I had been feeling depressed for months. I can't say how long. Normally when I get like that I feel like I need a change. Dying my hair normally does the trick, but this time I didn't feel like it. I tested my parents:
At A Glance Author DEE! When A year ago Artist Jen Studio Adrenaline Location Montreal, Canada "What would you do if I came home one day with a belly-button ring?" I asked. "I would throw you out of the house so fast you wouldn't know what hit you!" my mother replied. 'Damn.' I thought.
A few weeks later I was going stir-crazy. I'd changed my room around as well as dyed my hair and I was still in a rut and intensely envying my friends who had navel piercings. After my mother understood how much I really wanted it and I had managed to convince my father, they gave me the old "do what you want to, but I don't support it" which was good enough for me!
I already knew where I wanted to go. I had done my research like a good little girl. I dragged my friend Zig as well as my friend Michelle, who wanted to get a belly button ring and an eyebrow ring, respectively. We headed down to Adrenaline, the cleanest place in Montreal, as far as we were concerned. Upon arriving there, we spoke to the lady at the counter and she advised us on what type of jewellery to choose. We each chose pretty basic rings: Zig and I chose 14g captive rings with blue beads and Michelle chose a plain silver barbell. Michelle was first to go. Fearless Michelle. Only one person was allowed to accompany the person to be pierced into the glassed in room in which they do their piercing, so I was the one to stay outside. Michelle came out beaming. I was like "cool. I'm SO not nervous!" and then Zig went and when SHE came out she was like "yeah it's not that bad ... " so I went in. I was not very nervous. ONly a hint. Then I got my belly-button cleaned and was escorted to the chair. I sat in this chair and the chick clamped my skin. She made some comment about my being skinny and it being hard to find skin to pierce. Michelle made some sarcastic comment as well, although she's skinnier than me. Whatever. She put this clamp thingy on. Then she put the needle through the skin. At this point I started making a horrible contorted face, apparently. I was afraid that when they put the ring in, it would hurt, even though the needle itself barely did. Then as the chick piercing me was going about her business i was clenching my teeth in anticipation of a great deal of pain, when Michelle said "it's in". I couldn't believe it! I was so surpised! I was like "it IS?" and the piercing chick kinda laughed at how surprised I was. Wow. That was cool. It didn't hurt much at all.
After a while, though, while I was walking home It started to hurt when I would touch it or my pants would rub against it. It was hip-huggers until it healed! The healing process took quite a while. It's been about 10 months since I had it done and it's only been fullly healed for about 2 months. Oh well.
After about 4 months, I decided to change the ring myself. You're supposed to get them removed, but I'm cheap. I took it out with pliers and changed it to a barbell. The barbell was so beautiful. It was a stainless steel one with a jewelled star at the bottom. I loved it!. I also bought another barbell over the summer on my vacation to Maine. It has a really pretty red stone on the bottom. Now I have a purple triangley stone on the bottom that pokes me when I do sit ups.
My parents have grown used to it, and have even come to like some of my rings. My mother thinks it looks "cute" and my dad, well lets just say he doesn't mind it anymore. He doesn't want to see it very often, but that's okay because I didn't want to get it so I could show it off like a skank. I wanted to get it cuz i think they look nice. Therefore I don't wear those gross little tube-tops like those skanky teeny-boppers :)
I can change my barbell at my leisure now. It got infected a few times along the way to healing, but hey. I have to say that the people at Adrenaline were super-nice about everyhting. It's totally clean and they have you back for an appointment to check up on your piercing a few weeks after, too. They sell this great antibacterial soap too.
I love my belly button ring and I'm glad I got it. -Dee.