The countdown begins, and the silent auction concludes.  A few folks are caught with pen in hand attempting to outbid the previous offer by a few dollars, but they are denied with gentle reprimands. My husband grins and slips a piece of paper into his pocket.
For the past three years my husband has gotten me—at silent auction—a gift certificate for Marta’s European Skin Care Center. The certificate is for a facial that leaves me smiling for days before, and after, the appointment. It’s my yearly slice of self-indulgent heaven.
Marta hails from Budapest, Hungary, and her accent is delightful. Upon arrival for my appointment she offers to make me a fresh cup of cappuccino, which unfortunately I can’t accept. Coffee and I do not mingle happily. She then plies me with chocolates made by a local artisan. Well, okay, if you insist! Nom, nom, nom.
I’ve had other facials, but nobody does them like Marta. I feel pampered and plumped and relaxed. When I reluctantly sit up as our time concludes she claps her hands together and exclaims, “Gail! You MUST come to the mirror and see how beautiful you look!â€Â I self-consciously peer into the glass and see a woman with glowing skin and oily hair standing at all angles.
Marta hugs me and invites me to come again. As long as my husband keeps winning that silent auction bid, I am sooooo there. Marta’s facial…oh the heck yeah. The best part of my day.
Cesar says
August 2, 2014 at 6:46 amDamn! I think I’m the kind of people you’re tanlkig about. Ha!Of coz I realize people may have different opinions when their roles changed. But frankly, is it reasonable to demand people under you to think out of the box or having the scope same as you? I mean, they stand at their point, their vision is limited to what they could see, somehow it’s the supervisor’s job to “manage” & guiding them.Like my present job, I feel frustrated about it. I am not happy with my superior’s “management” skill. When my opinion being asked, I’d choose to tell the ugly truth, regardless however naive & bad it sounds. This, of coz, is a big turning off, esp to the boss(es). However, I think it’s really bs and a waste of everyone’s time if everybody’s just trying to appease somebody. Sadly, this is unbearable to be seen or even tolerated in offices, nowadays.