a calm start to a busy month. visiting a cute little village bakery. wandering along the canal with a friend, talking. a warm and cosy cafe by the boats. good conversation. a pot of japanese sencha green tea. watching the swans and ducks. sunlight filtering through my windows on a winter morning. a good shawarma wrap. an interesting exhibition at the sculpture gallery called ‘beyond the visual’ with work by blind artists, which you were encouraged to (gently) touch in different ways. the golden sun at dawn. campus on a sunny, blue-skied day. having an iced hojicha with tapioca after an evening seminar. the luminosity of the moon between the trees.
the most beautiful sunrise. the sky in different shades of purple, pink, and orange against the silhouettes of bare trees. visiting a new vietnamese speciality cafe. a beautiful hand-painted ceiling. a beautiful bouquet of white lilies, orange roses, and baby’s breath. a good pain au chocolat. colourful mid-century furniture. making lego flowers that were gifted to me on a sunday evening. a fruit bowl consisting of pomegranate, plums, grapes, and clementines. spending evenings reading and drinking jasmine tea.
the crescent moon on a sunny morning. porridge with honey, almond butter, plums, and blueberries. spending a quiet morning reading at a vinyl cafe bar. lit candles, low-level lighting, and fragrant incense burning. gentle music playing. the atmosphere of the quiet reading room of the library in the morning. a cup of earl grey tea. a pink and orange sunset. visiting the poetry library and spending the morning wandering around browsing the shelves. a brown sugar matcha latte. my last classes of the semester. sitting in a lovely area in a nice neighbourhood with the view of the city at blue hour reflecting. the warmth of a streetlamp lighting a long alleyway at dawn. finding a good study spot at the library. the sun coming through the windows. speaking first at an essay symposium, even though it scared me.
a cloudy morning turning into the most beautiful sunny day. treating myself to a cloud matcha latte. wandering around the city and noticing the way the golden light bounces off the buildings and branches of trees. getting the tram to the marina and seeing everything glistening in sunlight. sitting by the water. the reflections of the boats on the water. a beautiful sunset. watching the ducks. a good mushroom pie made by my sister. playing scrabble with my family. coming out of the library to a beautiful rainy evening, with the lights of the buildings and trams reflected on the ground.
visiting a lovely neighbourhood cafe on a cold, rainy day. a good mocha and shakshouka. visiting the quays and walking along the waterside paths at blue hour. sitting on a bench watching the sunset on the water. attending a lovely little poetry session that one of my professors organised. seeing my friend after a few months. an earl grey matcha and a caramel smores brownie. walking around the city on a sunny day. eating at a modern sushi restaurant in the evening. my friend making a bouquet for me, knowing the flowers i like. finding a library receipt from 2012 in a book from my university library. eating with a friend at a lovely indoor food court decorated with fairy lights and lamps. chatting away and losing track of time. drunken noodles and thai milk tea. walking around the city at blue hour. a cute little photobooth moment. getting drinks at a lovely, relaxed dining restaurant. the winter solstice. making coffee in the mornings with my cafetiere. watching festive films. the annual christmas sleepover at my grandma’s with my cousins. eating good food, playing games, and watching a good film. making a full english breakfast with my cousins. a lovely boxing day walk in the park at dusk. a beautiful crescent moon. a sleepover with my sister. a lovely meal with my family.
turning 22. feeling grateful & privileged to see another year & approaching it with more curiosity, joy, and excitement. a lovely birthday spent with my favourite person in my favourite city. seeing and petting one of the neighbourhood cats, who is usually easily scared and resistant to affection. coffee with my sister. wandering around my favourite area in the city, and visiting my favourite independent shops. birthday photobooth pictures as per tradition. lunch at an indoor food hall with stunning orange and red interiors, lights, and furniture. a good veg ramen and spicy korean chicken wings. purple hour. getting a mango matcha and matcha basque cheesecake from a minimalist japanese speciality matcha cafe. sitting by a body of water. seeing the moon while walking home. lovely, thoughtful gifts from loved ones. a gorgeous, sunny, crisp day to end the year. a lovely breakfast. cleaning my space, journaling, and preparing for the year ahead. getting desserts with my sisters, some of my cousins, and friends as part of our yearly tradition. watching the fireworks and ending the year feeling open to whatever comes next.
