Introduction to Uncertainty
I think the most noteworthy thing I can use to define myself at the moment is how much I've stopped bothering with defining myself. I don't mean that in a "look how much more special I am than everyone else because I am beyond definition" type of way; I think labels can be valuable tools for carving out a strong sense of self, and knowing who you are can be very assuring for some. However, I've found that labels don't really work for me, because at this point in my life I'm frequently making and unmaking and remaking my entire identity. At this point, you may be wondering what this has to do with the direct questions we were asked to answer such as "What are your favorite books?". The point is to give context as to why I can't really answer these questions: I am the kind of person whose answers to any of those questions will wildly change on a whim, making it very difficult and a little dishonest to answer any of these questions as if I know for certain. I can't honestly name my future goals, favorite books or TV shows, because if you ask me tomorrow, or even an hour from now, I'd almost certainly give entirely different answers. For example, I have watched every episode of Steven Universe. Any given day, depending on my mood, I might consider it the best cartoon on television or the worst. My goals for the future may be to complete a four year degree, work with special needs children, quit school and just find a job, etc.
The only question I know how to answer is whether or not I've had a pet, which is an objective fact. I had a pet sulcata tortoise named Morgan, but unfortunately she passed away. Veterinary care for sulcatas is complicated, because they aren't as popular pets as dogs or cats, so not a lot of vets have studied them. On top of that, when they are young they are very small, making it hard to do things like blood testing or x-rays. Ultimately the veterinarian never found out what was making her sick, but suspected that she had picked up a respiratory illness due to the conditions she was shipped to us in. The only thing I know about myself for certain is that I want to get another sulcata tortoise one day, but not from the same place because I don't want to risk getting another sick pet. That was a huge downer ending, so I'll leave you with the cutest picture I took of her.
Hi Veronica! Welcome to the class. One of the best parts about getting to live for a while is that we get to change our minds and change our life goals and directions as often as we like! Enjoy the journey! I love the picture of your tortoise. I had a tortoise once, but he was larger than yours. I think he was some kind of Russian tortoise. We eventually gave him to a child who couldn't have any pets with fur because of allergies.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to working with you this semester!
Hi Veronica!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your tortoise. My little brother has a tortoise name stitch and he is actually a little smaller than yours. I agree with you one day something can be our favorite then the next you something else gains our attention, but I do believe that it depends on the person. I hope you accomplish you goals and have a great semester.
Hi Veronica!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you via this intro! I just want to start by saying, I am 32 years old and I don't think I have ever tried to define myself, in any way.. is that even possible? I don't think I could define myself, like you mentioned, I also change depending on the hour of the day, depending on my lack of coffee or too many cups of coffee, but I just don't know if I believe that anyone is "definable". I'm glad you stopped trying to define yourself. Labels don't work for me either, I don't even get what you mean by labels, life is so much more than that and I would never want to be classified under a label even if it does pertain to me. It gets better. You'll stop trying to define and explain your life and start filling in those gaps with so much more as time passes. The best thing about being you, is you have the right to change your mind every hour if you want too, telling us your favorite book or favorite place to go doesn't define you. Life is too short and complicated to label, the only thing that needs a label is our food. I'm even sick of labels on clothing and shoes, does this tag really make these boots four times the price because the label is red? Strip all that away and just put on what you like. That's how I feel at least. But I don't know I could change my mind tomorrow, maybe I just haven't had enough coffee today and I am grumpy.
side note, when you feel ready I know the Martinez animal shelter and sometimes the Antioch shelter get in Tortoises and adopt them out and sometimes (often) they are free because it can be really hard to re-home exotic animals like that. In November when we were adopting a kitten I saw a tortoise who was up for adoption and was in a foster home. Maybe your new pet is waiting for you in a shelter and you don't even know it yet!
Hi Veronica!
ReplyDeleteVery nice to meet you via the intro! I really enjoyed reading your introduction and appreciate your honesty and insight. I enjoy your writing and love the title of your post, very creative! I am very sorry to hear about your tortoise, losing a pet is one of the hardest things to go through. She looks very cute and I love the picture, thanks for sharing it! I look forward to reading more of your writing.
Hello Veronica!
ReplyDeleteI must say, you have quite an interesting introduction! And one that I can agree with and understand completely! We are always constantly changing and always thinking differently. It can be hard to focus on one thing or have one opinion when there are so many to choose out there. For example, I am a fan of so many franchises such as Super Mario, Pokemon, or Star Wars but my tastes will change after a while. The past half year, I was so into Pokemon, playing the Virtual Console release of Silver version, playing Sun, Pokemon Stadium, etc. and awaiting the release of Ultra Moon in November. Once the game came out, I ended up losing a little interest because The Last Jedi came out in theaters a month later and now I'm so into Star Wars right now!! I haven't even progressed to much in Ultra Moon! It was insightful reading your post and I hope you will have many more interesting posts in the future!
Hello Veronica, after reading your introduction it seems like your living day by day and there is nothing wrong with that. When I was writing my introduction I too was struggling putting answers to some of the questions because my favorite show, potential major, or career goal is always changing and i just wasn't sure what to put. I enjoyed reading your post because i can relate to alot of what you said. Nice meeting you Veronica and I look forward to reading future your future posts.
ReplyDeleteHey Veronica It's great to meet you! I can relate to what you said about yourself that you can't define yourself because your mind changes depending upon the circumstances. Anytime when someone would ask me how I would define myself, I'd say the only things that have been the foundation of my character is working to fulfill desires. But then again, I wasn't hard working when I was eight or nine years old. Just like you said, our behaviors and minds change as we grow and learn. I think that's honestly a good thing that you and I and everyone else has the ability to change and not stick to one mindset throughout our entire lives. I wish you the best for this course and I also hope you get another Sulcata tortoise. I am sorry to hear about what happened to your tortoise.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica, I truly agree that labels are toxic to say the least. I have learned that I am that I am. This means that I am who God created me to be and there are no limits to me. I am whoever I can be at any time I need to be. I love that you are free and that you know yourself. On another note, my daughter is finishing up her degree and works with special needs kids, it’s hard, but she loves it. It’s a pleasure meeting you. I loved your introduction.
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica!
ReplyDeleteI am one of those people that is constantly changing her mind as well. I have stopped telling people where I want to transfer to because it changes so often. As someone that currently works with special needs kids I want to tell you to keep going. We need kind and caring teachers that want to make a difference and you seem like the time to care about students and their lives. I am sorry about your turtle. It must have been hard to lose her.
Hi Veronica, it is great to see that you have a very different perspective and mentality on life. In our current society we have been taught to be labeled or put into categories and that it is ok, but sometimes we forget that not everyone can have one set of labels or likes being defined. I appreciate that you shared your stance and explain why you cannot answer the question precisely. In terms of your tortoise I am so sorry about your loss and it was a very adorable one as well.
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