The day commenced with a bloodwork appointment, followed by a Timmies run. My browsing partner was enlisted as the day's chauffeur, giving rise to unexpected escapes from the parking lot (which meant I had to wait in place) and irritable behaviour when rushed. While the sequence of planned activities flowed flawlessly in my mind, it inadvertently gave rise to a constant sense of urgency - an element that I neither mind nor dislike.

​Within the first half of the approximate hour-long drive to Markham, a BLT Artisan Sandwich and Peach Lemonade Quencher was enjoyed from the passenger seat.

The motivation behind the mid-week day off was an appointment at The Grand Medical Aesthetic Clinic. Booked approximately one month ago, the session would mark the first of a series of pricey laser treatments.
I had assumed the aesthetic clinic to be located within New Kennedy Square, but was proven wrong when Google Maps uttered its despicable wrong turn notification sound. After looping around the block, it was learned that GMA Clinic was located off a dead-end side street at the rear of New Kennedy and accessible only via Hwy 7 eastbound.

GMA Clinic occupied the unit closest to the entrance of the commercial plaza. Upon entering, I was warmly welcomed into the space and greeted by the lady who had conducted my virtual consultation. Before commencing treatment, I was required to complete a series of forms corresponding to each treatment. Washrooms were also utilized during this time; much to my horror, the unisex facilities (Yes, there were male clients as well.) were not maintained well despite the prices of their services. A spider was spotted crawling along the edge of the cabinets, there were water stains and dust in the corner, the toilet seat was spotty, and rustiness was forming along the caulking of the tiles.

My technician introduced herself before guiding me towards the treatment room. Unknown to me at the time of appointment booking, the numbing cream required 20-30 minutes to take effect. The lower limit of 20 minutes was to ensure coverage for the first treatment of Yellowbeam, however the technician adhered to the upper limit of 30 minutes as to enable continued numbing effects for both Yellowbeam and Picosure treatments. The mandatory downtime extended the total appointment time to well beyond the reserved hour. This process was unexpected, for Ocean Clinic in Gangnam moved extremely quickly with seemingly no downtime whatsoever. While the Korean numbing cream was likely more potent, the rushed procedure had likely attributed to a comparatively painful turnout. Application of GMA's version resulted in a tingling sensation followed by numbing. My upper lip persisted a bid uncomfortable, akin to when anesthesia had been injected for removal of wisdom teeth.

A playlist titled "Pop Sings" played throughout the treatment. It comprised of well-known tunes that were, interestingly, not performed by the original artist. Navigating between the Yellowbeam and Picosure lasers was a swift process. Yellowbeam was largely painless, but concentrated flashes of Picosure could be felt even with the numbing cream. For the full face Picosure segment, the technician handed me a tube to adjust the direction of cool air being blown towards my face during treatment.

The session concluded with a soothing sheet mask and thorough application of moisturizer and sunscreen. Within the first few minutes afterwards, my skin flared up in red patches. I requested a mask from the front desk before departing, as I wasn't particularly keen on debuting such a wild appearance in public. ​For future visits, I ought arrive with a mask, visor, headband, and wide-necked top in tow.

My browsing partner came to pick me up after provision of a ten minute notice. We headed to Markville, with me dodging any and all sun exposure with an umbrella positioned closely to my face. Within an hour, my skin calmed down significantly. My freckles became darker and my cheeks ached, but the experience didn't come even remotely close to the excruciating nature of mole removal at Ocean Clinic.

​I've learned a lot from my current role, whether it be outsourcing data or making connections to compensate for limited resources. Perhaps the biggest revelation though, was discovering the impacts of insecurity. When someone is insecure, they unleash an uncanny ability to twist reality into a scene that aligns with their inner monologue. When someone is insecure, they gatekeep information instead of sharing it for the benefit of others' work. When someone is insecure, they'll project their tendencies instead of identifying commendable differences and striving to become better people, together.

​Human psychology is a profound subject that I don't believe I shall ever fully grasp. Despite being able to quickly identify those with which I will never connect on a personal level, changing their narrative is another story altogether. Although optimistic by nature, the job switch has confirmed to me that: people, at their core, do not change.

With time, members of the office have come to accept me as I am. My presence is acknowledged and my work quality is recognized; conversations flow with ease. I appreciate the difference in attitude tremendously, for there were tragic reservations eleven months ago.

My lunch walks are brief, and often short-lived due to presence of back-to-back meetings.

​Leading up to St. Patty's day, Uncle Tetsu released a vibrant green Pandan Coconut Cheese Tart and Cheesecake duo. The former was exceptionally interesting, evoking the creaminess of their original Cheese Tart with the exotic essence of pandan and delightful aromas of toasted coconut. Decidedly unique, the pairing was definitely worthy of a try!

I also obtained a Matcha Cheese Tart, which continued to boast a gooey interior and crunchy, gratifying shell into the evening hours.

​I returned to the office the next day. March Break had enabled smooth, school bus-free commutes, much to my pleasure. The Rec Room had also adjusted their hours to account for increased visitor volumes.

Inspired by Seo In Guk, who I've truly been smitten with since watching Boyfriend on Demand, I attempted a Whiskey on the Rocks.

The first sip was ever so potent, immediately instilling a burning sensation followed by warmth in the chest. These effects subsided as the liquor was diluted with ice, rendering it surprisingly palatable. The formula was best enjoyed across small, dainty sips, for consuming quickly could lead to heartburn and discomfort.

I expressed my "fear" of adding more artists to my radar, for time is finite and the amount of content to cover is impossibly vast. The coworker that had first led me to investigate his discography responded to my declaration with surprise. Liking different artists "adds to diversity of life". Her quote stuck with me: she was right!

For my third consecutive in-office day, I attempted an outdoor stroll instead. It was atypically frigid for March, with gusts so brutal that my skin became numb and dry within the first twenty minutes of walking.

Around the City Centre area, I discovered:

• A new opening by the name of Ji Gong Fu, which advertised Chinese-style rice bowls in stone pots as opposed to Monga's giant fried chicken cutlets
• The rising cost of plushies, juxtaposed by the downward trend in material quality
• Availability of The Decadent's Chocolate Chip Cookie mix - Will I finally be able to create it??
• CoCo's M City location being the most annoying outpost with a 1 PM opening time, infinitely inexperienced (and often lazy) staff, and lack of familiarity with the VIP system

As any local knows, spring in Canada isn't a guaranteed. Snow is possible any time between November to April, and the transition from winter to summer could last any duration from two weeks to two months. Just as I was ready to transition away from my down coat came flurries and ruthless winds.

​The first weekend of March Break coincided with a handful of local events. One was the Grand Opening weekend of Cong Caphe's Mississauga foray. Having likely seen success from their pop-up in The Food District, the business took to one of the at-grade retail spots just north of Hurontario and Eglinton. Situated at the base of a high-rise residential complex, I wasn't surprised to arrive to find an absence of on-site parking within the proximity.

​Of course, the impact of inadequate parking had been intensified with both Cong Caphe and Ramen Isshin's grand opening promotions taking place over the exact same timespan. Against my better judgement, I pulled up to the front doors of the establishments a few minutes after noon. By this point, the queues were extravagant and vehicles were stationed along the perimeter of the condo buildings.

​Navigating towards the concrete walkways was quite challenging, for strict completion of base asphalt rendered a height difference between the road grade and gutter. Melted snow pooled here, turning to ice as temperatures stooped into the grim, evening hours.

Ramen Isshin's opening promotions included $1 ramen for the first 50 customers, followed by 50% off for the remainder of the day. Needless to say, we did not succeed in making the first batch of entrants. Evaluating the length of the line though, we likely weren't going to make the first 100 either. Cong Caphe's neighbouring lineup was equally tragic. Instead of being perched outside for an undetermined period of time, I decided to return to the comfort of the car and head elsewhere. $10 off ramen simply wasn't worth it.

While meandering back to the 403 on ramp, I recalled it was the 14th of March - otherwise known as "Pi Day". A quick web search identified the pizza spots taking part in the national food holiday. Blondie's at Robert Speck offered a paltry discount of $3.14 with a minimum purchase of twenty-five dollars. Meanwhile, Pizza Nova was offering $3.14 slices and Pi Co. $3.14 Margherita Pi.
The latter was the most intriguing deal by far, so I swooped into the covered garage across from Walmart and made my way towards the food court.

Another line awaited us. Despite its length, traffic appeared to move quickly. I decided to join the line, stepping away every once in a while for sanity's sake.

Queuing indoors enabled a temperate environment, as well as one equipped with indoor plumbing facilities, however unclean they may emerge.

Being poised stationary made me antsy, thus frequent trips were made towards other sections in the mall in the meantime. From To Go Coffee, a Flow Pod Lemon Tea was obtained. While my heart yearned from the Orange Lemon Tea, its base of green tea directed me towards an alternative. The Flow Pod Lemon Tea was the only tea concoction in which black tea could be substituted.

​Mr. Surprise Toys had also opened its doors in advance of its Grand Opening weekend.

​The Pi Co. lineup was far longer than expected. Approximately forty minutes would pass before we neared the counter.

​In order to facilitate orders, the establishment was limiting all sales to the Margherita Pi between 12:00 - 3:14 PM. Customizable pies, salads, and wings would resume sale following the Pi Day promotion period.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Part 1 HERE !

​We found clooodles then browsed the Eaton Centre for a while longer, patiently awaiting the arrival of a Lion Dance outside Simons. When neither drums nor lions were observed even thirty minutes past the specified start time, I made the decisive choice to head towards ROM before losing more time.

​Line 1 whisked us towards Museum station in fifteen minutes. Consequently, we stepped foot into the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit by 3:10 PM.

​I was initially perplexed to see that the exhibit had been relocated to the fourth floor from the third. Navigating the corridors in high traffic was arguably easier, though the space did not allow for maximization of the photos on display. Furthermore, the dim environment and lightbox-backed descriptions accompanying each image rendered the text impossibly hard to read.

Albeit the grander display, I found the exhibit less enthralling than past years given the reduction in photo count and higher number of visiting bodies.

​The Crawford Lake exhibit was another POI of mine. While my browsing partner had warned me of its minor scale beforehand, my excitement had not waned.

Its location within the European Rotating Exhibitions space was peculiar and unfitting, for I had believed nature-related installations to best suit the second floor. Spanning no more than one room, the content was indeed found to be forgettable and remarkably commonplace. Stepping foot into the exhibit was less informative than undertaking a hike within the GTA.

We both expressed interest in the upcoming Shokkan exhibit, currently scheduled for opening on April 4, 2026 as per the Royal Ontario Museum's website.

Before departing, I conducted a swift tour about the first floor First Peoples Art & Culture exhibit.

​Our ROM stopover concluded sooner than expected, which paved the way for further exploration west of the downtown core. I led the way to photoism first. Then we retraced our steps towards U of T grounds.

The journey by foot led to a number of personal recollections, none of which were collectively shared. While my browsing partner reminisced about convocation days and boarding the inter-campus shuttle, I recalled sweltering cycling trips and perusal of eateries in the vicinity.

​In due time, we arrived at ChaTruMue. Considering that Thai cuisine has the potential to pose health risks, a dedicated Thai Tea establishment was deemed the safest method of enjoying Thai Tea together.

The Toronto flagship incorporated two ordering kiosks, separated seating areas, and wall-side merchandise display in a narrow space. Mirrors were used to give the illusion of spaciousness.

Itinerary-making is an aptitude I hadn't considered grand or commendable. 

How hard is it to do logistics? One decides on the points of interest, maps them out, and determines the viability of the route based on constraints. Amusingly, discussions with others in my surroundings concluded that it was a mightier effort than most preferred to engage.

A downtown day had been hinted when cloooodles noted her next live drawing event to be at "the end of the month downtown". I was eager to align this day with my browsing partner's return, promptly introducing another time-sensitive agenda item.

The geographic boundaries of the outing were established when Hey Tea's final week of grand opening promotions was expressed as an event of interest.
In order to make all the agenda stops though, the day would need to commence early. After all, I wasn't about to miss the Textile Museum's operating hours nor desired to rush for the Wildlife Photographer exhibit.

​The proposed departure time was 8:30 AM, but ultimately leaned closer to 9:20 AM due to extenuating circumstances on my part. Thankfully, early weekend morning traffic was extremely forgiving and we arrived at the designated parking within 40 minutes.

At 9:55 AM, we spotted the queue for Hey Tea forming outside the store, then promptly joined it. During this time, staff delineated the line to prevent blockage of the mall corridors as best as possible.

​During our time in line, we were presented with promotional posters outlining the eighteen days' worth of grand opening events as well menu items limited to the heytea Lab locations. Exclusives were identified by their black cup and numbered notations of "3.3", "5", and "0".

It was only natural to opt for the lab-limited concoctions. Although I couldn't be further from an enjoyer of "cloud"-topped beverages, the element assumed a heytea signature that ought be sampled while on the premises. We agreed on trying the Rock Oolong Caviar Tea and Gongfu 3.3.

About twenty minutes passed by the time we entered into the store. Merchandise such as incense sticks, ceramic tumblers, and matcha lined the tiered wooden shelves against the wall. I attempted to pick up the items for closer inspection, but found every single article firmly glued to its underlying surface - likely to prevent theft.

As we drew closer to the cashier, I caught sight of two ice cream makers churning away. One featured Rock Oolong Caviar at $7.50, while the other Matcha at $6.50. Rock Oolong Caviar was advertised as a collaboration with Chef Susur Lee and likely assumed the most popular pick of the Toronto Lab location. Curiosity was articulated to my browsing partner, who responded with, "Do you want to try?"
I debated the inquiry at first, for having ice cream before 11 AM felt strange. We had both eaten breakfast not too long ago and would have two creamy drinks in hand in the imminent future. Alas, the opportunity was too great to pass on: I nodded in affirmation.

During the event period, each drink purchase would enable one raffle draw. While we had our eyes on the branded merchandise, we both received a 15% off voucher for use before April 5th.

Approximately ten minutes passed before we received our drinks. Seating was quite limited, but turnover was thankfully quick. We briefly hovered about the self-serve bar, which provided lids, water, and a garbage receptable, before shifting towards the pick-up area to observe the drink preparation process.

​When 2025 came to a close, my browsing partner had concluded it was a tough year for me. To be frank, I had spent so much of my time trying to stay afloat that the actual depth of the struggle wasn't an element I considered.

Unfortunately, with new years come new challenges. I suppose adulting is like that: Live and learn.

"The hardest is yet to come." I had foreshadowed. With tension in my body intensifying with every step, I heaved an enormous sigh, not knowing whether to shed tears of frustration, sadness, or both.

Every single work day has played out in a relatively similar fashion:
I commence by booting up the laptop, equipped with a plan in mind on how to tackle outstanding tasks
My inbox is overwhelmed by urgent tasks that are, in retrospect, not urgent at all.
I am subject to this manufactured sense of urgency and respond accordingly - not by applying a streamlined approach because of the timelines, but swiftly engaging in the same steps to conclude the task in hopes of moving on to other duties.

But this load never seems to cease. There is an incessant stream of emails, documents, calls, meetings, and more to obstruct the natural flow of work. And, above it all, is obviously none other than the delusional donkey reeking of incompetence and insecurity making drama to fake importance.

When I set foot into the mall and gazed high at the beaming, blue skies beyond the skylights, I thought to myself, "I miss my friends. I miss freely going out." It didn't take me long to realize "I miss being happy." more than anything.
It was a problem identified early in the career change, yet persisted unaddressed due to economic factors in play. For any overly pragmatic being, prioritizing financial stability over mental wellbeing was the default choice. With time, this becomes unsustainable, but I had never thought to remain in this state in perpetuity.

Strolling the mall, I made a handful of observations:

• The former Middle Eastern light fixture outlet and former former space of Canada Post would soon see a new tenant
• Easter displays had landed at Lindt, inclusive of a gold foil bunnies riding a moving (!) ferris wheel
• Heesung as a spokesperson for an unfamiliar cosmetic brand
• Adorable spring finds at Simons
• Easter and Eid products at Purdy's
  

The nation also welcomed back another season of Roll Up The Rim. In honour of the pre-pandemic legacy, the franchise re-introduced physical cups that supported rim rolls.

Each mobile order enabled two digital rolls in addition to the physical cup, providing incentive for lovers of iced beverages. It was with regret that I did not win on the physical cup, but instead scalded my tongue on the piping hot Chai Latte with Oat Milk - delicious, by the way. That said, a donut was won from one of two digital rolls on the Tim Hortons app.

When a Lunar New Year lunch was hinted earlier last month, there was no hesitation on my part whatsoever to RSVP. Even more inclined was I upon seeing the invite: We were going to the exact Mandarin location frequented in my childhood!

​Visiting Mandarin again after so many years touched a very deep part of my soul in a way that only nostalgia can.

The first day of Lunar New Year is often a jolly one. I arrived to smiling faces in the office and several members fittingly dressed in red attire.

Alas, it would be an understatement to say that my day was negatively impacted at the onset of our despicable team meeting. If there is anything that never ceases to amaze me, it is the brazen audacity of the incompetent. Being confident about one's nonexistent abilities deserves contempt to start, but leveraging one's ability to obstruct the growth of others is another pitiful act altogether. Suffice to say, my response to confidential performance review results being exposed to the small team comprised of shock, surprise, and confusion.
I received plenty of outraged responses from my support network, yet found the mild reactions of my workplace to be unnerving. They had downright downplayed the severity of the act on the account that it failed to align with their personal perception of the individual. Moreover, the altercation led many to believe that I was, in fact, underperforming. Without comprehensive knowledge of the situation, these bystanders are not entirely at fault. That said, the sheer absence of observation and dismissal of obvious intents are quite mind-blowing.

​I collected feedback from my peers, then proceeded with the rest of the hectic day with stormy thoughts, akin to a witch's brew simmering up to a chemical unstable response. While I could have overlooked the inaccuracies in my performance review (for I know my capacities very well), the blatant disrespect and breach of confidentiality were sufficient grounds to instigate a counter attack. Someone decided to wake up and choose violence. To that, I respond with an expressionless war cry.
My job is likely on the line. But if I go down, you're coming with me. One year of suppression later, the animosity is anticipated to be piercing.

​Leading up to lunch, I reminded a colleague of Nani's Gelato's Buy 2 Pints for $19.99 Tuesday promotion. The Matcha Strawberry flavour would soon be concluding its rotation, accelerating the need to visit. Unfortunately, we arrived to find the establishment dimmed and empty: Nani's had changed their opening hours to be 2 PM. Dismayed - and me without my phone - we retraced our steps.
Along the way, I recalled Japadog's Wagyu Fest promotion. Off to Square One we went!

While a Japamiso BLT and Matcha Milkshake was requested beside me, I inquired of the Soft Serve varieties. Initially, the cashier had informed that only Vanilla Soft Serve was available, but then returned to confirm availability of Matcha as well.

There were seemingly further misunderstandings, for I was handed a single scoop of soft serve instead of the depicted swirl. Although the scoop was a smaller portion than expected for its $4.99 price tag, I was minimally bothered, already being full from lunch. The concoction was creamy, lightly grassy, and positively delicious. But after the first spoonful, the staff member requested to recall the cup.

A brief moment later, a plastic cup with a heaping swirl of Matcha Soft Serve was bestowed upon me. Mouth agape, both arms were extended to receive the lofty serving. Its profile was identical to the scoop I had received earlier: creamy, flavourful, and grassy without being overpowering.

Equally enjoyable was the Matcha Milkshake, or so I was told. We collectively agreed that the matcha creations offered impressive value: even at regular price, the Milkshake was just $3.99 while the Soft Serve $4.99. They were incredibly filling as well; I made a mental note to share the specimen next time around.

​The Japamiso BLT entailed generally positive remarks, noting that the bun was "good" but the combination wasn't particularly unique and could easily be assembled without challenge.

Later happenings involved laying eyes on To Go Coffee's New Year Scratch Card promotion, indulgence in an Orange Madeleine with Tempered Chocolate Coating, and comprehensive review of corporate policies in preparation of launching a response in combat.

​Days in and out of the office have felt endless. With each minute comes another meeting, another email, another assignment, or another unwarranted, trivial incident. Beyond tiring of the work itself, my spirit has been dampened with the constant influx of duties that neither bring about fulfillment nor sense of accomplishment. Learning has been stagnant, and progress of tasks exceedingly so.

Between meetings, I only managed to muster forty minutes for lunch. As opposed to a mall walk, I retrieved my skates from the car and conducted a few laps on the Celebration Square rink. With temperatures hovering about the freezing mark, the external environment was exceptionally mild - aka did not warrant handwarmers.

The unexpected offer of a complimentary laser session led to a last-minute reconfiguration of my weekend schedule. foodrealm's recent visit to Philosophy of Beauty had spurred my own trip out to Steeles and Keele. The mid-morning appointment had bestowed relatively smooth driving conditions - a blessing given that ambitious baking goals had delayed my departure about five minutes. In fact, I arrived five minutes early, which accounted for an early turn into the adjacent commercial/industrial plaza. Truthfully, the Downsview district is not one that out-of-towners visit without an objective in mind.

In advance of the appointment, I had provided my name, phone number, and email. Upon check-in, the receptionist requested proof of ID as well. The entire ordeal felt excessive and unnecessary, as if they could not trust a client without contractual obligations to pay. A one-page consent form was provided for population. Afterwards, I was directed towards one of the treatment rooms at the back of the facility.
​
​Two narrow indoor plumbing facilities were spotted along the way. Boasting dried lavender, a monochromatic scheme, and two forms of room fragrance, the initial appearance gave off the illusion of refinement, tranquility, and neatness. Inching further into the stall informed of extremely poor design decisions. For starters, there was insufficient clearance between the sink cabinets and toilet. The toilet paper holder had been mounted to the side of the cabinet, at least one foot behind the front of the toilet seat, making it nearly impossible for the user to reach. Coinciding with this awful misalignment was the dangling of clean toilet paper sheets into the not-so-sophisticated plastic wastebin positioned directly underneath. Other observations include dust along the countertop, peeling paint on the side of the door, and a door handle that was not level. While I appreciated the soft, fabric-like napkins for hand-drying and the hook on the back of the door, I simply could not shrug off the senseless arrangement of the toilet paper holder.

​Entering into the treatment room, I was overwhelmed by the clinical appearance. A (presumably reclining) treatment chair was positioned in a hollowed space at the back of the room, almost squarely facing the door, with the laser apparatus adjacent. Certificates and licenses had been hung in a grid-like format on the wall behind. Resting on a counter towards the left was an array of equipment organized for easy access by the technician: eye protection goggles/glasses, disposable razors, alcohol, and more. Further tools and ointments were stocked within the cabinets, away from public view. A wave of anxiety was experienced laying eyes on the scene, for the environment bore greater similarities to a cold, eerie laboratory than a spa treatment room. Belongings could be placed on the hooks behind the door or atop the nearby dusty chair. Delineating the layer of dust from the base of the chair were several quick swipes of a paper towel or washcloth; the result were subtle stripes of grey and black.

The technician had entered into the room to provide me with a briefing and cautionary speech, or so it seemed. As part of the promotion, I was permitted one "small area" for laser treatment. When I inquired of further details, she clarified that the visit was intended to be an "intro session" such that tolerance could be determined before subsequent treatments. Although I had confirmed prior experience with laser treatment, the technician declared that she would be using the lowest strength on the machine, as there were too many unknowns associated with past treatment history. Having announced this, she sauntered out of the room to allow me to prepare.

Ever since I finally conducted a comprehensive review of my pantry, the list of ingredients pending expiry have been on my mind. Among the assortment are various bags of nuts from Costco and graham crackers. While I've been tackling dry roasted, salted hazelnuts through granola and pecans through pecan pie, graham crackers have been used towards no-bake desserts. The most common application is a graham cracker crust.

​Chocolate Pudding Bars with Matcha Glaze

A) Graham Cracker Base

Ingredients:

• 400 g Honey Maid graham crackers
• 190 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For an 8-9 in cake or 8 in x 8 in square pan, I typically turn to my small but mighty 3-cup food processor - which has now doubled (!!!) in price due to inflation! It takes about two rounds to blitz 250 g worth of biscuits. This time, I opted for a larger food processor, as I was practically doubling the amount for a 9 in x 13 in pan.

Melted butter was then drizzled into the food processor and mixed until combined. The crumbs were transferred to a parchment-lined pan, pressed towards the edges, and transferred to the refrigerator to harden as I prepared the Chocolate Pudding base.

In theory, matcha-topped pudding bars seemed like a splendid idea. However, the custard recipe on the exterior of the Bird's Custard Powder can was not only bland and tacky, but lacking in sweetness as well. Sweetened chocolate whipped cream enabled a soft, mousse-like consistency and drastically improved complexity.
The glaze also adopted the yielding consistency and vivid, grassy hue that I had sought out. Unfortunately, due to my matcha being expired, grassy depth had been compromised in the output.

​My patience was rewarded the next morning: I could achieve crisp lines and neat squares. The only caveat: the bars needed to be stored in the freezer and thawed only before eating.

With insufficient thawing time, the graham cracker base would persist impossibly rigid. On the other hand, the top two layers were still tasty and even slightly reminiscent of an ice cream bar.