Rediscovering neighbourhoods and new good eats

During my vacation, it has been fun rediscovering neighbourhoods that I have frequented in the past. Coupled with getting good eats, I have enjoyed my ventures here and there.

Within walking distance in my neighbourhood is a Hong Kong-style eatery that opened a few months ago. I finally got around to ordering its signature beef brisket with thin noodles and this dish was fantastic. There were four different noodle options. I may need to try them all!

I also got the beef brisket macaroni in tomato sauce dish. Both were 50% off. Insane, but a great deal.

Businesses come and go

I feel for businesses during this pandemic. I do takeout twice a week to support them. I hope that they remain open by the time this pandemic is over.

The sad news is that I have seen many of my favourite businesses close for good. A cupcake place that had four locations in the greater Toronto area is down to one. A ramen place that opened a year ago is now gone for good.

I am fortunate to be able to work from home and continue to earn an income. Not everyone has that option or has it as good.

There is the odd resurrection happening, though. That ramen place that shut down after a year? It is now a Hong Kong-style eatery. It just opened for business.

I hope to visit it this week, to say goodbye to the ramen place that once stood there and to say hello to a new eatery that I hope will stick around for a bit.

Mother's Day and sharing multimedia with family twelve hours away

Just like that, the weekend is over.

Yesterday, I wished my mom a happy Mother's Day over the phone. I shared a photo of her from years ago on a social media account, which sparked a nice conversation with my cousin. She lives in Hong Kong. I'm in the suburbs of Toronto. She is the youngest cousin on my mom's side. I'm the oldest.

We have never met in person. Yet, our conversations over the years make us both feel like we truly know each other well.

She showed my photo to my aunt and uncle, which made them happy. Both my uncle (my mom's baby brother) and my mom have suffered strokes. They saw each other last summer when he and my aunt came to Toronto for a visit.

My cousin and I decided to try and get video and audio snippets of our parents now and again. I started off my sharing a video of some snow (yes, that's not a typo and it's the month of May) that came down on Saturday afternoon.

Technology does have its perks, especially when you are separated from family halfway across the world.

Hong Kong breakfast - so good!

I fasted for my bloodwork. All went well. I will wait patiently for the results.

Afterwards, I was hungry and needed breakfast. I visited a Hong Kong-style eatery. For just under $7, I got macaroni with luncheon meat in soup, two fried eggs, two sausages, buttered toast, Hong Kong milk tea, and hot water.

The macaroni and luncheon meat in soup reminded me of the food my mom made growing up. I never had it for breakfast until now. It was so filling.

This breakfast special is an all-day menu item. I may need to go back and get more. I can see myself hanging around that place when I am retired.