I’m getting ready for what is soon to be my very first ‘alone’ trip…yes, I’m going all by myself…yes, yes, yes, in just a few days I will be going on what promises to be a very spiritual journey…I’m going to Miraval, Oprah’s favorite spa in Tucson, Arizona.
I’m prepping for my trip…bought all my new LUCY attire, so that I will be exercising and lounging in style. I got a cute Black Cardio Power Jacket for my morning hikes (hopefully I will awake in time to do these walks in the mountains) and the Burnout Mix Top which is a little dressy for my evening dinners. It looks especially nice with black or gray leggings. And I bought a few extra tops and bottoms in earthy colors to coordinate with my desert surroundings. Maybe I’ll even venture to take some pictures of myself during my spiritual journey and if I can get the pictures out of the camera…maybe I’ll share them on my blog. Now, that will be a great accomplishment!
I’m primping for my trip. This weekend I’m going to get a pedicure (can’t be seen with ugly toes if I’m going to be doing yoga and getting spa treatments in a beautiful place. I haven’t had a pedicure in months. Let’s see…when was the last time I did have a pedicure? Ah, yes, it was in August 2008. OMG, no wonder my toes look so awful…so glad I am going to Miraval so that I remember to get a pedicure.)
I’m packing for my trip. My Miraval spa consultant said there is no need to bring any dress-up clothes. Oh, goodie, goodie…imagine, a week wearing warm up gear, and sneakers, and sandals, and no makeup (well maybe I will bring a little makeup bag just in case I want to put on a little makeup…or maybe not). I’m taking my BIG red suitcase and filling it to the brim with all my new exercise clothes and lots of books. I bought an eclectic collection to take:
– One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell (a fun read by the author of Sex and the City and the author of my new favorite tv show, Lipstick Jungle, the show they are canceling…guess I am the only one who likes it and watches it on a Friday night at 9:00 pm.)
– Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson (never read any of his books, but the book jacket said it was a magical story about a love that transcends boundaries…and I love love stories and I love the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s with my favorite, favorite actress Audrey Hepburn…so I thought I might love this book too.)
– The Wisdom of Menopause by Christiane Northrup, M.D. (Dr. Northrup appeared on The Oprah Show and after all, I am going to Oprah’s favorite spa. I may need this as a reference as I get in touch with my fifty year old body and soul. I likely will not read this BIG book, so it will be the first to go if I can’t fit it in my BIG red suitcase.)
– Teach Yourself Visually – The Fast and Easy Way to Learn MacBook (I didn’t buy the MacBook for Dummies book. It looked too difficult. This book had color pictures. If I do decide to bring my MacBook, I will pack this book. If not, it will stay home to use when I return.)
– he’s just not that into you by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (One of my friends who is my lifeline for my new 50+ venture into the dating world suggested I read this book. I got a headstart and skimmed it this past weekend…so far an interesting read. It’s a little paperback…so I guess it will fit in my BIG red suitcase. And it is important in my 50+ years that I finally understand as the subtitle says “the no excuses truth to understanding guys.”)
– Love Smart by Dr. Phil McGraw (One of my friends who is my other lifeline for my new 50+ venture into dating suggested I read this book. Since Dr. Phil is one of “the world’s foremost experts in the field of human functioning,” I’m sure I can learn a lot from his wise words during this new phase of my life.)
– Almost forgot…how could I forget…there are all my magazines to pack too…two recent issues of Vogue, my new issue of InStyle, and I’m thinking of subscribing to The Yoga Journal, so I bought the latest issue of The Yoga Journal to take on my trip too.
I know, I know, it sounds like I have enough reading material for a year…not a week…but there is so much I want to read in my 50+ years. I thought I’d just pack everything. This way, I have lots to choose from depending on what my mood is during each day of my spiritual journey.
Ooh,ooh,ooh, I can feel my body melting away as I prepare for my relaxation massage the evening I arrive.
Ooh,ooh,ooh, I can feel my feet floating as I sit still for my reflexology treatment.
Ooh,ooh,ooh, my face will feel like velvet after my customized facial. (I just must be careful not to get swept into purchasing hundreds of dollars of anti-wrinkle creme or I likely will not be able to afford this fabulous spa vacation. But, if I can’t afford this vacation after I take it, then they may make me stay and work in the kitchen, which wouldn’t be so bad…there I go…dreaming again…I did just take my Ambien…guess my mind is asleep.)
“Do you want to have a hot stone massage?” asked my Miraval consultant. “Of course, I do, I do, I do,” I said. “It is extra $, but it is worth it. “Of course, I do, I do, I do,” I said again.
Next Thursday would have been my 25th wedding anniversary. My late husband and I had always planned to go to Half Moon Bay, the romantic Ritz Carlton Hotel on the cliff outside of San Francisco, one of our favorite cities. We were going to rent a new Mercedes sports car when we got there. It was part of the long weekend package and he always had wanted to drive a Mercedes sports car.
I’m going alone on my spiritual journey to Miraval. I took my wedding ring off last week to ready myself for my spiritual trip alone.
Thursday is the last full day of my spiritual journey. “Do you want the Outdoor Miraval Journey treatment?” asked my Miraval consultant. “It’s simply amazing she said…unlike anything you have ever experienced. It’s an invigorating body ritual that restores vitality to the skin. To prepare you for the nurturing hydration ahead, we begin by exfoliating the body with volcanic pumice, an effective yet gentle treatment that refreshes the skin. A full body massage follows; we restore moisture with an Edelweiss-infused emollient, known for its rich antioxidant properties. We then wrap your body in warmth, inviting you to relax as you receive a scalp massage, hydrating face mask and rejuvenating foot treatment.”
“OMG,OMG,OMG, book it…book it…book it…I’m going on my first spiritual journey alone and I want it to end on a really HIGH NOTE. Who cares what it costs…just BOOK IT.
My yoga teacher said a beautiful quote by Helen Keller last night as she ended our class. It was a perfect ending to our class and a perfect way for me to start to think about my trip to Miraval. No, this wasn’t the trip I was expecting to take during my 51st year, no it surely wasn’t the trip I was planning for January 2009, but as Helen Keller said:
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
I’m getting ready for my spiritual journey to Miraval. It’s January 2009 and I just turned 51 years old. While I’m sad that the first door of happiness has closed, I’m ready for my new door to open.
Judi
Judi — I am so inspired by you. May this trip be everything you hope for and more! Can’t wait to live vicariously through your blog. JMS
That was beautiful. You are amazing. Good thing you’re already my bff or I’d have to hound you like a twisted stalker just to get the stardust off you when you walk. I’ll miss you!
You are awesome with your blogging work, I love keep coming back to your blog. Keep posting the way you have always been, thanks.
Oops. Sorry, not divorce as per my previous post for your Mondo Beyondo list. I loved the HK quote. Thank you. And Northrup's book is one of my all time favorites. All her work is must-read for women. Hope your spa was wonderful.
I'd say that that one journey of happiness ended and has opened so that you can continue to experience other happiness.
Hope so.