I'm not just Leanne here. Colombia has given me a handful of new names. It makes me smile as individuals claim the liberty of re-naming me. Sometimes mistakenly, other times because my name is so hard to pronounce, and then the few who call me something because they don't know my real name. No matter the reason, I'm left with multiple identities.
"Mease": This student designated name is enough to drive me crazy. It is used upwards to one hundred times a work week. This is not an exageration. It doesn't seem so bad written down, but when the whiny tone brings it to life, this address brings a shiver down my back. MEEEEEEEAAASE. Usually this name is put to rest on the weekends, but every so often a student will see me out-and-about and to my horror the name is resurrected.
"Measter": Yes. I am called mister a handful of times a day. My response, "We need to do a lesson on human anatomy." ...this links back to the student laziness in using proper english. Maybe that will be the next error I attack.
"Mease Lean": This is another student designated name, but only amongst a sprinkling of beloved 11th graders. I don't really know why or how, but my named morphed into this. Maybe it's easier to pronounce. Maybe they just wanted to give me a nick name. I kind of like it. But only when those 11th graders use it.
"Leannecita": In Spanish when you at "-ita" or "-ito" to the end of something it makes it little or cute. For example, my cat is a "gato" but when I refer to her she is always my "gatito". It also can mark endearment. I have a student, Simon, who has started referring to me as Leannecita. Am I little, cute or endeared? Without knowing, I've lashed back: he is officially Simoncito.
"Niña": This name means girl. If I greet someone walking down the street that appears older than me, I am frequently "niña". It makes me smile and feel youthful. Yes!!! I guess 24 really isn't THAT old. Ha! Even now the name gives me the empowerment and giddiness of girlhood.
"Senora": Then there is the flip side of the coin. On my typical walk from my apartment to the grocery store or my favorite cafe, I pass this little corner store and know all the delivery boys (probably between the ages of 16-22) by friendly recognition. To them I am "senora" - the old lady. Ugh. Okay, it's also a term of respect, but really guys, you're compiling the years onto me as quickly as I'm drinking from the "niña" fountain of youth. Reality sinks in, maybe 24 is closer to 30 than I'd like to admit.
"Reina": Last but not least is the all to familiar name: queen (and sometimes princess). Men here are quick to use these names for unknown unnamed females. Taxi drivers, store clerks, gym trainers, bus drivers, maintenance workers, etc. Initially it made me recoil, but I quickly realized the innocence in the names. They are used for every woman, regardless of age/beauty/clothing/anything and Colombian women expect to be addressed as such. Therefore I've learned to embrace it. While I'm here I might as well get used to it.
"Mease": This student designated name is enough to drive me crazy. It is used upwards to one hundred times a work week. This is not an exageration. It doesn't seem so bad written down, but when the whiny tone brings it to life, this address brings a shiver down my back. MEEEEEEEAAASE. Usually this name is put to rest on the weekends, but every so often a student will see me out-and-about and to my horror the name is resurrected.
"Measter": Yes. I am called mister a handful of times a day. My response, "We need to do a lesson on human anatomy." ...this links back to the student laziness in using proper english. Maybe that will be the next error I attack.
"Mease Lean": This is another student designated name, but only amongst a sprinkling of beloved 11th graders. I don't really know why or how, but my named morphed into this. Maybe it's easier to pronounce. Maybe they just wanted to give me a nick name. I kind of like it. But only when those 11th graders use it.
"Leannecita": In Spanish when you at "-ita" or "-ito" to the end of something it makes it little or cute. For example, my cat is a "gato" but when I refer to her she is always my "gatito". It also can mark endearment. I have a student, Simon, who has started referring to me as Leannecita. Am I little, cute or endeared? Without knowing, I've lashed back: he is officially Simoncito.
"Niña": This name means girl. If I greet someone walking down the street that appears older than me, I am frequently "niña". It makes me smile and feel youthful. Yes!!! I guess 24 really isn't THAT old. Ha! Even now the name gives me the empowerment and giddiness of girlhood.
"Senora": Then there is the flip side of the coin. On my typical walk from my apartment to the grocery store or my favorite cafe, I pass this little corner store and know all the delivery boys (probably between the ages of 16-22) by friendly recognition. To them I am "senora" - the old lady. Ugh. Okay, it's also a term of respect, but really guys, you're compiling the years onto me as quickly as I'm drinking from the "niña" fountain of youth. Reality sinks in, maybe 24 is closer to 30 than I'd like to admit.
