day 31

Day 31 Tattoo Souvenir

Tattoo Tuesday march 29 2011

As part of my journey of doing something adventurous for the month and keeping on the tourist them, I wanted to do something many tourists do…Get a tattoo.  Rewind, this is my fourth tattoo, and I have been contemplating this for months.  I have had three for five years.  Three representing constant change, and I have been in constant movement with jobs and cities.  I know I needed stability.   Four equating with a square, stability, grounding.  My three prior tattoos are as follows

1-Location: Massillon Ohio

    What: Wreath of roses on left ankle

    Age: 17

    Accompanied by: parents

    Reason: independence/adulthood

 When I could legally get a tattoo, my parents bought it as a birthday gift for me and were present to hold my hand.  Originally I had planned the year prior to get a tattoo with my mom (a sunflower on her ankle), but I was too young.  I did not have a debutante ball or quinciniera, this was in some ways a step towards transitioning to adulthood.  It was rebelling, but my parents were present and supportive, which they have been my whole life and am purely grateful for having this as proof of their love.

2-Location: Los Angeles California

     What: symbol I drew with the words written fate in the shape of a star (fate written in the stars or do you write it?) on lower right hip

    Age: 25

    Accompanied by: friends in Los Angeles (and one via phone)

    Reason: getting my doctorate

                 I knew I wanted to commemorate this experience.  My first time of truly living away from home, being focused with achieving my doctorate on time and quickly.  My friends were present and surrounded me with their love, smiles, and awe.  It was full of excitement, gratitude, friendship, and fun.

3. Location: Honolulu Hawaii

   What: symbol I drew signifying soul (follow your soul as you read the words)  on back of neck

   Age: 26

   Accompanied by: self

  Reason: passing my psychology licensure test

                  The reason I had moved to Hawaii and work part time, was so I could enjoy life and also study for this licensure test.  I had heard it took 6 months, and they were right!  My 20 hours per week studying in a coffee shop, and working at a coffee shop to fund my time paid off.  I was proud I did this alone, I felt strong, and could conquer anything.

4. Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

    What: symbol of om (the sound that all was created from, strongest meditation chant, all levels of consciousness, yes I will, cycle of life: creation, preservation, destruction) on left inner writst

    Age: 32

    Accompanied by: Anthony (fiancé), who also got his first tattoo the same night

    Reason: completion, stability. 

    With having three tattoos I felt I was incomplete, I needed to balance myself out.  I knew inadvertently the people present during my tattoo times were all different (family, friends, self) why not complete that with love.   Two of my tattoos are unable to be seen by my eye, and I wanted to have a tattoo that could remind me of being present, aware, of my goals.  We originally planned to get tattoos on Anthony’s mother’s birthday (first birthday without her).  There were numerous tries we attempted but never followed through.  But today was it.   It is the year we will get married, and what better way to start bonding was through tattoos. 

The place we chose was located across the street from us, the edge of Waikiki.  On a random Tuesday evening, non-stop tourists came into the shop.  A couple getting matching tattoos of an anchor and dog tags.  A man, accompanied by his wife, getting a arm band of thorns.  A girl completing a flower tattoo on her back before she flew out tonight.  What floored me was this group of four women 50-60 something, who seemed to be on a girls trip.  They had an appointment to all get their first tattoos.  One was a gecko, another a strand of flowers.  I couldn’t quite eavesdrop enough to hear their tattoos, but I did hear they were from Idaho.  They were in pure heaven here in Hawaii, because before leaving Idaho there was 10 inches of snow.

I was in pure amazement.  This place is filled with people who are making a permanent change to their body, within the span of minutes.  They will never be the same.  Maybe these people were purely spontaneous.  Maybe they were succinctly planning in detail the exact tattoo, but simply waiting for the right moment. 

I love that about people, how they surprise you.  Somehow tourists are more courageous on vacation.  Instead of getting a tee shirt with the words “Waikiki” on it, they are getting a permanent image on their body to forever remember this moment in time.  This is the norm, and why tattoo parlors thrive in tourist spots. 

Anthony got his tattoo first, as I filmed.  The pain was brief to commemorate permanently his goal for others to see.  As a chef, the biggest accolade you can receive is 3 Michelin stars for your restaurant.  Currently he is in preparation of creating a restaurant, building a business plan, and crew.  Why not get 3 Michelin stars?  I was proud of him.  I filmed each person as their faced scowled or eyes tightly shut (as I did).  Johnny Cash played in the background, a song with the words “pain” in it.  The hillbilly Larry the Cable Guy played on tv.  A military man was updating his tattoo in the corner.  How American can you get in Hawaii? 

When I got my tattoo, the memory of the pain returned, but it was do-able.  No yelling or screaming.  I tried to utilize the phrase om (or aum) in the pit of my stomach. And it passed.  I am proud of Anthony, myself, and all those other tourists in the tattoo parlor that night.  We were all willing to put up with some pain for the memory of an amazing moment or goals to linger until our bodies are laid to rest.

Anthony’s mother originally was against tattoos.  I asked him about this, he said “I think now she would have gotten one, a lady bug.”  I know that group of 60 year old women reminded him of his mom and her spunk.  

Cheers to all of those who aren’t afraid of adventure, a little pain, and the permanence of symbolism.