Entry into the working world has solidified the importance of events that never truly garnered much interest in my teen and young adult years.
Politics matter, whether you believe true democracy will prevail or not. Familiarizing oneself with the various parties may be a hassle, but these respective platforms, supplemented by general public opinion, are deciding factors in the government's future investment(s) and job availability. Every instance of tax relinquishment reflects our investment back into the system, so thorough contemplation of these matters isn't entirely optional, as much as the act of voting is made out to seem.

​Spendings have been striking this quarter, spanning utility bills, vehicle maintenance, small appliance replacement, and special occasion dining ventures. Adding to the financial burden is a pending vacation (at long last!!) and GOT7's comeback. VICTON and ASTRO are also releasing EPs within this month, though their impact is negligible in comparison to OT7.
It is with much dismay to note that my quarterly review is delayed. The corporate class is frustrating, with an insatiable appetite for prosperity and ascent on the social ladder; what is more: these circumstances are consistent across majority of companies, with the same woes being expressed by those simply looking to survive, and maybe strive towards their career goals.

The week commences with Dalgona Lattes, one with espresso and one with a concentrated dose of genmaicha. Sickeningly sweet are the shards when incorporated in generous handfuls. In small doses though, they are quite enjoyable, contributing a caramely robustness to the iced beverages. ​Granola with vanilla Greek yogurt subs in for blue sky bran muffins on a few breakfasts.

​In the absence of a functioning microwave, creativity continues to be employed for the delivery of weekday meals in a timely manner. Sourced from the freezer are frozen vegetables and a mini pizza, which is elevated with additional cheese cubes and a few strips of Arirang takeout bossam.

Creations of the week included:

1) Marbled Banana Bread Feat. Mini Marbled Loaves

Congestion creeps up when you least expect it. Countless weeks have I traversed the same route on the 401 to Studio Bon without issues, yet the days that are not executed solo entail issues.

With a late departure and notification of all Express lanes closed for who-knows-what, a delay of ten minutes befell upon my drive. Distractions were plenty, but from the passenger seat as opposed to the vehicles surrounding me. Disturbing the driver with non-constructive opinions is ill-advised, yet it happens frequently to those unaware of the implications of their actions.

Facing perpendicular to the Bosu ball with one foot placed atop, we proceeded with twists of the upper body with arms in genie position ("shoulders down!" was reminded of all of us), side crunches, and, finally, the "speed training" lateral steps guaranteed to raise one's heart rate. Instead of aiming to cover greater distance, I tried to keep the body as still as possible, bouncing from one foot to another without extension of the legs or drastic shifting on the body. A safe landing on the other side of the Bosu was crucial, for any instability in the ankle could lead to injury by rolling. The move was executed slightly different by each class participant: my neighbour placed heavy emphasis on the bounce-off, while the other girl kept her body fairly upright.

​Lying on the Reformer, we took several deep breaths to calm the body. The legs were sent to the left and right to release any lower back tension. From that point, we would engage in a core routine with a partially deflated ball placed between the inner thighs. Squeezing against the ball at all times, we completed hundreds, toe dips to the "wood plate", leg extensions, and leg extensions with a crunch.

Continuing with more thigh work, both feet were threaded through the tension straps. Remaining in a lying position on the Carriage, the legs were lowered to the point where a neutral spine could be maintained. With the resistance of two red springs, this was quite the challenging starting position. The partially deflated ball was placed between the calves, slightly above the ankles this time. While squeezing against the ball, we would lower the legs with an imprint spine and lift back up to neutral. Scissors and Double Ds - in both directions! - were also executed while attempting to keep the Carriage as still as possible. Finishing this segment was the stretching of the inner thighs by extending the legs beyond the Reformer in a V-shape and pressing them down towards the Carriage.
Tension cable-bases exercises are particularly interesting in that they expose lack of mobility. Where flexibility is lacking, the range of motion becomes limited. Where strength is lacking, the cable quivers as the body moves. My left side, the infinitely weaker side of my body, struggles to resist the red springs, such that even maintaining the neutral starting position is a challenge.

​Flipping over to a high kneeling position on the Carriage, we gripped the loop of the tensions straps for upper back exercises. An additional white spring had been added to our usual blue, increasing the level of difficulty. I was reminded to keep the tailbone tucked on many occasions, for the imprint pelvis was apparently not pronounced enough. Grand efforts were made to keep the chin lifted and shoulders relaxed while isolating the back and triceps.
Rotating 180 degrees to face the footbar, arms were threaded through the hand straps and raised from hip height to slightly above the shoulders. We would then extend the palms outwards while inhaling, and contract the pectoral muscles while bringing the hands back to the raised position before bending the elbows and lowering to hip height once more.

​More lower body exercises would be executed while standing. The Reformer Box was obtained from the wall and placed in the Long Box Position on the floor next to the Reformer frame. One foot was placed in the centre of the Box, while the sole of the other was slid against the shoulder rest. The knee of the standing leg would be bent while the other foot pushed out against the Carriage. In the lunge position, the body was hinged forward slightly; the glute of the resting leg was to be squeezed to maintain squareness in the hips. Constant reminders were made towards all class participants, for failure to isolate the correct muscle rendered the exercise significantly less effective.

Wrapping up the class were several stretches, ranging from a tension-affixed child's pose on the Reformer, a standing rolldown, and shoulder rolls - three in each direction.

​My path reconvened with the girl whom I had unintentionally matched leggings with several weeks prior. It was learned that our paths would cross again in the future, though regrettably not within the same class slot.

Lunch was slated for 1 PM at Terroni Price, prompting a speedy change of clothes and rushed brushing of compressed strands.

A popular pick for Hallmark holidays, the table had been secured weeks in advance via OpenTable. Across Price Street was the familiar asphalt lot we had encountered during the last visit. The minor road was still uneven with more rutting and utility cut patches to count, while construction was still ongoing just east of the restaurant. Beyond these elements, the neighbourhood was quite serene, as expected of the affluent Rosedale-Summerhill district.

We had requested the patio, and were gestured towards two flights of stairs to the rooftop. There, another hostess table was positioned. One of the members of staff, dressed peculiarly in a Sherpa-lined jacket and runners, greeted us lethargically before impatiently revealing our seating options for the meal. The tables in direct sunlight were dismissed in favour of a round table with high stools by the bar.

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Tension in the neck, shoulder, back, and wrist are not atypical in office workers. Grueling durations before a screen, intense typing, and extensive mousework are the common culprits of biomechanical discomfort, becoming more prevalent in the new-age work-from-home model.

Occupations offering insurance coverage for paramedical services serve to alleviate a small portion of these damages, though fail to rectify the issue at the source. Training modules surrounding musculoskeletal wellbeing and proper ergonomics is great was awareness, but useless if never utilized in practice. The corporate world exhibits favouritism towards their resources, placing highest priority on the inanimate - funding, growth, and profit - consequently cutting investment in human resources and preventing an environment for progression.

A long-awaited massage appointment assisted in reducing pains temporarily. Leaving a stronger impression were the horrendous stench of the oil used at the facility and discussions ranging from the annual salmon run along the Credit River to abhorrence against "urbanization" of the GTA.
Strong opposition was heard in response to the development of Mississauga, for the addition of high-rise residential buildings and late-night establishments had supposedly stripped the city of its suburban nature, rendering it closer to the likes of downtown Toronto than its original identity. While never one to disapprove with positive change and infrastructure improvements, I listened intently to these concerns. The Hurontario LRT was noted to be disruptive - an aspect I cannot deny as both a driver and pedestrian, yet even more so by residents along the corridor.

"Why wasn't it put along Dixie?"
I withheld my irked reaction to this question, further stifling the obvious answer of "To promote foot traffic along the Hurontario corridor to business development and connect to both Miway and GO Transit services". Being primarily industrial, Dixie needs not transit, but a wider path for transport trucks and industrial teams.

​The proposal for a lofty condominium with an 8-level underground parking area adjacent to an older affordable apartment complex was met with much criticism. I visualized the impacts of utility relocation and pile driving for such an extravagant concept. With the work area being limited to start, the addition of stakeholder complaints and challenging ground conditions would only further the headache of the developer.

Later that evening, the sleepy polar bear brought over our - yes, our - newly acquired Codenames set. Neither of us succeeded in upholding a poker face; instead, I utilized the opportunity for advancing understanding. Parallels could be drawn from the game in the terms of planning and production: dropping keyword hints and analyzing responses was much like the act of seeking feedback from the general public during PICs. The tiny cards are great vocabulary builders (associators?), yet, at a deeper level, prompt us to target society's issues more comprehensively from an infrastructure and development perspective.

Breakfasts comprised of blue sky bran muffins and ginger-laced Banana Bread - on demand from the freezer and toasted to perfection. An inkling of interest re-emerged towards the forgotten Green Tea Hoddeok pre-mix, but was ultimately not pursued.

​The midweek acquisition of fresh mint paved the path towards mocktails: mojitos with Ribena, lemon juice, and Perrier.

​With the unexpected failure of our ten-year-plus microwave, reheating of sustenance was conducting via steaming. The old-fashioned method was organic, yet far slower than my schedule is accustomed. From assembly to ingestion, the entire process spanned up to thirty minutes, excluding cleaning time for the steamer itself. Never had I previously considered the microwave to be a privilege, when, in reality, it was. Heat distribution within a matter of minutes had been a blessing. Only now have I realized its pivotal post in my daily routine.

My COBS Bread half-birthday reward was finally claimed: the recently launched Strawberry Passion Fruit Scone was rigid and dense, very sweet overall but decent for satisfying the munchies. White chocolate-like bits were found within the scone itself,while a uniform glaze on the surface revealed tartness.

Creations of the week included:

1) ​Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies

Perusal of the SK feed and recollection of my leftover Christmas Krispies spurred this creation. With just under one third of the tri-colour cereal remaining and more than enough mini marshmallows reserved for post-hot chocolate season, this decadent dessert came together in about the same amount of time as the standard kid-friendly batch. Salted browned butter heightened its complexity, while the substantial portion of marshmallows kept it plush with signature stringy strands. Flakey salt in the form of smoked Maldon topped off the treat.

​As with the most stubborn of adrenaline junkies, I find myself constantly testing the physical limitations of time in order to achieve more. For workplace duties, I am often provided more tasks than physically capable (and reasonably reimbursed for), thus strive to automate processes in order to earn back some breathing space. The plan backfires again and again, for upper management cares not of the wellbeing of their junior employees, but the milestones attained at a corporate level. Greed and pride are the dark drivers of ambition, leading countless to exploit both living and inanimate resources to rise along the social and economic ladder.
​
There is little to be negotiated in the corporate environment, for endurance is a matter of survival of the fittest, supplemented by underhanded compliments to establish shallow working relationships. In what remains of my personal time, I make steadfast attempts to portion it out with the aim of achieving the most. The habit, while rational in its conception, is dangerous over extended periods of time. It involves pushing oneself to the brink of death, and quite possibly into a somber territory of lifelessness before retreating a few steps, then doing it all over again. Burnout lies at the end of this all-too-familiar path to exhaustion. Yet, despite knowing the consequences, I unconsciously default to it anyway. And now, my calendar is filled till mid-summer.

​Having earned a throbbing headache and burning eyeballs at the end of each work day, I began to push away those seeking sympathy. It was never my strong suit to start, but a further reduction in sanity hours only worsened my reactions.
Schedule regulation was an act I had kept at the back of my mind, occasionally dabbling in it as needed. My routine had stayed relatively consistent over the past few years, especially given the dreadful, health-wrecking work-from-home situation, but the introduction of new priorities (needs?) demand a change. Frequently do I preach the importance of taking matters into one's own hands to yield the preferred result; I shall not be the hypocrite this time, nor any other time.

The week starts with unofficial meetings: Teams call after Teams call to address various issues. A mid-day boost is crafted from Paragon's Oolong tea powder and a few drops of ube extract mixed with sweetened condensed milk. The result was a two-toned Oolong Ube Latte with stronger notes of smokiness than sweet purple yam.

​Meals of the week comprise of takeout from Magic BBQ, Pork with Onions in Tomato Sauce over Rice, Baked Salmon and Choy Sum, and mini frozen pizzas for convenience.

​Constructed in the latter half of the week was a Coffee Castella with Chantilly Cream.

​Desires for a fluffy cake matched with airy whipped cream sent me in the direction of Sunday Baking's Taiwanese Castella recipe. Its texture was advertised similar to sponge, though the procedure was more forgiving. The low-and-slow baking process entailed minimal effort from my part and, furthermore, enabled dashes to the computer and unexpected requests. Swapping oil for melted butter and incorporating several tablespoons of Nescafe Gold into the batter at the egg yolk stage, the cake resulted a little denser than I would have liked. Nonetheless, it was delicious. Although a bit firm at first touch, the texture had not been comprised: air pockets were largely uniform in size and the cake emitted a light bounce when subject to pressure.

​Sustaining a position on my bucket list for at least half a year now, Treetop Trekking was finally attempted in the first month of their seasonal reopening. The activity is offered at a handful of locations throughout the GTA, yet it was the exclusivity of the Blue Heron Zipline that steered me in the direction of Brampton.

Availability of interested acquaintances was canvassed around late March/early April. It was also amidst this research process that I learned of a 20% discount for all bookings made in the month of April. Keen to take advantage of this promotion, I proposed the 30th - the last possible day for the offer to apply, as well my only free Saturday at the time of planning.
We secured the 2 PM slot, surrendered the atrocious admission fee, then completed the e-waiver shortly afterwards. Aerial Game Treks were priced at $64 per adult; even with the discount applied, the cost per person totalled a whopping $51.20 plus tax. 

​My partner-in-crime for the day was well versed in climbing, specifically bouldering, and was not only willing to invest funding into this activity, but also energy for chauffeur services. It was greatly appreciated, especially in consideration of the dreadfully exhausting weeks I had experienced leading up to the day.

I first requested a stopover at The Beer Store. The request stemmed from a sudden urgent need to clear out deposit recovery cans. Waterloo Brewing's new Field Berry Radler was acquired during this visit.
We forgoed the grand opening queue at The Alley and headed straight to Brampton instead.

​At the nearest McDonald's, a Big Mac Extra Value Meal and Bacon and Grilled Chicken McWrap filled our stomachs, preparing us for the surprisingly strenuous schedule ahead.

Heart Lake Conservation Area adopted a similar layout (and signage!) to Albion Hills, being a TRCA park. Admission fees were waived for those with Treetop Trekking confirmation emails, though other entrants were subject to day use rates of $7.75 plus tax. Entering the park without any further instructions from the admission fee collectors, we found our way to the Treetop Trekking station via guiding arrows.

I switched into hiking shoes and coated myself in a thorough layer of insect repellant before proceeding.

​A sheltered check-in desk and logo-donning trailer office welcomed us. Yellow wristbands were provided following check-in; washroom usage was advised prior to gathering at the equipment station. I had anxiously reminded myself to limit water intake in fear of a lack of indoor plumbing. Thankfully, the brick building by the entrance indicated otherwise.

​Helmets and harnesses would be provided to each of the registrants for the 2 PM slot. Bulky bags were advised to be left behind, though waist packs and small backpacks were not uncommon amongst the group. A hoodie I had initially borrowed in fear of chilly conditions was left at the front desk, for gentle infiltration of UV rays foreshadowed overheating.

​I've foregoed brunch for quite a while now. The day-to-day working routine favours quick, caffeinated breakfasts to fuel productivity. It then usually transitions into a late lunch, a later afternoon snack, and even later exercise periods and dinners. Weekends differ not too vastly, for the body has grown accustomed to waking within a range.
"Leisurely" is a manner by which I am unable to progress through my daily duties, for it is a constant race against time. With every patched hole, at least two new holes surface in the canoe of life. Resilience is gradually receding.

​A devastatingly demanding week sent me into a slump. I wished for rest, yet a slew of tasks awaited my consideration and organization. The sleepy polar bear offered to undertake an active approach on planning, allowing me to reserve energy for tackle my endless to-do list. I was both anxious and curious for the outcome, but accepted after evaluating levels of physical and mental fatigue - and even refrained from posing questions.

​​Around 12:45 PM, we arrived at Pür & Simple in Heartland. The brunch spot had surfaced on my feed countless times over the past several weeks, leading to familiarity with the name, though I hadn't investigated any further. Its location was interesting, nestled in the same plaza as Best Buy, Five Guys, and The Halal Guys; it satisfied a niche customer base unsatiated by the existing roster of businesses.

Frankly, I was beyond surprised - pleasantly taken back, even. A social media favourite - free from greasy fumes! - was the last thing I expected.

​​The dining quarters were rather tiny, with tables placed relatively close to one another and incredible noise levels. We strolled in to a packed scene and were informed of an approximate forty-five minute wait. The hostess relayed the possibility of reservation cancellations, as "it always happens", with the next booking in ten minutes. I inquired further about a two-seater by the door and the probability of that table being available within a range of ten to forty-five minutes. She contemplated the question for a brief moment, then granted us the table without hesitation, as the pre-booked were "likely to cancel anyway".
We excitedly slid into the compact table, thankful towards her decision. Its positioning by the entrance wasn't ideal given the occasional gusts from the door opening, but it wasn't a big deal either as temperatures weren't that cold. Moreover, there was no wait time!

Double-sided printed menus were placed before us, joining the monogrammed syrup bottle. Pür & Simple's menu was exceptionally diverse: my eyes glazed over a plethora of sweet and savoury brunch options, ranging from classics like Eggs Benedict and Breakfast Burritos to modern picks of Crepes and amped-up French Toast.

We took to sharing one sweet item and one savoury item, much as how a fellow July baby does.
​No-Gria, the virgin rendition of a sangria, was requested to pair alongside our selection. Sprite/7-Up was substituted with carbonated water, keeping the drink refreshing without being too sweet. Fresh berries was a splendid addition for infusion. The paper straw disintegrated and unraveled over time, prompting a request for a new one about three-quarters through our stay.

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Sharing plates were requested of our waitress, who was unmasked while serving, unlike the hostesses. An overhead conversation with our neighbours informed of her previous post at Cora's, as well as her grateful attitude towards Pür & Simple's lack of oil stench - music to my ears, honestly. The same waitress was also observed responsible for majority of the tables on one side of the bustling restaurant. Her attitude remained amicably, amazingly, and did not evoke expressions of exasperation or fatigue. In general, all members of the customer-facing staff were friendly and responsive.

​The Mexican Skillet and French Toast Crisp arrived shortly, quickly occupying whatever table space we had left. Napkins, water cups, and maple syrup were shuffled about to accomodate the platter, ketchup, and tobasco.

Forks flew towards the Mexicana Skillet. Arranged within the not-so-scorching iron plate, we found well-balanced flavours: a subtle crunch from taters, the soft profile of black beans, butteriness from ripe avocado slices, satisfying strings of melted cheese, tartness from tomatoes, and the sturdy yet runny cross-section of easy-over eggs. A spoon was later requested to portion out the dish. Complaints of insufficient cheesiness were heard from across the table, though I personally found the assortment perfect and well-rounded. I was particularly appreciative of the mildness of the skillet, for even the salsa-like component was mild and free from the typical pungency of Mexican-themed fare.

Happy Earth Day!

The adventure had been impromptu, irrelevant of the annual celebration of our planet but full embodying its spirit nonetheless.

​For the second consecutive week, I drew closure on yet another devastating five-day workload. The mind needed clearing, with no more further exposure to the dreaded screen and all its eyeball-blazing, neck-tensing, wrist nerve-damaging effects.

​My thighs were still a tad fatigued to embark on another cycling trip, but I was keen to undertake a solo walk, preferably one in close proximity to home. Meadowvale Conservation Area was about fifteen minutes of local roads and blue skies away. The area was actually quite familiar to me, but not from the perspective of a driver. Long before license acquisition, I was, too, a receiver of rides, seeking familiarization via landmarks and repetitive visits.

Google Maps led me to a homey neighbourhood with narrow roads - two lanes, one in each direction. I then diverted north, arriving at the rather desolate-looking site. But the address was correct, for one of the City's new, plasticky signs had been installed.

​A few cars had already parked in the unpaved gravel lot. I joined them, then switched into hiking shoes for improved ankle stability. The trail head was extremely muddy, though I plodded through without fear, equipped with dirty-able boots and nylon pants. To the north was Davidson Trail, and the south Culham Trail; both signs were faded, revealing signs of extreme weathering, yet maintaining their objective of navigation all the same.

Davidson Trail led upwards along the Credit River, under the Derry Road overpass, and out towards a clearing for a closer view of the water. Following the path, I would traverse along the man-made lake known as Meadowvale Ponds.

View the full album HERE !

​The scenic view would end at a dilapidated trail, which was paved for a portion of the way before disassembling into shambles of asphalt. I continued uphill, ignoring the accessibility restrictions, until the path ended abruptly, failing to assume the form of a trail at all.

Within the span of one hour, my Monday evolved from a leisurely acquaintance of design documents and tutorial files to a rapid review of background information, including an eight-page SOP, and the second speediest production of a draft I've ever completed. (The first was a Project-Specific Health and Safety Plan spanning eleven documents finished at 11 PM on the date of assignment.)

Having received exclusive training in capital projects, many of my proposals and/or solutions are formulated to function regardless of scale. Automation and efficiency are prized elements in the realm of project management, though it hadn't occurred to me that this value would vary amongst smaller projects.
The teams - or team, rather - was compact, as was the project budget. The pace was noticeably slower, from the meetings to the processing speed to the comprehensive of data familiarization. That said, there lies opportunity in tasks of all categories and calibers. A condensed crew meant more frequent communication, along with room for error and experimentation. The comparatively more forgiving nature corresponded with reduced stress levels, for while deliverables would be as per the contract, there was greater tolerance for slowness, stupidity, and slipups.

​The days were filled with Oolong and Earl Grey Lattes with homemade ginger syrup retained from the prior week's frozen glutinous rice balls from T&T. ​Only minor differences were perceived between the two stone-milled tea powders: the Earl Grey was a bit more savoury, and the Oolong smokier in profile.

​Soft-boiled eggs and Pecan White Chocolate Chip Cookies were also prepared for easy consumption.

​Glorious, double-digit weather nudged retrieval of the bike once more. Feeling intrepid, I embarked on a longer journey than usual, opting to wind through a portion of the Sawmill Creek trail section before taking an unexpected detour onto Belvedere Crescent. The path joined the Burnhamthorpe MUP, leading over the Credit River for, arguably, the best view in the city.

​Travelling southbound on Culham Trail, I dodged many a fishing rod and persevered over the craggy aggregate used to salvage the trail from washouts. Eventually, I made it to a calm clearing comprising primarily of dirt trails with the occasional puddle.

​Erindale Park came into view, and, with it, a number of pedestrians and dogwalkers. Speed was reduced to accommodate more trail users. Not sure where to head next, I pulled aside to review my options: to loop back into the park towards UTM or continue eastwards to Confederation Parkway, where an on-road bike lane was confirmed exist. With nearly an hour until sundown, I bit the bullet and began dragging my quivering thighs up Dundas Street.

Baking endeavours serve as the ideal amalgamation of innovation, precision, and fridge purgation.

More often than not, I construct my next creation based on available inventory and its best-before declaration. The objective is rarely altered, though additional constituents may be incorporated to facilitate consumption of weary ingredients.

​Of course, the amount of liberation varies from project to project. Similarly, some creations may come to be without utilizing items of prior preparation.

​In the weeks leading up to the sleepy polar bear's annual celebration of birth, I embarked on a journey to determine flavours and textures of interest. Earning the highest praise was the Layered Chocolate Cake for its chocolatey-ness, followed closely by my impromptu Tiramisu Cake for its airy sponge. A Mango Yogurt Mousse composed of homemade Mango Jam and yogurt-enhanced mousse was also sent in for feedback, though the response was far more subdued than expected, alluding to the preference for creamy cakes rather than fruity.

The sweet-salty profile of pistachios had been made known to me during a visit to Nani's Gelato. In an attempt to emulate the essence, I hunted down a source of pistachios, grew appalled at the price per unit, and shifted my focus to pecans instead. Toasting the a small tray's worth then passing it through a food processor yielded pecan butter - an obscene amount, might I add. This intermediate product was then folded into sweetened whipped cream, along with a minute amount of gelatin, to form a pecan mousse.

​Two sheets cakes were also constructed: a plain (vanilla) sponge and chocolate slab, both from Sunday Baking's roster of recipes. The vanilla sponge was a safe bet, given its positive response in the Tiramisu Cake. The denser, moister chocolate cake was not quite as durable, and crumbled nearly immediately even after cooling. Taste-wise, it was not too distant from a brownie, yet malleable was lacking for use in a tiered cake. A part of me wondered whether it had mattered that cocoa powder and the melted chocolate-butter mixture had been incorporated at the same time, rather than fat first and flour later. Constructing the vanilla sponge in a similarly rushed format, 10 g of excess honey were added into the yolks. The cake emerged sweeter than desired when sampled by itself, yet acceptable once incorporated as part of a whole.

​Feelings of frigidity ought to have forecasted its arrival: flurries flitted into view on Sunday morning, supposed having commenced the evening prior. Few specks remained on the ground though, for external temperatures promoted a dissolution rate proportional to their descent.

​​Dreariness and dull grey over my head, I readied myself for pilates, shimmying into the hoodie of the sleepy polar bear I had hurriedly demanded to combat the chilly return ride of the evening prior. Much to my excitement, the warmup series would incorporate the Bosu ball once again: 40 counts of walking, then 20 counts of running with an immediate swap to the other starting leg. Side leg lifts, oblique crunches, and genie twists for the transverse abs sealed off the Bosu section.

With the footbar in the lowest position, gear bar in the second position, and stopped in the third, we proceeded onto core work. A foam roller was placed underneath the hips, laid horizontally to intersect the Carriage at 90 degrees. The addition would summon an imprint pelvis as to prevent shifting of the foam roller. Prepwork involved lifting one leg to tabletop position, then drawing circles with the knee. These circles were executed in a counter-clockwise direction for 15 counts, then clockwise for 20 counts. Clicking could be audibly heard in the right hip, prompting instructions to reduce the range of motion (lessen the circle diameter). From there, the following ensued:

• Single leg toe touches from the tabletop position
• Double leg toe touches from tabletop position (required checking of foam roller position)
• Double leg lifts - as far as could be maintained but not all the way (blogilates-style) since form was not to be compromised

​Shifting the foam against the shoulder rest, side-lying thigh exercises were conducted. Threading the top foot through the hand straps, the leg was lifted to hip height while maintaining knees bent at 90 degrees for both legs. Maintaining a neutral pelvis, we would:

• Extend the top leg in "one long line", then return to the starting position
• Keeping the top leg extended, bring the leg in front of the body while maintaining the neutral pelvis, then return to the lifted "one long line" position
• With the upper foot in a turnout position, raise the leg up towards the ceiling, then bring it back down to the body (adduction) for engagement of the inner thighs

These were, quite literally, a pain in the butt. The instructor had used one blue spring for the right hip and increased the tension with one more white spring for the left side to rectify muscle imbalance, but its impacts weren't as drastic as I had expected. Rather, it was more challenging with the right leg lifting and left hip planted on the Carriage, as hip stability played a vital role in maintaining stillness of the pelvis.

Modifying the routine to engage the upper body, the top hand was threaded through the tension strap. The starting position involved the upper arm extended at shoulder height, perpendicular to the body. Exhaling, the strap would be pulled towards the hip (adduction), then back to shoulder height. Notable shakiness was witnessed in the dominant right arm, even more so than the left. Weakness in the right wrist and shoulder were not unexpected due to my recent lack of diligence in stretching and resistance band usage, though I did find it peculiar that the left side showed greater stability. Tenderness in the triceps, chest, and shoulder was then felt for the subsequent four days.

Utilizing the Reformer Box in the Long box position facing the footbar, we continued with exercises  for upper body mobility: lateral shoulder raises with the palms facing upward and chest pullbacks ("gathering of the wings"!).

With the Reformer Box in the Short Box position angled over foot bar, such that the long edge was elevated slightly, and feet placed atop shoulder rests, bridges were conducted at low spring levels. The exercise was a true testament of body control. We would then push out the Carriage while in bridge position and retract, isolating the hamstrings while engaging the largest glute muscles.

Side stretches in mermaid position were then executed on both sides, facing perpendicular from the Carriage, followed by a standing hamstring stretch (pedalling the feet) and slow-and-steady rolldown to finish.

En route back to the west side of the GTA, I opted to detour for a sweet, icy beverage. Palgong's Mint Chocolate Smoothie was too far, Gong Cha's lack of parking proved annoying, and CoCo wasn't particularly on the way. Stifling these desires, I eventually found myself at Esso, then laid eyes on Circle K.

I was reminded of a modification made aware to the sleepy polar on a site visit: an Iced Capp with Chocolate Milk. Resist did I not, but enjoy did I neither. The purchase was swiftly made, granting a sip of insane sugariness amidst barely perceivable notes of coffee. I lifted the paper straw just enough to catch the topmost section of the drink, allowing the stickiest, densest parts to fall to the bottom. Eventually, I could withstand the sweetness-induced headaches no longer, forfeiting the monstrosity to the instigator.

Scrambling to render myself somewhat presentable, I donned a fuzzy sweater, some glitter, and sports leggings in preparation for a brief meeting with one of the July babies.