[Out & about #10] A Medley of Stuff / School is Back in session

So school is officially back in session now.

...and I've never felt so overwhelmed in my life. (Or maybe I have but clearly don't remember it well enough to compare the experience(s).)

Seriously though, how do we already start worrying about midterms in the first week? And about labs and quizzes and all the other things we must accomplish before April? GEEZ.

I really should be reading up on mechanics right now. And for the first time since September, I actually feel guilty that I'm not doing just that (ie. defeating the beast that is PROCRASTINATION, or at least making an attempt to do so =P).

But as two new pairs of pants have already been ruined as a result of trudging through mud-laden, ice/slush-covered regions around campus, I set myself on a mission this weekend to locate a taller pair of durable boots to mediate the situation (and save myself from looking like I just went jumping through puddles formed from sewage water - UGH. GROSS, I KNOW OTL).

After physio in Markham (I now only have to visit every 3-4 weeks! Yay!), my parents dropped me off at First Markham Place to pick up a few things while they had lunch. (Future Note to self: Do an FMP Shopping Guide.)

One of my favourite stores there would have to be UCan Shops; though the name may sound a tad odd, the shop is truly something a Korean beauty-lover would not want to pass on!

Stocked with renowned brands such as Tony Moly, Etude House, and Skin Food in addition to less well-known brands such as Aniplace and Elisha Coy, they offer an extremely large selection of cosmetics, skincare products, nail colour/tools, and makeup brushes at reasonable prices. They recently moved to a new shop location within the mall and have expanded their product range to include makeup from Peripera and their sister line, CLIO (which Dara happens to be the spokesperson of!).

As most Asian places tend to be slightly lacking in the friendliness department of customer service, it's always refreshing to walk into this store as the shop owner is extremely friendly and is able to recommend products without forcing them onto you.
When I stepped foot into the store for the first time since November yesterday, she greeted me with one of her huge pleasant smiles; I was surprised that she recognized me immediately ^ - ^.

(Actually, I think the shop owner told me that Peripera is actually the sister line of CLIO. But anyways~)

I purchased the Skin Food Black Sesame Hot Mask (THE SMELL IS TO DIE FOR; all black sesame-lovers MUST try this!! XD) and a cheek brush/spooley that was on sale. (Review will follow shortly. =))

Between buying the above beauty products, dried hawthorn and a cheese hot dog bun for lunch, I also found these pretty cool dried purple sweet potatoes::

Later on we made a stop at EMTC to buy boots. Just a note for anyone living in the area that isn't aware of this yet (maybe since you're all cooped up trying to deal with school stuff, or since strangling yourself in a large knit scarf to prevent catching pneumonia from the frigid temperatures doesn't sound all that appealing to you), the mall is currently under renovation and a lot of areas are closed off.

This is its current situation:

Just look at that truss system!

After searching through Sears and The Bay, we eventually found winter boots on sale and stopped for a quick snack break before heading home. (Another note to self: Timothy's Honey Bran muffins are LITERALLY just honey and butter. Way too sweet for my liking.)

Oooh! Almost forgot!

Not sure if I mentioned this previously, but I have been wanting to visit an aquarium for the longest time ever! The original plan was to visit the Vancouver aquarium while I was there for Christmas holidays. Well, that didn't happen.

I really wanted to visit Ripley's in Toronto too. But again, it never happened. ^ ^;

But one of my awesome friends was really sweet and this adorable ty beanie baby for me as a souvenir! (You know who you are - THANK YOU ^ ^ /)

"Hi! I'm Laguna =)"