I just hate carrying anything heavy and I try to keep things simple. I usually carry essential items such as my keys, a cell phone, and my card holder (for IDs) in my pockets without even carrying a bag. However, when I go to work or attend a meeting with friends, I would carry a bag with some items. I love canvas bags because they are economical, can double as grocery bags, are cost-friendly (or sometimes free), easy to wash, and I don’t have to worry about someone stealing it. The bag carries what I view as teaching necessities:

•Blue Light Protection Glasses and Glass Cleaning Cloth: As an English teacher, I often have to look at the computer screen for hours straight while marking or working on report cards. After getting LASIK surgery, I started believing in protecting my eyes from blue light. I carry a cleaning cloth because my glasses usually get dirty since I don’t carry a case with me.

•Extra Hair Ties: Essential for keeping my hair out of my face while working.

•AirPods: Perfect for listening to music, usually classical, when I’m taking a walk alone or sitting in a coffee shop marking for an extended period.

•USB Flash Drive: I do not usually carry this, but I occasionally need it for school to transfer documents and presentations.

•Lip Balm and/or Lipstick: Always handy to have for quick touch-ups.

•Band-aid: A necessity in my profession, as I often get paper cuts or need to help a student with a minor injury.

•Random Stationery Items: Writing utensils, sticky notes, occasionally paper clips, and a highlighter. These items are essential for my work as a teacher, allowing me to jot down notes, highlight important information, and keep my papers organized.

 

Text Technologies:

iPhone: These days, cellular phones are a necessity. You can’t order food, open your car doors, read the menu at a restaurant, or pay for your groceries without one. Additionally, without your phone, you’re blocked from all sorts of communication unless you live with the person. When reflecting on how I engage with language and communication, I think I would describe myself as someone constantly occupied. For example, I have connected my work emails to my phone so I get notified instantly, and I would even not mind receiving a work related email on weekends (or evens ending one to others!). I make sure I don’t have any unread messages or emails, and mark them unread if I am not able to reply immediately, so that I can remember to write a response. I become anxious when I do not hear back from people after sending a message or an email, especially if they are work-related. On the other hand, I am completely the opposite when it comes to personal messages. I would sometimes neglect responding to emails that are not a priority.

In terms of language use, I communicate in two languages daily: Korean, my mother tongue, and English mostly for work. It took me a long time to accept my identity growing up as a 1.5 generation, having to use English for CALP (academic language, and Korean for BICS (social language). Therefore all my devices have dual language keyboard.

AirPods: I use them when walking my dogs and want to stay connected without missing a message. I enable Siri to read aloud any messages or phone calls I receive while walking, making AirPods a great tool for multitasking and staying connected

While not perfect, I think my bag reflects myself pretty well. Most of the items I carry are in anticipation of future use rather than items I constantly need. I tend to worry a lot in advance and like to be prepared.

On the other hand, as I mentioned, I prefer to keep things simple, willing to even go outside without a bag. However, I also enjoy complicating things—critically looking at things, questioning the obvious, being a rebel, challenging ideas, and solving puzzles. My canvas bag itself reflects how I’m a person of contradictions. I’m a dog person, but I don’t mind if my bag suggests otherwise.

I find this activity intriguing because I often find it troublesome to explain or introduce myself. I chose not to use a fictional bag because I wanted to provide a candid introduction of who I am, whether people get it or not. This exercise not only delves into key themes of the course but also offers a valuable opportunity for self-reflection and learning more about my identity. It’s also a friendly way of connecting with peers and strangers on a personal level.