ANUPA KOTIPOYINA
Sergio Brenes, Junior
Seeing my flower every day in my room makes me feel at peace. I have to help it stay alive every day because the sun doesn’t come into my room, and it’s really nice to have a small responsibility that isn’t related to anything academic or extracurricular. It’s also nice to have something natural in contrast to all the other syn- thetic items in my life.
Perry Landrum, Pitbull/Lab mix, dependent of Ethan Landrum, Junior
Care, my stuffed cat, is my favorite toy. My human got him in return for donating to Shands Veterinary Hospital. As a former shelter dog, I love the work charities do for dogs in need. Also, I hate cats. I love getting to practice my cat-hunting skills as I kindle my philanthropic spirit.
Dr. Melissa Johnson, Honors Advisor
I keep this book of thank-you notes from former students in my office. In a profession like this one, it can be easy to feel unappreciated. It’s encouraging, for me, that I can look in this box and see physical evidence that I’ve made an impact. It means a lot for a student to write a thank-you note.
Shamaha Noel, Senior
When I was studying abroad in Ireland, I want to a flea market. I didn’t have a small bag, and I was worried that people would steal a lot of my stuff if I kept on carrying my big bag. I saw a man making leather bags, and he told me that a bag would be 100 pounds sterling. For some reason, I thought 100 pounds sterling was $100 (US). He already stretched it when I realized,suddenly , the true ex- change rate. I ended up spending 160- 170 US dollars, but he was already work- ing so hard that I felt obligated to buy the bag. At least it’s cute.
Amy Kelly, freshman
This wallet was one of the best purchases I have ever made! Not only is it incredibly cute, but it also has space for my cell phone, a checkbook (if I ever carry one), and every business card, gift card, ID card, or ANY type of card I could also carry. Also, it can carry money. Really, though, I love that a convenient wristlet can be incredibly cute.
Daniel Bowen, Junior
On a rainy day in Trier, Germany, I was without protection and relief from the elements. I only had the jacket on my back and the hood on my head. After spending half the day wandering around Trier in my wet clothes, I stumbled upon a very chic retailer in the heart of city, where I decided to buy this umbrella. It’s been a most faithful companion since that purchase, which was over a year ago now. Thank you, black umbrella, for keeping me protected and relieved when the weather sees it fit to do otherwise.
A Note from Caroline Nickerson, the Photographer
I’ve been telling people, for this piece, that it’s a subtle critique of capitalism, but also a praise of it. This statement is a paradox and doesn’t really make sense at all, but that’s what I’m going for. Mainly, my goal is to make people think. What do I use in my daily life? Do my possessions enhance my living experience? Where does all my stuff come from?
A note from Anupa Kotipoyina, the Interviewer
This project was inspired by a Humans of New York post in which the man interviewed said something that really struck us: “Our culture is called ‘materialistic,’ but that’s not even correct, because ‘materialism’ implies that we value our possessions.” We decided to ask people on campus to think about the most important things in their lives, keeping in mind that consumption does not have to be mindless, and as we acquire things beyond our basic needs, we often create meaningful social relationships with them.
UF PRISM 