By way of an introduction, I am making public the private contents of my bag to give you a glimpse behind the curtain. I am quite an open person and I believe the contents of this bag, which I carry whenever I leave the house, are unified with my public persona. My personality is a dichotomy of sorts. I am pragmatic and idealistic, logical and creative. This translates into my career where I teach both coding and design. Inventory.
Gloves - After reading online that gloves were recommended by the NYFD and the LAFD, as a family, we decided that we would take the extra precaution and wear gloves as well in certain situations. We have been mindful of how much news we consume during this time and where we take our recommendations from. We happened to have a box of gloves on hand that we use for extra gross tasks (like spring clean-up after the dogs. Ewe!) so again we were able to use what was on-hand. Hand sanitizer - We happened to have a couple of travel-sized bottles around the house and we bought a large bottle to refill from so we’ve been able to have that ‘on hand’ (mind the pun). We bought the refill bottle from Rocky Mountain Soap, an Alberta company focused on natural ingredients and we are happy to support them. Again, online text technology to the rescue allowing us to purchase this online and get it delivered right to our door. People everywhere have been able to stay safe by having items delivered but I prefer to purchase items from a local company rather than giving yet more money to Jeff Bezos. Lotion - This is really needed because of the above item. Currently evolving into lizard skin, my hands need a lot of attention these days.
Communication Cracked iPhone - My phone is a very important tool in my bag. I have many communication streams on there. I stay connected by using the phone (yes, I’m still one of those people that call), Messages, Discord to converse with students, Instagram, Twitter, Canvas. I also have creative tools for design and learning and a few games to unwind (more after taking two games courses in MET). I bought this phone nearly two years ago and the screen was broken not that long after despite having a case that says it can be dropped from several metres and a tempered glass screen protector. I had purchased this extra protection insurance but didn't read the small print and later learned there is a $250 deductible. Ah, contracts that we so easily sign without reading all the Terms and Conditions. So I just use it broken because I don't want to pony up the cash. At this point, I am just waiting out the contract and will get a new phone. Headphones - I use these both for making calls and listening to my jams. I am an extremely musical person and I keep these in my purse because I prefer to dance my way through the world! It is a simple way to bring myself joy. Work Access - I still have been popping into work from time-to-time although the majority of my working time is spent at home these days. These remind me of a very different work-life balance. Card lock key and keyring - Both the new school and old school ways of entering various spaces around campus. I have been working there for 18 years so have had various iterations of access.
Fan - I always carry around a fan but it has certainly be used less in this post-COVID world. You’d be surprised how many times it comes in handy. Concerts, work gatherings, meetings, computer labs, anytime you are packed in and your temperature is uncomfortable. This particular fan I purchased from the members of a flamenco band that played at South Country Fair. I have stage managed at this event for several years so I get to meet many bands and hear new music that I may not normally find on my own. It is one of my absolute favourite times of year! It has the most supportive, accepting, and caring community of people. This fan was handmade in Columbia, is as beautiful as it is functional, and is a memory I can carry with me. Personal Products (floss, eye drops, lip balm, Japanese mint oil, facial tissue) - These are just items that I carry to make my life more comfortable on the go. Emergency Sewing kit - You never know when you might have to pull out a sewing kit to fix things on the go. I am a bit of a planner… I don’t use it a lot but it is mainly for peace of mind. Receipt for Flower Girl Dress - My daughter is also going to be the flower girl in her big brother’s wedding. She picked out the fanciest dress, complete with a train. Her face lit up with excitement as I’ve never seen when she tried on this dress. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the wedding has been postponed until the summer of 2021. This raised many concerns about whether the dress will still fit at that time but the designer has said they will exchange sizes, which is a big relief. This receipt is part of that peace of mind and brings to mind the fun we had dress shopping in Edmonton.
This bag is very indicative of who I am at this moment in time. A creative, mid-career professional and mother. There are several items that wouldn’t have been seen a couple months ago due to the time we are in but also many items that wouldn’t have been present in my past because of my maturity. As a younger woman, I wasn’t nearly as prepared or organized (that is if I could even find my purse). I’m sure as I move forward in life, this bag will continue to evolve. I am moving to a more simple, mindful, chemical-free life and I’m sure that will be reflected in the contents of my purse in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me through this exercise!
1 Comment
5/26/2020 04:21:20 pm
Hi Tanya,
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