Girl’s Day Out [August 1]

“If this is over I’m going to cry.” That’s all I could think as I could feel my massage therapist finishing up my right arm. Melanie had heard about a two-for-one deal at the massage therapy school is Salt Lake, and the two of us ventured up for our first professional massage experiences.

We had to put our names on a waiting list that was two hours long, so in the meantime we stopped by Toasters (a new sandwich shop next to the Wells Fargo corporate building) to grab lunch. We had stopped by the downtown library to find the closest Quiznos—which was also having a two-for-one special that day—but the one we found was closed on the weekends. We were disappointed to miss our chance at another deal—but too hungry to go elsewhere. The sandwiches were good, all of the employees were really friendly, and Mel and I enjoyed watching people walk by as we sat at the bar along the street window.

Less than an hour before we had enjoyed a free yoga class at CityYoga in Sugarhouse. My favorite part of that class--hands down---was the ambiance created by the set up of the interior—exposed brick walls, plants in the window soaking up the sun, the brightly colored yoga mats set on the hardwood floor. I know part of my love for interiors comes from my interior design major mother. She really has a passion for beautiful things and has taught me to appreciate the details in beautiful places. She will take her camera everywhere and get pictures of the things she loves—anywhere. I haven’t picked up that physical manifestation of our love of beautiful things, but—confession time—I do get mini anxiety attacks trying to memorize all the things that I love about my surroundings. Delighted by warm light, charmed by textures, and enamored by architecture I guess you could say I’m a bit of junkie—but I refuse to accept responsibility for my obsession—because if adoring beautiful surroundings is addiction then I was a drug baby.

“What time is it?” I asked Melanie. Finally, it was time to head back to the massage therapy school. I was taken to a little white curtained off area where I laid on an invention of genius designed to make me as comfortable as humanly possible. Every muscle was relaxed and I was as limp as a rag doll as I was pampered from head to toe. I could get used to this. Fifty minutes came and went much too soon. I was so relaxed afterwards that I was grateful that Melanie was the one driving. “We are definitely coming back.” She said as we got into the car. I whole-heartedly agreed, “That was amazing.”

The day wasn’t even over! The two of us went to Fashion Place mall that night, looking for shoes, and I came away with a handful of great steals (perfectly legal and legitimate). Melanie was an angel throughout it all—I have no fashion sense and should never be trusted to shop alone. “Is this cute?” I asked every few minutes. “Mmmm, no.” my advisor would answer. Or “Yes, try that on!” She sanctioned every purchase and searched for clothes my size. What a friend! What a day! That was the girls’ day out to top all girls’ day out—until our next one!