"Winter is coming." booms a sinister voice in my head.
The season most dreaded by Canadians is nearly upon us, its inevitable appearance foreshadowed by Mother Nature warnings of frost and powerful gusts.
But alas, I shall continue to bask beneath the rays of sunshine until the fateful day dawns upon us
The season most dreaded by Canadians is nearly upon us, its inevitable appearance foreshadowed by Mother Nature warnings of frost and powerful gusts.
But alas, I shall continue to bask beneath the rays of sunshine until the fateful day dawns upon us
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Early in the week, I was summoned to the east side of the province - even further than the city's east limit of Scarborough. Being a commuter through and through, I chose the GO Train (and the utterly dismal municipal bus) over the estimated two-hour drive. I predicted some nap time, or at least a breather from nervewracking wayfinding procedures induced from unfamiliar surroundings.
With a starting point of Union Station, the entire journey approximated two and a half hours, including transfer time.
With a starting point of Union Station, the entire journey approximated two and a half hours, including transfer time.
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Once business had finished, I patiently retraced my route. This time, my endpoint would be Mississauga.
I don't know how the residents of Whitby survive with a GO-connecting DRT route operating every thirty minutes during weekday peak hours. Suburbs aren't renown for public transit, however I can't say Mississauga nor Markham fall within such a dire category.
I don't know how the residents of Whitby survive with a GO-connecting DRT route operating every thirty minutes during weekday peak hours. Suburbs aren't renown for public transit, however I can't say Mississauga nor Markham fall within such a dire category.
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Moreover, there was but only one option to kill time in the presence of Wi-Fi: our nation's (supposedly) favourite coffee shop. A severe lack of McDonald's in the walkable vicinity meant securing a Four Cheese Bagel from Tim's. Albeit warm (and delivered to me with an even warmer smile), its dryness was unmistakable. The absence of butter had further emphasized the bagel's denseness. In contrast, muted were the normally fragrant qualities of cheese.
I demolished the snack fairly quickly, which made the wait for the bus seem even lengthier in comparison.
Eventually, it pulled up outside the municipal building, then rushed its only five riders in the direction of Whitby GO.
Eventually, it pulled up outside the municipal building, then rushed its only five riders in the direction of Whitby GO.
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Connecting to the train took roughly fifteen minutes via the rocky ride. Traversing home was another approximate 2.75 hours, solidifying the trip as my longest one-way commute in history.
I called in the next day, for exhaustion had gotten the best of me. Lethargic, though thankfully not unwell, I set out to complete a few chores, including mundane house chores. Oh the humdrum adult life.
I called in the next day, for exhaustion had gotten the best of me. Lethargic, though thankfully not unwell, I set out to complete a few chores, including mundane house chores. Oh the humdrum adult life.
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Winter is synonymous with parched skin and dry digits, hence the need for Mediheal masks (from Miniso, because P-Mall is too far).
Upon my return to the core, I headed to The Krys for the purpose of redeeming an opening promo. Enlisting the company of my favourite fangirl, I marched over to St. Andrew station.
Upon my return to the core, I headed to The Krys for the purpose of redeeming an opening promo. Enlisting the company of my favourite fangirl, I marched over to St. Andrew station.
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Replacing the Jugo Juice at its east exit into PATH was the new tea shop/bakery hybrid. A wide array of bubble tea-style beverages graced the menu, further extending into eight varying tea bases for the Signature Milk Tea. Egg tarts sold alongside croissants made up the pastry display. Matcha Egg Tarts were an interesting feature of the establishment, though the price and presence of tiny rampant flies were enough to bound me to the complimentary opening deal.
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Restricted to a topping-less, Regular-Sized Signature Milk Tea, I took to a hot cup of the Hong Kong Milk Tea at a reduced sugar level. It was unexpectedly foamy at its surface, but more or less of average quality. Despite being a self-proclaimed "Milk Tea Bar", the beverage was overly milky and lacked the depth tasted in Cuppa.
My favourite fangirl took to suppressing no desires: the Classic Milk Tea and Roasted Houjicha Soy Milk Tea were requested with tapioca - and quite the incredulous portion at that. From what I gathered, it was tasty; tapioca pearls weren't overwhelmingly sweet or soggy either. At just over fifteen dollars for two cups though, I think I'll be taking my business to CoCo instead.
In regards to the Harbourfront location, we were informed that all materials and equipment were ready for business, and that only the permit was pending. The man behind the counter assured us that the waterfront crowd would be served in due time.
First Canadian Place's UNIQLO Pop-Up was toured before we parted ways.
First Canadian Place's UNIQLO Pop-Up was toured before we parted ways.
Halloween is seemingly the season for sweets. It all started with an Apple Pie from McDonald's for breakfast - secured via the McD's App's one-dollar deal.
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October 31st comprised of many a chocolatey treat: from chocolate- and peanut butter-covered Chex to Franken-themed baked sale treats, there was but a moment's pause in the consumption of sugar.
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A last-minute Umbreon costume resulted from the discovery of an office costume party, similar to the fashion in which last year's Minion had materialized.
The return of Chipotle's Boorito promotion was another factor that prompted the rushed DIY project. Sadly, inflation had done its way with the annual event and prices had surged from four dollars to six.
The return of Chipotle's Boorito promotion was another factor that prompted the rushed DIY project. Sadly, inflation had done its way with the annual event and prices had surged from four dollars to six.
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Balzac's UP Express location was revisited on an aimless trip around Union Station. The festive souvenir pop-up had yet to be installed for the season, so the extensive array of UP-exclusive merchandise and bagged beans lining the shelves were browsed in their place.
"How much are these?" I posed the question to a nearby member of staff, who was more than happy to clarify the price differences between the styles.
Adorning the bags were names such as "Amber Roast" and "Stout Roast", which automatically piqued my curiosity. And on a quest to formulate the perfect cold brew recipe, I piped up with the follow-up inquiry. The lady, in return, proceeded to shower me with her bounty of knowledge, and even noted that I could request a waft of any bean from a staff member before purchasing.
In addition to an approving nod to my confession of finding the perfect cold brew roast came an accent-laced "Deadly." - a peculiar but nonetheless positive word choice.
Adorning the bags were names such as "Amber Roast" and "Stout Roast", which automatically piqued my curiosity. And on a quest to formulate the perfect cold brew recipe, I piped up with the follow-up inquiry. The lady, in return, proceeded to shower me with her bounty of knowledge, and even noted that I could request a waft of any bean from a staff member before purchasing.
In addition to an approving nod to my confession of finding the perfect cold brew roast came an accent-laced "Deadly." - a peculiar but nonetheless positive word choice.
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The informative encounter was short-lived, yet oddly uplifting. Despite being devoid of a single financial transaction, it prompted me to recall a certain Second Cup instance - another exemplary display of customer service.
My Friday evening was characterized by another KDC class, not being able to follow along in said class, then ending the work week off with a ̶n̶o̶t̶-̶s̶o̶-̶w̶e̶l̶l̶-̶d̶e̶s̶e̶r̶v̶e̶d̶ Vanilla Cone.
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The Jack O' Katsu provided sufficient incentive to pay Katsuya another visit.
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Launched as a limited edition item for the spooky season, the set featured four strips of pork loin-wrapped mozzarella encased in the restaurant's signature housemade panko then topped with pumpkin mousse. The components of the dish were not a far cry from the Japanese Katsu, which we also requested with Pork Tender, however the scarcity of lean protein was quite evident, especially after a few bites. The featured pumpkin mousse was airy and tangy, unexpectedly so. This tartness was less apparent when consumed on the katsu strips themselves, but rather when sampled on the side. I couldn't pinpoint the exact origins of this acidity, though it's suffice to say that it was, no doubt, a familiar sensation.
Chicken Thigh Karaage was our appetizer of choice, and, boy, was it a greasy one. Lime wedges and a trio of sauces were provided as pairings. Spicy gochujang, (very potent) wasabi cream, and a sweet teriyaki were an assortment destined to satisfy the widest of preferences; wasabi cream was the personal favourite.
The pieces were crisp, with moisture locked in underneath the lumpy breading. My only complaint would be the lack of draining prior to serving. The underlying layer of chips were also too stiff for my liking, though this opinion was combatted on the basis of their irrefutable crunchiness.
The pieces were crisp, with moisture locked in underneath the lumpy breading. My only complaint would be the lack of draining prior to serving. The underlying layer of chips were also too stiff for my liking, though this opinion was combatted on the basis of their irrefutable crunchiness.
Other observations from the visit include:
- A heavy concentration of downright frightening Halloween decorations (unpictured was a plastic baby by the entrance)
- Lemon-infused water
- A server bearing strong B1A4 vibes - like a mix of Sandeul and CNU?
Following a round of Square One errands, I suggested popping into The Dr. Seuss Experience exhibit once more. As mentioned previously, a stroll inside the gift shop did not require an admission fee.
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We happened to waltz through the doors just in time for photo time with The Cat in the Hat! Shortly afterwards came story time with Thing 1 and Thing 2.
An exhibit with purchase-able pieces of art had also been installed since last Saturday, enabling older attendees to admire the progression of Dr. Seuss' works as the young'uns took to crayon colouring at the other end.
One last visual for the week: Raspberry Lemonade, crafted from overly ripe raspberries and leftover lemon slices.
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