Personal Narrative: My Birthmark

I come across a rear projection TV on the side of the road one day, load it up, and take it home. I eagerly spend a good four hours stripping it down and saving as much as I can. I end up with a 48” fresnel lens, two hefty speakers, a couple large capacitors, three glass lenses, and a glass mirror. Left over is a box of electronic waste and the particle board skeleton of a TV. I take the electronics to my local electronics recycling center, and set the wooden frame on the curb. I took 70 lbs. of trash and turned it into 10 lbs. of treasure ripe for projects, 30 lbs. of recyclables that would have gone to a landfill, and 30 lbs. of refuse that I had fun

Growing up I’ve faced many challenges, my self-confidence being the biggest issue of them all, never feeling I was normal or could fit in and let me tell you, it’s a tough way to live like that for anyone. The reason I felt like the kid everybody thought had cooties causing them to run away from on the playground was because I was born with a unique birthmark called hemangioma. The birthmark happened to be on my bottom lip and chin. A hemangioma is a benign tumor filled with rapid growing blood vessels, it required two surgeries for removal and serval for repairs in my case. Luckily I’ve come a long way of what my birthmark was in the beginning to how it appears now, which is minor scars in both my bottom lip and chin.

In the 90’s life consisted of watching tv shows like Saved By the Bell, Full House, Seinfeld, and Boy Meets World. All of which still play on tv today. Everyone was listening to Backstreet Boys, Alice in Chains, and who wouldn’t listen to Nirvana. The shoe style was weird and the clothes were different. Then in the late, late 90’s (so like ‘99) I was born. But there was something very different about how I was born as well as how I got my name.

What is identity? The definition as a person’s own sense of whom they are, which their past define them. Identity is very important in our society, no matter your social status. I can attach identity to belonging to something or place. As human race, we feel the need to belong to a group or place. Because belonging to a group or place, give us the sense of identity.

According to the Oxford Dictionaries, nature is “the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations” (“Nature”; emphasis added). The primary definition asserts that nature is a separate and opposing entity from mankind. In spite of this, humans have acted with a sense of ownership over nature for centuries, depleting, manipulating and polluting the natural world. This human interaction with nature is depicted in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, "The Birth Mark”. Using allegory and symbolism, Hawthorne illustrates the stain that humanity places on nature’s purity. A relationship between a man and a woman serves as an allegory for the relationship between mankind and nature, a discrepancy in an otherwise beautiful woman represents the human impact, contrasting rooms symbolize the divinity of nature and the impurity of humanity, and the death of a woman serves as a caution for what is to become of mankind’s actions.

My biopsychosocial characteristics will determine how I will perform this semester. I believe that being an overall healthy person will aid me this semester (biological), I also have a very good grip of my emotions and feelings (psychological), but one thing that I struggle with is the fact that I am very introverted (social).

The birthmark symbolizes that sin is in the world and that no matter how hard you try you can't remove it or try to be God. Almer was trying to clearly make himself out to be equal to God. He believed that since he made an elixir he could choose who he wanted to use the elixir and who couldn't. He was trying to pick who got to live and who didn't. Only God can choose who lives and who dies.

Everyone has an identity, and it is our identity which defines who we are and our place in society. Our identities help other people to draw conclusions about who we are, as well as, spotlight values and beliefs. Our identities have the power to positively or negatively affect how we live our lives, as well as, have the power to affect how we interact socially. Identities can be shaped and molded by the communities in which we live, the schools we attend, churches where we worship, the sports in which we participate, our race, gender, and physical features. Many of my friends, family, and acquaintances, describe my identity as being strongly influenced by my disability, my family values, and my fiercely independent nature. Prior to writing

No, he shouldn't be in holding for the crime. Since his fingerprints didn't match the one found at the crime scene. Each human being with the exception of twins have distinctive fingerprints. The way skin on grows give each a unique print it has grooves and buckles form when it was forming.

I currently find myself, unable to meet the terms of my marker agreement. In an attempt to satisfy my obligations, I am requesting that payments arrangements be made to meet marker obligations at Harrah’s properties. I have recognized that I have a gambling compulsion and have recently reach out to Gambling Anonymous and the1-800-GAMBLER hotline for help. Although the markers are not yet due, I recognize that payments are the only way I can satisfy this debt. Request the marker be held and converted to payments verse an account debit. I understand that you are under no obligation to accept payment arrangements, but ask for your patience and assistance. Over the past months, I have completely depleted my savings and 401K plans to satisfy my

In the short stories “A Rose for Emily,” by William Faulkner, and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark,” symbolism is crucial in adding depth to the stories. Both of these stories are unique in their own senses and tell tragic tales, with “A Rose for Emily,” sharing a tale of a woman who grows old while isolated from most of her community and starts to fall off her rocker, while in “The Birthmark” the reader learns lessons on fleeting beauty and humanity. The symbolism that is engraven deeply into both stories is vital in showing how while things may seem one way, they are actually representing a deeper concept and meaning.

A majority of people I have spoken to despise running; the activity inducing a great deal of pain and wasting time are common reasons I hear. For me however, running has always been a part of my identity and it shaped me as the person I am today. Whether it comes to intense races or exciting games of tag, I feel a part of me glistens with joy whenever I put on my running shoes and get my feet moving. My interest from running goes all the way back from elementary school.

As the daughter of immigrants, I had grown up with a strong idea of what my culture was and how I identified myself. This identity had influenced my beliefs and the value I believed my parent’s culture held. My background had revolved around being raised by parents who had both spent a majority of their lives in Vietnam before moving to the States. This meant I was going to be influenced by the Confucian ideas which remained prominent in Eastern and South Eastern Asian culture as well as the Buddhist religion which my mother followed. All of these traits along with the environment I grew up in had affected how language had become a major pillar in my culture and identity, continuing to play a part in my relationships and actions today.

Blemishes, flaws, insecurities. They are ubiquitous. For me, my biggest imperfection was my lack of organization. From kindergarten through high school, I would constantly have my belongings scattered across my house. My family nickname was unkempt Tanvi. Amazingly, I managed to never miss homework assignments and important events. However, I soon realized my success was impermanent.

The scar running down my back is a reminder of the challenges I had faced. The wound is carved from the bottom of my neck and ends at the middle of my spine. It tells a story about my difficult journey and it symbolizes life learning lessons that I learned along the way.