Isabelle.
This name was bestowed upon me not because of its gorgeous French background or because of its deep, sentimental meaning, but because both my older sisters’ names are Chantelle and Michelle and dearest mother wanted to be one of those parents who had a cute little pattern in their kids’ names.
And I admit, it would have been cute… if she could actually match the names with the faces. Here’s some actual dialogue my mom exchanged with me “Hey Chantelle ah i mean Michelle, i mean Snuggles... Isabelle, could you come downstairs?!”
Really mom? Even after you shuffle through every possible name, I still come after the dog?
And I understand mom, it’s totally fine. You can get confused with all of us youngins around, and that is completely reasonable. And hey, at least you get my name right. ...Everyone else however, does not get off scotfree.
9 times out of 10 I will get called Elizabeth right after introducing myself: looking at you Starbucks lady and you driver instructor man. For what reason, I may never understand.
And if it’s not Elizabeth, it’s some other messed up variation of my name, Isabella,Elizabelle, Elizabella. It has come to the point where I have looked in the mirror and introduced myself just to find out if I was somehow screwing up my own name. Surprisingly, it turns out that no matter how many times you repeat the syllables Ehsahbell, it does not transform into an entirely different name.
I vividly remember this one time when I was on Skype with my beloved Grandma. At this point, I hadn’t seen her in ages and was excited to have my first conversation with her in years. I don’t think I will ever forget her first words to me. I slowly made my way up to the webcam and... “Oh! Hi, IIsaINKOBELLE.”
WHAT. Like, Grandma, I love you and all, BUT THAT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE. Where did the ‘n’ come from, or the “k”? In a moment of weakness, I made the unfortunate mistake of sharing this story with a couple of people and, lo and behold, it has now become a running joke in my family and friends to call me Inkobelle or as my cousin recollects it, Anklebelt. Sigh .
I would have never imagined that this 3 syllable, 8 lettered word would become such a trying battle. You might ask, “Elizabeth, why don’t you just change your name?” Well, I too have given thought of this possibility and brought it up to my mom about a month ago. Her response “I GAVE YOU THAT NAME. HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK OF CHANGING IT? You know, in my country…”
I don’t know if it’s the spelling of my name, or if it’s hard to remember, or maybe, just maybe I really do look like an Anklebelt. It has been a growing struggle, but I have been slowly getting used to the slight inconveniences that my name gives me. In fact, they might even be becoming a part of my identity. I’m starting to learn that sometimes, when life gives you lemons, you just need to say “Hey, thank you Life. I appreciate that,” even if the lemons are all moldy and gross and you know that when you get back home you’re just going to throw them away.
Maybe these “Isabelle” centered hindrances aren’t so bad after all, I mean, they’re nothing compared to the ones that my last name give me. With love, Isabelle Huynh
34 comments:
Wow Isabelle I'm really feel your pain. People mix up my name but only when they hear it. I also practiced my introductions. I guess the main thing to remember is that they don't purposely do it. Still a great story and hope the name situation goes better.
I can definitely relate to this, me and my brothers all have names that start in "J" and I cant count how many times my parents or other family members have called me by one of my brothers' names, not to mention Mr. Anderson constantly screwing up my last name and calling me "Hurd." Your story is funny as well as relateable, something that is hard to do. You were able to work jokes into your story at several points such as the quips about "Elizabeth" that made my laugh.
Well Done!
I have to say I think this is my favorite piece of the month because THIS IS THE REALEST STRUGGLE AND SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT. First off, you structured this story really well by breaking up each vignette into its own paragraph, it really makes it flow easily. Secondly, you have a prominent writing style in the way that YOU DO THIS THING SO ITS ALMOST LIKE I CAN HEAR YOU VENTING YOUR FRUSTRATIONS and in the way that you sprinkle words such as "bestowed", "vividly", and "trying battle" between humorous segments such as “'Oh! Hi, IIsaINKOBELLE.'". Overall, my favorite parts have to be "You might ask, 'Elizabeth, why don’t you just change your name?'" and "or maybe, just maybe I really do look like an Anklebelt". I think they're the funniest mainly because you're making really good jabs at yourself. It is so so rare that I actually laugh while I read (mostly because it so rare that I read) but this story is ranked really high among my favorites on the blog, challenging the likes of "How To Seduce Jack McDonald".
Isabelle, I relate to this way too much. My sister's name is Elisea and my name is Ellamae so my mom tends to mix up our names on a daily basis. Even at Starbucks or anywhere where they ask for my name, I always tell them "Mae" because I've totally given up on trying to spell it out for them. Anyways, your piece was too funny to me because as I was reading it, I could only think of times were the same things have happened to me. My favorite part of this was the fact that I could practically imagine you reading it yourself. It's such a simple subject regarding your name, but along with it you were able to incorporate stories and multiple personal experiences this particular name for you has brought. Not to mention your "When life gives you lemons..." bit, probably made my laugh a little too hard. Anyways, great job, Isabelle! P.S. You look nothing like an anklebelt. Though, I'm not sure what an anklebelt is in the first place...
This is great! The part about your mom mixing up you guy's names reminds me of my mom. She used to call me my brother's name, then both of my cousin's names (both of them lived in Georgia) and eventually just say " oh you know who I'm talking to". But as usual you did a good job writing a fun piece, and i have heard people butcher your name. Great Job!
Nehemiah Barnett
Period 4
Oh Isabelle I loved this piece sooo much. This piece was quite funny and I really enjoyed reading it! Your choice of satire throughout this piece really brought it together and I think you did an excellent job capturing the attention of the audience! Your tone throughout this piece was rather playful and I believe that made it all the more greater! Great job!!! (: Having heard this exact story from you in person makes it all the more funnier! Again, awesome job!
Christian Black
3/3/15
Period 1
I feel you pain too "Isabelle". People usually make fun of my name when they first hear it;."Christian Black". They immediately laugh and say "Haha its funny because your religion is Christian and your race is Black". It use to bother me back in elementary school but now I just laugh and say "you aren't a original". I thought that this will be the only struggle I faced when it came to my name. no one would ever spell it wrong at least, right? I was proven wrong in our recent broadcast at Etiwanda; they spelled my name as "Christian BLALK". To this day I wonder how that was possible; its a color; its just one syllable. For Pete's sake it was Black History Month too! oh well; only thing we can do is let it go and keep moving forward.
Ah Isabelle, don't worry. I feel your pain. I have a really weird, complicated, Japanese last name. So that happens to me ALL the time, where I will tell the person my last name and minutes later they pronounce it wrong. BUT I must say I loved the humor you used, how you took an awkward situation and portrayed it as something that happens rather often. Awesome job!
~Kimberly Tsuyuki
Period 6
This story is so cute! I think they call you all these diffrent names because they really care about you! Or just to mess with you(: because i dont know how you can get all these weird names from such a simple name like isabelle. It was a very creative story i loved it great job! (: Also great use of imagery with you and your grandma on skype that made me laugh (:
Wow, this was strangely relatable, great story, keep writing!
-Anthony Absher
Period 6
I really understand. People always mess up my last name. I really enjoyed the Skype. It was so funny. We all have that grandma.
The struggle is real! What made this piece so funny is because its so relatable. I've heard it all, from being called my siblings' names to the constant struggle of people saying my last name in a way that's not even close so many times that I don't even care anymore. Great job and keep it up!
Ohmygosh, Isabelle, I don't think I have ever read anything that has made me laugh so hard. I keep thinking about how I've affectionately nicknamed you "Inkabelle" after our eighth grade Leadership teacher called you that. I must say, you do such a good job relaying your voice into writing, I honestly read the entire thing in your voice. This was a really funny piece, good job "Anklebelt".
What a great piece. I really enjoyed this piece as it was very funny, right from the start. I liked the humorous tone you developed throughout the piece and the jokes about how people often mess up your name and confuse it with other ones. Good job!
Isabelle, your story was really funny and had everything going for it. I have sort of a similar story I hate when people call me by middle name but I don't see how they can mess up Chris but anyways I loved your story it made me laugh and I literally read it in your voice. The story allowed me to see a little in your personal life which I liked a lot because it was relatable. One of my favorite stores really good job.
I had to comment on this, for the sake of us. I didn't expect a casual post from you, but its suiting- funny, simple, digestible. It's interesting though, to know that you are obviously fazed by certain things but maintain your demeanor very well. I knew this still- points for me. You know you did well in this piece- it was you.
Anklebelt,
I sincerely enjoy your good humor and charisma. I share this burden of having a name that upon first meeting or glance people mispronounce my name. I’ve heard them all like Gain, Geanne, Gene, John, Jyin, Geo… That’s why I change my name whenever I order food, reserve a table, or get my coffee from Starbucks to something else and even more difficult like Seamus (pronounced shay-mus) or even fairly recently I told the cashier my name was Bunbury. I can really feel like you’re speaking to me when I read your work. Your voice is very developed as seen when you questioned, “Really mom?” and how you reacted to your grandma’s pronunciation.
With understanding,
Gain Velasqueeze
(Gian Velasquez)
Isabelle, I loved your story! I loved your tone and diction throughout the piece. It made it a very relaxing, easy, and overall enjoyable story. Also, I liked how much I could relate to your story. My name is Sophia Isabelle. My parents, my brother and sister, and my mom's side of the family call me Isabelle while my dad's side calls me Sophia. Even at school, my teachers and some friends call me Sophia, but many of my friends call me Boba or Sophie. I totally related to how you said that the different names given to you have became a part of your identity. So, Isabelle to Isabelle, great job!!!
-Sophia Bobadilla
Period 1
This was a very funny story! Your tone was very casual and laid back and it made it more comfortable for me to read. I can also relate to the views expressed in this piece because people have always mispronounced my last name whenever they tried to say it. Every single person, when they first meet me, mispronounces my last name, so I can relate perfectly to what you are trying to say! Very well done.
Melany M
Period 1
I get cha Isabelle. I remember the struggle of people mispronouncing my name in 2nd grade; the used to say my name as "Seen" or "See-on" rather than "Sh-on". I like how your story is so easy to relate to and how you embrace all the times people botch your name now days. Good job fam!!
I love your piece because I could relate to it very well. Since moving to the US, my name has gone through a transformation also. No matter how many times I tried to point out that my name is pronounced Day-nielle, for the past 10 years that I have been in this country, my name has unfailingly been pronounced as Dan-nielle. The fact that I could relate to it so well made it all the more funny and easier to connect with. Also, as I was reading this, I could really distinguish and clearly imagine YOU in this piece. From the little bits of humor (“Elizabeth, why don’t you just change your name?” and “even if the lemons are all moldy and gross and you know that when you get back home you’re just going to throw them away.”) to simply your word choice, there was a distinct Isabelle feel and I could feel your great struggle to simply get your name said correctly.
Danielle Delgado
Period 1
March 5, 2015
oh man, when I started reading your entry, immediately your voice popped into my head narrating the entire thing. Your story is so simple, but at the same time meaningful because its your voice that I heard the entire time. maybe not even your real everyday talking voice, but your voice and style as a writer was amplified throughout the entire entry. Great job!
-Katelynn Gutierrez p.4
I TOTALLY GET THIS STORY ON A SPIRITUAL LEVEL. My mom also wanted a pattern in her children's name so we all have names that end in -an. Also she named me after the prostitute character from Pretty Woman, that's a fun story to tell my friends. Furthermore, I thought my name was Vivian, but apparently I have a different name on the birth certificate. Also I have different name on me SSN card. Although I may not have a mispronounced name, I definitely feel the struggle with someone misidentifying you. This unusual connection makes me enjoy you piece even more.
YES ISABELLE! I enjoyed this piece very much because I too understand this struggle. From getting called everyone's name in the family to people mispronouncing my name out in public. It gets very annoying once people continuously crack jokes about how other people say your name and want to say it that way... like no that isn't my name. ANYWAYS, I enjoyed how descriptive you were in this piece and ho w you gave several examples of when people have forgotten your name or completely butchered it. You made the voice very clear in this piece and when you typed in all caps it caught my attention allowing me to feel your frustration more. Well done on this piece!
Idalys Martinez
Period 1
Lord knows I feel you on this. I get called Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle, Noelle, Annabelle and any other name ending with "-elle" that is known to the common man. Your piece was very funny and had me laughing the whole time. The part about your grandma made me fall out of my chair! My grandma couldn't pronounce my name for the first 5 years of my life, so she called me "uhh, my 'A' granddaughter" because my name starts with an A. You piece was well thought out and i enjoyed it very much! (:
Oh gosh Isabelle I totally heard your voice telling that story the entire time. Including the accents that go with certain descriptions. Anyway, I totally feel you on that. People have called me Michael, Mi-kale, Mikalil, and whatever weird names. Sometimes it isn't even that hard. Especially being a part of an Asian family, the pronunciation of our names are never on point for some reason. It just doesn't make sense. Anyway, your piece was hilarious especially because of the voice of your writing.
Marian Hollinquest
Period 4
OMG I know your pain, everyday my dad says "Oreo" before he says Marian. It really shows that all of us may once or twice had doubts about our names and what is the point of being named one thing when everyone class you something different
Jawesome action!
Margaret Moyer
Period 5
I Relate a bit to this , I had a sub call me Marry before. You do a really good job of expressing your feelings on this and in such a way where everyone else can relate to it. I also like the meaning where you live with what you have and it is just meant to be sometimes.
Isabelle, oh how I relate to this on so many levels. You think people would get something as simple as tedman, but alas no. anyways I could really relate to this piece as I come from a vietnamese family as well and they love to make nicknames for people haha. Additionally, I could really hear your voice telling me this story as I continued reading. Keep up the great work Isabelle!
I found your story to be genuinely funny and relatable. I have family that can pronounce my name perfectly but still don't know how to spell it correctly after seventeen years. It's amazing how you were able to write something that let your personality and character come through completely.
Your feelings and thoughts on the subject were perfectly conveyed as your voice stood out in this piece of writing. It was a well written paper and I enjoyed the analogy with the lemons that you put at the end of the writing to remind the audience that every once in a while, you just have to appreciate the life that you currently have. It was an interesting and well thought out written paper. I really enjoyed it.
Your feelings and thoughts on the subject were perfectly conveyed as your voice stood out in this piece of writing. It was a well written paper and I enjoyed the analogy with the lemons that you put at the end of the writing to remind the audience that every once in a while, you just have to appreciate the life that you currently have. It was an interesting and well thought out written paper. I really enjoyed it.
I love how you tied your name with the relationships you have with your family. Your name is one of the basic and most fundamental parts of your identity. My favorite part was how you tied in how it doesn't compared to the names your last name gave you. Well done! Làm tốt lắm!
-Andrew Trinidad
Period 1
Isabelle, i truly enjoyed the story! It is very relatable especially because my last name is for some reason very hard for people who arent of my ethnicity to pronounce. I loved your anecdotes to achieve your point of the trouble your name has caused. I think your grandma was my favorite part! I loved it all!
-Jacob Valdez
Period 4
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