Read Part 1 HERE !

​A schedule had been released ahead of time, though, given the organizer's treacherous lack of planning to date, we had reservations towards whether events were to follow through as planned.

​There was an abundance of parking and, of course, no need to pay. I pulled into one of many spots in the lot while the Thai ahgase continuously expressed her anxieties. Suggesting that she determine the answers to her ceaseless inquiries about tier categorization and queuing, I'd hover near my trunk to source the Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun from Red Sail Boat Bakery. The sweet-savoury parcel would constitute my (exceptionally early) supper.

​I quickly wolfed down the bun before 6 PM, then joined the lineup. The round was, peculiarly, still warm, despite being contained in my cooler bag for a few hours. Perhaps it was hunger, but the bun was perceived as quite the delicious bite. Plenty of cha siu was found within the specimen, then laced with a delightful cookie crust. Featuring a surface sturdier than Akko, I needed not worry if I'd lose the topping while eating on the go; the bun was similarly sturdy, yet far from dense. We had a winner!

The schedule had noted an entry time of 6 PM. But, as expected, we weren't ushered inside until at least 6:10 PM. SVIP ticket QR codes would be verified at the door; meanwhile, proof of VIP tickets would be dismissed.
Moving single-file between the double doors to the reception desk, we were provided red wristbands, BAMESIS lanyards with SVIP designations, a tour poster, and BamBam photocard of choice. Being amongst last ones in the queue, our choice of photocards was limited to two. That said, my complaints are few, for the quality of the bonus items was of a good caliber.

VRS Production was unapologetically Filipino in every way possible, with not a single team member not displaying the signature cheesy tendencies. Photographers and videographers would capture the entry process of the fans, as well as the transition to the upper level for the fansign event.
It was with much relief that I found clean, brightly-lit corridors and bathrooms on the both the upper and lower levels of the building. I had envisioned a layout to be akin to Notre-Dame, wherein the seats were uncomfortable wooden benches and indoor plumbing facilities were nowhere in sight. The Thai ahgase scoffed, clarifying that Notre-Dame was a cathedral and that churches indeed possess bathrooms.

​The location for the SVIP Fansign was a space no larger than the standard classroom. A table and tour poster were set up at the front of the room, lights positioned on either side. Fabric-lined chairs would be arranged some distance away from the table, in five rows of ten chairs each. After all, the SVIP upgrade was limited to just 50 VIP ticketholders.
We found ourselves filing into the last row, eyes glazing over a tour poster with sticky note instead of the BAMESIS albums we were promised. The team had apparently "ran out" of albums, thus supplemented the last two rows with "partial albums" and tour posters. The "partial" albums involved "sharing" a single album between two people, in which the CD could be signed by one and the photobook by another. Needless to say, this sent the last twenty unlucky fans into an uproar. The SVIP upgrade had promised a benefit of two albums, leading most, if not all, fans to refrain from brining their own copy from home.

These obvious frustrations prompted an interim resolution: Somehow from somewhere, more albums would emerge. Each SVIP ticketholder would be compensated with one full album; the second album would supposedly be shipped out after the show, though further details were not provided.

Pens and sharpies would circulate the room to allow fans to write down their name for the fansign. We were informed that BamBam would copy the name - and/or message - on the sticky note onto the chosen page for signing. Also discussed was the procedure: Each SVIP ticketholder would be entitled to one minute of interactions with BamBam. Upon nearing the end of the time slot, a "15 seconds left" sign would be raised. This sign would then be flipped to reveal "Times Up" at the end of the sixty-second period.

"Wow!" I turned to the Thai ahgase with shock, "A whole minute!!"
​
Shortly after settling our album concerns, BamBam strode into the room without warning. By this point, it was 6:30 PM.

​Each row would be summoned in sequence and instructed to queue along the side of the room. Then, one by one, the fans would be gestured towards the table and the timer would be started. Members of staff and local security hovered about the perimeter of the room, yet none invaded into the signing zone. In stark contrast to previously attended events, staff did not situate themselves between the artist and fans, nor did they touch/push/shove aggressively. One member of staff hovered next to BamBam, but the scene was otherwise very intimate and exclusive.

When office days take an unexpectedly steamy turn, one is compelled to consider indoor alternatives for lunchtime ventures.

The trek towards the office usually spans no more than fifteen minutes. Before I had even reached the halfway mark though, I had already shed my cardigan and powered on my neck pan. Extremely humid days make for miserable walks in the city, and when the early morning hours had already posed difficulty breathing, I knew Mother Nature was foreshadowing an imminent surge in mercury levels.

​By the time noon rolled around, I had secured a last-minute admission pass for the Bata Shoe Museum using the TPL Map. The reservation enabled a total of two adults and four children to visit; I proposed the idea to my coworker, who eagerly joined me upon hearing the word "museum".

​To combat the dreadful heat, we opted to take the subway from St. Patrick to St. George. Mind you, as someone seldom takes TTC nowadays, I did struggle slightly with finding the correct exit from the Line 1-2 transfer station. Upon rearing our heads onto St. George and Bloor, we were graced with the sight of ongoing cycle track work at the intersection.

New asphalt, fresh pavement markings, and dazzling concrete came into view - all much to my delight as a recent member of the Bike Share community.

On the southwest corner of the intersection was our destination of interest, the Bata Shoe Museum. I led the way through the accessibility-enabled glass doors, then halted by the elevators as it occurred to me that I hadn't downloaded the pass as yet. I quickly saved the PDF, then approached the counter with both the pass and library card in hand.
"I can help you over here." a young gentleman offered. "I'll just need your order number, library card number, and a piece of ID."
This was possibly the most comprehensive check to date, for not even Ripley's had verified that the name of the booking member matched the ID of the member on site.

Following check-in, the man provided an overview of the museum. Spanning a total of four floors, he recommended commencing from the basement level and working one's way up. Besides a spacious staircase, visitors with mobility needs could also utilize the nearby elevator and Wave-to-Open sensors to access each exhibit.

At the bottommost floor were washrooms, a seating and lounge area, and an area where one could try on shoes of various styles and sizes. I wasn't particularly keen on touching surfaces with which others' soles have come into contact, though I did enjoy the amusing array of footwear available.

The basement level also featured an exhibit titled "All About Shoes: Footwear Through the Ages". As the name implied, it showcased various styles of shoes worn throughout the decades. These styles would vary drastically in size, shape, and material to reflect the needs of those inhabiting different parts of the globe. 

An Ameblo Pigg-style staircase would lead one up to a smaller section of the same exhibit. This portion featured comparatively modern styles: suede, leather, and hide were shed for patent leather, canvas, and rubber. Sneakers and loafers announced the departure from moccasins, cowboy boots, pointy heels, and sparkly platforms.

​"All About Shoes" led us back to the ground floor, where we'd climb up the stairs towards the second floor exhibits. Immediately piquing our interest was "Exhibit A: Investigating Crime and Footwear".

Themed in black and red, this compact room garnered immediate interest. Neither of us had envisioned a possible link between crime-solving and shoes! The tidbits were exceptionally engaging, and we wished that we could have read them all during our stay. Unfortunately, the lunchtime visit had restricted the duration of stay per room to a mere few minutes.

Most able-bodied, car-equipped citizens often conduct road trips on long weekends. Despite meeting both of these criteria, these extended periods serve for recovery and catch-up periods for chores and house duties - especially with my browsing partner temporarily absent and unable to interrupt the workflow.

​To commemorate my last week as a LA Fitness member, my coworker agreed to drive in from Cambridge on Friday afternoon to attend class together. Admittedly, I had been avoiding the Friday session on purpose, for the instructor would likely comment on my appearance after the extended hiatus.

​​Surely enough, from the moment she walked in and greeted the crowd, her eyes darted in my direction. Clad in a cyan top, flare bottoms, and matching cyan training shoes, she had recognized me immediately, new hair or not. "You're back!" she exclaimed excitedly. Before I had a chance to break the news to her, class would commence.

She danced to tracks familiar and new, venturing throughout the studio to assist and engage participants in all rows. My absence was evident in my body's tendency to forget the choreography and aura. Unfortunately, a similar situation arises at home when gym classes are prioritized over choreography practice.

At the end of the session, she interacted with a few regulars, then approached me to express her glee at my return. It was in this moment that I glanced over to coworker, then back over to the instructed to break the news that I was, in fact, leaving  the gym entirely. Shock and dismay would fill her face, for she expressed that she enjoyed dancing with me - which was truly touching. As I explained my reasoning, she extended the gracious offer of attending her class as her "guest", whenever I wished and whichever day she happened to be teaching.
"Really?!" My mouth dropped agape. "That's allowed??"
"Of course! You can just tell the front desk you are my guest" she assured me with confidence.
"Will they let me in?!" I managed to respond, eyes still wide with wonder.
"They probably won't give you a hard time, but if they do, you can wait for me at the front."
Still very much in disbelief at this point, I continued to consider the proposal. "I don't think I'll be able to be at the front." I chuckled, drawing attention to the early birds.
"Why not? Of course you can! I'll put you there." Every subsequent response had me even more bewildered.
Truth be told: my decision to cancel was shaken in that moment. The very reason for joining LA Fitness in the first place had been the overly friendly attitude of the instructors, and the sheer willingness to go above and beyond for a mere class participant. The second reason had been to partake in classes at various locations across the GTA.

Thanking the instructor once more, I bid her farewell with a smile. My coworker and I - mainly me - would then retrieve our belongings from the changeroom and proceed to Square One.

She had initially regarded the shopping centre as some distant destination, admitting that she had gotten lost within the building during her last visit. Despite being unable to comprehend the seemingly common lack of spatial awareness, I eagerly assumed responsibility of being a local tour guide. This, unfortunately, meant operating at a notably slower pace than usual, but I had no further appointments for the evening.

Errands were completed, then The Food District was perused. While I placed a takeout order of MyMy Chicken, my coworker sought out discounted nigiri and an Original Japanese Cheesecake from Uncle Tetsu.

My order of Garlic Soy Chicken had peculiarly evolved into Honey Garlic, which is now sweeter and more floral than recalled, but still undoubtedly delicious. The BBQ Bulgogi Cup Cap now contained less coleslaw, less japchae, less sauce, and drier pieces of beef.

Just before returning the underground garage, I spotted a nearby signage board bearing information of interest. Just three words had succeeded in commanding my attention: Läderach - Now Open

Some last-minute ̶c̶o̶r̶r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶d̶e̶n̶c̶e̶  reluctance from a local friend dating back to the pre-COVID Nam Nation days instigated some schedule changes. I would need not venture to meet her on UBC grounds after all, for the intent was to return to Richmond immediately without browsing the vicinity for destinations of interest. Thankfully, I had already undertaken my MEC and Rain or Shine ventures in the preceding days.

Due to no longer needing to wake early for the ninety-minute-long commute, I would converse a bit longer with my browsing partner before finally sliding underneath the covers for bed. 

In spite of sleeping in the next morning, lethargy persisted. Gradually, I eased into the morning with coffee (EVR's Empress was much better with 2 tbsp of grounds and hot water!) and a "sidekick" Mango Cream Cake.

Pilates was performed in high spirits, under the comfort of sunshine beaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The one-hour session would comprise of Well + Good favourites as well as new Lottie Murphy releases for a restorative, full-body workout.

At 2 PM, I prepared a late lunch of udon, blanched choy sum, takeout leftovers, and a microwaved egg.

I'd eventually ventured out to Aberdeen around 4pm.

The first stop was another Vancouverite's K-Beauty boutique recommendation of CIYO, which we also have back home at Pacific Mall. Prices and product assortment did not vary vastly, thus I departed without making a purchase. Tony Moly on the second floor would serve my needs better with offerings of cleanser and pressed powder.

The trip also saw end-of-day sales at Saint Germain (significantly better than back home) and a quick trip through H Mart. Consistent with my 2020 observations, prepared food items - in particular unagi or dons - are shockingly economic for their portion size, even if snacks and produce are not priced using a similar model.

Supper plans at Garaku had been settled the evening prior, but not without unyielding opposition towards every possible contender I could nominate. A curry opposition and ceaseless claims that the profile of a dish could be envisioned without tasting had me going aimlessly in circles before reverting back to my original proposal. The Hokkaido soup curry outpost it would be.

​Supper plans at Garaku had been settled the evening prior, but not without unyielding opposition towards every possible contender I could nominate. A curry opposition and ceaseless claims that the profile of a dish could be envisioned without tasting had me going aimlessly in circles before reverting back to my original proposal. The Hokkaido soup curry outpost it would be.

The dining area was fairly empty even during the weekday evening rush, which was hardly a good sign when the eatery had been open for half a year already. With the arrival of my dining partner of the day, we entered into the restaurant, were greeted immediately, and then seated at a cozy booth near the preparation counter. Mind you, there was little to no food preparation taking place in this area, for it merely served as a queuing location for Fantuan orders pending arrival of the delivery driver.

Read Part 1 HERE !

​It was by chance that I had won the Best Friends Day Giveaway hosted by Uniqlo. Known for notoriously poor ticketing luck (but good bias luck), I hadn't expected to win anything. Of course, surprises happen when least expected.

The date had coincided with my tattoo booking, and its timing had originally conflicted. Upon learning of my winner status, I urgently requested an earlier slot from Kettle, who honoured the shift to 10 AM, and reached out to my local food enthusiast, who enthusiastically agreed to join me.

​Taking the bus across the Granville Bridge, I'd enter into the east section of Kitsilano. 

My surroundings transformed from the bustle of office workers and retail stores to cycle boutiques, specialized gear outfitters, and exercise studios. It was an unmistakably nicer area than Hastings - but then again, what isn't? - and also seemingly the fittest district in Metro Vancouver.

​TurF was a few minutes west of the bus stop. As I made my way over, I couldn't help but observe similar traits in those that passed me in the opposing direction. Nearly all were in their late 20s to early 40s, clad in minimalist workout gear, and in exceptionally good shape. Several of them wielded bicycles, customized of course, as well.

The entrance to the gym wasn't exactly obvious. TurF had marketed themselves as a "hub" for fitness lovers, expanding their floor area to offer more than simply recreational group classes. The business boasted an outdoor patio, indoor dining space, commercial kitchen and food preparation counter, in-house apparel shop, lockers and changerooms with showers, and, of course, a sophisticated studio for classes.

The fare on offer was reflective of a Whole Foods wannabe, though noticeably more innovative and visually appealing. Classifications of "vegan", "gluten-free", and "keto" weren't uncommon, however.

Near the apparel shop, a member of staff had laid out various sizes of Uniqlo DRY-EX t-shirts in anticipation of the brand-sponsored class. She would, in a prominent English accent, also conduct an attendance check and distribute the t-shirts on a first-come, first-serve basis. While all winners were supposed to specify their desired shirt size in the provided Google Form, one would still be able to choose between from the colours available on site. A Ladies' Small was handed to me in a pastel yellow-green hue that made me shrivel with disgust.
"Would I be able to take a black instead?" I inquired, pointing to the three other stacks on the railing.
"You could, but those are men's sizes." She cautioned me of the difference in sizing.
I picked up the one closest to me, a Men's Small in onyx grey. It was larger than my usual exercise fit, but likely more manageable than a fitted, light-coloured top. "I'll take this one." I announced with hesitation.

My premature entry into the studio would be met with the startled look of the instructor. Sporting a curly bob and matching coral set, she was in the midst of preparing the studio...with an incense stick. Mats, towels, resistance bands, and foam blocks had been laid out in advance; the apparent final step was to conjure a zen-like atmosphere. I was advised that I could lay my mat on top of the provided one at the start of class, instead of swapping out the studio mat altogether. Upon receipt of a satisfactory answer, I departed for the washroom instead, leaving her to continue the incense-waving process as required.

Weekend errands always seem to creep up when least expected. From unexpected loads of laundry, ebay deliveries, and last-minute grocery needs, adulting appears to go hand in hand with the never-ending duties associated with mere survival.

​My browsing partner and I had agreed upon a mid-afternoon departure time, allowing me to utilize the morning hours for my own tasks. Having woken up later than expected, the schedule was delayed and tasks rushed. Following a quick errand (and McD's stopover) in Oakville, I immediately hurried back without detouring for coffee or snacks, only to wait another two hours with minimal correspondence from my browsing partner, until a series of unanticipated tasks terminated. By this point, an earlier departure would prove pointless, for the buffer was insufficient in accommodating any stopovers before pilates class.

At last, it was the eighth and final session at Dal Pilates. We entered into the facility with swiftness, for traffic levels had delayed our arrival until at least the 55-minute mark.

Both the new receptionist and our instructor greeted with smiles. In light of my tragic stomach pains of the previous Sunday, Min was cautious to inquire of my condition this time, to which I assured her was fine and "much better than last week".

The warmup would commence with about three counts of dynamic hamstring stretches: placing one foot on the footbar and the other against the headrest, then extending and bending the knee of the raised leg. Next, we would sit on the Carriage with our legs hung over either edge of the frame, place our hands on the footbar, and push against the footbar for an upper back/low back/hip stretch. Flipping onto our backs, the feet would be replaced onto the footbar for a few lying squats, followed by calve raises and alternating legs pedals. Form reminders for the latter included keeping the ribs down against the mat and making sure our heels were lowered beneath the footbar before returning to the raised position for the full range of motion.

Afterwards, we'd immediately transition into core work. The exercise that followed appeared somewhat unconventional at first, but was, in fact, incredibly innovative. Intended to target total core, the move combined isolations with rotation, revealing itself extremely challenging even at low spring tensions. Both hands would form a steady grip about one of two tension straps; we'd start with the left strap. Holding the strap just above the shoulders, the legs would be raised to tabletop. This assumed the starting position. Exhaling, the leg opposite of the tension strap would be extended while the upper body curled towards the extended leg. Breathing cues were: Inhale to prepare, exhale to crunch and extend leg, inhale to maintain the position, and exhale to return. Despite only being performed a few times, the exercise engaged the obliques and upper-/mid-back thoroughly. The weighted oblique twist/bicycle crunch variation was also deemed fitting for inclusion into at-home workouts, perhaps using a resistance band, light weight, or even both. Of course, we performed at least eight more counts of the exercise after alternating to the right tension strap and extending the left leg. By this point, the upper abdominals had fatigued quite significantly.

After a brief break, we sat on the Carriage to face away from the footbar. Both feet were slid between the head rest and hands threaded through the tension straps. Articulating through the spine, the instructor called out for us to roll back towards our tipping point with the tailbone tucked and shoulder blades relaxed. Arms were raised just slightly below shoulder height, then pulled backwards while maintaining a straight spine and tucked tailbone. By resisting the force of gravity, one would summon deep core and back muscles. Meanwhile, the elbows drawn close to the ribs would isolate the lat and tricep muscles accordingly.

The exercise would be executed with two more variations:
1) Bending one knee into a low tabletop (slightly sent away from the hip) and raising the leg, then preserving the position as best as possible while continuing to pull back the elbows.

The intent was to engage the thighs and quads, in addition to the core and postural muscles, by lifting the leg. The exercise constituted a fun challenge, to say in the least, and was manageable until introducing the next tier of difficulty.

Waking to excruciating cramps that caused me to bend over the kitchen counter was not part of my Sunday morning plan. Breakfast could barely be consumed, for the sporadic pulses of pain would come between every few bites of Raisin Roll and sips of coffee.

The crippling pangs would thankfully lessen over the course of the day, allowing me to regain functionality bit by bit from the mid-afternoon hours into the early evening.

A round of errands were performed, constituting a "primer activity" before our commute towards North York. Four McDonald's were investigated for the availability of Yu-Gi-Oh x Hello Kitty and Friends Happy Meal toys. Exodia Pompompurin and Dark Magician Hello Kitty were spotted, but Cinnamoroll was still nowhere in sight. Meanwhile, I also made an unexpected appearance at the household of my browsing partner, enlisting assistance for the transport of rice from T&T into my kitchen.

Resulting from correspondence between the studio owner, the instructor, and myself, Min had adapted our class to use the Chair instead of the Reformer. She would also check in at the start of the session, as well as periodically throughout, to ensure that my stomach pains wouldn't increase in severity. I was also ensured that I could stop the session at any point in time if I did not feel well enough to continue. In order to prevent pressure on the abdomen, the class focus would be shifted towards the lower body. Though, as with all of Min's sessions, a full-body workout would be guaranteed.

The warm-up involved standing behind the Chair, placing both hands of the pedals, and rolling down to press the pedals towards the ground. With only one red spring affixed to the apparatus, the starting tension was most definitely lighter than Jin, which made the exercise easier. I often anticipate the exercises to grow more challenging while progressing through the reps, thus sometimes err on the side of caution. The difference of Min vs. Jin is often next-day soreness vs. on-site burn respectively.
Stepping both feet onto the pedals, we then transitioned into calves raises and drops. Next, the feet would be staggered and placed perpendicular along the width of the pedals. With one hand on the support bar and the other arm extended outwards, lateral bends would be executed as to engage the obliques and side body. This would then transition to side leg lifts while maintaining one hand on the support bar and one foot on the pedal.
Turning to face the platform, we were instructed to grip both support bars and extend the arms. Keeping the arms straight and arches of the feet firmly planted on the pedals, the body would hinge backwards into a squat. As opposed to keeping the back entirely straight, we were advised to sink into the squat with a "poster tilt" of the pelvis. This equated to a moderately rounded C-curve, an uncommon alignment for conducting squats. The exercise wasn't incredibly difficult, but likely served to activate the hamstrings. With fingers wrapped about the support handles, it was far easier to reach a 90-degree seated position in mid-air than with traditional squats.

Switching to sit on the platform, the legs would be drawn close to the body. Placing the heels onto the pedals, we were to bend and extend the knees to further engage the hamstrings. The tension could hardly be perceived with one red spring, so Min gradually added more spring tension, and eventually I graduated from 1 red to 1 red and 1 blue to a combination of 2 red and 1 blue. The same exercise would be performed once more with the toes planted on the pedals and heels raised to imaginary stiletto height.
Addition of a green resistance band would elevate the exercise fantastically and contribute manageable levels of upper body work. The band would be sandwiched between the bottom of feet and the pedals of the Chair; both ends would be kept stable by keeping the resistance band taut and shoulders down.

1. The first round involved keeping the arms raised to shoulder height and maintaining said height while pressing the feet down and out, and finally retracing its path back.
2. The second round involved performing same set of exercises, but with the arms extending up and over the head as the feet pressed down against the pedals.

Despite the seemingly simple movement, it was no easy feat to keep spine tall, shoulders down, and core engaged ("scoop the belly!") throughout. All in all, I found immense joy in this low-impact exercise - and had unknowingly prepared for it in my earlier workout of the week.

With the week's pilates class scheduled for an earlier slot of 3 PM, the tension-filled commute to North York had likely only worsened with greater levels of traffic. In anticipation of the Solar Eclipse viewings, MTO signage had not only adopted French warnings, but glaringly bright cyan lettering as well. The high-contrast colours had me shaken, first for their newness and second for their presentation of information in a province where French is secondary. If anything, the English message should have been adopted in cyan, while French in orange - especially for the eastbound direction.

Min and the new receptionist were the only two staff members in the studio at the time of our arrival. Having likely acquired more experience over the course of the week, the cardigan-clad receptionist ensured that our stay beyond the building doors did not persist beyond two minutes. Greatly appreciated was this swift door-opening response.
Similar to her last class, Min wasted no time whatsoever, flowing through a multitude of exercises to ensure full-body coverage. At the start, she inquired of our condition - well, mine, since it always seems that the question is posed when one member has stepped away. I had noted neck pain, clarifying that it had resulted from fatigue as opposed to injury. In response to this declaration, a release segment was incorporated into the class: Placing the feet between the shoulder rests and laying the neck onto the footbar, we were instructed to turn the head towards the left and right, allowing for a gentle massage of the neck. As if the fixed plane rotations weren't already painful for me, we then proceeded with head circles in either direction. The relief was absolutely necessary, but also excruciating beyond belief given my longstanding neck tension.

​Interestingly, I had been shifted the second Reformer instead of the one I would normally use. Min had indicated that it was due to the gear bar setting options, though the reason for the move wasn't entirely clear to me as most Reformers could be adjusted for height differences without issues. (Perhaps it was a manufacturer defect?) The warm-up would start with hamstring stretches: both hands and one foot would be placed on the footbar, with the foot in between the hands. One would then extend and bend the knee, keeping the ball of the foot planted on the footbar. Two counts of upper and lower back extensions/stretches would follow; swinging one leg on either side of the Carriage, we'd push out against the footbar and flatten the back to the best of our abilities while pressing hips down. The lower back and hip flexors are perpetually tight for me. Min assisted by gently pressing down the lower back for a better stretch.

​Lower body warm-up would involve placing both feet on the footbar and bending/extending the legs for a few reps. Only one red spring was used, sharply contrasting against the minimum two red spring count of Jin's routines. Both feet would then be thread through the tension straps. At this point, I requested the addition of greater tension, though could not confirm whether the instructor had added one white or one blue. The exercises performed would include:

• Leg extensions: start with knees in tabletop, extend legs, then return
• Lift/lowers: keeping legs extended, lift and lower to targe the hamstring
• Leg extensions with a pilates ring fitted between the calves
• Lift/lowers with a pilates ring fitted between the calves

Next, one tension strap would removed from one leg. We'd continue with the same tabletop extension as before, but this time isolating one leg at a time. Needless to say, this was noticeably more difficult with more shakiness witnessed, especially when the weaker left leg was thread through the tension straps. On the final extension rep, the legs would remain extended for rotations. Inner thighs would be engaged thoroughly to keep the ring in place while twisting the lower body in the direction of the leg with the tension strap. In other words, if tension strap was on right leg, the lower body would rotate towards the right as much as possible without lifting the left hip off the Carriage. This exercise served to target the adductors, abductors, and obliques.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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