Aug 27, 2007

Warm Stones

Oh my gosh. Yesterday I went back to The Spa Los Gatos for my friends birthday. But this time instead of having a deep tissue massage. I had the Warm Stone Massage. And let me tell you...this is heaven. Okay a slightly awkward at first Heaven, but heavenly non the less.

Of course given my last Spa experience was less than a month ago I this time I knew what I was getting into. I knew what size robe, and sandals I wanted, and I knew my way around. I knew they were being ironic when they mentioned they had a library and I knew how much clothing I was expected to leave in my locker. So I came into the whole Spa experience much more relaxed, the way you are supposed to enjoy it.

There were some things I did have to get past though. Like the fact that my massage was given by a man this time, and that we went upstairs, I did not even know there was an upstairs. But once I got past that, and was able to relax, trusting that my sheets were not going to fall on the floor, then it was how I hope Heaven will be.


The fist 15 min. He just used his hands to feel where my tension was, and then, then he grabbed some warm stones from a tub of water and began using them as extensions of his own hands. And I began to melt.

Up until that point I thought he was just going to set warm rocks on my back and then when my mussels had relaxed from the heat he would work on my back again. But no, for 80 min. He rubbed the warm stones into my tired body, and every pain and anxiety I had (minus the one about my sheets slipping off) melted away.

If you have never had this experience I suggest you stop whatever you are doing and go get some warm stones and oil, and a strong guy. You will love it. I do have a disclaimer though, if you are my friend Carol or if you are married, or perhaps if you are a guy, you may not find this as enjoyable as I did. But for the rest of you this is a must do.

Followed by a Steam Shower filled with the sent of Jasmine and my skin was like butter.

Seriously, take my word for it and go find a stong guy and some warm stones and oil.

Aug 5, 2007

Aquarium




While my parents were out gallivanting around Burkina Faso with my sister Krista, I took Lizzie, Jordan, Mr. Crabs (Brandon) and Cindy Loo Who (Cassondra) to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I have got to say, perhaps the best part of my day was discovering that if you take a Season Pass Holder with you to the Aquarium, it comes with nice perks such as skipping the forever long line. As well as discounts at the gift stores. Who knew, being friends with Crabs finally paid off ;) Just kidding. But seriously not having to wait in a line that went on forever was a huge relief.


I had not been to the Aquarium in years, in fact I don't even recall when it was that I was last there. But I enjoyed it much more this time than the first. Maybe it was having the kids with us, watching them take it all in, or maybe it was just that much better. I am not sure, but it was a great way to spend the day, with family and friends.

http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g51/scbeachgirl/Aquarium/

My Birthday

Aug 2, 2007

Concert in the Park



Here are some pictures not great pictures but pictures non the less from the Brandi Carlie concert I got to go to last week! It was amazing, but if you want to read about it just check out Brandon's Blog, he is a great writer, and took such great notes, I am sure everything you may want to know is in what he has already posted. Sorry about the quality of the pictures, they are from my phone...no I did not forget my camera, just the memory card that goes inside it :) Ahh technology.

Aug 1, 2007

No Pain No Gain



Most people go to a spa to relax...I guess that is why I went, to relax and be tortured at the same time if that is possible. Meaning that I went knowing that I had signed my self up for a 65 min deep tissue massage. Perhaps I am one of those people who enjoy pain, I don't know, but what I do know is that I was looking forward to my hour and five minutes of intense pressure, in hopes that it would produce the desired result of less pain in the hours following. What I did not expect is how hard it was to relax at a spa.

I have never been to a spa for anything other than a hair appointment, and then you are in the salon, so it doesn't really count. When I arrived at the spa I was kindly greeted by a few girls sitting behind a huge desk. Then quickly ushered through a etched glass door into a dark hallway. Having no idea where I was heading, I just focused on keeping up, as well as trying to retain all of the information spilling out of the girls mouth leading me.

"you are hear early, so you can relax in out library" She said pointing in the direction of a even darker room lit only by maybe three tea lights. I could kind of make out a book shelf. She went on,"when you come back here you can fill out this form before your technician (this is not a relaxing term) comes to get you." She continued on so I followed. "Here is the Ladies lounge," she said as she ushered me through another doorway. I entered a lit room with a counter and hair dryers, products and little stools to sit upon in front of giant mirrors. (oh goody, giant mirrors are always comforting, in bright light) Why not have the dim light in this room and the lights on in the room where you are supposed to fill out forms and read books. I was about to ask her this when I realized she was still dispensing information. So I just listened and kept walking. "Here are the toilets, the changing room and here is your locker. You have locker L here in the corner. Okay?"

I wasn't she why my opinion on which locker was important, but I said, "oh sure."

"Alright then you can change into this robe and these slippers, and then relax in the library. Any questions?" I was still trying to look like I had done this a million times before, "nope." She disappeared around the corner. Seemed simple enough. I used the bathroom, and then realized that she had not given me a key or a code for my locker. I sat there and worried for a min. But then when I got back to my little locker I found a key in the lock. How handy.

So I grabbed my robe and slippers and headed into a changing stall (side note do not make the mistake of typing a s in place of a c in the word 'changing')
It was not until I got in there that I realized I did have a question..."how much am I supposed to be wearing under this here robe?" But it was too late, the rambling girl was gone. So after debating with myself I decided that I was not supposed to wear anything under the robe, because the end of my session would be ending in a shower, and no one wears clothes in the shower.

Don't get me wrong I have had massages plenty of times before, but they are all different, some in full clothes, some in under wear and others in your birthday suit.

I was okay with my decision to ditch the clothes, that was until I got back to the library. And went to sit down and realized that this robe had no intention of being on my side. It wanted to play peek-a-boo (now I understand the need for the low lighting) with the old man sitting across from me trying to see his form enough to fill it out. He gave up. I tried to fill mine out and not lose the robe in the process. All of which was anything but relaxing. Finally just as I was starting to flip through a magazine, my technician came to take me away.

She lead me down another hallway and into yet another dimly lit room. She said, "I'll leave you here and be right back when you are ready." And left. Luckily I have done this part before so I hung the robe up and slipped onto the table, under the sheets. "okay time to relax, finally..." But then, there was the constant dripping of water noise...along with the stuffy nose that I had, from the smell of the candles or something...which left me to breath through my mouth, which seemed really loud in that room.

But even with all of that the massage was wonderful, painful but amazing... and it turns out I made the right choice in wearing only the robe. And I was glad that I had taken the time to shave :) And the steam shower was absolutely relaxing.

All in all it was stressful at first and but by the end I felt like...well like me but a nice relaxed version of me. Until I had to drive my stick back over hyw17 :)

quotes i love

  • "they will never care how much you know until they know how much you care."
  • "never be afraid to trust a well known God with an unknown future." - Corrie Ten Boom
  • "God doesn't need you, He loves you, that is much better."
  • "the world has yet to see what God can do through a man/woman who is totally commited to him." - D.L. Moody
  • "be who you is, cause if is ain't who you is, you is who you ain't."-
  • "some people say movies should be more like real life. I say real life should be more like the movies."