Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 28
Capturing the tiny details of my everyday mundane and the small moments that weave poetry to my days.
Sundaze Book Café is the home of everyday magic, joyful living and conversations likely to be had over a hot drink with a friend in your favourite café, capturing the syrup-slow feel and glow of a Sunday. I’m Michelle, and I’ll be your host today.
Happy Friday, my loves!
Another week, another challenge… My fiancé1 and I starting wedding planning last weekend, long listed some dreamy venues and even set our initial budget, only for my car to throw up a system malfunction the next morning. Isn’t that always the way? Something lovely offset by something not as nice. Of course, being car-less brings its own trials, but it’s sort of been nice to forcibly slow life down a bit and not cram endless errands in. I’m walking more, I’m more mindful about what I choose to tick off in the evenings. Without the car, the gym is a 2km run or 50-minute walk away, so now I’m running again. It’s nice. We’ve also had the most glorious extended spell of sunshine in England2 and, finally, it feels like summer is here.
There’s a lot to be said for appreciating the smaller, not necessarily finer, details of the everyday mundane. Here’s to another list of petite, open-hearted joys, the moments that’ve brought and woven poetry to my days, this week.
一. Heading out for my first run in months. I injured my knee (again) back in March and have barely run since, and it felt good – if not hard – to head out for a short Sunday run.
二. An afternoon making random Instagram recipes with my sister. The dish in question? A Cantonese congee pot pie. It was surprisingly delicious, and we’d probably make it again! Fusion cuisine at its best(?)
三. Celebrating our collective team success at the work summer party.
四. The delicious Planthood meals uplifting my busy week with nourishing flavours.
五. Just how great a shower feels after a long day filled with hayfever. Bliss.
六. Sunny days at the office and squeezing as many outdoors breaks as we can manage. There’s so many exciting things going on in our team – new homes, first homes, engagements, weddings…! – and I’m loving the dynamic we have, despite work itself being wildly busy. I feel lucky to have a great work setup, after several toxic workplaces.
七. The morning debrief that we enjoy after he returns from and just before I leave for work. Now the joy from Friday nights is extended all through the week and I couldn’t be happier! There’s always something to talk about with us!
八. Having to get lifts to work with Mum or Dad. I’m currently a 34-year-old teenager, and it’s surprisingly fun and nice despite the obvious inconvenience of not having a car.
九. The matcha we brought home from Kyoto. Utterly delicious.
十. Payday. No explanation needed.
Share a joy from your week in the comments, and I’ll see you again next Friday.
Will saying ‘fiancé’ ever not sound alien?
Your proof that we British people love talking about the weather.
This forced me to take a slow moment for the first time this week. My moment of joy this week was seeing a woodpecker on our bird table for the first time!! More exciting than it should have been 😂
Isn’t it funny how a surprising often-times not great *thing* thrown in our path forces us to pivot and find the good elsewhere?! I’ve never gotten into running (although walking a spaniel is border-line jogging!) and have always cycled but you might have inspired me! A lovely list as always which, I look forward to dipping into at the end of the week!xxx