Miscellaneous Parts

My/Self as a Garden

All my other pins reflect many ideas I have about myself, as well as my composition. For example, I included a lot of pins about gardening and plants. To me, these photographs symbolize rejuvenation and growth. In order for plants to do well, they require nourishment and attention. Likewise, my self requires these things in order to develop and change as I get older. I must nourish it with art, reading, friends, love, emotions—anything that will foster its creation and continue its path toward discovery.

My/Self as a Traveler

I included photographs of places I’ve had the great fortune of visiting, such as France, Switzerland, Ireland, and Italy. I take great joy in learning about other cultures and peoples and experiencing their countries’ beauty in person. Visiting these places and meeting different people show me how others think of their selves too. Faigley points out how many within the arts and humanities try to decenter the individual from the rational consciousness to a self that is socially constructed (396). He goes on to explain one instance of how self is thought of in a non-Western culture: “Takeo Doi spends an entire book trying to explain the Japanese concept of amae, which is an emotional concept of the self that extends beyond the individual to encompass others” (396). All cultures (and, I would argue, individuals) think of the self in a particular way that is both similar and different to others. While I do not view life and self in terms of the Japanese amae, I have tried over the years to extend my self to people who are close to me. I have given them a part of myself, and they have done the same. Sharing your self is a beautiful and emotional experience that requires trust and vulnerability. While I have traveled to some great places, I have never stayed in one spot, other than the U.S., long enough to see how people share themselves in different cultures. Next time I travel, I would like to keep this idea in mind and see if I can observe it happening right before me.

My/Self as Poetry

Quotes become a central part of my/self as well. I take what people say to heart. I especially love beautiful and poetic phrases—they stick with me more readily than any lessons I learn. Poetry like “Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shore line, no matter how many times it is sent away” helps nurture my self. It reminds me of the time in Composition Theory class when Dr. Haynes asked us if poetry has to consist of words. Since then, I have thought of how poems can be composed—a room full of people, a forest right before sunrise, even a Pinterest board filled with things that represent a girl’s sense of self…All are poems. Through this assignment, I see my/self as a poem—mixed up with all kinds of experiences, emotions, hopes, dreams, flesh, blood, and brains (well, some brains).

My/Self as Art and Architecture

Many times, people use the metaphor of a piece of art or a building to describe the self. I understand that view: all take creativity and construction. While so many things can be seen from the outside, a lot of work and thought, conscious and subconscious, went into it that no one else can fully comprehend or see. My self is colorful and unexpected, like the photo of the mosaic staircase in San Francisco that I pinned. It also has a quiet, more subtle beauty, such as the old spiral staircase from County Cork that I also pinned. My self has been built upon generations and generations of others and their work before me. While I am twenty-three years old, my self is not that new; it has been around for a time because it is partially socially constructed (as Faigley mentions in his article). These social constructs have been produced long before I came into this world. The old architecture I admire reflects that idea.

Unlike some of the art I have included in my pinboard, though, my self is constantly changing. Some artworks are considered “finished” pieces, although I wonder if the artists ever think of their work as completed. I am constantly adding more art and components to the self within me and to others. This daily work influences how I write and view both teaching and learning.

My/Self as a Mix of Miscellaneous Components

While I need some order in my life, most of it is pretty chaotic and subject to the whims of each day. Likewise, while my self has some structure to it, it also defies this structure and refuses to be completely categorized into neat little compartments. I have interspersed throughout my board some things that aren’t so influential that they require firm, separate categories. Things like cute animals, movies, books, and my love of home design and décor are such examples. I included them, though, because they are still part of me. They influence my composing process, and this process is a key aspect of my/self.

Jody Shipka’s ideas on composition have forever changed my view of coursework. While I still like the traditional written essay because it demonstrates written skills needed to create an argument, I understand now that so many other aspects of life create composition. My method of relaxation by watching “House Hunters” on HGTV and salivating over things like hardwood floors, recessed lighting, and plush cushions that they display in these homes helps me take a break from writing and rejuvenates me. Playing with my dog or even just looking at photos of cute puppies helps me recharge my batteries so that I can focus on the task of schoolwork. Films and books have influenced the way I write and see the world; they have taught me ways to tell stories.

All of these things in my Pinterest board are part of my composing process. Others have similar pieces to themselves. We are always composing our/selves and works to share with others, whether that consists of an essay, a dance routine, a poem of images, or piece of clothing. Composing any kind of writing goes hand-in-hand with composing the self. They are a combined process of discovery, learning, inspiration, influence, and change that leads to more opportunities to compose, for an individual and for others.


Faigley, Lester. "Judging Writing, Judging Selves." College Composition and Communication 40.4
(1989), 395-412. Web.

What I Have in My Box: Part Three

Fashion in My Life

Sometimes, I care about what I’m wearing. I mean, I try to look decent when I’m going to class or heading to the grocery store. I don’t feel comfortable walking around in public in my sweatpants, unless I’m headed to the gym (which is a rare occurrence, anyway). Aside from these contingencies, though, I don’t put much thought into the clothes I wear unless the material is too wrinkled or the colors clash too much. However, if I am attending a more formal function, I take great care in my appearance. I wear a dress or business pants paired with a sensible blouse, and I make sure to wear makeup and less-frizzy hair. I have to play the part of a well-put together young woman. I view this part of my life in a dialogical sense. I play a role in my various circles and activities. When I act as a friend or family member, I wear my jeans and T-shirt. When I act as a single woman at the bar, I dress up a bit and put more effort into my makeup. When I act as an employee or other professional of some kind, I wear “business casual” clothes. If I don’t try harder in these circles in which I must act professional, then I feel guilty. I feel like I’m not good enough to be part of this circle any longer because there is an established hierarchy within it.

Kenneth Burke’s view of identity comes to mind for me. Brooke L. Quigley explains an applicable aspect of Burke’s philosophy in “‘Identification’ as a Key Term in Kenneth Burke’s Rhetorical Theory”:

Burke assumes we not only experience separateness but are goaded by the spirit of order and hierarchy and feel guilty about the differences between ourselves and others (who occupy different positions in the social hierarchy) and about our inevitable failure to always support order, authority and hierarchy. (“‘Identification’”)

In a way, I feel guilty that I am different from people in professional circles and try to adapt to their culture by dressing similarly to them. This sense widens the separateness between us. I try hard to identify with them as a means to lessen the differences and feel part of the organization.

Fashion in My Pins

These pins reflect the future self I would like to become. I would like to dress more professionally, especially because I will be looking for a job this time next year. I would also like to take better care of my appearance. I think that is an aspect of self-love that I have still yet to learn. I want to portray the appearance of a confident, strong, intelligent woman ready to take on the world. A lot of the clothes I pin reflect that persona. However, I don’t want to give up all the quirks in my appearance in the attempt to look classier and prettier. Clothes that have some personality and fun to them would be ideal.

I love vintage clothes, but I never buy them for myself. Instead, I look at online stores and sites like Pinterest to indulge in my desire for these clothes. I use it as an inexpensive substitution for actually buying them. I live vicariously through my box. While my box doesn’t just show who I am in reality in the here and now, it displays elements of an imaginary Kate, a future Kate. In this way, I let my box speak for me. While people cannot see this side of me right now if they saw me in real life, they can easily view it on my pinboard.

Similarly, my writing reflects a self that is not always within me at present. I try to project a different persona (usually a more scholarly one who sounds like she knows what she’s talking about) within my papers. I use the written word as a way to provide more meaning than I can on my own. Again, Burke’s theory of identification comes to mind:

Burke's concept of identification needs to be seen within the context of his understanding of language as symbolic action. Human beings are actors. Using language is one way of acting in the world, and for us to act by using language is our most defining characteristic. By our very nature, we are beings who respond to symbols, and are symbol-using and symbol-abusing. Humans act by using language that is purposeful and that conveys our attitudes. It is from this understanding that Burke draws his definition of rhetoric as ‘the use of words by human agents to form attitudes or induce actions in other human agents.’ (“‘Identification’”)

Like language, these pins are symbols reifying my identification with different organizations, groups, kinds of people, etc. These images convey my attitude toward my/self, my likes, dislikes, thoughts, and experiences. While they do so more clearly than a typical academic paper does, both media convey these attitudes. My future students will identify themselves with larger entities through their work, just as I have and continue to do.

Quigley, Brooke L. “‘Identification’ as a Key Term in Kenneth Burke’s Rhetorical Theory.” American Communication Journal 1.3. Web.

What I Have in My Box: Part Two

Food in My Pins

I absolutely love food. I cannot cook, but I can eat with the best of them. I included pins that lead to recipes to some of my favorite foods or foods that just look delicious, from chocolate mousse to chicken enchiladas to baked Brie.

This virtual box is perfect for items like food. Obviously, if I had created a physical box, the only food I could put into it would probably be hard candy. Utilizing this multimodality has given me the freedom to post photos of food and show how big a part of my life it is.

Food in My Life

While I mostly love food, I’ve realized over the years that I have a love-hate relationship with it. As I’ve mentioned previously, I struggle with eating and trying to lose weight. I wanted to incorporate this component into my composition of self because it shows one of the many dual relationships that rule my life. While I need it to survive and use it to connect with others by dining out and cooking with friends, I also harbor a distaste for it. Really, though, I’m thinking about food that isn’t exactly food, but food products. I love fruits and vegetables and understand that they don’t hurt me. I hate the fact that I’m addicted to sugar and fast food.

I’ve started to force myself to become more educated on the subject matter, learning more about what is healthy for me and what I should avoid. It’s been an enlightening journey; it has caused me to try a three-day juice fast and to buy organic items whenever I can. It has made me uncomfortable knowing how many chemicals and foreign substances I put into my body. While I haven’t completely stopped (admittedly, I went on a fast food run just last night), I’ve gotten a lot more focused on my health and have increased the nutrients and vitamins I consume.

Thinking about this subject has me understanding that I want my students to know they should step outside of their comfort zones if they are going to learn anything new. While I want them to feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and know that the class is listening to them, they have to push themselves past their level of normalcy in order to question their thoughts and beliefs. I want to inspire them to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to include food in my virtual box. I have to learn how to express the parts of my self that I’m not exactly in love with. Doing so will let me understand these qualities more, letting me learn more. Hopefully my students will feel the same way and will take on the responsibility of being vulnerable to themselves. When I am vulnerable, I get more out of my writing. Perhaps they will, too.

What I Have in My Box: Part One

I created a new pinboard for this project so that I could include all pins that I felt expressed who I am and who I am trying to become. Most of my pins reflect the categories the site Pinterest uses to organize all of its material.

Humor in My Life

As many people know, I love to laugh. I find a great deal in life amusing, whether it’s a funny-face photo (which I make my friends pose for anytime I have a camera in my hands), the way my dog seems to wink at me when I tell her she’s spoiled (and I’ll keep spoiling her, dang it!), or the fact that most days, I really just don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve realized a long time ago that I need to laugh to keep myself sane. Life without humor is no life at all.

Furthermore, if I can’t laugh at myself, then something is wrong. I love a good insult from a friend when we’re just joshing around. Sometimes, I don’t realize I’m making weird humming noises or sound effects until my roommate starts laughing and pointing them out to me, and then I have to laugh too. Laughing at myself is all part of the fun. All of my true friends laugh at themselves; I tend to avoid people who don’t. I never want to be that kind of person who thinks she’s too good to be above humor. People like that seem stuck-up and full of themselves. I laugh at myself to keep humble. Once in a while, I get overly confident about something, and I have to be taken down a peg or two. Laughter is a gentle way to do that.

Humor in My Pins 

One of my pins that denotes humor is the graphic for made-up punctuation marks. I love grammar, and I feel like the written word really should use things like mockwotation marks and sarcastises.

Another pin I felt accurately described me was the e-card that says, “I wish losing weight were as easy as loosing my mind.” I’ve been struggling with my weight for a few years now. I know I can lose a few pounds, and this weighs heavily (no pun intended) on my mind everyday. However, I have to laugh about my situation; otherwise, I’d mope around all day and eat even more food than I already do! Plus, most days I wonder if I have lost my mind. I get really spacey (see the Gandalf pin on my board – this has happened a few times to me), and I forget to do a lot of tasks because of my scatterbrained nature. Again, instead of being frustrated with that negative personality trait, I try to find humor in it.

I definitely want to incorporate humor into my teaching. I feel that it will help make me seem more personable to my students. I think it’s a great icebreaker too. In fact, in “The Effects of Humor on Cognitive Learning in a Computer-Based Environment,” Robert Whisonant states the following about humor:

The third most prominent surviving theory is the relief theory, or psychoanalytic theory, which was introduced by Spencer (McGhee, 1983a) and popularized by Freud. (1905/1989) According to  this theory, humor is a socially acceptable way of releasing built-up tension and nervous energy. Everyone has certain areas that he or she finds uncomfortable, fearful, and/or embarrassing, and humor is a way of relieving this stress in a socially acceptable way. (7)

I want my students to feel comfortable in my classroom so that they can share their opinions and experiences during discussion. Incorporating funny videos that pertain to the course material, allowing for some jokes, and using humorous anecdotes or personal experiences to get students smiling will make my classroom feel more welcoming and open to learning. Showing them that I have a sense of humor and value that trait in others will hopefully let me connect to them more. Then, I hope they’re not nervous in sharing their writing with me, exposing their composition processes and their sense of selves within their work to me.

Whisonant, Robert D. "The Effects of Humor on Cognitive Learning in a Computer-Based Environment." Diss, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, 1998. Web.

Gaining a Sense of Self through Virtual Means

A Quick Note on "Self"

I can’t imagine living without thinking of my self: who I am, where I am, what I am... When I read Lester Faigley’s “Judging Writing, Judging Selves,” I loved reading about how “Marcell Mauss argued that the idea of the individual self is uniquely Western” (396). How wonderful it is to realize that so many other ways of thinking of yourself exist! 

I wanted to take a journey through this project that would lead me to some greater insight into my/self, as well as how I think about this ol’ self of mine.

Why Use Pinterest?

I had used Pinterest for about a year and a half before this project, and I had never given it much thought as to how it represents me as a person. Using it in my project has allowed me to gain a deeper perspective on this social media website. 

Inspired by Geoffrey Sirc’s “Box Logic,” I wanted to create a “box” of my own using Pinterest. I see Pinterest as a virtual box of sorts. The website allows users to browse through digital photos and videos that lead to other websites to further explain what is displayed. If a user likes what he or she sees and wants to have the ability to visit this information at a later date, then the user can “pin” these photos and videos to their virtual pin boards. Users organize and create titles for their boards, which other pinners can follow. 

This social media platform allows users to foster a sense of themselves and others by sharing a wealth of information from categories such as architecture, crafts, photography, fashion, weddings, and food. While they pin each other’s pins and upload information themselves, they can also “like” pins and comment on others’ activity. In a way, it is similar to Duchamp’s activities because “the technology of composition he used was different, interesting, human-scaled, interactive” (Sirc 113). To date, I have never used a website quite like Pinterest. It’s innovative in its information-sharing. Its interactive nature calls for a community, rather than an individual, to construct their selves that others can see and take from to build other selves. If I had just created my own physical box to keep at home, I would not have such a strong interactive nature to my project. (In fact, I had originally made my board for this project “private” so that only people I choose to allow to see it actually can; however, I soon realized that a major part of this project is the information interaction. I am using a social media site, after all! Why should I choose to be unsocial in such a virtual place?)

This blog is meant to detail my thoughts and development of self using Pinterest as a means of expression. I hope that this work allows you to think about your/self in a different light. I know it will for me.

Here's a link to my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/harnerk/myselfas-seen-on-pinterest/


Faigley, Lester. "Judging Writing, Judging Selves." College Composition and Communication 40.4
(1989), 395-412. Web.

Sirc, Geoffrey. "Box Logic." Writing New Media: Theory and Applications for Expanding the Teaching of Composition. By Anne Frances Wysocki, Johndan Johnson-Eilola, Cynthia L. Selfe, and Geoffrey Sirc. Utah State University Press, 2004. 111-146. PDF file.