Tattoos are portable artworks on the human body. When a person chooses to be tattooed, it is a process and acceptance of what they want to place on their body; especially since it is a permanent mark and we must be happy with it. We must be happy with it when our body’s age and we are 90 years old. For me, I have contemplated my first tattoo for over ten years. Once I was ready, I met with a tattoo artist and made the appointment. I didn’t tell my parents until afterwards and surprising enough, they were okay with it.

Originally, I was going to have the semi-colon to represent my anxiety/depression that I can over come. I wasn’t completely for it and changed it to a quill with ink droplets. Why didn’t I get my semi-colon? It’s because I didn’t want a daily reminder of my anxiety/depression. My first tattoo should be a happy one and represent who I am. Since I was 7 years old, I’ve wanted to become a writer. Now that I am 24, pursuing my goals and almost finished with my Bachelor’s Degree, this tattoo was meant to be.

Now, every time I look down at my wrist, I get a boost of confidence to continue my pursuit for my goal. I’ve worked so hard this far and I must keep going knowing it's so close. After my tattoo artist finished, I was overcome by a wave of happiness and honestly wanted him to keep going.

It’s been two months and already I have a line up as to what to add to my tattoo. It will be the word “Write” in William Shakespeare’s handwriting on my wrist as well as an ink pot to go along with my quill. I have not shared in my writings how much I adore Shakespeare and to have his handwriting imbedded into my skin will be another confidence boost. Ever since I was 13, I fell in love with his writing (thank you Mrs. Hill’s 8^th Grade English Class) in Julius Caesar.

The ink pot will represent my never-ending supply of ink to continue my writing. No matter what platform, I will always pursuit my goals to write. As much as the semi-colon is an uplifting image to carry on, my quill inspires me to carry on in my own special way.

So, dear reader, if you are deciding on your first tattoo, make it a special one; one that you will always keep special and mean so much in your heart. Will this be something you will enjoy when you are 90 years old? Will you enjoy it in the next ten years? Think upon it, talk about it and see if it is the right fit for you. Tattoos are permanent artwork and whatever we place on our bodies must best represent what we love in this whole wide universe and who we are.