Out & About #686 | The Decade Turns One

Happy New Year!

Another 365 (+1) days have passed us by, and we've arrived at yet another period of sappy recaps. (But is there even anything to recap?) The last nine months have likely been as vague for me as any other human requiring to interact with the outside world, with the COVID virus and its prominent, indefinite presence.

​A time of reflection comes with each year's end, but rather than recounting those that rouse regret and resentment, the approach ought be constructive. Too soon have I noticed those on the interweb bidding riddance to the year of 2020; optimism should be carried forward, but not without comprehensive review of the year's happenings.

​Over the course of the pandemic, the global community has been stretched with no expected end in sight. Majority of occupations were shifted to that of a virtual working environment, with the exception of the essential services that support our lives silently in the background. And the non-essentials, some of which I shall not deny contempt of, dissolved - either out of lack of need or lack of financial support. The shift towards electronic processes for municipal and provincial services were well overdue, yet materialized only in the wake of a crisis.

​But, as a civilization, we are dynamic creatures, adaptable and resilient in the face of change. The show must go on.

I'll admit it:
I missed experiencing work life in the flesh, whether it entailed office-bound overtime or not.
I missed the opportunities to engage with members of my social circle, whether we were on tight terms or not.
I missed outings that didn't involve running back to the house because I had forgotten a mask.
I missed the potential trip to see GOT7's domestic anniversary concert.

Most importantly, I missed the daily activities we took for granted. Every instance was a privilege, from every step to every living breath. Mere survival is already an opportunity. COVID couldn't depict more clearly that having health is having wealth.

​Throughout these "trying times", I blamed not once the incarnation of such a lethal bug. In a society employing the survival of the fittest, our fate alters only with the actions we choose to execute, irrelevant of third-party stimulants. We, as a species, are given two options: live to learn, or learn to live.
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From here, the only way is up, up the knowledge chain on a quest to conquer coronavirus and re-instate the activities we loved and will love again.

In contrast to other years, I spent the holiday season assembling reports, quietly and honestly quite drearily, instead of dashing between pre-scheduled gatherings. On the odd day, I'd venture out for a grocery run -  unwillingly, might I add - or a curbside pickup to avoid staggering local shipping fees.

​It was only three days after the merry occasion when Valentine's Day items began decorating the shelves. Yet, not a single quality clearance item could be found. Locating seasonal cookie cutters after Halloween and Christmas proved a tragic challenge.

​With only a few days prior to the next celebration, we settled for repuposing Christmas turkey into congee and polishing off leftovers, snacking on one of many truffle boxes and 糖水 in between.

I had managed to complete majority of my delegated responsibilities by mid-week, thus took up the grand scheme of a Markham getaway. ("Grand", for wandering that far would induce tremendous anxiety in the absence of public washrooms.)

​The city was eerily quiet, with ample parking available in Downtown Markham. Just as freezing rain pellets began their descent, we ticked off our main purposes of the visit and swiftly drove back west.

From an entity who I am proud to declare a friend of four years plus, I received a bundle of homemade goodies, in addition to a trio obtained from Issho Bakery's Holiday Cookie Tin.
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Within orangecane's package were jam-filled bakery-style cookies, experimental crunchy-chewy Mugwort Chocolate Chip cookies, and, my favourite of all, the trademark sleepy Santa.

Mustard microgreens were also received, acting as the instant accent to an otherwise standard ensemble of wilted spinach and Chinese-style tomato fried egg.

I opted to conclude the year with another mini feast (read: another mighty feat).

The New Year's Meal spread comprised of:

1) Roasted carrots and Yukon Gold potatoes

2) Tropical Fruit Cocktail Potato Salad w/ Soft-Boiled Eggs

3) Paris Toasts w/ Cream Cheese and Vietnamese Deli Meat

4) Steak

Pan-fried in both a cast iron skillet and nonstick Teflon according to Josh's instructions, the inch-thick cuts were sublime and tender. The undeniably smokier finish of the cast iron method earned collective praise.

5) NYE Bûche

Inspired by June and adapted from Sunday Baking, my first foray into the realm of roll cakes utilized a sponge of equal parts natural and black cocoa powder, a rich espresso cream set by gelatin, and silky chocolate ganache to finish.

​My cake rolling skills are far from superb, thus resulting in a lopsided log. Nonetheless, it boasted the moistness of cocoa-laced sponge, alluring airiness of espresso cream filling, and toothsome trifle of velvety chocolate.

While my Bûche de Nouvelle Année wasn't flawless, it delivered a scrumptious finish to the final meal of the year.
As with all life happenings, it was a first attempt - imperfect but intact, ultimately attaining its intended objective. And such should be our attitude towards year-ends, be it 2020 or beyond.