Our first day hunting for seashells and conches involved major teamwork. Since neither of us can swim or dive, we resorted to holding each other’s arms while the other grabbed shells from under the water with their feet. My sister died of laughter when, excitedly, I exclaimed to the world that I’d found a conch, only to realize that it was a big rock. Biggest fail. We had a day of intense laughter, that’s for sure.
Iberostar Varadero Resort
May 25 – June 1, 2014
On our first day checking in, I noted just how beautiful the resort was. The staff was just as lovely, if not more so. At every twist and turn we ventured, we were greeted by a smile and a hola, a heart-warming surprise!
Our main eat throughout the trip was at the buffet, although they do have restaurants and food shacks around the resort, which we also tried. I lived and breathed the dessert section at the buffet during our stay, though, I ain’t gon’ lie. My body was always ready for it.
Breakfast marked our favourite time of the day. That feeling you get when you leave your air conditioned room early in the morning to go have a bite, while most of the guests are still asleep and the resort’s empty and quiet, is wonderful. We also enjoyed seeing our server friend, C, every morning at breakfast. I think he was bent on getting us drunk first thing in the morning. “Some wine? Beer?” What a jokester.
Our first night there was quite hilarious. After my sister had told me about her untimely encounter with a tiny lizard in the Dominican, I pretty much slept with one eye open. It was the prospect of these little critters crawling under my pjs — especially because we housed the first floor — that caused me mental pain. Had I known about this earlier, I would’ve brought adult diapers and worn them to sleep.
The Canadian Tulip Festival, which is said to be the largest tulip festival in the world and extends for a ten-day period every May, has officially begun here in Ottawa. I must say, though, that for an Ottawa resident, I’m a sloth when it comes to attending the tulip festival, which happens in my own back yard. So yesterday, with a camera in hand and a newly activated enthusiasm for tulips, I ventured to Dow’s Lake, the main hub of the tulip festival, to greet my sassy tulip friends which, to my surprise, were already in full bloom.
Following a brief but heart-warming tour around the tulip gardens, I took a long walk along the whole stretch of the Canal towards the downtown core. Clear, sunny skies; calm, glistening waters; the sound of birds chirping; the scent of spring. How peaceful. Taking a walk in nature is enough to tickle my happy button.
I recall a friend asking me once upon a blue moon ago what my favourite mode of transportation was. Walking. Walking in the rain or shine, hot or cold. Whatever the conditions, wherever the stroll, autonomy, creativity, and self-mastery are exercised in the very act of walking. And how liberating it feels to defy the boundaries of urban space, this “city of glass” and sociopolitical construct. Walking aimlessly without a destination, and to be everywhere yet simultaneously nowhere — now that feels empowering.
It’s been a long time since I’ve gone walking or running along the Canal, which is why walking there yesterday incited bittersweet feelings in me. While I felt a deep sense of peace due to my gratitude for all the beauty that nature has to offer, at the same time, however, I felt as if I was tracing my own footsteps to the past, which was quite unsettling. Have you experienced it? A feeling so unbelievably familiar and close, yet so distant and elusive?
Banana pancakes are a breakfast treat for me, and I make them only once in a blue moon even though they’re quick and healthy, with just two eggs, a banana, and a dash of baking powder, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. But because the other morning nature suddenly called, I gave these pancakes a go for a belly-satisfying breakfast.
That morning’s eat deserves highlighting because it marked the first time where I felt I’ve truly eaten mindfully, being in the present moment and savouring each bite of my food without my thoughts somersaulting to the extraterrestrial dimension. I didn’t even read while eating which has been my daily routine for the past few years, and instead focused on one task at a time. It’s remarkable how good I felt when I invested my presence in the process at hand.
I guess you could say that I’ve embarked on a meditative footing lately; and now that I’ve completed undergrad after five bittersweet years, divorcing myself from the pollutants of everyday life has been effortless. Solitude, which is something I value immensely, is imperative in order for me to establish my equilibrium. Only when I hibernate for a light-year — and I mean this in astronomical terms — and concentrate on aligning my mind and body, can I then begin to embrace greater awareness, and gain perspective and insight into myself and life at large.
I feel that although progression is rampant in the realm of technological and scientific advancements, regression simultaneously occurs in the realm of the human spirit and psyche. Every step taken forward is equivalent to one step taken back. The progression of society and the machine has simultaneously prompted human beings to become strangers to nature, each other, and more importantly, to themselves. It’s mind-boggling.
Diving into the depths of one’s psyche and confronting the darkest shadows of one’s soul, and doing so ruthlessly, yet with the utmost compassion and understanding, is one project that each individual who treads the soils of this fine earth ought to undertake. That is, if we intend to make the world a better place, for collective fear (neurosis) and collective love are two sides of the same coin.
Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana @ 200 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
The highlight of yesterday was venturing to Pasticceria Gelateria, a pastry shop at the heart of Little Italy. I was ecstatic when V suggested this little gem, for I’ve also been meaning to venture here for quite some time, especially after having read good reviews on their gelato and desserts.
Talk about heaven on earth for those with a sweet tooth! Cakes, macarons, biscotti, mousses, flans, croissants, fruit tarts, cannoli, assorted cookies, gelato, you name it. The choices: V decided on the orange-chocolate mousse, raspberry macaron, and Nutella chocolate truffle; and I ordered the pistachio macaron, strawberry-chocolate mousse, and pomegranate cookie.
With V, it was love at first bite with her raspberry macaron and the rest of her picks. As for me, I was enamored by the heavenly taste of the pistachio macaron; however, texture wise, the shells lacked that crispness that I would’ve liked, and were rather chewy. Moreover, although I didn’t like the mousses or the pomegranate cookie, I did fall in love with V’s Nutella chocolate truffle. It was rich and divine.
Following our dessert date on the patio, we decided to wind down and sit on a bench at a park and talk. Unconditional love in modern day society; self-knowledge and self-growth as a life process; the fleeting nature of external forms; cultivating authentic happiness; pet peeves we have; her love of, and my inexperience with, cosmetics; the age of technology. We even learned that each of us has been harboring a secret desire to learn the art of pole dancing, or pole fitness — whatever suits your fancy. Such a comical revelation undoubtedly marked a moment of marriage between our souls.
You could tell when someone’s passionate about something, especially when you witness a glow on their face and they go on and on about it for hours on end. But you simply sit there and listen, for in that moment, their happiness is also your happiness. To listen to someone attentively and compassionately, and to dedicate yourself wholly to them in their presence, is one of the greatest gifts that you can bestow upon another. However, to be here for someone, is also to be here for ourselves. Interbeing and Suchness.
How serene it feels to sit down face-to-face with someone and just bond with them on a spiritual, emotional, and mental level without engaging in any sort of activity. Moments of chatter can even be interrupted by long periods of silence, just basking in our stillness and presence. Or, if you’re alone, just simply being. That’s life in an in- and out- breath, right here. And to truly be here, in this very moment, with all of you, with someone you love and care about, or even just with yourself — that’s life lived well.
Yesterday, after submitting a take-home exam which marked my final assignment of undergrad, and feeling an insatiable urge to escape the familiar grounds of campus, I decided to venture to the public library, where I stumbled upon a quiet, secluded spot by an outstretched window overlooking the movement of cars and pedestrians down below. And mesmerized by the tranquil sound of thunder and sight of heavy rain, I simply stared out the window, lost in thought. I even saw a woman with an umbrella that read “Merde Il Pleut.” Cheeky with a touch of sarcasm — love it!
If there’s something a dear friend who’s come closest to my heart has noticed about me, it’s that every time I sit by a window, my antennae begin to pop up like bunny ears and activate their first class sense-perceptions. Playing a creep of a detective, I’d study human interactions and situational dynamics from a distance, and draw theoretical connections — just because. Indeed, if you find me being uncommonly quiet, you can rest assured that I’m busy diving into your soul, and taking notes.
Strawberry Banana Bread
Lately, I’ve been experiencing overwhelming pity for my overripe bananas and strawberries, since they’ve been looking painfully old and feeble. Thus, yesterday morning, rather than focusing diligently on my take-home exam that was due in the late afternoon, I decided to put my fruits out of their misery, and bake instead.
The life of the student procrastinator summed up in one insightful comic strip:
The union between strawberries and bananas sure was an angelic one, for my house smelled heavenly. With my windows wide open on this surprisingly warm spring day, I’m sure my neighbours, and even their dog, woke up to a whiff of sweet baked goods first thing in the morning.
Although the strawberry banana bread turned out quite good, I found it a tad dry and flavourless. Something I could’ve done differently was add more strawberries and bananas into the mix than the recipe called for. But I shall hope for the best, for it’s been the case that the moisture and flavour of such quick breads tend to kick in a day or two after they’ve been baked.
Ingredients
Directions
See original recipe here: http://www.joyofbaking.com/muffins/StrawberryBananaMuffins.html
Flapjack’s Pancake Shack @ 809 Bank St., Ottawa, ON
At midnight last night, I felt the onset of a craving for pancakes and/or waffles. So while yawning a sea of tears, I dispensed whatever remaining energy I had browsing the internet for pancake joints in the city, and stumbled upon Flapjack’s Pancake Shack. After scanning their drool-worthy menu, I messaged a friend ASAP about my new discovery, and being the spontaneous birds that we are, we agreed to meet the following afternoon for a pancake mission.
It was endearing that this pancake shack was nestled safely in the courtyard behind Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s, away from the hustle and bustle of the street core. Note the colourful and artsy wall mural that leads to the courtyard, too — really cool! And the awesome thing is, after you’ve placed an order you’re given a playing card which they call out. My stroke-inducing moment was forgetting what the suit was called. Spades, hearts, diamonds, and darn it, what’s that leafy one again? Ah, Clubs — 9 of Clubs!
Our “panwiches” were impressive. Whereas the friend ordered “The Campfire” which included marshmallows and Nutella between two graham cookie pancakes, I tried their infamous “Breakfast Panwich” — bacon strips, egg, and cheddar cheese between two original pancakes. The “panwich” was the size of a palm, and the pancakes themselves were super light, soft, and fluffy. It was very yummy — a light eat, and not heavy or greasy at all.
Second Avenue Sweets @ 151 Second Ave., Ottawa, ON
Following our pancake mission and accomplishing some readings at Bridgehead, we ventured to Second Avenue Sweets to hunt for desserts, since I recall having read good reviews about this cozy and inviting little bakery. Even though their selections looked both enticing and deadly, I left with just a pecan cookie. Nothing special, just your ordinary cookie — hard, brittle, and sweet.
All in all, this fine spring day was excellent for wandering about in the Glebe. Not only did I experience a bittersweet nostalgia for old times, but my inner child was filled with excitement, for I felt a deep desire to scurry left and right like a mouse and explore every food joint.
What’s sweet, too, is that all of these shops — Marble Slab, Morala Coffee, Wild Oat Bakery, Truffle Treasures, Flapjack’s Pancake Shack, Second Avenue Sweets, you name it — are all in close proximity to each other, which makes hopping from one shop to another a breeze. Well, at least one could dream, right? A great deal of exploring to be done this summer, that’s for sure.
Assortment of sashimi, sushi, hand rolls, etc.
Green tea and red bean ice cream
Doughnut rolls
Kanda Sushi @ 7373 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, QC
Every time I visit my sister in Montreal, we’d do a dinner date at Kanda, and yesterday her girl friend P also joined us. By the time we arrived at the resto, all three of us were starved, so appreciating our food became our first priority; never mind taking snapshots of the wide selection of dishes we’d ordered.
I think it’s safe to say that yesterday I had the best sushi of my life — allow me to place special emphasis on the super fresh hand rolls — and following what felt like a food and laughing coma, we finished off with dessert, which consisted of a few scoops of ice cream and doughnut rolls.
Apparently, one time my sister added a doughnut roll to her vanilla ice cream, and intrigued, the customers at the table next to her asked the waiter for the same dessert, which of course wasn’t on the menu. Until this day, she proudly claims that it’s her signature dessert.
La Miam: Steak haché, merguez, oignons, tomates et fromage suisse
La “3 Amigos”: Saucisse hot-dog, saucisse porc/boeuf et saucisse merguez
La Banquise @ 994 Rue Rachel Est, Montreal, QC
The biggest fail of my life, is being born in Montreal and never having had poutine there until today, in which case the sister suggested La Banquise.
With all the dangerous options on their menu, I undoubtedly had a challenging time choosing an option that spoke to my soul. Yet as with other aspects of life, one thing’s for sure when it comes to food: being adventurous is imperative; never mind playing it safe. So whereas the sister ordered La “3 Amigos,” I decided on La Miam.
Our orders deserved two thumbs up, hands-down. A tad salty due to the mishmash of assorted meats, but the fries were definitely the highlight — a perfect mix of soft and crispy. Topped with lots of ketchup? Excellent.
I finished both plates and was on the verge of popping a button. Even the neighbouring couple did a double-take, for I had two clean plates stacked on top of each other in front of me. They’ve witnessed nothing. I could’ve devoured a third.
The Cupcake Lounge @ 6 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON
Whenever N and I meet, we’d hunt for sweets. It’s become our tradition. And today we ventured to The Cupcake Lounge, our favourite cupcake joint in the city, for another sugar coma-inducing experience.
If there’s something I enjoy about visiting The Cupcake Lounge, or going on a cupcake adventure in general, it’s exploring new flavours. So whereas N decided on her usual red velvet, today I tried a newbie on the menu: the blood orange cupcake. The cake itself encompassed a nice blend of sweet, tangy, and citrus. As for the buttercream icing, it was rich and creamy, but not overly sweet.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been here. The first time I visited the shop was about three years ago, where my taste buds impelled me to opt for their almond raspberry cupcake. It was hands down the most divine cupcake I’ve had thus far in my, at the time, twenty years of fruitful existence.
First visit in summer 2011
First taste of TCL: a scrumptious almond raspberry cupcake!
The Scone Witch @ 150 Elgin St, Unit 105, Ottawa, ON
If there’s a brunch spot fit for philosophical discussions while enjoying scrumptious scones, it’s The Scone Witch. For all you scone lovers looking for a quick bite of sweet or savoury scones coupled with jam and a cuppa coffee on the side, this is the place to go. I’ve lost count of how many times friends and I have ventured here over the years. But one thing remains constant: the scent of warm scones in the oven is enough to get my stomach dancing the cha-cha-cha.
Today, when visiting The Scone Witch, a friend and I noted that they’d moved to a new location: 150 Elgin St. Arriving at said address, a new building still under construction, we stood in the middle of the entrance awkwardly scanning the whereabouts of the shop, so the security guard kindly advised us to follow the little witches down the hall, and after what felt like an awkward adventure through a maze of hallways and file rooms, we finally made it.
The first thing we noticed when we entered the new shop was its incredible spaciousness, especially in comparison to their old store on Albert St., which was immeasurably small. Now that it’s located in the hub of the downtown core, it’s also more convenient for government workers, and workers in the surrounding area alike, to drop by and grab a bite during their breaks. And did I mention it’s now a five-minute walk from the OPL? Friends, you know what this means: scones and jam, and then books and more books.
Whereas my friend ordered her usual oatmeal scone, I chose my all-time favourite: the orange-cranberry scone coupled with a side of wild blueberry-raspberry jam and devon cream. It was quite appetizing; however, I noticed that as with my last few visits, the scone didn’t have that fresh-out-of-the-oven oomph that it once had. I feel that their scones were more scrumptious 2-3 years ago, when I began frequenting the shop with mates. Back then, their scones were heaven-sent.
This winter, the Rideau Canal Skateway opened as early as the 31st of December; and today, which marked my first skate of the season, all 7.8 km of the canal was made available to the public.
Back in February ’11, somehow friends and I had managed to skate the whole stretch back and forth for a total of approximately 28 km in a single day. However, this time since ice conditions were rough and we were both on the verge of a brain freeze, J and I ended up covering just a small portion of the canal — that is, just until we made it to a Beavertail stand.
We’re living proof that even if your limbs feel dead from the deep chill and you’re on the verge of surrendering to Mother Nature, you can still go far in life if you make that Beavertail stand your raison d’être. I think we can all agree that Beavertails and hot chocolate for a sugar rush and some friendly warmth, definitely constitute the highlight of the skating experience.
The simple things in life enjoyed in the heat of the moment — skating on the canal, sharing laughs with a friend, and enjoying delicious Beavertails — are the most heartfelt. I’m now looking forward to more rounds of skating, and of course, Winterlude.
toumemoir 