hear the army

        partially inspired by betsy’s new fab blog and partly just because it was so bloody fantastic – i’m gonna tell you about my day:

firstly i should inform you that turning 33 for me marks the near end of my yakudoshi. this is the japanese tradition of bad luck years. being how age 32 turned out to be a bust i was quite relieved to realize that the 33 yakudoshi for women actually meant the 33rd year of life (age 32!). of course there are lesser bad luck years preceding and following but the worst of it should be over. thank you very much.

so just how fantastic was the start of this year of lesser evil? phone calls from the family kept me smiling until i realized the time, “i’ve gotta hurry up and relax – bye!” off and on the train to kyoto i opened up a book to read – that in itself being a luxury anymore – and mentally prepared myself for this exotic new world i was about to enter. the spa….yes, i was getting the works: pro facial & soothing body treatment. it was difficult to concentrate as i imagined all the things they could possibly do to my face in 75 mins – would isseki recognize me tonight? is that a good thing??

2pm – at last i walked into kotoran. being the total control freak i am i knew i needed to focus to make the most out of this experience. after all, isseki gave me this for my birthday specifically so i wouldn’t be at home where i am compelled to clean or work on my day. i tried to focus on the soft music and do some deep breathing as i filled out the initial paperwork and sipped the herb tea i was presented at the reception but still couldn’t help actually having the jitters – was i going to be the bumbling foreigner who didn’t know the unspoken spa code of ethics like which undergarments to leave on or in which bin to put your towels?

my contemplation of possible faux pas was cut short as i was led to the changing room. they supplied me with all i was to need for the next 135 mins: a fuzzy robe, soft slippers and some disposable panties. before i could sit down in one of the funky contour chairs and contemplate the fountain in the lounge they whisked me off to my treatment room.

i chose which scent of massage oil i prefered and tried to make small talk as the therapist pointed an aromatherapy infused mister at my face, knelt and began to wash and massage my – doh! i left my socks on – feet. then i was told to disrobe and lay face down on the massage table – she repositioned my limbs and proceeded to massage my entire back side through a large towel laid over me. then she removed the towel for portions at a time and massaged the scented oil into my receptive skin. pure heaven. eventually she roused me from my near slumber state to roll over where she massaged the other side along with my scalp.

then the facial. between dozing i lost count of how many layers of cleansing/moisturizing/packs she applied and removed but when it was finished i was in such a state of euphoria that i could barley re-robe and escort myself out. i then got my chance in the contour chairs as i sipped tea, nibbled on grapes and filled out my comment card. i returned to the changing room and looked at myself in the mirror – if it weren’t for my super soft scented skin i could’ve easily just arose from bed. there were showers…with a shower head above and three on the vertical pipe leading there to massage your back….ahhhhh…then – the best part – you can get ready using all the clarins products your heart desired!

a kid in a candy store: oooh, what’s this – maybe some of that – wow, wonder what this does? maybe this color? no. violet mascara? yes! another cup of mint tea apparently woke me from my complete self-indulgent haze and i realized i hadn’t seen a clock since i arrived. 5:30pm!?! i was late for my own b-day party – but i felt fabulous!

drinks started flowing immediately after i joined my waiting friends – all you can drink red wine that’s actually NOT chilled!?! sweet. as if seeing the coolest people in the world (all my friends are. duh.) wasn’t enough of a treat – betsy came dressed in kimono and packing homemade cuba libre cupcakes, betsy’s sweet jewelry making man brought me a hand-made necklace, vanessa brought her camera (thank you!) and gave me an alpaca scarf (my first!) and a nara yoshitomo shirt, kakusei & his lovely wife brought me flowers and a new bike pump (yes!), and isseki came with flowers and a plant/incense/incense burning house (comes out the chimney!) from his amazing dad!! regardless of all the amazing loot i was bestowed with – i had the best night just laughing and being silly.

so i don’t mean to boast…but i am one lucky girl.
things are definitely looking up this year!

(much love to those who enjoyed the day with me and all the spectacular people who sent wishes in other mediums &/or at other times! you are all stars – just like me!)