I just had the most relaxing, mind-blowing facial in the world. The world, I tell you! It lasted two hours, how could it not be heavenly?
Min, my colleague and friend forever made an appointment for me this afternoon in Hongje where she gets her weekly facials. Yes, I said weekly. Min has such beautiful and supple skin, there was no way that I was not going. Moving to a new city, photographing everything, mostly outdoors, exposes your skin to a lot of pollutants let alone the blistering cold of Winter. I needed help.
My skin has always been on the dry side but I’d noticed that I was beginning to look a little tired. I needed a facial and boy did I get one! I was in the gentle and expert hands of the manager, Miss Park, of Beauty Club. Oh yes, included with your facial is a back, arms, decollete, neck, ears and scalp massage. Incredible. My skin was in need of moisture so we she focused on dead skin removal and packed on the 4 or 5 masks needed to get my dry skin back on track.The results? Splendiferous! My skin is glowing, more supple and is probably thanking me for a great time.
With the facials and deep massages, I floated out of there completely relaxed and forever grateful for Min’s divine intervention and Miss Park’s expertise. Before I left, another appointment was made and I will now get a facial every two weeks until I decide to leave Korea, if that ever happens.
It started yesterday when I received an email from a very special woman who is contemplating moving to Madrid. The DMB currently lives in Japan, quite a jump in cultures, non?
Fortunately I have a wonderful brother and he introduced me to flamenco music years ago and I’ve been loving it ever since. The passion, love for life and even agony I hear in the voices of those that sing flamenco makes me so glad to be alive. Joaquin dances the way that I feel most of the time, especially today. I sometimes think that I am destined to roam the earth, like a gypsy or Bedouin, this makes me sad at times but somehow it also makes me appreciate the wonders that I see on a daily basis. I have chosen my life it was not chosen for me and for better or worse, I celebrate all of it. When I look at this performance that’s what I see: a celebration of the joy, the pain, the blood that runs through the veins, creating endless energy and light. This is my life and it becomes greater by the second.
Still mesmerized by these beautiful marble stamps. Here in Korea, marble or wooden stamps are used for official documents as proof of purchase (houses, land, etc.), contract agreements, etc. I wish that we had this kind of domestic artistry in the United States. You know, just before I buy one of the three homes I plan to purchase, I get to hold one of these hand carved beauties in my hand to remember the occasion.
I am going to work on a write a story about these brushes now. I can’t seem to look away from them. They make me think of Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers.
A couple of days ago I walked through Insadong feeling so excited about a new photoshoot and something made me go into a random calligraphy shop and ask if I could take some pictures. Now initially I stopped only to photograph the vast array of marble stamps. They were made in the likeness of fish, hares, dragons, etc. So beautiful, I mean, holding them was almost too good to be true. Those photos are coming, you will not be disappointed. Ah, but the brushes. Insadong is known for calligraphy, tourist shops full of celadon pottery for which Korea is known for and other souvenirs. I could not have dreamt of more beautiful brushes and the staff were very kind and generous to me. I’m still floating on air and yes, I will take calligraphy courses in February as it will teach me more about patience. I think that this will take me even deeper into yoga and make me a better photography. Enjoy life.
My Yoga Goddess (instructor) is so awe-inspiring and influential in my life that I must dedicate a category to her on this blog. I attend yoga 5 days week and now I believe that I will attend on Saturdays as well. I may also follow in her footsteps and share with others the joy and physical as well as spiritual growth I get from her instruction and yoga itself. I’m serious folks. Serious and happy!
Well, as you know, I love yoga. Seriously, it was a tad difficult in the beginning. I was no where near as flexible or as peaceful-minded as I am now and I know the best is yet to come. Earlier in the week as we were all waiting to enter the studio, my teacher informed everyone that “Felicia’s poses are great, now”. My Yoga Goddess even demonstrated.I’ve always been a positive person but now I’ve become more mindful and I know that this class and my teacher has had a great influence on me. I understand very little of what she says as I am not fluent in Korean but there is something about her energy, her spirit that I find amazing. I admire her. She’s small in stature but incredibly strong in body and spirit. Don’t ask me how I know, I just KNOW. As I advance in yoga, I do find that at times my mind wanders but now I practice more mind control than before. In class as in life, I focus on the HERE AND NOW. Of course I have plans in the works, and things that I want to accomplish but when I’m in that class, I know that the most important thing is that MOMENT, that second and nothing else. I let myself be, just be. I now know how important it is to focus on the moment when I’m speaking or listening to someone, when I’m working, always when I’m walking. The way that we are taught to breath has led to some changes in my photography, I believe. Oh, I also sleep more soundly. It’s funny how I look at people here and see more of the similarities between us instead of the differences. On the metro, this thought “I am them and they are me” constantly pops into my head. I love thinking this way.
This is a new category on this blog and I have chosen to launch a new category on this blog and I now give you the first artist: Ms. Choi Jung In. Yes, she designs all the shoes in her castle-like boutique drenched in decadence and danger (even her boutique smells gorgeous). I met her a couple of months ago and fell in love with her work and her demeanor. What I saw before me was the supplest leather combined with original designs, playfulness, greatness.
Those legs belong to Choi Jung In. Great gams!
