forever in ink

“I got it tattooed on my sleeve forever in ink,

with guess whose name?”

                             (Holy Grail, Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake)

For my birthday last year I got a tattoo. It’s on my right side, under my arm on my ribs. I didn’t want it to be a cliché; so many people get a tattoo these days. That’s why I chose to put it in a place where it was visible only if I wanted it to be. This tattoo is for me, it’s a reminder etched on my skin.

It was autumn when I got it. I had that familiar anxiety I get every time the summer is over – I instinctively start looking for a way out, an escape route that’ll take me far away from the long cold winter. I’ve always thought I am my best in the summer. I am more relaxed, spontaneous and more active. I have less to complain about.

       I want this tattoo to remind me of that summer me.

And it’s not just the weather. I realised I’d lived in Finland for 3 years (4 years now!). That’s a long time to stay in one place for me. I had planned to stay in Finland for only 2 years till I finished my degree. I got “stuck”, in a good way. I found a job and a boyfriend, more than enough reason to stay. I just hope I remember that the world is still out there, I don’t want to be stuck just because it’s easy to stay put.

       I need this tattoo to remind me that the world is still my oyster.

I am Made in Kilimanjaro. As long as I am reminded of it, I have a bit of perspective and I don’t get lost.