The end of an era always brings about an indescribable sense of apprehension. It is not quite worry and uncertainty, yet also not quite excitement and anticipation. Abstract recollections solidify themselves into filmstrips, flashing through the mind in milliseconds. These memories may be filled with fondness or frustration, delight or despair. Stepping beyond them into unfamiliar territory may be uncomfortable, but remaining stationary results in a perpetually vicious cycle.

After many weeks of contemplation, realization, and acceptance, Arctic Aquarium was concluded to have run its course. The decision had not been an easy one, and spanned many strenuous days and nights. The once dire hope that the sleepy polar bear would stay by my side was replaced with an urge to do the exact opposite: only by being apart could both sides prevent further damage.

Honestly, it was as many of my longtime companions has pointed out: "You're just so different." And I couldn't agree more:

• Where one was steadfast, the other was sluggish.
• Where one was pragmatic, the other was sentimental.
• Where one valued efficiency, the other valued harmony.
• Where one was outspoken, the other was cautious.

In spite of these drastic differences, attempts were made to reach a consensus. Alas, different communication styles amounted to misunderstandings - actions executed with good intentions but yielding poor results.
Tensions amassed, and were untreated in the face of stress and withering energy levels. It was simply just too hard.

Loss of trust ensued, as did loss of joy. The situation grew unhealthy. All came crashing down with a final blow: my straightforwardness. Perhaps we may have left these issues unspoken had I not be upfront in communicating. Perhaps we may not have come to an understanding that growth would be necessary on both sides to progress. Perhaps the outcome would have proved more dramatic had it been left to brew for a longer duration. (Do you wonder, do you wonder, do you wonder like I do?)

​We held a formal discussion, probably our most mature exchange to date. The visit was accompanied by a single slice of Apple Pie and Ube Crinkle Cookies from the freezer (the longer you freeze, the less they expand). Then I retrieved my belongings, at last pointing to the enmusubi (縁結び) obtained at Japan Festival just over a month ago. "Do you know what this symbolizes?" I posed the question.
"Love?"
"No, fate."

My weekly routine changes minimally from week to week, though each period seems to bring about new revelations and discoveries.

Visits to the gym informed that my stair-climbing endurance still perseveres, despite lack of regular training, along with a bug bite of unknown origin. (I didn't even go hiking!)

​Tuesday afternoon marked my first Mat Pilates class at the Hurontario-Eglinton location. The instructor had noted thirteen years of yoga experience and five years of pilates, then engaged in further discussion with the class regarding the original "Eastern" teachings of yoga for spiritual benefits versus the modern "Western" approach of fusion fitness (HIIT, rhythmic, etc.). Those dedicated to yoga practice urged to keep things "Eastern". At that moment, I recalled why I steered clear of yoga: physical benefits and form and alignment corrections did not reside at the core.

​In contrast to the fast-paced, perspiration-inducing sequences at the Vega location, the Hu-Eg instructor commenced with gentle pelvic tilts then transitioned into a HIIT format instead: three rounds of full-body exercises with a one-minute rest period between each round. Some of the exercises were combination moves, involving rotation of the upper body while lunging back. For the most part, the moves were derived from fundamentals of pilates, but modified for a smaller range of motion and lower difficulty level. Naturally, I took to a larger range of motion in the latter rounds, along with inclusion of the pilates ring where possible. 

I was commended for my form at the end of the class, and encouraged to join again.
For the next seventy minutes, I would remain in the vacant, well-ventilated studio for streaming of my own Well+Good conditioning routine. Again unlike Vega, the Wi-Fi connection was astounding; I could actually load videos!

​Becoming acquainted with wine profiles has been a new venture as of late. I'm less intrigued by red and more eager to explore the world of white - and maybe rosé later on.

​Emerging as my priciest alcohol purchase to date - beyond Grey Goose for vanilla extract, a project which failed miserably - was Cave Spring's 2019 Riesling Ice Wine. 

After what seemed (yet another) a whirlwind of a weekend, I ventured back downtown for another Monday in the office.

Traffic conditions were light, thankfully, as were GO train volumes.

In my haste, I had forgotten my hand cream once again, but was graciously offered a travel-sized tub of Vaseline from a coworker.

​Even at the early hour of 8 AM, a handful of workstations were already occupied. It was the day of the potluck, and, slowly but surely, various food items were spotted being transported to the kitchen and lunchroom.

Large-scale dining events hadn't been personally experienced since the holiday potluck of 2019, so I was very much enthralled upon receiving the calendar invite. Between the bustle of weekend chores and preparing banana bread, I began to fret over the assortment of food to be assembled: Would there be enough?

As the noise levels surged around the 11:30 AM mark, I grew increasingly more excited - for not only was there more food than the lunchroom tables could handle, the variety was absolutely stunning!

There was ample selection of both sweet and savoury dishes, and extreme diversity as well! We had Mediterranean salads, Biryani, japchae, Brazilian empanadas, Singaporean vermicelli, lasagna, and more! The team has truly outdone themselves, even bringing their own mixing bowls, cling film, and serving vessels for the optimal experience.

Regular potluck contenders of Caesar salad, fruit and vegetable trays, and shrimp cocktail rings were present, however the number of homemade dishes far exceeded pre-packaged varieties. A few local items also made it to the table, including original Uncle Tetsu, Swiss roll cakes from Bake Island, and four styles of thin-crust pizza from Pizzaiolo.

My first plate consisted of japchae, Mediterranean barley salad, homemade Baba ganoush and guacamole on pita, lasagna, shrimp cocktail, and fruit.

The creator of the japchae had, impressively, brought all ingredients in compartmentalized containers for mixing on-site. Sesame seeds and salt were transferred to small zip lock bags; even soy sauce and tongs had made their way downtown from suburbia. I had found the stir-fried Shiitake mushrooms and excessive dusting of untoasted sesame seeds peculiar, as they didn't particularly contribute to complexity. The noodles were of a nice, chewy consistency, though the combination lacked sesame oil. Nonetheless, it was a delicious - and laborious! - take on the vegetarian noodle dish, despite not entirely authentic.

Baba ganoush and guacamole had both been regarded fondly at first, having conjured my fondest recollections of the dips. They were found to be of a looser consistency than desired, and far less potent in profile. Meanwhile, the pita was flat and tough, rather than pillowy and eager to be dunked.

On the other hand, the Mediterranean salad was amazing - alluring from the first bite, and scrumptious to the point where its inclusion of finely chopped red onion no longer mattered to me. (Little had I known the recipe was also SK-derived!!) The fruit trays were also of great quality, with juicy chunks of pineapple and sizable lobes of ruby red strawberries.

Spring blossoms are a limited-time occurrence - as brief as transitional seasons in Ontario and as timely as the ripening of avocados.

The breathtaking, rosy buds I had laid eyes on just a week ago had vanished within a matter of 48 hours. White buds, which were spotted along Burnhamthorpe leading to Winston Churchill had also succumbed to the same fate with the dreary descent of rainfall.

​A visit to LA Fitness was in advance my final Beginner Reformer session at The Pilates Body, for the sole purpose of maximizing my membership. Arriving just before 6PM led to an annoying parking situation - which, honestly, could have been worse - and lack of vacant cardio equipment in the Ladies' Fitness Room. Four of four treadmills were taken, the single functioning Stairmaster was being occupied, and one of three elliptical machines bore an error message. I heaved a sigh, then quickly jumped onto the last functioning elliptical and powered through for five minutes.

My fifth and final class at The Pilates Body took a turn for the positive - it was, surprisingly somewhat challenging! My spot in the studio was sunlit from from the UV rays penetrating the glass windows. This warmth was especially obvious when doing jumps on the Cardio Tramp; thankfully, the studio's A/C kicked in fairly quickly. The variations on the device included:

• Straight legs; parallel feet but not attached
• Straight legs; feet placed at the edge of the trampoline (yet still within the mesh frame)
• Jumping jack feet: feet attached at the centre, then apart,
• Opening of thighs in mid-air, then back (no flutters or other medications, etc.)

For the first time, we also did exercises that challenges the side body (lateral jumps with leg raises on the Cardio Tramp!) exercises.

​For the upper body and back, we mainly utilized the tension straps and did not use the Reformer Box for any lying exercises, which was greatly appreciated as I had already executed a few before arriving. Threading the hands through the tension straps and crossing the straps to form an "X", we pulled the elbows back while keeping the shoulders down and elbows about shoulder height. Many other students were noticed to have lost their form over the rep count. I particularly enjoyed an exercise that involved threading the hands through the tension straps and, while keeping the palms open and minding wrist hyperextension, twist to one side while rolling down and extending the arms outwards, then slowing rolling up while sequencing through the spine. It was, admittedly, as therapeutic as the instructor had made it out to be, though other class participants had trouble coordinating the movement while maintaining fluidity. The same issues were also observed on the Cardio-Tramp, when some attendees kicked without restraint, causing the Reformer to shift by at least three feet. Beyond tugging back at one's body, the Reformer offers a great deal of external feedback when control is insufficient.
We transitioned into crunches and oblique twists on the Carriage, then slowly incorporated the Cardio-Tramp for single leg jumps using one white spring to maximize the duration of engagement. True to her words, the movement did mimic jumping in slow-motion, humorously.
Towards the end of the session, we transitioned into one of my favourites: standing thigh abductions with one foot on the platform extender and one on the Carriage.

​The termination of the Beginner Reformer classes brought about some degree of relief to me, as my weekday evening schedule for the next upcoming weeks are nothing short of unpredictable. Having to adhere to the same routine week by week was slightly annoying, knowing that there was flexibility to join classes on other days. Thus, when the idea of continuing the program at the same time and transitioning it to an "Essentials" class was mentioned, I revealed hesitation, along with a desire to explore the studio's other classes. The instructor clarified that "Essentials" would bridge the gap between "Beginner" and "Intermediate", though assured me that I'd "be fine in any of the classes" in a hushed tone. "You are fine and have great body awareness." The praise was motivating, and, frankly, I did crave a deeper burn - one that would deter me from entering LA Fitness to compensate for loss of productivity on the same night.

A half build-your-own pizza and Pesto Cheesy Bread set me back $15.95 before tax, while a small Blood Orange Lemonade quenched thirst at a reasonable $2.59. After tax, the meal came to a grand total of $21.36. It was unthinkably scrumptious, and, like the Thai ahgase had noted, the Original thin crust was phenomenal! In hindsight, a whole pizza may have resulted in better value, as one could pile on as many toppings as desired. From ricotta cheese to basil to Italian meatballs and kalamata olives, the combinations were truly limitless!
However, I happened to be hankering for cheesy bread, and wavered between the Original and Pesto versions before finally settling on the latter. The member of staff taking down my order was exceptionally pleasant despite my indecisiveness.

​I opted to dine on the patio, shielded from the setting sun with bright orange umbrellas. Though temperatures were quite comfortable without a jacket, I hadn't accounted for the breeziness. Napkins were curled up by the wind and tossed onto the grass. The lid of the pizza box nearly slammed into my face, had my raised palm not prevented the calamity. Hurriedly, I devoured the half pizza before its cheesy strings seized. The pesto bread was plush and even cheesier, with a thick, uniform layer of mozzarella; while not nearly as potent as I had expected, the herby drizzle contributed chroma difference without providing contrast in flavour.

It would be my first time heading into downtown during the morning rush in almost five years.

Instead of trekking south of Union Station towards the glorious waterfront, I headed northwest instead. Roy Thomson Hall was the defining landmark of the intersection, doubly serving as the divine conjurer of DAY6 memories.

​Upon my arrival, I was informed of two unfortunate circumstances - beyond the temporary lack of benefits and vacation days:

1. Work location shift to City Hall - Oh! The horror!!
2. Unassigned seating at hotel stations (And I assure you, the griminess was atrocious.)

The pending relocation was supposedly for the benefit of staff: a newer space with improved connectivity within the division. Though I couldn't refute the 90s hardware and stained carpets, I was quite fond of the building, along with the memories I had made within it.

​My lunch walk led me to Assembly Chef's Hall, for I was curious about Palgong's recent opening.
​Alas, the once-bustling dining facility now housed more vacant stalls than customers. Notable names such as Tachi have closed since my last visit; the only familiar spot was Lost Coffee.

Palgong was situated by the entrance of the connecting office building, their menu positioned before the counter just like their Finch location. In consideration of my hankering for milk tea instead of a Mint Chocolate Smoothie though, I swiftly exited and began my trek towards CoCo.

As my PTO days wither away into the abyss of unrecoverable time and space, I often find myself questioning whether I've completed any task of value with my paid period of freedom. A friend of mine once pointed out that the concept of productivity isn't always one of maximized potential. But, for me, it very much is, and will continue to be.

​My diet continues to consist of "soft" foods for eased digestion. Udon replaced white rice, while lightly seasoned pork continues to serve as my primary source of iron.
T̶h̶e̶ ̶y̶e̶t̶-̶t̶o̶-̶b̶e̶-̶n̶a̶m̶e̶d̶ ̶C̶o̶w̶ ̶P̶i̶g̶  Ferra observes all household happenings from afar.

​With Monday comes another Beginner Reformer class at The Pilates Body. I departed much earlier than necessary, and made the impromptu decision of swinging by LA Fitness. Time was limited, but any activity would be better than sitting in the waiting area idle.

The Stairmaster was revisited for the first time since my CN Tower Climb training. Climbing up to speed - no pun intended - was much easier than the first time (884), and I'd like to think that I'm adapting better to the machine due to seldom instances of toe clipping.

Ten minutes of stairs at a relatively quick pace assisted in raising internal body temperature and doubling as a pre-pilates warmup.

I had taken to the Ladies Only area once again, and made the consistent observation of only one of two Stairmasters being functional. The other simply bore an error message and was left unreported by gym-goers that attempted usage. Compared to my previous 7 PM visit, the early evening hours also saw higher volumes of traffic, namely high schoolers or local university students.

​Rainy grey skies had cleared to yield azure and sunshine in a matter of twenty minutes. Pulling into the asphalt lot of The Pilates Body, I took a quick glance at the new signage before dashing inwards. But, of course, the class did not commence on time. Supposedly advertised as one-hour sessions, I've repeatedly noticed that class tends to start late and end early.

The format of the third session was essentially identical to last week, to the point where I questioned whether the instructor had referred to the wrong set of notes. "Setting up for footwork" automatically ascertained three red springs and the stopper in second of third position, depending on body length. However, most students merely slouched onto the Reformer Carriage upon entry, barely budging until the instructor declared any announcement.

The warm-up series was identical to the first and second sessions, engaging the thighs, ankles, and calves with extension/contraction followed by pulses. While the order of upper body and glute were switched, we executed the exact exercises as last time: upper and mid back extensions while lying face down on the Long Box, internal and external rotation with the elbows affixed to one's side, and upper rotation while facing perpendicular to the Carriage. There was, frankly, little to no progression in terms of complexity nor speed.

In-office days are known to interrupt my weekly happenings. A five-day period exempt of travelling into Toronto is truly a blessing, though the opportunity often emerges out of illness.

Later that evening, I would venture to the Oakville/Mississauga boundary. A five-week Beginner Reformer session awaited me at The Pilates Body.

The class spanned just seven participants, as it was limited to the number of Reformers available in the space. Upon arrival, we were instructed to remove our shoes by the entrance (maybe I ought bring slippers next time?) and complete double-sided intake forms. The first side asked of medical history and past injuries, while the back fitness goals and existing workout routines.

The group class space was fitted with seven Reformers with towers, a basket of props, and even Chairs along the edges of the wall. This was a surprising observation, for the standard group class was normally limited to Reformer use only, while semi-private and private classes explored an extensive collection of equipment. Beyond the group class space was a separate room containing the Cadillac and Barrel. An accessible bathroom and office space was also found in this room, along with a back entrance to the green space shared between all units of the building. Being relatively new, the studio was incredibly pristine and well kept. The walls and ceilings were a spotless white, while the back room still boasted a relatively new smell.

Once settled, our instructor commenced with a lengthy introduction on the Reformer itself. Different from Sum Pilates and Studio Bon, students were introduced to the varying stopper settings based on height and/or leg length. The second position was recommended for those between the heights of 5' 2" to 5' 7", unless one required more space due to leg length, in which case the stopper would be moved into the next (third) position. The Reformer used by The Pilates Body was different in that there were slope settings for the headrest, which could be adjusted for those requiring incline during core activation exercises. We also discussed spring tensions: 3 red (strongest), 1 blue (1/2 red), and 1 white (1/4 red). It was interesting to learn of these tensions and their possible combinations, for I had never been made known of their relative tensions previously.

We then transitioned quickly into breathing and pelvic movements. For the warm-up, the instructor started off quite high on the spring tension, instead of starting low to build up (or using the Cardio Tramp). A shocking three red springs were used for guiding the body back and forth, awakening the inner and outer thighs as well as the ankles. Frankly, this spring tension was very hard on my left knee, but surprisingly not too hard on ankles. I am undoubtedly more accustomed to commencing with a lower spring tension, then building up where possible; the approach would also be preferred for those with multiple injuries, such as myself. While lying down, we also executed several exercises in bridge, emphasizing articulation of the spine and activation of the hamstrings. We did not engage in side-lying exercises at all.

Turning to face the tower, both legs would be laid on top of the headrest and hands threaded through the straps. Starting off with a red spring for the upper body was, again, quite surprising. I adjusted accordingly using a combination of blue and white. In fact, the instructor, while making her rounds about the space, actually recommended modifying appropriately to fit one's abilities; she noted the most important aspects being breath and the movement itself, rather than heavy spring loading.

The instructor gave off the impression of a seasoned lecturer: while the imagery associated with pilates movements was still present, her aura was ultimately educational. Embedded within her were layers of knowledge and teaching experience, likely incapable to be captured within a single session.
Periodically throughout the class, I observed those around me: the other class attendees did not have a lean image - one appeared to lift weights, though many did not exhibit the fluidity displayed in regular practitioners of dance or yoga. Some students had enrolled in both Monday and Thursday sessions, which I presume to be for the sake of repetition and externally-applied discipline.

Prior to my arrival at the studio, I had already taken it upon myself to complete one Taylor Toned video, knowingly expecting the first class to reside on the more foundational side than effective exercise.

I zipped over to LA Fitness afterwards for a 12-2.5-25 workout, seeing as a friend had repeatedly informed of attempting the 12-3-30. The numbers translated into walking on a treadmill with a 12 degree incline, at a speed of 3 miles per hour (approx. 4.83 km/h), for 30 minutes. Twenty-five minutes at the near-full-speed was enough to boost my step count without resulting in perspiration.

"Don't you have a lot of yoga mats?"
"They're not here." I responded, matter-of-factly. "And I need one for class."
"You have a big one in Vancouver."
"I brought my orange one over."
"No, there's one more, probably tucked away somewhere."

After discovering the utter lack of mats at LA Fitness, I took matters into my own hands. Being utterly convinced that a budget mat with fast, free shipping would suffice for the grimy gym studio floors, I resorted to Amazon. And then, in the absence of a carrying strap, I DIYed my own variation with thin elastic cord.

​Composed of supposedly eco-friendly TPE material, the surface was smooth, unlike my bumpy Gaiam one (that I had left at the sleepy polar bear's) and proclaimed to be nonslip. The mat arrived within twenty-four hours, from which point ensued a thorough sanitization process: once with soapy water and another with tea tree oil and water. It was with relief that the mat did not emerge reeking of rubber or cheap plastic.

However, it was nevertheless, subpar for its price. After a short while in bird dog position, a dent formed where my knee was. It persisted for the duration of my workout, like cheap memory foam. The surface was decent and indeed nonslip, but gripped toes excessively during dynamic movements, causing my toe to bend underneath instead of assisting it along its path. The foamy texture further caused insulation of heat, rather than its dissipation. My POPFLEX version, albeit far pricier, was just so much better. (That said, both mats susceptible to streaking and surface discolouration, regardless of usage count.)

​Leading up to the sleepy polar bear's birthday, I have begun my preparations accordingly. Reservations have already been confirmed, up to three weeks in advance. A last-minute present also wound its way to me, for it is difficult to resist stationery necessities at clearance price points.

Meals of the week comprise of: Steamed Pork with Pickled Radish + Gai Lan/Kale, Tomato Minced Pork with Sweet Bell Peppers over Macaroni, and Myungdong Shabu Shabu takeout of Wang Mandu, Bibimbap, and Kimchi Jeon.

​The roster also includes Homemade 杏仁蜜棗茶 to the rescue for parchedness and perpetually sore throats.

As Monday loomed into view, the symptoms associated with stomach flu became undeniable. A queasy and pained stomach, bloating, chills, headache, lack of appetite, nausea, and irregular bowel movements all alluded to the condition. The exact cause was uncertain, though I looked towards the previous week's Toro Toro and immediately halted mindless consumption of rock-solid Haribo gummies.

​A soft snack was requested to fill my mid-day munching woes. It was met with a box of four black-sesame-filled mochi, sourced from the prepared food section rather than the import aisle on the account of being "preservative-free". At $1.62 apiece before tax though, my expectations were quite high.

The three-bite parcels were as light as feather, dusted ever so gently with a coating of subtly sweet rice flour. They emerged as distinctly Chinese-style creations, comprising of a rice flour-glutinous rice flour blend for both structure and elasticity. In contrast to Japanese mochi, this variation contained more filling (and a barely sweet one at that), were drier to the touch, and did not exhibit intensely chewy qualities.

​Meals of the week revolved about a scrumptious Salted Pork Congee (with ginger threads to combat nausea), blanched veggies, homemade Cha Siu, Steamed Pork and Tofu, and Stir Fried Daikon and Lap Cheong ​ - a diverse assortment of feel good fare.

Tylenol was ingested to ease headaches, while Sulley socks were donned for comfort and warmth. 

​As the final four of SK's delightful ginger molasses cookies were slid from freezer to toaster oven, I began to contemplate the next batch.

The recipe is straightforward, yet yields impressive results, regardless of the whether the ginger is caramelized. Utilizing a single egg yolk is but the only downside.

A minimum of two in-office days has been mandated by corporate, much to my disgruntled distaste.

Monday was supposedly quieter than most days, thus anticipated to provide a peaceful working environment for my 8-hour-plus day. The setup procedure was tedious in itself: from locating one's assigned seating in the space, discovering variances from the online seating chart versus the in-office edition, and finding your deskmate already seated to relocating to a different numbered table and wiping away seemingly weeks of dust and tackiness, it all seemed utterly unnecessary for the commencement of work.
​Beyond an additional thirty to forty minutes of commute time, unassigned seating and workstation preparations accounted for nearly thirty minutes more in delays. Let's also not forego monitor troubleshooting periods, which constituted fifteen minutes of unassisted issue resolution.

​To say that I was displeased would be an understatement, for I saw absolutely no value in entering the premises when neither time nor productivity was gained. Moreover, I was haggard, restless from inadequate sleep the night before.

​I took to M Cha Bar's recently opened Mississauga outpost afterwards in an attempt to appease the soul. Having been shuttered for Taste of Asia, cravings had been suppressed since the Friday past. At long last, I would seek out the coveted Roasted Oolong Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly, but not without some difficulty.

The stall was located near the entrance of Ocean's, positioned within a section that housed other prepared foods. Operating as a standalone establishment, I was grateful to find their acceptance of credit card. I opted out of making purchases from the supermarket itself, in fear that I would be rejected without debit or cash on hand.

The Roasted Oolong Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly was as delectable as I recalled, on par with the Vaughan original and unlike the sickening creaminess of the Scarborough spot. A Mango Pomelo - taro balls removed - was requested for the sleepy polar bear. Even at 50% sugar, the beverage was underwhelming - bland, even. Strawberry chunks at the base of the cup was a welcome twist, though the distinct lack of mango depth was incredibly disappointing.

​​I Love Pho was secured for supper en route home.

​The spread consisted of:

• #201 I Love Pho Special (Medium)
• #215 Lightly Fat Well-Done Beef & Tendon Brisket Pho (Medium)
• #501 Grilled Pork Chop with Steamed Broken Rice
• #701 Banh Xeo | Vietnamese Pancake with Pork, Shrimp, and Bean Sprouts

Prices have surged since our last visit, escalating up to 20% markup in comparison to their online menu.