concert buddies joined me shortly after, enabling my escape for ketchup and relish. We then parted ways, resolving to meet at the cinema for the 7 PM showing of Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience. Miraculously, I managed an unplanned CoCo run and arrived to the bustling lot with several minutes to spare!

Due to a bathroom run, I missed the first two minutes of the show. When I returned, a handful of last-minute attendees were also just settling into their seats.

0 Comments

Out & About #1112 | Pt. 2: Old Spagetti Factory + BamBam at K-Expo

8/10/2025

0 Comments

Read Part 1 HERE !

Never would I have thought that K-Expo would have a lineup around the building simply for entry into the convention.
"Surely this must be for the giveaway of free concert tickets." was my suspicion when I passed the corner of Meridian Hall while en route to Union from St. Lawrence.
Alas, it was not.

The concert buddies had abandoned the venue without letting me know, zipping off at the early hour of 2 PM when I had notified them of my slated 4 PM arrival.
Reasonable traffic volumes had allowed for a timely arrival, but didn't prepare me for queuing in the sun whatsoever.

Thankfully, a portion of the line remained in the shade. The total time from joining the queue to entry was about ten minutes. If any longer, the treacherous humidity and direct sunlight would have proved lethal.

A member of staff holding a clicker had been positioned near the entrance, counting each member of public that walked through the double doors. Staggering entry was supposedly for the purpose of crowd control.
Not withstanding these measures, the inside of the entertainment space was brimming with people - to the point where moving about was arduous and stifling.
It felt like KCON all over again, but with lower ceilings, reduced illumination, and no lineup organization whatsoever. The scene was a strict travesty to behold.

Attractions had been dispersed across three floors, with ridiculous lineups were witnessed at practically every booth. Upon entering, there was a large sign to indicate the name of the event, but neither maps nor staff to provide clear direction.
The main floor was bustling with makeup demos, a complimentary photoism stall, and some games/sampling booths. On the upper floor were cooking demonstrations, a pop-up boutique retailing merchandise from the National Museum of Korea, more beauty-related content, and, most importantly, bathrooms. Frankly, I was unable to identify majority of these installations, for hoards of people camouflaged the booths' contents.

Some of the booths had posted signage about closing early: While the convention portion of the expo was scheduled to operate until 5 PM, the cut-off time for select attractions was moved to 4 PM. Staff members would also halt visitors from joining the queue, as it was unlikely that they would make the posted cut-off time, or even receive any freebies.

Further installations were present on the basement level, though I decided to make a sluggish lap about the main floor before proceeding. One of two concert buddies had advised that the booth to the right of the entrance handed out "passports". After visiting each booth, a sticker could be collected and used to redeem a prize at the end of the visit. By the time I succeeded in making my way towards the nearest uniformed staff member, I was informed that all passports had been distributed. Stickers could still be collected, but the selection of prizes had been reduced significantly.

The overall format was not dissimilar to my personal experience in Seoul, where events are multi-dimensional with time-consuming, game-like elements (ie. collecting stamps for prizes), but clarity is horribly lacking and rules of operation for individual attractions could be adjusted on the fly.

I relayed my findings to my browsing partner on the spot, but decided to commit to a handful of booths seeing that I made my way inside anyway.
While queuing for a "ramen game" booth, I received two complimentary embroidered patches from a member of staff. Thirty minutes later, it was finally my turn to undertake the chopstick challenge. Players would use either rounded or flat metal chopsticks to fill a makeshift ramen bowl with plastic ingredients until the one-minute timer went off. My win earned me a complimentary pack of Shin Ramyun, Buldak ramen, or Shrimp Chips. Glaring at the bulky offerings with contempt, I negotiated acquisition of two embroidered patches instead. After all, lugging around snacks that would easily become crushed was a huge hassle.

Completing a Google Forms survey earned me another embroidered path. Obtaining personal data appeared to be another facet of Korean event organization, along with growing follower counts on social media platforms.

Another lineup granted me a free Milkis sample. Then, I headed to the basement level. Besides rest areas and water fountains, the floor housed a variety of games and animation booths.

0 Comments

Out & About #1108 | MeNami, Jinyoung's Photoism + Canergy Pilates

7/27/2025

0 Comments

The North York outing with my former colleague was scheduled about two weeks in advance. Lunch at MeNami was somewhat confirmed; meanwhile, I struggled to secure a trial pilates class in the vicinity.

Studio Le Ciel had been on my radar since leaving Dal Pilates, but despite my many attempts to contact them, all efforts were in vain. The online booking system appeared to close bookings 24 hours in advance of the desired slot, making next-day appointments impossible. Reaching out to the business via social media did not earn me a response - they didn't even read the message! - and calls were all sent to voicemail. Eventually, I decided on simply walking up to their studio door.

I had hopped on the highway with my exercise clothes in tow, and suggested my former colleague to do the same. We were both accepting of fluid outing agendas, despite my recent discovery of those that were gravely opposed to the concept.
Turning into a nearby Green P lot, I dashed out of my car towards Studio Le Ciel's 2nd floor location. The light appeared to be on, but the door was locked. Signage on the door notified visitors that the office would be locked unless more than one instructor was on site. Any interested patrons were to send an email inquiry instead. Admittedly, email was the sole method of contact I had not exercised. Regardless, for a business to be consistently unavailable online, via phone, and in person was ridiculous. The single easiest way to lose support is being unreachable to even potential clients. I cannot fathom the frustration I would experience as a paying member.

A number of pilates studios have popped up around North York, however many were unfortunately closed on Sundays. A quick search and I landed on Canergy Pilates on Spring Garden Avenue. Without a moment's hesitation, I called the posted number and inquired whether a semi-private session was available later in the day, at either 3 or 4 PM. Extremely pleased was I to hear that a 3:50 PM session was open for last-minute booking.
The lady over the phone did not confirm my name, but sent instructions via text shortly after the call. Two numbered guides detailed the entrance to the studio, as well as parking details at the rear of the building.

I then sped over to MeNami for a scheduled tasting experience at 1 PM.

The generous invitation had been extended back in June, when I was contacted as one of the winners of a ten-year anniversary giveaway. While I had declined the offer initially out of fear that I'd be required to make the grueling trek on a weeknight evening, the team graciously accommodated my request for a Sunday afternoon after Summerlicious had concluded.

It was unclear to me how the tasting experience would unfold, but the waitress was kind enough to explain the list of items we would be entitled to receive:

2 appetizers
2 mains
2 cocktails (!)
2 desserts

Naturally, the mention of cocktails caught us by surprise. Alcohol was generally excluded from any and all promotions. However, it was indeed confirmed to assume part of the lineup.

"How did you score this?!" my dining partner leaned over and whispered from across the table.
"I don't even know!" came my equally bewildered reply.

View the full album HERE !

0 Comments

Out & About #1097 | Hi-Five Again + LUNA Bakery Bingsoo

6/29/2025

When I announced that I'd be watching Hi-Five again, I wasn't kidding. Though, it should be obvious by now that anything GOT7-related is taken very, very seriously.

Commuting into North York took about 45 minutes - quicker than rush hour but nevertheless lengthier than a weekend morning visit ought to be. In fear of delays, I resorted to purchasing tickets online. The act was easier said than done, for navigating a webpage and entering credit card information isn't exactly easy once on the highway. Alas, 401 conditions enable such acts of distracted driving.

The second time around, the movie felt a tad shorter. Some scenes became less impactful this time, but the ending became clearer. Suffice to say, a handful of details were discovered during the second viewing.

Although the auditorium filled with a greater number of viewers, it was evident that none were ahgases. The appearance of Jinyoung did not incite the shared gasps heard on opening night; those in presence were primarily there for the sake of entertainment, rather than appreciation for Jinyoung's superb acting and exceptionally toned physique.

When the movie concluded just before the 3 PM mark, I was starving. After a stopover at Dollarama, I led the way up Yonge Street in search of sustenance.

Majority of the established on the west side of Yonge leading towards Churchill Ave were now vacant. We trekked a bit further and discovered Pine House. My ultimate decision would lay with Egg Club, however.

The outpost was impossibly small, operating strictly as a takeout establishment. I obtained my BLT was ready in about five minutes, then meandered towards a POPS in search of shade. Undertaking the brisk stroll from Empress Walk had already resulted in perspiration. To prevent further discomfort, I turned away from the picnic tables positioned along the east side of Yonge Street. A handful of girls with Korean corn dogs in their hands did the same.

I sank my teeth into the BLT, positively ravenous. The creation was found to be no more than a thick slice of porous brioche fitted with slimy tomatoes, wilted romaine, and an excess of ketchup-mayo. While the signature omelette centrepiece was fluffy and gratifying, the sandwich's other constituents were mediocre at best. Heavily saturated with sauce, the bacon and tomato slid between the toasted bread casing, making for difficult consumption. Especially warranting contempt was the brioche, which lacked the structural integrity necessary to keep the creation intact. All surfaces had been buttered and toasted, yet the slices themselves were barren of complexity. By the time its contents had been depleted, I was more than willing to dispose of the leftovers.
What a disappointment.

LUNA Bakery was identified as a stop on our way back. The Salted Butter Roll would be a mandatory purchase.

Out & About #1093 | Earl Grey Ganache Chocolate, Hi-Five + Konjiki Ramen

6/20/2025

0 Comments

Continuing with the success of the Matcha Ganache Truffle, the subsequent undertaking was an Earl Grey Ganache Chocolate Bar. The idea had stemmed from:

An availability of Twinings' Earl Grey Tea from the pantry
The depletion of T&T frozen BBQ Pork Buns from the freezer, and consequential availability of the plastic container
A desire to further my chocolate tempering journey

Earl Grey Ganache

The ganache base was practically identical to the formula posted in Sunday Baking's Strawberry and Lime Bonbons. Ingredient amounts were doubled to account for the larger mould sizes, while lime juice was omitted and lime zest replaced with four Earl Grey tea bags for infusion into the heavy cream.

Ingredients:

220 g white chocolate couverture
120 g heavy cream
10 g Earl grey loose leaf tea
20 g unsalted butter, cubed

Yield: 319 g ganache, or ~160 g per chocolate bar

Directions

Add tea leaves to heavy cream and gently warm to encourage infusion. The cream should gradually adopt a milk tea-like hue without forming a film on its surface. Strain the mixture and keep warm.
Melt white chocolate and fold in Earl grey-infused cream.
Add in unsalted butter and mix well.
Transfer to piping bag if desired. Set aside while preparing chocolate.

Surfin would assume the casing of the chocolate bar. The first trial did not set to yield a matte finish, causing me to scrape the portion back into the bowl and temper once more. For my Lindt couverture, it was easier to use the seeding method as opposed to merely bringing the temperature up to 31 C and halting addition of heat. As with previous trials, the difference in consistency was an indicator of nearing the proper temperature.

I adhered to the same steps as the Matcha Ganache Truffle, waiting patiently for two days to pass. No effort whatsoever was required to remove the chocolate from the moulds. That said, I do not believe I had succeed in tempering perfectly, for the surface exhibited subtle streaks of non-uniformity, was not shiny, and retained a trail of fingerprints when touched. It snapped readily and remained intact at room temperature, leading me to believe that I had accurately executed most of the steps and was maybe off by half a degree or so.

Excess chocolate was transferred to a small bowl for later use, and tempered again to form a chocolate shell for ice cream. Who needs the drippy, melty mess of La Diperie, am I right??

0 Comments

Out & About #1092 | Jay B - TAPE: RELOAD in Toronto

6/15/2025

0 Comments

These days, I've found myself being less and less inclined to leave the house. If not for errands and mandatory office days, departing from my comfortable, air-conditioned - not to mention, expensive - abode emerges as being utterly unappealing. For starters, it requires an investment of time, especially when joined by the presence of others - for everyone moves ever so slowly. Secondly, any period away equates to a loss of functional time for chores and readying oneself, both physically and mentally, for the incoming stresses of work.

This mindset has, unfortunately, extended to attendance at concerts as well, for all-day activities that were once sources of enjoyment have now amounted to additional stressors: physical weariness prompting vacation requests, rescheduling of chores and duties, meal and logistics planning to curb expenses, and more.
Despite being acquainted with ticketing, navigating the venue and organizer tendencies never gets easier.

Digital tickets for Jay B's TAPE: RELOAD tour in Toronto were not circulated until one week before the show. Meanwhile, the schedule was distributed 2 days prior and final reminder the day before. The VVVIP agenda was utterly beyond my expectations, with badge distribution commencing at the ungodly hour of 2 PM and the final Q&A event at 11 PM. To make matters worse, neither food nor beverage was permitted on site. Being held on Exhibition Places grounds on a Sunday before CNE meant majority of the buildings were closed, making public bathrooms were impossible to find.

With my priority being adhering to budget, the undertaking would involve parking in Liberty Village then taking BikeShare towards Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
In the early afternoon hours, many of the stations had been vacated. It hadn't helped my case that weather was glorious either. I ventured a bit further to find a series of Classic bikes, proceeding to adjust the seat while a couple hastily shoved their bikes into the dock. The incessant beeping somehow hadn't prompted them to remove the bike and try again, but continuously shove without altering the approach. Both quickly ran out of patience and departed, leaving the dock beeping loudly. This was a prime example of why public infrastructure in North America is so poorly maintained and dirty compared to the likes of Korea: No one cares to be disciplined and respectful of shared facilities.

I hopped onto my bike and began pedalling away. The feeling was familiar, despite my seasonal absence. I traversed along Lynn Williams, connected to East Liberty Street, then turned south onto Strachan. The immediate ascent caught me off guard. An e-bike user swerved around me, allowing me to continue my struggle, undisturbed.

The plan was to turn west onto Manitoba and dock near the Exhibition streetcar loop. Besides the lack of signage within the internal road network of Exhibition Place grounds, the sole empty dock was out of service. I was running short on time by this point and quickly hopped back on to locate the nearest station.
One wrong turn and I somehow looped around the venue. There was still no docking station in sight. In the end, the closest station involved crossing Lake Shore Blvd.

While I had reckoned that it wouldn't be too treacherous to walk back, it only dawned on me after docking that the pedestrian crossing had been removed due to Ontario Place construction. Pedestrians and cyclists were forced to continue along the south side of Lake Shore until the next signalized intersection at New Brunswick Street. Let it be known that I was positively perspiring by this point and very, very uncomfortable.

The Thai ahgase had messaged me countless times and even called me during this period, providing a sense of urgency but no help otherwise. I had informed her that my arrival would be delayed. It was unfortunate that VVVIP badge pick-up relied on ID checks, though there was little I could do with navigation technical difficulties.

Trekking back also became more arduous with each step. The blazing sun, in conjunction with a dire need for the bathroom, made for maximum discomfort. Access to Enercare Centre was restricted due to a Valorant event; meanwhile, pre-CNE Sundays meant that adjacent buildings were also closed to the public.

I resolved to grudgingly make my way towards Queen Elizabeth Theatre. In chancing by a free art gallery, I was saved. The facilities of the Withrow Common Gallery were clean and spacious, and most importantly, did not require access permissions.

In spite the Thai ahgase's frequent check-ins, VVVIP entry had been delayed - which was to be expected. Disorganization was a commonality of practically all North American concerts.

But the most shocking information was the removal of coat check due to the summer season. With my backpack and bike helmet in tow, this was tragic news, and totally inconsistent with the FAQ section posted on the venue website. My meticulous planning have been overruled by a simple "We don't have one." that seemingly did not require any apology to concertgoers that had bothered to familiarize themselves with the available information.

0 Comments

Out & About #1084 | The Pinnacle of Work Stress, Smile Cookies + Caramel Honeycomb Cake

5/4/2025

My third week on the job catapulted me into a series of training sessions, both virtual and physical. The former is comparatively forgiving, for, at the very least, I have the liberty of standing, stretching, and using the bathroom as required. The latter serves as a gradual decline of energy levels and attention span, for being bound to one's seat for extended periods of time induces restlessness, thus lessening the overall willingness to absorb new information.

With that said, I utilized every possible pocket to roam. Walking was vital to my overall disposition and wellness.

The return of Smile Cookies prompted many visits to my nearby Timmies. For this season, they would be raised to a price of two dollars per cookie and exempt from earning points via the Tim Hortons' app. While I was pleased with neither decision, the entirety of its earnings being donated to a local charity somewhat sufficed as justification. Ultimately, my intention to partake in the annual-turned-semi-annual initiative was not swayed.

A former Toronto colleague informed me of her cookie pulls. Donning deranged demeanours, she joked that they were reflective of the downtown community.

Meanwhile, my pulls were unquestionably tamer - adorable even!

The city's initiative to introduce magnolia trees to the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Garden and Celebration Square had also not gone unnoticed.

Despite the buds being oddly shrivelled, their rosy pink presence nevertheless brightened the gathering space in a way that announced the arrival of spring.

Of course, as far as Ontario weather goes, there is never such a thing as guaranteed spring.

Lunchtime would again see perusal of the mall.

Out & About #1081 | Toronto Zoo + Daigyo Matcha

4/12/2025

With my days of being a valid TPL cardholder coming to an end, I began to review outstanding destinations of interest on the TPL Map list. The Toronto Zoo surfaced as a candidate of value, given that no other known source would grant complimentary admission. (PRESTO perks would save 20% at best.)

I successfully reserved a Saturday spot prior to vacation, but, as the day of the planned visit drew near, I found fatigue overwhelming me. There were few days remaining until the job transition, and tirelessly had I slaved within the walls of my house to accomplish all the tasks outstanding.

Grudgingly, I went. Departing at the early hour of 9:30 AM had been my proposal, for risking loss of exercise time was not in the agenda. In the face of inadequate rest, I slid into the passenger seat reluctantly, eventually dozing off periodically with my head bobbing involuntarily over the course of the commute.

There was minimal traffic along our route. By the time we had pulled into the asphalt lot, it was just 10:16 AM.
"Let's leave at 2 PM." I announced.
My browsing partner had nodded in acknowledgement, however I knew it was too good to be true. The concept of time is finite for me, yet (regrettably) fluid for others. As expected, we wouldn't be able to depart until every section of the zoo had been covered. In this sense, it worked in my favour that not all sections were viewable by the due to climatic needs of animals.

The entrance of the zoo was different from my recollection, likely since ongoing construction resulted in pedestrian detours. Traversing from the parking area to the entrance involved meandering about construction fences at dedicated pedestrian crossings. Signage was ample, thankfully so, as the crossing was situated at the parking egress area, just before the toll gates.

Parking was charged at a flat rate of $20. Visitors had the option of paying via QR code or upon exit with the assistance of a staff member.

The entrance area was bustling with families with young children even within the attraction's first hour of operation. That said, I found the bathroom facilities quite pristine; whether or not it was owed to the early hour and comparatively lower visitor volumes is uncertain. Kitschy and inviting was the underwater theme. I also appreciated the hooks along the counter for placing bags while handwashing and a hand-drying mechanisms built into the counter, one allocated per faucet and soap dispenser set.

Maps were positioned throughout the facility: one providing an overall view of the zoo grounds and another providing a detailed view of the area in which one was standing.

I was utterly indifferent to our itinerary, given that my presence was to enable entry (presentation of library card and reservation email; no ID required) and accompany my browsing partner in the leisurely browsing of animals. Had I been visiting for the first time, my approach may have been different, and my response energetic instead of lax.

Australia was up first, primarily due to its proximity to the entrance/"Discovery Zone".

View the full album HERE !

<<Previous

Out & About #1160 | Ongoing Stresses Feat. Burnt Pecan Pie + Fig Jelly & Caramel Tart

Out & About #1159 | Yet Another Week, ENHYPEN Walk The Line + Boyfriend on Demand

Out & About #1152 | Costco, Stray Kids the dominATE experience + Career Contemplations

Out & About #1112 | Pt. 2: Old Spagetti Factory + BamBam at K-Expo

Out & About #1108 | MeNami, Jinyoung's Photoism + Canergy Pilates

Out & About #1097 | Hi-Five Again + LUNA Bakery Bingsoo

Out & About #1093 | Earl Grey Ganache Chocolate, Hi-Five + Konjiki Ramen

Out & About #1092 | Jay B - TAPE: RELOAD in Toronto

Out & About #1084 | The Pinnacle of Work Stress, Smile Cookies + Caramel Honeycomb Cake

Out & About #1081 | Toronto Zoo + Daigyo Matcha

Who Am I?

Archives

Categories

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Contact ME

Subscribe

Who Am I?

Archives

Categories

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Subscribe