イギリス人の知り合いと不定期でビデオ通話をしているのですが、先日の会話の中で素敵な表現を学びました。それが "Take it all in"というイディオムです。

つまり、身近なものごとにもっと意識を向け、感謝する大切さに気付かせてくれる表現だと解釈しています。

この記事では、昨年末から現在まで振り返りとして、その時の自分の心境を一枚の写真とともに英語で書き綴ってみました。

※英文は校正を受けたものではないため、間違いや不自然な言い回しなどもあるかと思いますが、ご容赦ください

Good & Proper Tea

I came across Good & Proper Tea at a British market last year, and now it's become my favourite British tea. A cup of tea and some pastries always pull me through.

Exploring Kiyosumi-Shirakawa

East Tokyo fascinates me a lot. When I visited Kiyosumi-Shirakawa for the first time, I instantly fell in love with it. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is best known for its numerous cool cafes and coffee shops, but it has a peaceful garden, park, riverside and shopping street, it’s just nice to wander around the city as well.

Treats from M&S

I did another snack exchange with my British Friend. I was fascinated by M&S Cheese Twists in particular. It's cheesy and crunchy - truly moreish! Toast & Jam flavoured Yorkshire tea looked weird and caught my eyes, but tasted flavoursome.

Staying warm with a cup of hot chocolate

On a cold winter day, I went to my favourite nearby cafe for their hot chocolate. The cafe has always a welcoming and cosy atmosphere. I love spending an afternoon having a chat with the owner, which is a great way to unplug, staying away from anything distracting on the internet.

Who could resist Deeney’s toasties?

As much as I enjoy spending time at home, I sometimes feel the need to get some fresh air. DEENEY’S TOKYO offers you amazing toasted sandwiches, aka toasties, at an open-air spot with food stalls, trucks, and pop-up stalls. I loved it to bits.

Escaping from the bustle of city life

Can you believe this is a library? Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library has an impressive look, exquisite details and designs inside. I had a chance to immerse myself in the library during my business trip.

BESPOQUE

I finally experienced having dinner in an authentic gastro pub, BESPOQUE. I enjoyed their fancy meals including a canapé, a cheese plate with hams, bread and chutney, fish and chips and a slice of lemon Victoria sponge to finish off. The main reason why I go out and visit new places is to meet new people to step out of my comfort zone.

Going through a rough patch

My English learning journey has come to a standstill at the moment. I feel overstimulated and my mind is overwhelmed by work, things to get done and my personal goal, I just can’t expel it out. I have to admit I struggle to find what makes me happy.

Reading a travel essay

The other day, I read a book, called “Tabi No Mado" by Kotaro Sawaki. It helps me find simple pleasure in my everyday life. The idea from the book led to writing this article, actually.

On the hunt for hot cross buns

It was Easter Sunday and I popped into a bakery to pick up some hot cross buns. Then I headed to a nearby riverside. The view was stunning, with the sun sparkling on the water. It was the perfect spot to soak up the sun, kick back and unwind - just what I needed to clear my mind.