Prof. Jessica Penner | OL20 | Fall 2021

Discussion: Meet My Feet

If we were meeting in person, I’d show you one of my favorite pair of shoes: Red Doc Martens. I love these boots. They’re comfortable for walking and teaching and just look awesome. They’re getting a little ragged and worn–I think I’ve owned this pair for nearly a decade. I know I’ve gone through at least two sets of inserts!

When I was in high school, I wanted a pair of Doc Martens, but couldn’t afford to have a “real” pair. Instead, I bought pairs of knock-off Doc Martens, which are fine and looked basically like the real deal, but I knew in my heartest of hearts that they weren’t the same.

There was a point in my life after I’d been teaching awhile when I realized: “Hey, you’ve got enough money to buy the real thing!” And then I started shopping, which is the most fun about getting new clothes or shoes, in my opinion. At first, I was going to buy the traditional pair (black), but then I saw these red ones, and I decided, if I was going to splurge, I was going to splurge on something that stood out.

7 Comments

  1. Valencia M Williams

    hi professor Penner, nice to meet you. Wish we were meeting in person but life offers us this alternative . Looking forward in learning all what you have to teach this fall semesters.

    • Jessica Penner

      Hi! I wish we were meeting in person, too! Sigh. I’m looking forward to meeting you (remotely, that is), and working on writing together!

  2. Samantha

    I liked the part about where you changed your mind to buy red shoes instead of black shoes. This shows your bright personality and how you stand out from others. Nice using the word splurge at the end for being descriptive.

  3. Angie Navarro

    I definitely agree with the part of ” At first, I was going to buy the traditional pair (black), but then I saw these red ones, and I decided, if I was going to splurge, I was going to splurge on something that stood out.” I think like this all the time. I feel like if I’m going to spend money I’ll make sure it’s something of good quality, and unique from the other shoes. I own pairs of doc martens and to me, it’s comfortable to wear for some reason.

  4. Princess_Taty

    Hello Professor Penner, I loved reading what you wrote. I feel that it brings out your sweet and unique personality. In a way I can totally agree with you when you was going to buy the traditional black pair until you saw the red pair. I am the same way when I buy my clothes and sneakers I like being different and I like to wear things that people might not dare to wear.

  5. Fnu nida

    Hello Professor Penner, I enjoyed reading your story meet my feet. I got little sad when you mentioned that, ” I knew in my heartiest of hearts that they weren’t the same” . I felt when you said this because I experienced something similar like this in my past and I understand how you must have felt about it but I’m really glad that you were able to buy what you wished for. I wish were meeting in person and I’m looking forward to meeting you.

  6. Shagota

    Hi professor Penner,

    I love this take. I’ve wanted those shoes as well but to be quite honest your red ones are cuter. I am very glad you bought them though!

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