I love it. I love it more than I really thought I would. I decided on an ampersand for a couple of different reasons.

1. I'm a writer, and a little pretentious. I want to be able to tell people about my favorite thing in life/my future job every chance I get.

2. I like the word ampersand, a lot.

3. They're very pretty. Calligraphic ampersands are so swoopy and wonderful.

4. I have been in college for four months on the date of my tattoo (December 18th)

5. I believe there is always an "and" after bad things. Things can be hard and suck sometimes, but they always have to get better. "And then" sort of.

6. I also believe there is always work to be done. I will never be done writing, artists will never stop creating work. There's always an "and" even when it seems like we've exhausted all of the creative resources we have.

The only problem I have with it is that I have to keep it under a second-skin style bandage that traps the blood and other icky things inside for three days. It doesn't look nearly as pretty as it does when it's naked.

Even though it's looking a little bit sketchy right now, I know it's going to be a beautiful part of my life for a very long time. You better believe that as soon as this one has healed, I'm going to be looking for the next one to add.

(A picture to show how icky it appears currently)

I'm always open for suggestions!