Weekends these days are generally an extension of the regular work week, with the exceptions of errands replacing email correspondence and nonstop cooking in place of site visits. The 9-to-5 working hours hold consistent.
Sparse pockets of time are sometimes allocated towards baking projects, for the process enables creativity without fear of criticism for abandoning my post in the kitchen. Dried cranberries, raisins, and unsalted, roasted almonds had been obtained on the most recent grocery run, thus prompting the realization of Oatmeal Cookies.
Sparse pockets of time are sometimes allocated towards baking projects, for the process enables creativity without fear of criticism for abandoning my post in the kitchen. Dried cranberries, raisins, and unsalted, roasted almonds had been obtained on the most recent grocery run, thus prompting the realization of Oatmeal Cookies.
An accidentally heavy handful of baking soda resulted in modest dryness, though the cookies remained suitable as a hearty breakfast item.
As an afternoon snack, it paired swell alongside the 8 Man English Pale Ale - a variety I had initially anticipated to prove as bitter as an IPA.
As an afternoon snack, it paired swell alongside the 8 Man English Pale Ale - a variety I had initially anticipated to prove as bitter as an IPA.
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A quick round of cleaning took place before more errands. Oh, and hair-dying at home. For the very first time in my life.
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The offer had been on the line for quite some time, but it wasn't until a certain prehistoric creature swung by to relieve me of my workload that the procedure properly materialized.
Consumed whilst awaiting the reveal of rose-tinged hair was Coffee Stout and a spice-laced cider gifted by my favourite fangirl.
Consumed whilst awaiting the reveal of rose-tinged hair was Coffee Stout and a spice-laced cider gifted by my favourite fangirl.
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Zero comments were extended towards my return to the real world with a mane of revived red. It was of no matter to me; I proceeded with my lunchtime excursions about the PATH for economical snacks, errands (yes, there is always more on the to-do list), and the Plant Positivity pop-up at Union Station.
It's been an unusually quiet (gloomy?) time in the house thus far, and I was reminded of Chinese New Year festivities only upon observing the floral Shiseido tunnel at Hudson's Bay.
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Mid-week undertakings were scheduled to take place by Eglinton West: research results for low-budget physical activity pointed in the direction of free drop-in classes at York Recreation Centre. And nearby just so happened to be Seara Bakery, a colleague recommendation for Portuguese egg tarts.
Located in a sidewalk-less plaza near Keele and Lawrence, the bakery-café hybrid bore a great degree of similarity to SanRemo. That said, the seating area was roomier, significantly cleaner, and more pleasant overall. A double-sided laminated menu and napkin dispenser were positioned at every table; a cartoon-esque mural of the city adorned the south wall of the establishment
We took to sharing Crème Caramel as well as a single Nata - aka the primary purpose of the stopover.
Known traditionally as a Spanish Quesillo, the former was a rigid take on Filipino flan that comprised of egg, milk, and soggy scraps of burnt caramel. Coarse bubbles were present throughout the cross-section, indicating an overestimated cooking time. Granting such properties, sugar levels were acceptable and depth of flavour was present.
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Relative to the bain-marie'd confection, the Nata was tiny albeit tremendous by means of sapidity.
Custardy, cloying, crunchy, coconutty, and comatose-inducing could be associated attributes. Embedded within the layers of its flaky shell was an impressive, exotic aroma, which further exaggerated the syrupy, cornstarch-congealed filling. It was a treat not for the faint of heart, but the sake of a sugar-deprived soul.
Custardy, cloying, crunchy, coconutty, and comatose-inducing could be associated attributes. Embedded within the layers of its flaky shell was an impressive, exotic aroma, which further exaggerated the syrupy, cornstarch-congealed filling. It was a treat not for the faint of heart, but the sake of a sugar-deprived soul.
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With that said, both offerings were capable of satisfying afternoon snack cravings. Front-line service staff were also exceptionally friendly.
As dusk began to roll around, we deployed ourselves to the York Recreation Centre asphalt lot. Spots had begun to fill up quickly, to which we responded by parking at a geographically lower second lot and trekking upwards. It wasn't until checking in at the front desk that a dismal discovery was made: passes for the evening Zumba class had long been distributed. Moreover, participants without possession of ID cards displaying a residential address within the Toronto boundaries were not eligible for free drop-ins.
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Some quick Googling (and perplexed wayfinding) and we landed ourselves at Anytime Fitness just in time for the 7 PM pilates class. Might I add that this was preposterously easy - a painless routine demanding little brainpower. Blogilates' unpredictable pulses and beat-based challenges are more to my liking.
We ended the evening with Chipotle's Supergreens Salad, topped with Chicken, Steak, and, of course, guac. The Keto-friendly bowl was not only satisfying, but managed to persuade even my dubious partner-in-crime that Mexican cuisine was not all beans and rice.
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Round 1 of Oatmeal Cookies had adopted rough guidelines from a quick Google search; an impromptu Round 2 was sourced directly from my currently Aussie-stationed world-traveller.
This take was excessively sugary but oddly popular in the office. It has since depleted my raisin stash and I have no intentions of its reiteration.
This take was excessively sugary but oddly popular in the office. It has since depleted my raisin stash and I have no intentions of its reiteration.
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Sightings of CNY-pertaining things continued into the weekend.
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A temple visit was not conducted this time around; instead was a post-work solo endeavour of Fried Fish Skin and 三拼雲吞麵 at Wonton Chai.
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Sudden hankerings for sugar cookies caused me to turn to orangecane's most trusted recipe source. The outcome of this were perfectly perfect Matcha Sugar Cookies. I may have been a bit premature in swapping in my Easter cookie cutters, but who could say no to a bite-sized Ahgase?
Tweaks in my rendition included the exemption of vanilla extract, substituting 9 g of all-purpose flour with matcha powder, and halving the ingredient list (minus the egg) altogether.
Should energy levels remain at reasonable levels, Sundays are, customarily, set aside for social interactions. Stemming from a last-minute call for coordination was (post-dust-purging) badminton, followed by Mario Kart 8 (a game at which I sadly remain rusty) and a drive to Cineplex.
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The two primary prompters for Parasite were Jinyoung's cosplay of the movie poster and orangecane's suggestion at its viewing. With limited showtimes in the GTA - and limited schedule availability on my part - we agreed to enjoy the movie separately.
Synopses were not given even a millisecond of time prior to watching; I would be going in blind, as I always prefer to do.
Synopses were not given even a millisecond of time prior to watching; I would be going in blind, as I always prefer to do.
We plodded into the theatre approximately fifteen minutes after their slated start time, entering just as the opening scenes began to play. Trailers had been skipped; we were thankful to find seats in the tiny auditorium.
Find the personal opinions of the commended international film HERE.
Find the personal opinions of the commended international film HERE.
Departing the movie near the 8:30 PM mark meant dinner would be consumed according to the West Coast time zone.
< Pictured above and below:
- Pumpkin Hot Pot Congee with Rock Crab Meat & Vegetarian Shark Fin/南瓜蟹肉素翅煲仔 (A2) (Small)
- Sliced Fish & Blood Jello Congee/魚片豬紅粥 (B8)
- Vegetable with Oyster Sauce/郊外油菜 (K59)
- Yeung Chow Fried Rice with Shrimp & B.B.Q. Pork/揚州炒飯 (H14) >
A late run of McDonald's and a quiet meal at Congee Queen would mark the end of the flurry-filled night.
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