Unexpected Delights in Life (Oh Yeah!)

Some of the best moments occur when they aren’t planned. That was particularly true for me today.

A few weeks ago, I searched a digital map for restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh and saw a Thai restaurant on First Avenue. It wasn’t until today, when my body was aching from hitting the gym hard every day for more than a month, that I finally experienced it.

Let’s back up a moment. Prior to my lunch outing, my body was shouting at me for a hot stone massage. I began a search for the best massage places. Spa Jema came up, so I went onto its website. I loved its esthetics and the variety of services, and it was so easy to book an appointment the same day! My body was so happy.

I began to plan the remainder of my day, from the errands I needed to run and integrating lunch before the massage. The massage was booked for later in the afternoon, and as it was late morning, I had quite the window of time in between. I didn’t want to return home when I was already out and about.

Just as I was about to leave my place, I received a message from the spa, moving up my appointment! I give love and gratitude to the Universe for divine timing.

So off I went to run a few errands, then (finally!) made my way to Siam Thai Restaurant.

It is a small place, and for lunch time, it’s best to either be the first when it opens at 11am or arrive later, around 1pm. In between, it is busy and packed! Despite that, the kitchen and front of the house work seamlessly to take and fulfill orders.

I was craving Pad Thai, so that’s what I ordered. I also wanted Tom Yum soup – only to be informed that a small cup of it comes with lunch! That was the best Tom Yum soup I’ve ever had. It was full of flavor without hitting my taste buds with a sledgehammer. The same was for my Pad Thai; easily one of the best Pad Thai I’ve had. (You’ll see from the picture that I exclude egg and peanuts). Important note: their medium spicy is quite spicy; I gulped down two tall glasses of water and had to blow my nose in the restroom before I left! It was so worth it. You’ve been warned!

After such a delicious and  efficient lunch service, I took a leisurely stroll down First Avenue towards Spa Jema. This was my first time here, and I loved how quiet and serene it was (excluding construction noise). Since it was a little past 1pm and my re-scheduled massage wasn’t until 1:45pm, I took another leisurely stroll, this time around the block. By then, I was 30 minutes early; I decided to sit and chillax before the massage.

The spa is in an older building, and from the outside, there’s nothing that prepared me for the interior. It is such a vibrant yet calming, welcoming atmosphere, and there are statues of the Budda everywhere! It retains the charm of what looks to have been a private residence, now combined with the energy and love the owners have put to the place. I felt so welcome, and having arrived 30 minutes before my scheduled time, my appointment began about 10 minutes later!

I do want to put a disclaimer: my appointment was for a Wednesday afternoon. Don’t expect this level of flexibility later in the week or the weekends.

I must compliment my massage therapist, Allison, on one of the best hot stone massages I’ve ever had. I’ve had some good ones, but her healing hands worked through the knots in my muscles like they were nothing!

I knew how good my day was because it took me a while to type this post. I almost decided to punt it to tomorrow; however, I wanted to do a proper service to my unexpectedly delightful day. It deserved a same day post.

What are some of your favorited unexpected and unplanned delights? Upon reflection, how have they impacted your life?