Venturing downtown on a humid Monday led me to eliminate one bag for the commute: Biking while donning full UV protection would be too stifling. That said, I remained true to my resolve in sharing baked goods with the office. A cooler bag brimming with brownies, mini choux attempts, and craquelin-topped rolls was non-negotiable for my only in-office day of the week.

​Throughout the day, minimal work was accomplished, which was expected of a week comprising of a statutory holiday. I visited the Union Samples booth thrice throughout the day, obtaining packets of ground coffee, coconut water, and hot sauce that I quickly gifted to a coworker.

Having been intrigued by the banana pudding poster within Craig's Cookies, I ventured inward.

Enticed by the sweet aroma of warm cookies and caramelized sugar, a Rainbow Rice Krispie Cookie was procured. 

​Consistent in their usage of salted butter and an extraordinary amount of sugar, the cookie sent me into immediate satiation. For the next few hours, my appetite was distinctly suppressed.

Around lunchtime, I had received notice that post-work plans were cancelled due to a change in the community centre's summer activity schedules. Being without a change of clothes for dance class and also without a bike helmet for city exploration, I quickly sought out the availability of a downtown local. Miraculously, our schedules aligned!

Without a moment's hesitation, I proposed my Koreatown itinerary: photobooths at Photo Signature, karaoke, and Korean fare at her go-to destination of Damda. This suggestion was received with enthusiasm, and off we went!

​Photo Signature housed a total of four booths: 3 Classic with baby blue, grey, and pink backdrops (similar to Hama Film) and 1 High Angle. Surprisingly, most visitors made a beeline for the Classics, leaving the High Angle free of queues. Pricing was consistent with other photobooths, with 4-cut strips at $10, some alternative layouts at $15, and 4-cut grides at $20. Unlike photoism, I was incredibly thankful that payment could be made using either cash or card.

​The variety of accessories was impressive as well, spanning Sanrio plushies, gargantuan flower headbands, and even flags and a trophy in honour of FIFA.

Complimentary photo sleeves were offered to us by the friendly staff member on site. She then gestured towards the counter where stickers and other art supplies could be used to trim and decorate the photos. For an additional $3.99, cut-outs could also be formed into a mini photo keychain! I mentally took note of this for a future visit with my browsing partner.

​A late return on Sunday made for quite the insufferable Monday morning in office. The previous night's meal of hotpot had resulted in my body burning up uncontrollably, my complexion breaking out, and awaking up several times due to internal heat. Needless to say, the beer-and-champagne duo I had downed did not help my case: A mild hangover headache was in store for me.

In any case, I somehow made it to the office, albeit staggering and stumbling. Although I had brought along my helmet, biking on city streets with four hours of sleep was hardly recommended. Instead, I took to a brief walk to my former workspace.

​Meeting old teammates reminded me of pre-trauma times - a period where everything flowed in tranquility and I was genuinely happy, despite a tad stagnant in my career. The way that they welcomed me back with open arms, wide smiles, and plenty of questions about my return was more than I could have asked for.
These were people that accepted me as I came. I didn't have to prove my worth, to defend my skills, nor be on edge about being thrown into a raging fire. Mutual respect was a guarantee.

Despite my transition to a different team, our relationship hadn't changed, and I couldn't be more thankful.

​The next in-office day came after two evenings of sleeping early. In the morning, my upper body strength was tested with weighty baggage comprising of ice packs, food, and post-work attire. In the afternoon was a FIFA watch party, and in the evening was a Hip Hop dance class.

Now properly rested, lunchtime once again meant cycling in the city.

My ride comprised of:

• Avoiding taxis on Front Street
• Interpreting bike signage while riding
• Evading mentally unstable residents of the streets while striving to adhere to traffic signals
• Being mindful of delivery driver e-bikes ready to run you down
• Ridiculing Spadina's status as a "shared cycling route"

​I stopped by The Well, continued towards Portland to ride the newly-installed bikeway (lots of asphalt deficiencies), and then returned to the office.

One hour later, we collectively headed over for a private FIFA Watch Party. The amount of snacks were unreal! From exotic chips to biscotti to strawberries to my last-minute milk pudding x coffee agar creation (horrible idea to mix gelatin and agar, mind you), there was absolutely no shortage of sustenance for streaming.

Reheating the bars using a somewhat unreliable toaster oven gave me an excuse to avoid remaining stationary while watching a game I was hardly interested in.

​Around 4:30 PM, I made my escape, taking two coworkers - who were as equally uninterested - along with me.
We parted ways shortly afterwards, with one heading for Nepalese cuisine with friends and another eager to return home. I, on the other hand, was keen to check out The Rec Room.

Brimming with children, teenage couples, and sports fans, the internal quarters were disgustingly warm and stuffy. Each of the games were also practically double the price at the Square One location.

​Since my first visit last year, I had always been keen to try the other classes on offer. Erring on the side of caution, I settled on a Level 1 Hip Hop class as opposed to Level 3 Jazz Funk for my return.

I docked at Isabel/Church after a 28 min ride from Bremner and Simcoe, arriving 15 mins before class start. Little had I known that the facility housed at least 5 more studios in a separate section than I had been last. There were also a second set of bathrooms, wherein one could find two shower stalls (that doubled as change rooms), a bench, two impossibly small stalls. A water dispenser, sofa, and benches with peeling patent leather were positioned outside the studio rooms. The water dispenser had long run out of water before the second session classes even commenced at 7:15 PM though.

Approximately two weeks in advance of the date, I had been coordinating - or mandating, really - that my browsing partner be present for the planned itinerary. Because time and specific dates are merely conceptual in some minds, it was a battle that would likely result in an UNO reverse and, consequently, my concession. But after prolonged, fiery exchanges (and an inevitable climb in (my!) blood pressure), the day could finally proceed as planned.

Arranging the logistics for the day proved to be a true travesty, for I had wished to accomplish several goals that were not compatible in terms of operating hours and geographic coordinates. Needless to say, my browsing partner revealed an absence of appreciation for the workaround, further highlighting that achieving multiple objectives in one day instilled neither joy nor satisfaction. But I digress!!!

The first stop of the day was Chatime, where complimentary Ube Brown Sugar Peal Lattes would be distributed to the first 50 people donning purple. Although I've never been fond of Chatime, I do enjoy ube, brown sugar, and free milk tea. Venturing further from the GTA increased our chances of falling within the 50 count, so I took a leap of faith and attempted an outlet with the earliest opening time of 11:30 AM.
Located inside a Walmart, the destination was a fitting stopover for our long drive up north, for it offered indoor plumbing facilities in addition to an opportunity to pick up non-perishable groceries if needed.

The number of patrons waiting outside the gates was also far fewer than expected. My browsing partner and I successfully assumed the fourth and fifth positions in line. I'd likely qualify for the purple requirement by default given my partially purple mane, however a fuzzy terry wristband was prepared for my chauffeur, with the knowledge that others' wardrobe staples likely did not revolve around the hue.

​I wasn't expecting milk options of almond, soy, and oat to be offered for the complimentary 12 oz. beverage, however gladly requested oat milk at being informed of the choices. The drink combined a base of brown sugar milk tea with an iris ube foam. A tasty concoction it was, though the ube content was hardly distinguishable. (I'd take to my own Ube Crinkle Cookies any day!)

Around 11:50 AM, we departed the asphalt lot for La Pizza Shoppe within the Kleinburg BIA. Relieved I was to be on schedule for the restaurant's 12 PM opening.

Alas, only upon drawing near the entrance were we, along with a handful of other waiting customers, informed of "inadequate pizza oven heating time" and a subsequent delayed 1 PM opening. Those patiently hovering nearby were as equally frustrated by the news as I was.

​I resorted to swiftly strolling the proximity for alternatives. Finding none that fit budget, scheduling, and private parking lot requirements, I declared that we would make our way directly to the next stop instead.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection recently surfaced on my radar after being added to the TPL Map pass selection, but passes had long vanished due to newness and demand. It was strictly by chance that "Free Family Sundays" were discovered when browsing the website. Recurring on every 3rd Sunday of the month, the date coincidentally aligned with the day's planned happenings.
​I had reserved tickets online in advance, though they did not appear necessary as there was no formal check-in procedure for admission.

​A winding asphalt path led into the gallery grounds, temporarily terminating at a parking toll booth. Both sides of the presumably private road featured outdoor attractions with paved and unpaved trails. These components could be accessed free of charge by taking transit (Ha!) or leaving one's vehicle in the nearby BIA area or overflow parking area within the Kleinburg Public School lot.
Given the muggy external conditions though, I did not desire retracing my steps half an hour each way. The parking fee was $7 per vehicle and permitted re-entry access with retention of receipt. Admission was assumed to operate similarly, allowing visitors to support the Art Collection and BIA area simultaneously.

​The vehicular entry path concluded at a roundabout that was evidently not intuitive for drivers. Many visitors, including my browsing partner, opted for an immediate left into the visitor parking, disregarding the one-way signage indicating counterclockwise flow about the sodded centre median. Having been involved in the review and design of such channelizers, the observed behaviour was as disappointing as it was dangerous. Revisions to the signage and pavement markings on private grounds ought be undertaken to minimize conflicts and improve safety.

View the full album HERE !

​When my coworker randomly informed me of a weekend community in Scarborough, it hadn't crossed my mind that I had the option to participate. Upon receiving approval from those involved, I prepared accordingly and made my way eastwards on a dreary, drizzly Sunday morning.

My first stop was Canadian Tire, where I found patriotic non-Canadian geese lawn decorations while on a hunt for a banana case. Despite the questionable size of the Joie-branded contraption, I decided to take my chances with the product. It was intended to be a gift for the aforementioned coworker, who has been nothing short of helpful and encouraging since my joining the team.

I headed to IKEA next, intending on grabbing a budget-friendly lunch before continuing on my way towards Scarborough. Stumbling upon a Spin-the-Wheel event featuring a chance to win Meatball Flavoured Chupa Chups, I couldn't resist partaking as well.

The line moved quickly and I soon secured the strange lollipop.
​(Spoiler: It tasted positively revolting: excessively cloying yet somehow sour and off-putting at the same time.)

In stark contrast to the promotional event, the Bistro lineup was atrociously sluggish even at the early hour of 11:30 AM.

​The absence of my browsing partner led me to resist indulgence in the Swedish chain's new Strawberry Shortcake Slice. I adhered to a Salmon Fillet platter, which was presented in a reduced format than recalled - and on a flimsy biodegradable plate to boot! The nachos weren't bad, though the chips were somewhat stale and the meatballs wholly unfitting.

​BJÄLLRA, the newest addition to the KAFFEREP series, featured a lemon filling boasting an identically stringy consistency to the my go-to raspberry variation. Although it wasn't lemony by any means, I enjoyed it tremendously.

​Prior to arriving at the neighbourhood event, I stopped by Woodside Square for inside plumbing facilities. Residing in the parking lot was a dinosaur-themed play structure, which seemed somewhat out of place until I lay eyes on dino chairs in the mall corridors.

The food court was an amusing space housing a performance stage and adjacent military machinery installation. Again, the partially fenced installation appeared to lack cohesiveness with the community-centric retail centre, although interesting nevertheless. The grounds offered a strange sense of nostalgia and comfort, despite the fact that I had never set foot into the mall previously.

Baker Duck assumed a destination on my radar, so I made a beeline for the establishment after visiting the soap-devoid bathroom in the nearby corridor. Amongst the three Chinese bakeries in the mall, an endless checkout queue persisted at Baker Duck. Everbest was hardly busy, while Blooming Garden was actively promoting drink and bun pairings at discounted prices.

​As the city gears up for FIFA with excitement, I reinforce my status as a non-watcher and non-lover of sports by refusing any and all opportunities to engage with the seasonal nightmare.

Instead, I shall strive to steer clear of the downtown core wherever possible during the duration of the games - especially on game days where lingering is ill-advised - and calmly celebrate with patriotism from the cozy chambers of my suburban home.

​Meals of the week included a scrumptious Cheeseburger Pot Pie from Sweetie Pie, PB & Strawberry Jelly Challah Toast (a mix of homemade and store-bought from COBS), and several homemade creations.

The wholly unexpected invitation to a site visit on the edge of Vaughan was more than I could have wished for! From being denied PPE, a work phone, and site visits altogether just one year ago, I am glad to report back that interacting with our environment to identify in-situ constraints is now highly encouraged! Look how far we have come!

I awoke earlier than usual in preparation, commencing my commute at the early hour of 8 AM in hopes of arriving by 9:20 AM. Unfortunately, GTA traffic is hardly kind even to those that account for congestion. The trip spanned a grueling 1h 45 mins; By the 90-minute mark though, I made a stopover for indoor plumbing facilities. 

​The Tim Hortons bathroom failed to flush, causing an accumulation of urine and used toilet paper. In addition, the sink was clogged. I desperately fought the urge to vomit, Availability of toilet paper, soap, and running water were considered luxuries, for the men's stall was revolting beyond belief.

An approximate 2.5h site walk led us well past lunchtime, though the team was antsy to wrap up the venture before impending rainfall.

While there were brief moments of gustiness in the morning, conditions proceeded to turn hot, humid, and muggy around noon. I was equipped with a neck fan, wool socks, and plenty of UV gear, though did not think to bring water for the sunny trek. Coming to my saviour was the Earl Bales Community Centre, which featured air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and a water fountain.

Naturally, I took advantage of the site's proximity to North York and zipped off in the direction of Don't Yell At Me. My arrival time would also coincide with Mister Wheel's hours of operation, though online orders were not permitted until 2 PM. Consequently, I was restricted to placing the order in person.​

​My preferred parking area along Canterbury Place boasted plenty of spaces. That said, it hadn't occurred to me that signage was present to prohibit parking during business hours. I was grateful to not have earned myself a ticket for the infraction.

Life4Cuts within the Upper East has recently been replaced with photoism. Despite offering a wider assortment of K-Pop idol frames, the head accessory and eyewear selection have diminished drastically. New ENHYPEN frames were observed, wistfully devoid of Heesung.

A Single Person Set from Mister Wheel required about 10-15 minutes to prepare. During this time, I decided to confirm the status of the partially obstructed washroom facility. Located at the rear of the space, just past General An Posticker's counter, was a spacious single stall unit. Brown paper towel and a commercial-sized toilet paper roll were stored in a wire basket, for all the dispensers were out of service. Soap was provided out of a plastic bottle, as the wall-mounted dispenser was also, supposedly, broken.
My browsing partner had commented on the lack of pristineness previously, though the early hours of operation had rendered the facilities decent - and much, much better than Tims.

​​​Two Black Sesame Wheel Cakes and a Tung Ting Oolong Tea in a brown paper bag accompanied me back to the car.

On the way back, I swiftly claimed my Rose & Roselle Ceylon Lime Tea from DYAM. The barista had likely prepared it before I had arrived at Mister Wheel, as the bag had been transferred to the refrigerator in wait of pickup.

​While the concoction instantly quenched my dehydrated soul, it featured neither the fragrant qualities of rose nor zesty presence of lime I had envisioned. Moreover, the base tasted of a strong green tea, rather than Ceylon (black).

A truly forgiving 50-minute drive back to the west end of the GTA enabled me to sample the wheel cakes while still fresh. Scrumptious and gratifying as always, the rounds also boasted a reimagined design with a moose, the Rockies, and "CANADA" in bold letters.

The new job has been unexpectedly busy, but not in a manner that brings stress or despair. My team members have been extremely helpful, and my supervisor understanding and supportive. Friends have reached out excitedly to reconnect, and even newly-acquainted staff have welcomed me with open arms and wide smiles. Reuniting with such a positive environment has reinstated a sense of peace in my daily routine. However, it is also worth noting that my own responses to this change has been insecure and timid: One year in an awfully toxic, despicable workplace caused trauma responses to resurface once more. Healing was never easy to start, but being wounded after a drawn-out recovery has made the current process all the more challenging.

In-office days had me utterly pre-occupied. Beyond socializing, it was the ideal opportunity to ask questions and seek input on guidance documents, roles and responsibilities, and general inquiries.

Meetings commencing at 1 PM are pretty much the norm in this new team. Should I wish to revel in my well-deserved lunch breaks, I'd need to commence exploration before noon. Bike Share would assist me in furthering these objectives by providing a swifter, more efficient way of navigating the city.
When my pick up order at Michaels was cancelled, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the 401 Richmond heritage building once more.

Only recently was the arts and culture scene in Toronto discovered to be quite remarkable. Since returning from Amsterdam, it astounded me that there were countless galleries and sources of unique, contemplative exhibits just waiting to be uncovered - most of them offering complimentary admission to boot!

By venturing along different routes in the downtown core, I've been able to gather firsthand ridership experience from the city's cycling initiatives. Regardless of the path, it remains a fact that dedicated facilities make for safer, quicker, and more enjoyable trips.

​The team meandered towards the FIFA-decorated grounds of Bay/Dundas the following day. 

Without much of a mental respite, I returned to my routine of errands, chores, and stress shortly after returning from vacation. While baking had momentarily taken a back seat, low-effort concoctions weren't uncommon.

​With each familiar - or not so familiar - encounter though, comparisons were made to recent experiences in Amsterdam, and revelations established. Things I had found to be incredibly accessible in my daily life, such as good quality matcha for Strawberry Matcha Lattes, CoCo's endless assortment of bubble tea, and the coziness of soft friends around each corner, were extended a newfound degree of appreciation.

Haru Shabu Shabu was the destination for a weekday Mother's Day lunch, for it was unheard of for me to be off on a random Thursday.

Operating out of a shared space once occupied by Dagu Rice Noodle and Morals Village Hotpot, Haru and Shinta took advantage of the existing booth configuration to deliver the latest dining trend.

Initially excited about the sauce bar, my heart immediately plummeted at seeing the grimy glass panels, wilted cilantro, and seemingly forgotten condiments. The scene was a far cry from Haidilao - not to mention, the panels were incredibly cumbersome to lift and reinstate.
I opted for a peach resin jelly to start, having been impressed with Haidilao's version. Unfortunately, the bowl's contents proved to comprise of nothing more than day-old, bland jelly with a whopping dose of sugar syrup.

I had advocated in favour of the Lunch Happy Hour menu, an AYCE format priced at $29.99 per person with broth included. This proposal was vetoed, however, on the basis that the All Day menu included items of interest. And so, I grudgingly settled on the $39.99 per person option, acknowledging that broth would be charged separately at a whopping $16.99. Lunch for two was already ringing in at $85 before the first bite of food arrived.

Limiting to ourselves to the non-Wagyu options, we opted for:

• U.S. Prime Beef
• Thin Cut Pork Belly
• Premium Beef Chuck
• Scallops
• Shrimp
• Snakehead Fish
• Fish Tofu
• Fukubukuro
• Quail Egg
• Lettuce
• Nappa Cabbage
• Spinach

​Snakehead Fish and Premium Beef Chuck emerged as the tastiest picks. Prime Beef and Scallop were average, veggies decently fresh, and Fish Tofu, Quail Egg, and Ikebukuro instilled disappointment. A drastic deviation from Haidilao's texturally superior and far less starchy offerings, I was admittedly disappointed at the turnout. Shrimp and Pork Belly went unsampled, though commentary also hovered about the average rating.

Mother Nature has been exceedingly unpredictable this season, and a combined wind/rainstorm was the last thing residents of the GTA could have expected. My commute towards North York was once twenty minutes (736), but conditions on the 401 have long evolved since the pandemic days. I had readied myself to depart approximately ten minutes earlier than the week prior, only to be faced with an unexpectedly high number of collisions on the highway. Had I not pre-paid for pilates class, I would have turned around the moment Google Maps recommended a detour via Burnhamthorpe.

Driving conditions were indeed treacherous, wholly warranting the cancellation of outdoor activities. A heavy downpour in conjunction with forceful winds resulted in minimal visibility. Despite departing earlier, I ultimately arrived fifteen minutes later than the previous week - and ten minutes late to the class!

Truth be told: I should have left earlier given the external conditions. Attempts to find parking at the rear of the studio were also in vain, for only two of six spaces had been allocated to studio customers and already occupied at the time of my tardy arrival. To make matters worse, the parking access was an impossibly narrow corridor measuring approximately 2.2 m wide (as per the latest aerial). Making a U-turn was out of the question, for even three-point turns constituted a tragic undertaking. Leaving the parking area was another mission in itself since it demanded a 90-degree egress path. This was, of course, assuming an absence of incoming traffic from Sheppard. In any case, I would earnestly advise against using the rear lot for safety reasons. 
The sole foolproof solution was looping back to the east side of Beecroft, surrendering the hefty $5.75 hourly rate, and scurrying to the third floor studio.
​
After hurriedly reloading my Green P account, using the bathroom, and stuffing my belongings into the cubbies with an audibly anxious slam, I quickly darted towards the group class area and laid down on of the Reformers. This time, process of elimination led me to an SPX Max reformer - not that it mattered, for the day's sequence did not include exercises that would pose variances in difficulty based on one's distance from the ground.

I had missed the warm-up by the time I arrived and, by this point, the instructor had moved onto a core warm-up. Using one red spring, we were guided through curl-ups, scissors, and double leg stretches with hands in the tension straps. Form reminders included "curling up and looking at your stomach" to ensure that the head and neck were maintained in the correct positions. Frankly, I surprised myself by successfully executing the sequence with one red spring, given my post-badminton exhaustion levels. A pulse finisher awaited us at the end of the double leg stretches, which caused a knowing smile to creep up along the edges of my mouth and groans to emerge from fellow class participants.

We then transitioned to a side-lying position with the head rested on a foam block on the head rest of the Carriage and the tension strap looped over the right foot. Press-backs and leg circles (in both directions, of course) served to engage the gluteus medius muscle. Continuing with the blue spring and the right foot in the strap, we transitioned to an all-fours position. Hands were placed outside of the shoulder rest as we performed a short series of bird dogs. Despite being familiar with the move, the tension-affixed variation was much harder than expected! The instructor reminded me "scoop the belly more" and also shifted my weight back slightly such that the hips were aligned with the knees.
I had observed this during my last visit as well: One of the downsides of Studio Le Ciel's group class area was the absence of mirrors for form checks. Having said that, the instructor was comprehensive in rectifying the form of all students in presence.

Some 8-10 reps of bird dog later, we were instructed to maintain the outstretched position for five seconds, preserving the lengthened arm at shoulder height and lifted leg at hip height. No number of repetitions of Well+Good's Back and Core Strengthening Workout could have prepared me for that moment. Obvious quivers were experienced for the first time in a long time.

Next up in the all-fours sequence were fire hydrants, again with one blue spring. One foot was kept in the tension strap, while the hands were placed on the shoulder rests. Given the hollow point between the shoulder rests, this alignment made for a challenging alternative to mat practice. Leg extensions with the lifted foot in turnout position followed; the sequence concluded with fire hydrant pulses, an exercise that saw many students jerk the knee as opposed to isolating the hip joint to keep the Carriage still.
The side-lying, all-fours, and fire hydrant sequence was then repeated on the other side.

A few Pigeon stretches were weaved into the class for relief. Then, we obtained the platform extender for plank work. The instructor introduced the series by demonstrating the high plank. We were advised that forearms could be used in the case of aching wrists, I adhered to hands firstly for ease and secondly for improved range for pikes. The plank variations undertaken included:

• all-fours with lifted knees to leg extensions into plank
• plank to pike
• plank hold (no more than 20 seconds)
• side plank crunches ("crunch side body more!")

The four other class participants struggled severely with side planks, likely eliminating a side plank hold to finish.

Upper body work involved switching back to one red spring - a shocking swap, to say in the least. Facing the Tower with knees positioned up against the shoulder rest, the tension straps were crossed to form an "X". We had the option of grasping the rope part of the pulley system or the padded handles, and sitting on one's ankles or in adopting an upright kneeling position. Originally, the instructor had offered us both kneeling options. When I opted to execute the moves in a high kneeling position, the instructor decided for the rest of the class to do the same, noting under her breath that it was a more challenging variation.
Once again, I had doubted my ability to execute the moves given my post-badminton soreness. Yet, I somehow still managed! Certain moves were modified accordingly by adding slack (using straps instead of rope) when the motion was too difficult to maintain at the specified range.

A Reformer version of "thread the needle", arm circles in both directions, and roll-downs assumed the cooldown. The end of class was met with the instructor distributing spray bottles for cleaning the Reformers and reinstating the foam blocks to an equipment trolley. It was during this process that I discovered the presence of Balanced Body reformers in addition to Merrithew's SPX Max and V2 MAX. The semi-private and private studios further housed Merrithew's Trapeze Table, Chair, and Ladder Barrel and Balanced Body's CoreAlign.
In spite of Studio Le Ciel's compact space, it was remarkable that each training area was clearly delineated with plenty of separation and efficient storage of equipment.

​Upon completion of my two Intro sessions, it was evident that I enjoyed the class, the instructor, and the studio facilities. Price aside, the parking situation is dreadful and the commute equally terrible.
Delving into the studio's website afterwards, I realized that each instructor's complete profile was readily accessible online, from education to linked PDFs of certification credentials! This approach was extremely transparent, to a shocking degree, and nearly made up for the owner's delayed response times to customer inquiries. All factors considered, my resolve remain undecided at this point in time.

Following my second (and last!) session at Studio Le Ciel, I had the option of heading directly into roaming nearby destinations participating in Doors Open. However, stopping first for lunch was the appropriate approach. I evaluated my options, along with the walking conditions, and decided on the nearby Chillax Eatery.

​Routing to the destination via Yonge was ill-advised, for a left turn followed by another immediate left was a surefire way of inciting confusion for unsuspecting drivers behind. I opted instead for a southbound left on Sheppard followed by weaving through residential streets. This eventually emerged as the better alternative, for Chillax's "parking lot" housed no more than six numbered spaces for patrons. The adjacent lot, beyond being in dire need of resurfacing, was maintained by a different property owner and marked with hefty payment rates. And so, I exited through an equally crumbly asphalt lane towards Glendora Avenue. Heading eastward, unsigned street parking was located some 150 m east.
Upon attempting to exit my vehicle, the door slammed in my face: the winds were utterly unforgiving. A second, more forceful attempt succeeded; my trusty umbrella accompanied me on the miserable hike back up Glendora. With gusts ruthlessly whipping in my face, I silently debated whether the venture was worth the effort at all. Alas, sustenance was needed.

The rear entry of Chillax led to wooden platform. Stairs heading down to the basement level were marked for restrooms, while stairs leading up connected to Chillax Mart on the ground floor. Located on the second floor after more stairs was the eatery, a dining space with staggeringly large booths (even for parties of one or two). The hostess role was replaced by a sign-in tablet.

At 12:21 PM, there was one party waiting to be seated. I enrolled in the virtual waitlist as the second guest, then made my way back downstairs to browse the Mart. The assortment was comparable to the beauty and gifts section at supermarkets: imported (overpriced) houseware and cosmetic items, Japanese Kit Kats and bottled beverages, branded collaboration items from Sanrio, Miffy, etc., and various pre-packaged goods. There was even a small section for (the now-defunct) Teddy House (Teddy Story?) items.

Being the impatient soul that I am, it didn't take much to steer away from a dine-in experience in favour of a swifter sustenance source: A few glances at the $7.99 Crabstick Sandwich and I was convinced of its ability to cater towards my primary goals of time and cost efficiency. "No need to tip!" I silently quipped.

Along with the sandwich, I took advantage of Daigyo's Grand Opening Celebration promo for two soft serves. Inclement weather conditions enabled me to fall within the first 100 customers category without even trying! The BOGO offer applied to identical items only: either two Matcha Lattes or two Soft Serves. Naturally, I sought out one each of the Matcha Soft Serve and White Peach Jasmine Soft Serve.
Note that, at the time of order placement, I had not been informed that the White Peach Jasmine was priced fifty cents higher than the Matcha. An unexpected $1.45 surcharge was incurred as well, though I was unsure whether the fee was associated with a request for water or for the paper takeout bag. In any case, the customer should be made aware of any charges not listed on the menu. The cashier had not relayed these details with the transparency and integrity that a business ought to possess!

On the first day of Victoria Day long weekend, I made my way towards North York for the second time this year. I had repeatedly checked the travel time before departing, and was admittedly frustrated when my original thirty minute-estimate surged by 1.5x. Unfortunately, not all vacationers had departed the GTA yet.
Shockingly unsafe conditions plagued the entire commute. From the typically calm 403 to commuter-filled 401, other drivers were recklessly switching lanes on very short notice, or none at all! The scene was particularly awful on the 401 nearing the 400 and 404, which respectively feature aggressive industrial movers and uneducated, once-in-a-blue-moon highway users on a regular day.

By the time I exited onto Yonge Street, I was not only frazzled but extremely riled up. "I am never leaving my house again on a long weekend!" was declared with fury. As I approached the location for my first scheduled activity, my fingers frantically navigated towards the Green P app as I drifted into the left turn lane at Yonge/Sheppard.

​At receiving an error on the app, I was taken back. Nearing the surface lot though, the reason soon dawned upon me: The Green P lot was closed for construction.

And so, I relinquished $7.20 for 75 mins of street parking and scurried towards the third floor, where Studio Le Ciel resided. The studio was still as sluggish as ever about checking messages and the online booking system was extremely finnicky with stringent cancellation and refund policies. I intended to make the most of my ̶g̶a̶s̶ consecutive trips to the northeast side of the GTA, thus booked a two-class pass at their Spring Sale promotion price of $40 plus tax. Class credits were set to expire after two weeks, so I made haste in securing a Saturday morning spot. It was learned that booking platform did not register package payments with booking eligibility until the following business day though, but I had already succeeded in troubleshooting my concern by the time the studio provided a response.

A cluster of shoes was present outside the studio, indicating the requirement of removing shoes before entering. Slippers were not provided for customer use, however, but staff were spotted donning chunky platform slides. After checking in with the receptionist, I was gestured towards the rear of the facility, past the semi-private and private training areas, for the bathroom and lockers. This space boasted two changing rooms, a coat rack with velvet-covered hangers (that attracted accumulation of hair and dust), and a single bathroom stall. Needless to say, I ran for the bathroom as the class was about to start imminently.
​Aside from the toilet seat, the facility was generally lacking in cleanliness: scuff marks and hair were present inside the toilet bowl, dust had collected on the surface of the sink and around the soap bottle, and there were plenty of dusty, yellow corners. Moreover, I had not laid eyes on a seemingly more ancient hand dryer in recent years.

Shoving my EATALY tote into one of the cubbies and turning the Canadiana-plush-charm-attached key, I ran towards the group class area by the window. Each group class consisted of a total of six participants, who could take their pick of Reformer (plus Tower) from 4 SPX Max and 2 V2 MAX machines. Being the last to join, my pick automatically defaulted to the V2 MAX against the side of the wall. This later emerged to be the best pick of the selection for it evaded harsh UV rays from the window that would prompt perspiration and skin damage and effectively encouraged core engagement for the cardio burst.
The instructor had just commenced a warm-up of hamstring and hip flexor stretches. Within seconds, I realized I had forgotten to change into grip socks, disappearing once more to initiate the change. Let it be known at least fifteen minutes of a buffer should be considered for a peaceful, punctual entry into class.

Following the dynamic stretches, the instructor demonstrated the next series of exercises. Commencing in a lunge position with one foot against the shoulder rest and the other foot planted on the floor, we were to gently lift the knee, extend the leg on the Carriage, and tuck the knee of the standing leg towards the chest. Lunge to knee tuck planks with a curved spine were executed for 10 reps, followed by lunge to straight leg raises with a flat back for 10 reps. These two exercises would then be alternated for a final 10 reps, consequently elevating one's heart rate. The quick series definitely challenged lat strength, but also caused slight discomfort to weak wrists.

Prior to commencing my downtown life once again, I was required to make one trip in advance for administrative procedures. Originally, I planned for Monday to take advantage of lower commuter volumes, however decided to make the most of the day and align the visit with other attractions of interest.

A breakfast of concentrated cold brew and a Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun from Akko later, I was on my way towards the GO station.

​The train was delayed, and having downed coffee about one hour ago, I quickly became desperate for a bathroom. Two gender-separated stalls reside within the transit building connecting the rail and bus platforms, however there was insufficient time to travel through the corridor and back.

​When I could wait no longer, I resorted to the in-train facilities. Much to my shock, the GO train bathroom was surprisingly clean! Not only was it spacious and stocked with water and soap, there was no grime nor graffiti in sight! The only element missing was a bag hook. The scene was relieving, and made the NS train bathroom an absolute abomination in comparison.

​UNIQLO was browsed briefly; the popular apparel retailer had taken over Decathlon's former space between the Bay Concourse and TTC terminal. 

The main task only assumed fifteen minutes, so I made the most of my One Fare transfer and headed to St. Patrick. It was 10 AM when my footsteps met the doors of the AGO. Unfortunately, the gallery was yet to open until 10:30 AM, and I was sternly scolded by security.

​In light of this unexpected turnout, my schedule was reconfigured to include a café stopover first. I had bookmarked Cafe La_On for visiting after the gallery, but its 10 AM opening time enabled the ideal itinerary swap.

​Basque Cheesecake and Ball Tiramisu appeared to constitute their signature offerings. Neat little squares of Terrine were also observed in the display case. My final decision lay with an Earl Grey Tigre though, for the oval-shaped pastry has recently been making appearances in cafés throughout the city.