Cherry Blossoms

Fathers Day was this past weekend and I decided to do something particularly special for my good old papa bear. 

Cherry blossoms symbolize mortality. 

Over a year ago, my dad became very sick. He has been suffering with Tuberculosis, osteoporosis and emphysema not to mention the black spots on his lungs that he is refusing to get checked out (and to top it all of he still smokes!). 

With my dad being as sick as he is and giving us all regular scares with his health, I thought that cherry blossoms would be quite fitting... for more reasons than one. 

I have been thinking about getting this tattoo for him since he first became ill.

Not only do cherry blossoms symbolize mortality, but they also symbolize how beautiful life is. 

These Chinese flowers bloom for 1 day and within those 24 hrs they become the most stunning flower; making the most of the short time they have in this world.

To me, that is exactly what my dad does. 

He is the most amazing man I know. He is beyond strong, stubborn as all hell and probably the funniest guy I have ever met. 

His determination and love for life is beyond admirable. 

So although my father was less than impressed with the new addition to my body, it was for him. 

My dad is my everything. 

My family, my love, my life.

I look up to him. I respect him.

I am proud to be his daughter. 

(please note that from all of the tats that I have... the foot is by far the most painful!!! But that being said, the pain is temporary... the tattoo is forever):

 This is how my tattoo parlor visitation went, it's hilarious because it is like watching a video... watching the pain slowly creep up!

 

 Oooo... felt that dude.

It was so worth it in the end. I absolutely love my new ink.

I never thought I'd get a tattoo with color in it purely because what happens if you get sick of the color? Or want to wear something with it that clashes with the color!? I still have no idea how I'll face that debacle but for now, it's busy healing up and I'm in love with it.

It is and probably always will be strange to know that this body art is with you for the rest of your life. While I was busy getting it done I was chatting to the artist about it and he actually had some amazing points to make.
People always say how permanent tattoos are and that they are scared of them but the truth is that tattoo's are the most temporary form of art! Once we pass on. that tattoo will be gone with us. It isn't like the Mona Lisa. You can't restore it thousands of years later or store away safely.

I've always lived with one simple thing in mind... your body is your canvas. It is an expression of who you are. Tattoos should be about the things that are the most important to you and your life - judgmental people who don't agree with them don't matter. It isn't for them. It is for you.

Be different. Be you. 

Never let someone else in life fan out your flame. Dance proudly on your short wick of life - vibrant and bright!

Have you guys got tattoos or are you planning to get any?

I'd love to hear what they mean to you. 

Got Ink?

Who here has tattoo's??? If you do.. you'll know just how delightfully addictive they are. 

There's a fine line when enough is enough (for me anyway). I'd never judge someone else on their tats because their body is their canvas.

I'm desperate to get more. I already have four - that feeling and buzz on the tattoo machine is just too divine. I love everything about it.

Here are the one's that I already have:

I am on the far left of this photograph. 

I covered up an old and silly tattoo with the only thing I could find that would cover what I'd had done in Thailand many years ago.... stars. 

These stars have no meaning and I really don't like this tattoo. I'm very sad that I didn't take the time  to choose something more meaningful. Although I do hope that one day, maybe, these stars will symbolize my future family??? Who knows. Only time will tell.

On my right ankle I got a quill to symbolize my passion for writing. The quill is made from an eagle feather. To me, the feather symbolizes freedom. There is also a swirls sprouting out of the feather which means happiness, in the swirls are thorns, which symbolize the hard times. Amidst it all is a single rose, which symbolizes the beauty of life with the good and the bad times. This tattoo is my favorite that I have and to me, by far the most unique and symbolic.

The past for all of us, is both painful and beautiful. 

This African symbol on the back of my neck means 'Learning from the Past.'

I liked it because it has the 'African' history to it and as I moved to Africa at the age of 10, it is a very special place for me.

I also like it because it reminds me that whatever happened in the past, it made me who I am today... and it made me all the wiser. 

My newest and latest addition I had done in Prague.

I had 'Live Free,' tattooed on my left side of my ribs. It was when I was traveling around Europe, backpacking and camping completely alone. I knew no one and had to make friends along the way. It was wonderfully liberating - free.

And the following tattoos that I am sharing with you, are SIMILAR to the ones that I am still wanting to get done. I say similar because I would like to believe that any future tattoo I get will be only mine - that no one else will ever have the exact same thing. I guess that is why the stars bug me. The African symbol too, as much as I love it, is on a lot of other people... but I guess it's like clothing. Unless you design and make all of your clothes, someone is going to have the same shirt as you somewhere! 

I would absolutely LOVE to get 'C'est La Vie' tattooed on my right inner arm. C'est La Vie is French for, 'It is Life.'

This is the sort of look that I'd be going for with it:

The second tattoo I would adore on my body is cherry blossoms on my feet. 

Cherry blossoms symbolize mortality and as my dad's health isn't at it's best - I thought this would be a beautiful reminder of not only the fragility of life but also of his life. 

Cherry blossoms bloom for one day - and in that space of time they become such a beautiful flower. They make the most of the time that they have on the earth and I think that is an important part of life. Making the most of the time you have. 

In addition the the cherry blossoms, I would also have the quote, 'Happiness is a mood, not a destination,' entwined in the branches.

It is clearly no surprise that I have a slight (ok .. huge,) obsession with feathers and freedom. 

The third tattoo I would love is something similar to these beaded feathers, dangling down from the back of the ear. I just absolutely love them. It looks so free-spirited and beautiful with your hair both up or down. It is almost like a permanent accessory that I just have to have.

The Om symbol is the most special symbol in the world to me. I wear a pendant of the Om symbol around my neck nearly every day. 

In short, the Om symbol  is an ancient Sanskrit word. It is close to impossible to describe the meaning in English unless you are a spiritual being. Om symbolizes everything... the seed of all creation. These two letters together contain all of the power that there is in the universe.

Instead of just getting a plain black Om, I found this beautiful design and was so inspired. 

Buddha statues and paintings adorn my house and garden. So the Buddha eyes for me, especially being peacefully closed, is very comforting. 

The lotus flower you see is also something that holds great meaning to me. 

Lotus flowers grow in muddy water. They rise and bloom above the murk to achieve enlightenment.

Three in one. Just stunning.

This famous Dr. Seuss quote is a must have on my body. I have decided to place it around my hip in one straight line, written in small italic writing. It will look almost like a tiny link belt curving around my side.

The placement I have in mind is something like this:

Then there's my fascination with dream catchers (and of course, more feathers).

This I would love on my rib, either below my Live Free tattoo I already have or on the other side.. I haven't decided what will look best yet????

It won't be as big as the below image, more so the above. But the below gives you a better indication as to what it looks like. 

Lastly - and happening only in the very far away future... is the tattoo that I have been planning since I became the broody, motherly woman I am today.

At first I thought I'd just get the hand print of my baby tattooed, but then I came across this image and fell so in love with the look and feel of every inch of it!! 

All of these tattoos are pieces that I really feel a strong connection with and would feel honored to display on my body.. but as I mentioned earlier, for me, there is a fine line when enough is enough. I am worried about getting ones that would be visible for my wedding day, such as the C'est La Vie I really want on my inner arm. I know that sounds stupid. Any other day and I'd happily show them off to the world - I just don't want to look like a tacky bride. So silly though - as I'd need to find a husband for that to be possible first! hahaha 

I have NO idea which one to start with... I really desperately want C'est La Vie... I want them all!!

Which one do you think I should start with????

Somewhere along the way I'd also love to get a little surf board tattooed on the back of my ankle. No more than 3cm high. Just a tiny dedication to the ocean - which stole my heart and soul many moons ago.