Out & About #1009 | Return to Work, Heat Wave + Bingz Square One Opening

There was a noticeable difference in energy levels associated with my return this time around. Or maybe it was that the overall energy supply have been sustained by alternating periods of rest and recovery over the two-week period.

As much as I love the Thai ahgase and her immense consideration for my bathroom usage habits, operating at maximum capacity for four consecutive days in a typically comfortable setting did not align with my vacation goals.
My regular routine is jam-packed enough; vacation ought be reserved for leisurely exploration with touches of tranquility. The fondest takeaways are rarely the days that involve hurrying from one place to another, but rather recollections of organically engaging with the new and familiar alike.

​I re-entered the workforce in just under 12 hours following my return. As much as I despise the trivial matters of desk booking - and "desk snatching", the hybrid model works best to sustain energy levels and employee productivity.
In consideration of a throbbing headache and sore throat, I opted out of my usual office appearance. The week-long heat wave, mixed with sporadic thunderstorms, only served to finalize this decision, single-handedly, of course.

The steady transition involved a boatload of fresh fruit and small collection of homemade café items. While abroad, kitchen tools were few and not always fully functional. Back home, I gleefully took to my cutting boards, knives, and sieves to process in-season cherries, strawberries, mini Taiwanese pineapple, Honeycrisp apples, oranges, and Ataulfo mangoes.

​Somewhat disappointing were these strawberries; their small size, damp exterior, and nearly undetectable sweetness sent them to the stovetop, where they were simmered down to form a compote, and eventually, a jam.
The quantity of sugar had been scaled down from my go-to jam recipe, while the lemon juice was a rough estimate (read: too generous of a squeeze) and the gelatin maintained consistent with 4 cups' worth of strawberries. Naturally, the yield was more reminiscent of a zesty strawberry jelly than a jam.

​Most surprising was how the formula had reduced with impressive speed - much quicker than both the breadmaker and Instant Pot! Within thirty minutes, I was able to transfer the solution to an airtight container. Some several hours later, it thickened enough to be used in a Strawberry Matcha Latte, sweetened with a few spoonfuls of golden yellow sugar syrup. (Truth be told: Vancouver's version of "not too sweet" is still, in fact, quite sweet.)
Overnight, it congealed to a slice-able dessert. It was no longer spreadable, but nonetheless tasty and refreshing.

​The freezer supplied breakfasts of Apple Crumble Cake, while my existing Paragon and Costco inventory enabled the creation of an Oolong Tea Latte and Guava Refresher.

​Emails were reviewed as I munched my way through meatballs and plasticy pork jerky from Mei Jan Hong (now blacklisted). Nayeon's ABCD was also played on loop around the clock. Despite being an utterly different vibe than POP!, it still proved to be an equally adored track by yours truly. (I shall admit: Since its release, I have strived to learn a different segment of the choreography each chance I get.)

​Five days following my return came - you guessed it! - my first round of errands. Retrieval of bottle deposits and MEC returns would land me in The Beer Store and Square One respectively. The latter shed some interesting trivia about taxable items in the province of Ontario:

• Adult clothing was subject to HST (13% tax)
• Children's clothing was only subject to GST (5% tax)
• Infant clothing was not taxed at all (0% tax)

In other words, those that are still able to fit into kids' sizes may reap the benefits of GST-only purchases.

For the next item on the agenda, I made my way towards the shopping centre food court.

​Since their first outpost at First Markham Place, Bingz has expanded to the Yorkdale food court and the food hall section of Fairview. During my absence, the chain was also welcomed to the Eaton Centre. The Square One location happened to align with my return (and self-imposed work-from-home day).

Where a checkered red-and-white barrier once stood, a lineup had formed before the counter. At the 11:30 AM mark, the queue extended into the seating area. Two staff members, clad in red polo shirts, paced along the length of the patient patrons distributing promotional flyers with coupons, simultaneously engaging in queue management. I inquired of the estimated wait time, which was approximated to be 20 minutes. It was an acceptable approximate, thus I remained as positioned.

It was nearing noon when I finally neared the counter to place my order. To my astonishment, the BOGO offer on Crispy Burgers was not limited to two of the same item: Customers had the option of different protein variations. That said, I was, and still am, most keen towards the Signature Pork. The Plum Fizz was also of interest to me, though unfortunately unavailable. I spotted the Matcha Cloud Milkshake adjacent to my first choice on the menu and swiftly appended it to my order. It was also worth nothing that, unlike First Markham Place, the combo deals all adopted the same constituents of a crispy burger, side, and drink. It did not discriminate between the types of burgers whatsoever.

With tremendous surprise, I received my order within seconds of completing payment, then my chosen beverage a few more seconds later.

The Matcha Cloud Milkshake did not come with a lid, nor had the staff intended to provide me with one. I stared at the mountain of whipped cream in horror. Meanwhile, a different member of staff extended a taller plastic cup and flat lid in my direction, apologizing while doing so. Technically, he was not at fault for unexpected inconvenience at all. Had I known the "Cloud" was in reference to whipped cream, I would have requested omitting it entirely.
A few sips of the Milkshake informed of an icy, smoothie-like texture instead. Frankly, the Square One exclusive item tasted better than anticipated. I settled for sipping on the flimsy paper straw and swirling the whipped cream until the lid could be properly secured.

​By the time I commenced my return to the car, a much longer queue had formed. The early afternoon hours saw extension of the lineup into Centre Court.

The buns would be devoured upon reaching home. Interestingly, they were larger than the variation I had been acquainted with. Beyond the difference in diameter, the buns are also drier (less greasy) but fantastically flaky with equally tender meat within. One could argue that the reduction in meaty juices landed the burgers at the dry end of the spectrum, but I quite appreciated the absence of greasy residue.

Suffice to say, two Bingz visits in 1.5 months was more than frequent enough for me.