This is the first page of my "sillybus" for my independent major work this semester!

After some time staring at the blank screen, I realized that when it comes to speaking about myself in writing, I'm hesitant. In person I'm super open and friendly to the extent that friends sometimes have to remind me to sit back and just listen (which I'm quite good at when reminded). I'm a junior this year after taking two semesters off and I'm extremely excited to be working towards my geology major (and an environmental science minor if I can). I have been picking up rocks since I was little and now that I can study those stones and crystals up close, I'm easily excitable on the topic.

I first joined Serendip last semester as a part of my Identity Matters 360. At the time, I didn't think I had much to say, so I put a simple posting up, and it wasn't very representative. Over the course of the semester, our cohort explored the importance of representation, of speaking, and of listening. After a few weeks, every time I looked at my avatar, I was taken aback at how impersonal my picture was, how little it represented me at that moment, and how much I wanted it to be different. I began to think about how that silence was indicative of a lack of reflection and of listening to the difference in myself. It is my intention for this class (and for this semester) is to stay present in both on and offline discussions, to listen to others, and to also speak out. 

My username is Ariel Skye, my first and middle name. My parents felt inspired to include an aspect the natural world in my name (with an “e” at the end, to avoid being predictable). I chose the name Ariel Skye for this account because I’ve always used it as a stage name of sorts. Using this name allows me to protect my “true” identity, and rather portray myself to the world as I want to be seen.

If you are missing our 360°
;)
you now have the option of pursuing "intersectionality studies" @ George Washington.
:)
see English Professors combine areas of study for new specialization--

then go for it!

In registering this account, my username was not difficult to choose. I think I am becoming more genuine with my written words, and by extension, more honest with others about who I am and where I am at in that lifelong exploration. So I have simply chosen to use my first and last name.

I'm Amala, a first-year at Bryn Mawr, I decided that I'd go with the same username I tend to use everywhere because it's what I remember best and most people recognize me by, but for my avatar, I chose a picture of a butterfly I took on a visit to a tea plantation in India. I was originally going to choose a turtle because I find myself often wishing I had the ability to retract into a shell like a turtle, but I found the photo I took of the butterfly more apt. Moments before I took this photo, my friend had found the butterfly and thought it was dead. She brought it to me on a piece of paper because she knew I would probably want to take a photo of it even though it was dead.

I chose to use my real name for my account on Serendip because I want the things I say here to be clearly mine - I want to be confident and honest in this public sphere, and to be open to direct criticism of my words. I think this sort of upfront nature goes along with the photo I chose as my avatar - an upclose picture I took of an orchid. To anyone familiar with Georgia O'Keefe (or anyone with an eye for the yonic in nature), of course orchid centers often appear to look like flowery vaginas. I think this is rather fitting as my avatar for several reasons. First of all, it goes along with my personality and overwhelming tendency to be very open about myself and push the envelope wherever I can.

Hello! I'm Abby. Sarah is my middle name, and on most social media sites I forgo my last name and keep it to Abby Sarah. It's a left-over relic from junior high school me creating a Facebook account, terrified of putting her last name on the internet. I now know it really won't stop anyone who wants to find my Facebook page from finding it. It just makes them try a little harder. At Bryn Mawr, I am a junior geology major with a minor in English and potentially theater.