I am a very, on-the-go individual! As a full-time teacher, part-time student, I have a few essentials. I will be coaching field hockey at my secondary school this fall and so an extra change of clothes and snacks would be normal as well.

Items in the picture:

• Lululemon work bag (a precious gift given to me by my dad a few years back when I started teaching)
• Apple Macbook (that I bought with scholarship money back in 2014 and yes it still works!)
• USB bluetooth Logitech mouse (given to me by my sister)
• Cyxus LED glasses (that my boyfriend bought on Amazon when my eyes started to hurt from all the screentime)
• Saje Peppermint roller (my favourite item to calm me down on a bad/stressful/tiring day)
• Black hair clip
• Wooden utensils kit
• Dakine pencil case (I use it as my electronics bag – chargers, wires, etc)
• NEFF fanny pack (with my wallet, personal items)
• Water bottle (insulated and stainless steel are my favourite)

What is your daily need for the items in your bag? 

I enjoy items that support my well-being. Multi-function and durable items are very important to me. I enjoy aromatherapy and carry items with me that have meaning. My items usually support me on a daily basis.

How might these items be considered “texts” and what do they say about you, the places you inhabit, the cultures with which you engage, and/or the activities you take up?

My laptop and electronics are considered “texts” as I am able to study, learn, teach, and/or prep, anywhere I go. As for my personal items, they support a healthy environment that enables the ability to engage in “texts.” If I don’t need my “text” related items, I can simply leave them in my car and go about the day with my fanny pack.

Thinking about the title of the course, what are the “text technologies” in your bag, if any? What do these items say about how you engage with language and communication?

I want to think that I have 2 bags. A work bag with items and a handbag. With my bigger items, such as my laptop and electronics, they allow me to be ready for any task, to be well-prepared, and open to changes. These “text technologies” allow me to communicate and collaborate with people in my teaching circle. As for my fanny pack, I would consider my credit cards, ID, and payment as another form of “text technologies” as it allows me to purchase items and engage in my own welfare with the community (making appointments).

What do the items in your bag say about the literacies you have?

The items in my bag are both humble and privileged in the literacies that I have. In regards to financial literacy, my items are humble as I keep my items in pristine condition. Most items were either gifted to me or I took the time to save up for. With my Chinese-Canadian upbringing, keeping good care of my items have allowed me holistically enjoy the little things and the items that I have and earned for. On the other hand, I am privileged in the ability to recognize what items I need as an individual, and purchase items that support my work environment and well-being. I am socially and economically literate to know what keeps me healthy.

How does the narrative of the (private) contents of your bag compare with the narrative produced by the image you have of yourself or the image you outwardly project?

The image I provided does not measure to how valuable and meaningful these items are to me. Each item almost has a story of their own and how they made into my bag. The picture does not depict my culture, my religion, or family.  The only hint to my private life would be my laptop stickers. I love mountain biking, snowboarding, and just being on the mountains in general!

What would this same bag have looked like, say, 15 or 25 years ago?

The same bag 15 years ago, would have had an MP3 player, headphones, homework, stickers, a flip cell phone, pencils, pictures, all inside of a Abercrombie or Hollister backpack. I think my high school bags were way more fun!

How do you imagine an archeologist aiming to understand this temporal period might view the contents of your bag many years in the future?

An archeologist may view bags in 2023, to be focused on practicality and possibly ” modern-day survival”. In my opinion, it’s a tough time for many, living in a world like today with all sorts of economic and personal hardships. Inflation and financial stress, have a big toll on mental health and physical health. Especially as a society bouncing back from Covid. Therefore, the bags of many students and professionals will have items related to work, school, and/or well-being.