Tuesday, August 30, 2011

What's my name?


I am a Taiwanese-American, I was born in the United States, but both my parents are from Taiwan. I am the only one in my family born in America. I am what they call an "ABC"...."American Born Chinese" but in my case I'm Taiwanese not Chinese...I'm not chinese, and I don't speak Chinese, I speak Mandarin.

When I meet new people I introduce myself as "Jennifer" because that is my name. My real name. 
I've had numerous customers ask me "But..what your "real" name?" At first I would be really confused because I was a bit offended that they thought I was giving them a fake name...but then I realized that they meant my mandarin name. 

My real name is Jennifer. My mandarin name is 邱莉娟. Which Translates to "Chiu Li Juan" (Not Spanish where the "J" is silent) 
My mom changed my mandarin name about a decade ago before this name it was 邱盈盈. 
Which translates to "Chiu Ying Ying"

My mandarin names are changeable, my english name is my birth name. 

My fake name I give to people who I know I'll never see again like at a bar is... "Lucy"
I chose Lucy because some people say I look like "Lucy Liu" typical of people to compare me to an Asian just because I'm Asian. 
So when people say "Oh! Like Lucy Liu?" thats when I walk away....
Yes, Lucy and I, are both Asian and have black hair and freckles...that just means we are the only two Asian people on this planet who have poor skin care. Don't get me wrong, being compared to Lucy Liu is a compliment, she is beautiful and pretty bad ass in Kill Bill. 

Spring break of 07': I was in Rosarito, Mexico with my friend and of course we used our fake names at the famous "Papas and Beer". We meet this guy and introduced ourselves, as "Lucy and Mary-Jane". After a short conversation and two free drinks later....my friend from school walks over and says "Jenn! You already met my roommate?!".....Uh oh....the guy was a little mad that we gave him fake names....but of course he got over it...now he tells us to call him "Colin Farrell".



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