Totally Peninsular

Last night, I experienced supreme luxury and relaxation. I went to The Peninsula SPA by ESPA and it was some serious business pampering.

I headed over, after leaving work at 6:00pm, and met my mother upstairs at the spa reception. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in the lap of luxury. The customer service was impeccable; the women were very helpful and informative. The attendant in the locker room was very attentive and led us to each of the rooms we were to go to next.
From reception, we were led into a locker room, where we changed into the provided robe and slippers. We were then led to a tea and relaxation room, where they served us chamomile tea and an apricot macaroon (this was not the last I would see of these delicious puffs.)

Our massage therapists met us there, and then brought us to our individual rooms. We discussed my medical history and medications I take, to see if the massage would affect or aggravate anything. I decided prior to arriving that I was going to get a Swedish massage because my stress levels have been through-the-roof recently, and my shoulders had been killing me.


Then, I think I blacked out.

I don't remember much except lots of prodding, (good) pain, and wonderful smells.

After the massage, we went to the Relaxation Room. I don't know how to describe this room, other than stating that it was pure heaven. There were endless amounts of coconut water (my favorite), almonds (my favorite), and dried mangoes (also my favorite). There were four beds, separated by softly lit screens, and each bed had headphones and a height adjuster. As soon as I sat on the bed, I was pretty sure the bed melted and formed to my body. There was no other way it could possibly have been that comfortable. It was in this magical, shape-shifting bed that I had two additional apricot macaroons. Angels sang.

Photos from NY Mag

Then came reality, and it was time to leave. We slunk out of the clouds and begrudgingly changed out of our robes and slippers. (Can someone tell me why it is not socially acceptable to dress this way in public? I'm pretty sure it would spark world peace.) Of course I had to snap a photo of myself to remember the calm I felt after this amazing experience. It's not often that I find my mind completely devoid of worries and stress, and my body completely lacking in tension.

 I refused to fall completely back into reality by taking the subway home, so we hopped in a cab and yawned the entire way home. 

Not a bad Monday night!

Showing off my thank you note from the massage therapist

LEAPING

Kimmy Fasani, getting it

Cue David Bowie's "Changes."
Big things have been happening/changing in my life, which has caused me to neglect my blog... more than usual. Do not fret-- they are all good things! These are changes that have been set in motion by my own actions, and none that are reactions to unforeseen circumstances.


I know, I know... "GET TO THE POINT!"

....


I am moving! I am heading down to Northern Virginia/Washington, DC in June, and I am REALLY excited about it. I am unsure of what I will be doing, but I am doing it! I decided that I should take a cue from my athletic interests and put a spark into everything I do in life; being a risk-taker is my forte and it's about time that I shake things up a bit. Luckily, I have a great base there; my amazing boyfriend/best friend has a great job in the area and that will certainly help me adjust.

Life is too short to stay in your comfort zone. It's about going balls-to-the-walls and enjoying the risks you take-- no matter the consequences. This also applies to the next jump or rail you want to hit in the park (which is advice I, myself, should listen to.) Everything will work out if you make it so.

Leap,

and the net will appear.

Accepting Summer

Because I live for winter and anything to do with snow, every year I have to come to terms that I must live through spring and summer. The grieving process usually takes place in early spring and does not last too long, fortunately. The sun begins to remind me of the amazing feeling of warmth on my skin, and I think of all the activities that come along with sunnier days.


Surfing

Going in the water at the beach after laying out can seem like such a bore if you don't have an activity to do. Surfing takes mental and physical strength, and is the perfect way to stay connected to boardsports-- even off land.

Boating

While I may love the occasionally down and dirty worlds of motorsport and action sports, I also live for luxury. Boating is the ultimate in luxurious travel and relaxation, and one of the first things that pops into my mind when I think of summer. There is nothing quite like the feeling of being able to go, literally, anywhere in the world.

Skateboarding/Longboarding

This is an obvious one. You can do this pretty much year-round in a lot of places, but in the Northeast, warmer weather means clear roads for riding.

Walking/Hiking

Living in NYC for almost my entire life has been a lesson in long-distance walking. It has taught me how healthy basic walking is, as well as how exceptionally easy (and difficult, if avoiding tourist traffic) it can be. I often wonder how suburban families stay fit when they drive everywhere; I will literally walk anywhere in the city, especially in the spring and summer. Everything just seems a little nicer when the weather looks up-- including the people. New Yorkers are generally a private, not-overtly-friendly bunch, but when the sun starts shining and the warm breezes start flowing, smiles abound.

If you live somewhere where there is a semblance of nature --apart from a place like Central Park-- I suggest you go hiking. When I lived in Vermont, I went on a few hikes before the snow started falling and realized just how great hiking can be. You have to think about where you're stepping, plan a route, and navigate obstacles, inclines, etc. I was also worrying about bears most of the time, although that was probably a bit irrational. What else is new...

Sitting

This may seem like a silly suggestion but I love sitting, ANYWHERE, during the summer months. My favorite spot is near my house, on a grassy area in Astoria Park overlooking the East River, Triborough bridge and upper Manhattan. I like to watch the boats go by, eat a snack from one of the many quintessentially Queens Italian bakeries, and read a magazine. The "new" skatepark nearby will also be one of my haunts. I say "new" because it opened just after last summer so it hasn't been christened by properly nice weather yet.

I'm aware there are way more things to do in the summer but these are a selection of my favorites, to take my mind off the fact that winter is months...and months... and months away....