Out & About #295 | Collective November Visuals

I still wonder why Remembrance Day wasn't passed as an official holiday. Considering it's already gained statutory status in British Columbia and several other parts of the nation, I truly don't see a reason to object this much-needed mini vacation.

November was a torturous month, comprised of little beyond impending deadlines, an insurmountable number of final projects, dysfunctional group work, and sleep deprivation.
To make matters worse, weather was forgiving. Indeed, the abnormally above-season temperatures only further questioned my intentions to stroll outside instead of hibernating within the depths of my paper-cluttered chamber of sadness.

For the most part, I attempted to fill the void with sugar-laden treats and carby snacks alike, probably packing on several pounds in the process.

1) Starbucks
It's Christmas season! Red cups, festive-sounding beverages, and spicy baked goods lined every display case and menu board at Starbucks. Gingerbread loaves and Chestnut Praline Lattes were never my thing, but their newly-introduced Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew - "SSCCB" for short - serves as an unbelievably amazing pick-me-up for early mornings.

2) Blue skies and crunchy leaves beneath my feet signified a slightly delayed fall.
3) Lemon King and Passion Fruit Black Tea from CoCo

4) BLT Sandwich from Panera Bread (and a very costly one at that)
5) View through the gates outside Osgoode Hall
6) Popsicles in night class
7) A delectable Rainbow Bagel for lunch from What A Bagel on Spadina

8) Sunsets now take place around 4 PM - too early for comfort, personally speaking.
9) Iced Matcha Milk Tea
10) Silly snaps captured in between toiling through assignments

11) Brown Dog Hot Chocolate from Brown Dog Bootleg Cafe on Locke Street
12) Pre-Daylight Savings' afternoon sky
13) Routing outflows with a side of Matcha Latte
14) Revisiting Hazel - simply because it's awesome! (1, 2, 3)

15) Erin Mills Town Centre looking festive
16) Pita Pit Westdale has massive Marauder spirit
17) Witnessed the juggling of flaming loaded rat traps

18) Cheese Tarts from T&T
Available in a pack of two or six, T&T's new molten cheese tarts are offered in four varities: Original, Chocolate, Green Tea, and Sweet Potato. Frankly, I wanted to try one of each, or perhaps find a box with a higher green tea to sweet potato ratio, though the flimsy plastic cases hadn't contained such a combination.

Each tart is approximately 2 to 2.5 times larger than that of Fugo's; the tart shell itself is firm to bite into, but also quite crumbly. In terms of cheese intensity, T&T's rendition is less prominent with a more viscous consistency.

Sweet Potato was, as expected, a flop that tasted neither of yam nor cheese. Green Tea and Original proved much better, though the flavours weren't particularly strong. I preferred the size and proper molten properties of the supermarket stylized one, though another member of the household expressed higher levels of enjoyment with Fugo.

The Chocolate version still intrigues me, though it's likely I'll be purchasing a two-pack instead of the half dozen - the paper box is inarguably sturider.

​19) Fresh Mango Slush with Aloe Vera (M3) from Presotea at Foodie North's express section
20) Goodies from Put A Cone On It in Koreatown, including Raspberry Sorbet and Black Cat Espresso Ice Cream

The number of visuals has evidently decreased this month - to which I owe to my unwavering academic workload. While it pains me to contemplate the arrival of final exams, I admittedly find some degree of relief from the lifted obligatio of attending classes and group meetings.

Here's to hoping for an equally mild December, speedy exam season, and rapidly approaching Christmas!