Out & About #892 | Yet Another Slow Recovery, The Pilates Body Session #2 + Moon Musings

Counts of stomach flu, sniffles, and general illness have been obscenely high over the past month, and I'm not sure that I could tolerate another round of such trauma.

The slow recovery commenced with re-introducing coffee as part of my morning routine (no milk yet) and gradually transitioning back to solid food for strength and nutrition. For the first five days, I had little to no appetite, even when confronted with the sight - or smell - of food. Coaxing sustenance into the body was another challenge I never knew to be possible, for, just one bite in, I'd suffer resistance to the intake. It mattered not whether the food was liquid or solid at that point.

My body felt fine to move, though. I took to dusting and hosing off my car mats, as the scene of dried muck on clean carpet had riled up even me, the least car-conscious creature on this planet.

What a view to behold!

In fact, I began itching to return to my regular exercise program by the arrival of the weekend. Alas, weakness in the limbs and overall nausea prevailed. I perspired not a single drop while working through my regular roster of Well + Good and a Taylor Tone barre series.

The doctor advised further re-hydration with electrolyte beverages and increasing my potassium intake through natural sources such as bananas, potatoes, and also yogurt. Probiotics were, as expected, recommended for improved gut health.
"Ease back into exercise slowly" she cautioned.

​When evening neared, I grew slightly worried, partially expecting to go into class feeling the same degree of frigidity and nausea as I did the day before. Thankfully, the experience proved me more resilient than expected.

​I arrived early this time, with just enough leeway to catch the end of an earlier semi-private class and observe the fluffy white clouds against a beaming, blue evening sky.

​Last week's class participants filed in around the 7 pm mark, with one couple barging ahead of me into the studio to claim "their" Reformers from the previous week. Amongst the last to enter the facility previously, I hadn't had much time to observe my fellow classmates. This time, I spotted grey hair on the man and an undeniable ahjumma-ness about the woman, predominantly strong in her baggy, striped cotton T-shirt.

The rest of the class also took to the same Reformers as before, leaving me the spot closest to the window/entranceway. I quite enjoyed it, frankly, as it offered delineation from the other students, especially when extending the arms out into a T-shape. Moreover, the Reformer seemed to be have the least amount of wear. It was maintained very well, with no cracks on the Carriage and a nearly pristine Reformer Box, while chipped edges were observed on that of my neighbour's.

I also quickly declared my view to be the best: I could gaze up and outwards at the sunny blue skies, yet have my eyes shielded from direct UV penetration with diffusing blinds and still remain indoors with A/C. It was an extremely serene environment to proceed with one's practice. "B R E A T H E" had been positioned on the window sill not far from me, serving as a good reminder for deep inhales and exhales while performing pilates.

Re-conducting my equipment check, I found that my initial tally had been incorrect. There were, in fact:

• 8 Reformers in the group studio space
• 6 Chairs (thus insufficient to use for Beginner Series)
• 6 Cardio Tramps (again insufficient for the full class)
• 6 Bosu Balls under the Cadillac in the back room
• One more additional room behind the private space

​
When turning my head towards the Tower, my gaze fell upon blank canvases situated along the way behind each Reformer. Technically, I had already made the observation last week, but seeing them again made me ponder whether artwork was pending. Admittedly, it'd be nice to have pieces to distract from the pain and help keep the head in neutral spine alignment.

​The warmup comprised of leg extensions similar to those used in the first class. They were still executed using three red springs, but surprisingly felt easier this time, despite my having completing a Taylor Toned barre video the day prior. Froggers were added, in addition to lying squats, calve raises, and wide squats.

Glutes were omitted from the evening's routine, with the focus shifting instead to upper body and a bit of core. With the head rested on the Carriage, a series of pilates Hundreds were executed; breathing in for a count of five took on a new meaning: five quick breaths in, followed by five quick breaths out. The concept was unfamiliar to me, as long, sustained breaths were often used for deep core activation. In pilates stance, we also completed several leg extensions (to forty-five degrees) and, after resting the head down, thigh circles in both direction. Turning to face the Tower, we revisited bicep curls with rollback ("C Curve"). For core work, the instructor usually specifies a neutral or imprint spine. For the arm and upper back exercises though, it is not always mentioned.

​More props were utilized this time around: The "Dowel", which is the rod found tucked underneath the Reformer, and Reformer Box, which was arranged in both Long and Short Box positions.
I thoroughly enjoyed the back exercises involving lying face down on the Long Box - Well + Good has really prepared me for correct activation by emphasizing how the pelvis is pressed into Long Box while the shoulders remain relaxed.

I had hooked on one blue and one white spring for the exercise, though could possibly complete a few reps using one red spring once the right shoulder is fully recovered.

One of the exercises involved sitting on the Short Box with the body facing a lowered footbar and rolling back into a C-curve. The arms, placed in genie position, would be attached together and raised above the head briefly, then brought back down. A variation of this involved straightening the back and firmly embedding one's sitbones into the Reformer Box. Then, while holding the Dowel, we would hinge back while keeping the chest open and shoulders down. It mimicked the Earthquake and deep core exercises I've grown to love and hate.

The class emphasized my ever-prominent strength difference between the left and right arms (not alarming at all), but also pointed out general areas of neglect. External rotation is much harder than internal, and with drastic differences on each side of the body.
My favourite exercise of the day was threading both hands through the hand straps and rotating in one plane of motion to engage obliques. Given that most oblique routines on the mat are bicycle variations, this one was interesting as it incorporated tension. Chloe is right in that one needs to keep moving to preserve range of motion.
Disinfecting wipes were handed out to clean our respective Reformers, just as last week.

Though I am aware that comparing myself to the rest of class is valueless, a bit of giddiness was undeniable knowing that I could handle more when others already "felt the burn". That said, most of the class appeared to be not only new to Reformer, but pilates as a whole.

Enjoyable was this second class was enjoyable, despite it being not particularly challenging. With my departure, the instructor commented, "You have very good form!" I thanked her in response, then thought to myself in silence: 
"I'm glad! I should hope so after so many years of pilates, with and without an instructor nearby."

Mid-day snacks were steadily re-incorporated into my diet as appetite was regained. They consisted of: Seaweed Turtle Chips from orderlyblue, an Old-Fashioned Plain Donut from Timmies (the only acceptable donut - mark my words!!!), too-astringent Thai Tea, and not-quite-ripe strawberries.

​I revisited Wendy's French Toast Sticks during breakfast hours, this time dusting with icing sugar before serving. The Woodchester location had proved tastier and eggier, though its edges were nonetheless crisp and gratifying. 

Having also taken to a small Strawberry Frosty, I can confirm the treat quite enjoyable after residing in the freezer for several hours. That said, synthetic strawberry flavour isn't an accent I'm fond of. More likely am I to advocate for Chocolate, or even Vanilla, but the speckled, limited-time offering is ideal for anyone hankering for Strawberry Pocky in a soft serve format.

My last in-office day at Yonge-Eglinton started off dismal. Despite dry road conditions and ample sunshine, construction season in the city had just commenced: Watermain replacements around each corner and lane closures upon lane closures, reducing four to two, then again from two to one. It was absolutely brutal.

Forty-six minutes later, I finally arrived at Keele. About ninety minutes later, I would board the TTC into Midtown. At the very least, I could declare punctuality of the city's dreadful transit system.

Lunchtime was met with sunny, blue skies at first. I strode south of the intersection towards Juicy Dumpling, passing by banners for Smile Cookies. It would seem that, instead of the typical mid- to late-September period, Tim Hortons would be launching the campaign earlier in the spring.

​At Juicy Dumpling, I observed a late lunch crowd filing into the eatery for the establishment's trademark soup dumplings. Having already consumed lunch, a BOGO offer of the W3 Sticky Rice Balls Stuffed w/ Black Sesame in Sweet Rice Wine Soup (桂花酒釀芝麻湯圓) was requested for taking home. The soup and dumplings were asked to be separated to minimize sogginess, yet little had I known that the restaurant hadn't bothered adding in a drop of soup to the rice balls to prevent adhering.

Observed from across the table was the delighted devouring of S1 Steamed Mini Soup Dumplings (Pork) (鮮肉小籠包) and P3 Pan Fried Juicy Buns (Pork) (生煎包).
"This is so good!" was heard being expressed in utter awe.
"Yes." I responded, matter-of-factly. "Did you think it wouldn't be?"
"No, I just didn't think it could be this good at this price!"
​
In retrospect, the declaration was fair. Just four dollars for six soup dumplings was an incredible deal! - especially in today's economy.

After countless internal debates over whether I would be headed in the direction of Gong Cha this weekend, the headache was removed entirely by a complimentary Brown Sugar Oolong Milk Tea with 2J.

​The Davisville location had ended their BOGO promotion last Tuesday, but, by pure coincidence, I was able to try them out before departing the neighbourhood for good.

While the cashier was friendly, menu fully stocked, and interior bright and welcoming, my pick was crafted excessively sweet, to the point of being gag-worthy. The Mango Green Tea with Coconut Jelly, on the other hand, was informed to be just right, despite also being requested at 30% sweetness.

Unlike the Brampton outpost, the Toronto one had thankfully taken to paper straws instead of the brittle junk.

​Retracing my steps to the construction-filled intersection, I made one last stopover at Galleria, where discount snacks were acquired.

​The Honey & Butter Baguette slices were passable, being neither as honeyed nor as buttered as I would have enjoyed. The same commentary could be extended towards the Crunch Cheese Turtle Chips. Sudden cravings had arisen from sampling orderlyblue's gifted bag of Seaweed flavour and witnessing Sungjin indulge in a Grand Cheese Scone-Cookie, yet the variation simply did not deliver the anticipated degree of satisfaction. Honey Butter Chips, which I presume to have remained consistent in quality, were swooped up at a spectacular price of $2.48.

And, with that, my excruciating weekly trips to Midtown have concluded. "Good riddance!" I announced while bidding farewell to my cubicle, Eglinton station and all its mayhem, and TTC's constantly malfunctioning escalators. Of course, we can't forget 401 congestion; I really won't miss it at all.

​Later that evening, I unveiled Juicy Dumpling's W3 for sampling. The sticky rice balls had clumped together, causing the edges to tear when attempting to remove them individually. Black sesame filling oozed into the container, yet the rice balls resisted separation. With no other choice remaining, I took to a small pair of food scissors.

​The black sesame rice balls were tasty! However, the Sweet Rice Wine Soup was revolting: bland, cloudy, and disappointing all around.

---

I've patiently waited for further details before taking to express my sentiments, though it appears that, one week day, any pivotal emerging findings are unlikely to surface.
My fondness for ASTRO has been gleefully declared on this space time and time again, with Moonbin being the unrivalled bias. On the day that hell broke loose within my body was the same day the news of his death permeated worldwide fandoms. At first, I had thought it to be some cruel joke - and not a humours one at that - but it was long past April Fool's now. Information was limited, yet death was confirmed. Rumour had it that it was suicide, though there wasn't a single sign pointing towards the "extreme choice" that had been expressed explicitly and implicitly across various media portals.

​Mostly preoccupied with my own severe skid in health, the news was only partially processed with some awareness in the late evening hours. If police had not uncovered evidence of trespassing or murder, then I would have predicted the tragedy an unfortunate circumstance of painkiller or sleeping pill overdose. While I anxiously awaited further details on the cause of death to be revealed to the public, countless others had already assumed a decline in mental health and depression.
But why? I asked, to no user in particular. He smiles brightly and is doing exceptionally in his career, and has already reached a very established position in the industry from a young age. There is, truthfully, no motivator for pursuing an "extreme choice".

​While others argued that "You can never tell.", I disagreed fully. You can tell, if you look closely enough. Sad eyes, being out of touch with one's surroundings, and an overall air of denial is always apparent, no matter how hard one may try to hide it. So when the potential of stroke was mentioned, I heaved a knowing sigh, hoping for the truth to be revealed sooner than later. But it never was.
The cause of death is important. Mourning doesn't mean ignorance, and hardly does it mean neglecting all possible causes until the wave of grief has passed. Grieving and analysis can absolutely happen in parallel. Only by determining the cause can we, as a society, work to prevent similar outcomes from unfolding with our loved ones.

​Three days after the announcement, Moonbin's funeral was held on April 22nd - a day as drizzly and gloomy in the GTA as it must have been in the hearts of his family and friends. Alas, the cause of death was never officially announced.
To be frank, the eternal disappearance of one of my favourite artists didn't hit home until memorial letters were posted and translated. Behind each handwritten message was sorrow and longing, and occasionally guilt. The impact of Moonbin was undeniable, after all.

When I didn't succeed in getting a high-five at KCON LA, I assured myself that, one day, I would see the boys in concert and support them properly. The pact was even sealed with purchase of their official lightstick. Never would I have thought that the promise pass me by without being fulfilled, or that I'd never again be able to witness the beaming smile and charisma of one of my top idols.

​I really want to know the reason, but, with or without this information, the industry and the hearts of many AROHA have still lost a precious soul.
I think you left too early, Moonbin. I think you were taken too soon, and never intended to go in the first place. I hope that the "Moon World" that your idol besties mentioned is a destination where you can enjoy yourself to the fullest, where you can perform without restraint, and where the warmth of your smile never recedes.

Rest in peace.