Unless I have more pressing matters on my hands, I tend to enjoy being out and about. And it is because of this that a great deal of annoyance is expressed when weather conditions aren't very appropriate for commuting.
In March, I witnessed West Coast-like dreariness, steadfast showers, sudden snowfall, and above-seasonal temperatures - all in a period of under five weeks. Mother Nature's unpredictability wrecked havoc on overall well-being (as well as my jacket dry cleaning schedule). Just as I was about to thank my down coats for another season of snow, the flurries hit, and the mercury dropped once again.
In March, I witnessed West Coast-like dreariness, steadfast showers, sudden snowfall, and above-seasonal temperatures - all in a period of under five weeks. Mother Nature's unpredictability wrecked havoc on overall well-being (as well as my jacket dry cleaning schedule). Just as I was about to thank my down coats for another season of snow, the flurries hit, and the mercury dropped once again.
The month immediately preceding final exams tends to be the most chaotic of all, especially since the second academic term is almost always shorter than the first (with Reading Week and more statutory holidays). Few adventures were held, but errands remained fulfilled; short-lived periods of bliss were snuck in between to prevent the sanity meter from imploding.
1) Roll-Up-The-Rim
The national event convinces many Canadians to support the (once-)local coffee franchise in spite of their regular orders and shop preferences, myself included. On more than once occassion, I put forth the effort to include a Timmy's run into my day, even while possessing complete access to a collection of brewing equipment and materials at home.
The newly-introduced Dark Roast was bland and watery; the Chocolate Chip cookie was too thin and sugary, therefore rendering it unsatisfactory. And no, I didn't win anything either.
I believed myself to be more than generous enough after yielding to another purchase, and then another after RUTR failed me again. But regardless of the location of purchase, it was all positively revolting. Hot Chocolate should be renamed to "Synthetic Sugar Syrup Drink", for there was no milk, no chocolate, nor any traces of cocoa powder.
The Sourcream Glazed donut was the final straw. The circular mounds had definitely shrank in both depth and width since last year's prize redemption time, but I simply waved that off and proceeded to sink my teeth into the glazed specimen. One bite in, I found myself gagging at the extreme sweetness, but continued to chew anyways. Quickly gulping the chunk down with a swig of water, I took my second bite, only to overwhelmed with an even stronger punch of sugar on sugar. Instead of a chewy, satisfying donut, it seemed that I was merely eating spoonfuls of sugar.
The national event convinces many Canadians to support the (once-)local coffee franchise in spite of their regular orders and shop preferences, myself included. On more than once occassion, I put forth the effort to include a Timmy's run into my day, even while possessing complete access to a collection of brewing equipment and materials at home.
The newly-introduced Dark Roast was bland and watery; the Chocolate Chip cookie was too thin and sugary, therefore rendering it unsatisfactory. And no, I didn't win anything either.
I believed myself to be more than generous enough after yielding to another purchase, and then another after RUTR failed me again. But regardless of the location of purchase, it was all positively revolting. Hot Chocolate should be renamed to "Synthetic Sugar Syrup Drink", for there was no milk, no chocolate, nor any traces of cocoa powder.
The Sourcream Glazed donut was the final straw. The circular mounds had definitely shrank in both depth and width since last year's prize redemption time, but I simply waved that off and proceeded to sink my teeth into the glazed specimen. One bite in, I found myself gagging at the extreme sweetness, but continued to chew anyways. Quickly gulping the chunk down with a swig of water, I took my second bite, only to overwhelmed with an even stronger punch of sugar on sugar. Instead of a chewy, satisfying donut, it seemed that I was merely eating spoonfuls of sugar.
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I've always been one to discourage food wastage, hence why I'll consume some ridiculous items even if they fail to meet even the most basic criteria. But this was honestly ridiculous.
The piece was regurgitated. The paper bag was tossed.
Tim Horton's is forever off the grid.
The piece was regurgitated. The paper bag was tossed.
Tim Horton's is forever off the grid.
2) CLIO Kill Cover Liquid Founwear Ampoule Cushion
After a semi-successful run with The Face Shop's CC Long Lasting Cushion (it dried up so rapidly to the point where application became impossible), I was in desperate need of a solution. For the sake of timeliness, I couldn't afford to order a specific product online.
I took my chances of the existing inventory at Multi Brand, eventually purchasing the Ampoule Cushion on impulse for approximately two times its online retail price. Ugh, so much for skillful planning.
After a semi-successful run with The Face Shop's CC Long Lasting Cushion (it dried up so rapidly to the point where application became impossible), I was in desperate need of a solution. For the sake of timeliness, I couldn't afford to order a specific product online.
I took my chances of the existing inventory at Multi Brand, eventually purchasing the Ampoule Cushion on impulse for approximately two times its online retail price. Ugh, so much for skillful planning.
While it's far too large to fit into my makeup pouch, the long-wearing formula does provide a uniform, dewy finish with medium-high coverage; it's a suitable choice for combination skin during transitional periods (like now).
Scent-sensitive users take care: the underlying foundation retains a touch of floral. This aspect doesn't bother me at all; rather, it is the yellow cast from an improper shade choice ("4 - Ginger") that irks me with each application.
Scent-sensitive users take care: the underlying foundation retains a touch of floral. This aspect doesn't bother me at all; rather, it is the yellow cast from an improper shade choice ("4 - Ginger") that irks me with each application.
The elastic band on the cushion applicator itself is also an awkward size: too small for three fingers, yet too tight for two. Nonetheless, I shall be using this until the refill is thoroughly drained as well.
3) Wintermelon Tea w/ Grass Jelly from CoCo
Hands down, this is my favourite Tea of the Month yet! I've likely purchased at least one cup per week.
Hands down, this is my favourite Tea of the Month yet! I've likely purchased at least one cup per week.
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4) Brown and Cony getting covered in snow
5) A flaming pan of Dakgalbi from Joons
5) A flaming pan of Dakgalbi from Joons
6) Exclusive behind-the-Scenes footage of reinforced concrete beam testing
7) Homemade Matcha Latte
8) Studying visuals, including my teal tumbler from DAVIDsTEA and a not-so-flaky Chocolate Croissant from the campus cafeteria
9) Frankenfrap and Almond Croissant from Starbucks (Who, in the right mind, would add peach lemonade to a Frappuccino instead of peppermint syrup?? Oh I digress.)
8) Studying visuals, including my teal tumbler from DAVIDsTEA and a not-so-flaky Chocolate Croissant from the campus cafeteria
9) Frankenfrap and Almond Croissant from Starbucks (Who, in the right mind, would add peach lemonade to a Frappuccino instead of peppermint syrup?? Oh I digress.)
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10) Attempting spam musubi at home
11) Phenomenal meals from The Poke Box
12) The resulting image from a spotty GO bus window
11) Phenomenal meals from The Poke Box
12) The resulting image from a spotty GO bus window
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13) Toronto randoms feat. Easter plushies, City Hall, and Uncle Tetsu's wondrous Triple-Baked Cheese Tarts
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14) Mid-day Vanilla Cone pick-me-up (McDonald's, you soothe my heart.)
15) Various meals ingested throughout the month.
15) Various meals ingested throughout the month.
16) Mango Sticky Rice + brunch of Hoddeok + Americano
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17) My cushion puffs finally made their appearance!...in a damaged container.
18) Swift errands sometimes morph into sudden shopping trips. All I can say is that: the lady at The Face Shop is as friendly and knowledgeable as she is strategic and sales-smart.
I shall never underestimate the power of browcaras again.
19) Coconut Slush + Mango Banana Smoothie from Mii Sandwich
My previous purchases amounted to enough Vicinity points to redeems a smoothie of my choice, so I concluded my Square One run with a sweet, milky Coconut Smoothie and a Mango Banana Smoothie (the $3.99 Daily Special). Both were tasty and satisfying, though while real fruit had evidently been blended within the icy drinks, the ingredient list was not exempt from fillers, flavour powders, and sugar syrups. Either way, I was content that the flavours were not compromised with artificial additions.
And to supplement my previous comments toward Su&Shi Burrito, the merging of the two food court stalls is official (and likely implemented by the crew behind spring rolls).
My previous purchases amounted to enough Vicinity points to redeems a smoothie of my choice, so I concluded my Square One run with a sweet, milky Coconut Smoothie and a Mango Banana Smoothie (the $3.99 Daily Special). Both were tasty and satisfying, though while real fruit had evidently been blended within the icy drinks, the ingredient list was not exempt from fillers, flavour powders, and sugar syrups. Either way, I was content that the flavours were not compromised with artificial additions.
And to supplement my previous comments toward Su&Shi Burrito, the merging of the two food court stalls is official (and likely implemented by the crew behind spring rolls).
20) More munching visuals
21) UB coming to rescue my sanity when essentially everything in life amounts to an unbelievable amount of stress and mental instability - 진영 아, 너없이 못살아 ♡.
21) UB coming to rescue my sanity when essentially everything in life amounts to an unbelievable amount of stress and mental instability - 진영 아, 너없이 못살아 ♡.
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22) Attempts at Matcha Souffle Pancakes that ultimately ended in tragedy due to low-quality green tea powder and sticky ingredient ratios - but, for the record, adding yuzu cream was a good choice.
23) End-of-the-month McD's run to ease week-long cravings for burgers, followed by another trip to CoCo for the last of their Wintermelon Tea special
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Is it exam time yet?!?! Reinforced concrete columns need a lot of love before finals...
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