Out & About #965 | A New Year, Again

It wouldn't be an understatement to say that, with each passing year - and the inevitable culmination of age - the lure of newness diminishes. I felt the obvious absence of excitement this year, for I merely resided in my own room, coughing away, while others took to social celebrations with champagne instead. Staggering was the deviation from last year's hotpot and countdown plans. Yet, I oddly missed none of the rambunctiousness; I wasn't in the physical state for it.

​The first proper snowfall of the year came on New Year's Eve, as rainfall transitioned into snow with plummeting temperatures.

I awoke the following morning feeling not much less lethargic than the evening prior, then prepared a breakfast of cold brew and toasted Challah (not mine) to welcome a supposedly fresh outset.

Hot chocolate with crinkly, likely expired mini marshmallows was also concocted, compensating for the lack of a cozy, creamy beverage after skating.

As I ring in the new year with continued sinus infection, congestion, mucus/phlegm, and chest pain from coughing, it was deemed prudent to continue my work assignments from home.
Commuting woes on a standstill, the standalone biggest struggle, from elementary school till now, has been updating page-/file-dating habits to reflect the current year.

​I proceeded to evaluate my findings from Saint Germain. Being unable - not to mention, unmotivated - to undertake my own baking endeavours, the new bakery was anticipated to provide temporary answers for afternoon snack time.

Neglecting their previous track record, I regarded the Square One outpost with optimism. Unfortunately, this hopefulness couldn't be sustained.
The Chestnut Cake Slice was miserable: a damp mass of purée wherein neither sponge nor chestnut could be perceived.

Puff Egg Tarts were similarly disappointing, proving bland and exuding a dreaded greasiness.

Tied for last place with the Chestnut Slice was the Chicken Pie (雞批). Encases with a hemisphere of thick crust were mushy onions and nonexistent filling. The pastry appeared to be baked inverted, for the underside was golden while its surface dark devoid of cross-hatching. Sprinkled liberally between the surface casing and scarce portion of filling were sizable flecks of black pepper. The seasoning had not been mixed throughout, thankfully, but stripped the creation of whatever flavour profile had been intended.

When the first round of antibiotics failed to control the ongoing cough, a second visit was paid to the clinic. After seven days of vigorous coughing, I was prescribed yet another two weeks of antibiotics.

This new medication, however, brought about a raging rash, a symptom I had initially found comparable to the one sustained during COVID recovery. However, the spores multiplied with each intake. By the fifth dose, the rash has spread from the knees and thigh up towards the stomach and even the arms.

Yet another visit to the clinic was paid. This time, I was instructed to stop the antibiotics and take steroids and allergy pills instead.

The frequent drives to Erin Mills Town Centre permitted an excuse to roam the mall on my limited outings from the house.

In the centre court was the lofty Christmas tree erected for Photos with Santa. Nearby was the descent of Lunar New Year gift boxes at Purdy's.

​Also catching my attention was a new store by the name of Ilahui. Its bold lettering and teal storefront reminded my of MUMUSO at Empress Walk.

Meanwhile, its merchandise was not that different either, save the greater emphasis on kids' accessories and a cashier that would follow your every step about the store.

​On one of many trips to the pharmacy, Valentine's Day plushies were spotted.

The newly renovated aisles were browsed for pricing updates, product range expansion, and sales, if any.

Back home, meals would comprise of Braised Daikon and Pork (unpictured) and snacks of Shreddies and a 65% cocoa chocolate Santa from Le Petit Dep.

The treat was decidedly fruity as opposed to dark and caramel-y. Its packaging could also be transformed into scrapbooking components: a Santa with outfit options embracing cozy PJs and hot cocoa or an apron and holly-studded bowl.

​Without much time spent beyond brick walls, there is seemingly little of interest for the new year thus far.