The thrills of getting inked for the first time.

I have wanted a tattoo for a very long time and for the last three years I have changed my mind about what I want several times. However, I have always wanted a meaningful tattoo that I won't regret in years to come and on a spot on my body that will never really age. I always knew I would opt for my wrist or the back of my neck.

Eventually I decided that I didn't want a picture either but rather meaningful words.

Option 1: "Faith, Hope, Love" in a circular pattern on the back of my neck. But that tattoo was fast becoming a trend and quite frankly, a bit of a fad.

Option 2: "Believe" on my left wrist. However, when I made this design my BBM display picture someone else decided to steal it for their tattoo design. So I sat with a dilemma and decided to make it more meaningful.

Option 3: I went back to the "Faith, Hope, Love" idea, but decided to take it out of a Bible verse that included these words - 1 Corinthians 13: 13 which means "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (NIV).

Option 4: A year after choosing option 3 I was sitting in church one Sunday when our priest made reference to Psalm 23 throughout his sermon. The message of his sermon and the words from Psalm 23 really stuck in my head and I decided on that day, 2 months ago, that this would be my tattoo of choice.

On that Sunday I Googled lettering options for "Psalm 23" and came up with a design. On 24 July 2012 I visted Disciples Ink in Stellenbosch with my design in tow and they quoted me R300 for the tattoo because of its size. I went home that evening and discussed it with my family - my mom and sister didn't like the idea of me getting a tattoo on my wrist or neck and my dad was pretty chilled as always.

I drew R150 from my account on 1 August 2012 and put it away, and on 14 August 2012 my dad gave me all his old change and it amounted to almost R50. I just needed another R100 and then I could go ahead and make my appointment. On 17 August 2012 my mom gave me R100 and the following Monday I made my tattoo appointment for 29 August 2012.

Disciples Ink, Stellenbosch

I was never nervous at all and all I wondered about was the pain factor. So many people were telling me that I would cry and need to hold somebody's hand, some even went so far as to tell me I'm not brave enough to get a tattoo. But yesterday I proved everyone wrong and I think some people are still in a bit of shock.

My friend, Souad, was the most excited for me though and she couldn't wait for my appointment to arrive. I found it so cute that she was actually very nervous yesterday - to the point that she was literally shaking. She kept asking me if I'm okay and said that if I felt faint I should tell her. But I was feeling the complete opposite emotions to hers - I was cool, calm and not collected, but very excited! I couldn't contain my excitement and the adrenalin rush was amazing.

When I arrived I had to sign a release form and pay at the front of the shop. I handed over my design and the guy at the front desk made a special photo copy. He then sprayed a Dettol liquid on my arm, placed the stencil of the design on my arm and rubbed it until the design remained in the position I wanted it.

The stencil - 29 August 2012

After the stencil had dried, Johnathan, the tattoo artist had me sit on the comfortable chair as he explained what he would do and sterilised the area where he would be doing my tattoo.

When he began I expected a sharp, consistent pain but what I felt was something else. It felt awesome! My adrenalin was rushing and I felt no pain. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Afterwards they took pictures of the tattoo, wrapped it up and gave me aftercare instructions. All-in-all that was one of the best experiences of my life and I am so thankful that Souad came along to show her support and take some cool pictures. 

After being tattooed.

My tattoo is beautiful and it will have so much meaning to me and my life for as long as I live.

Psalm 23

This morning, 30 August 2012

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever (NIV).