祥云
...My Chinese name, given to me on Thursday by Linda, the director of TESS, who is not technically my boss since I work in the International Section. It's pronounced Xiáng yún: she-ang, with the tongue against the back of the bottom teeth for the "sh" sound (if you get a hissing sound you're doing it right), rising tone; yoon, except to make the "u" sound you say "e" with your lips pursed, again rising tone. It means "auspicious/lucky cloud." I was pleased with my name, especially since Linda told me three times that she saved the "most beautiful name for the most beautiful girl." It does sound pretty cool in Chinese, too - just hoping I don't find it out it has some other secret connotation. (Andy liked his name too until he found it was a "very good name for girl.")
So now I have two Chinese bank cards, a Chinese cell phone, a Chinese apartment, a Chinese residence permit, and officially a Chinese name. About ready for dual citizenship, I'd say... Just in time to move to Africa.
2 comments:
That is a very beautiful name - but are you 91% Chinese or a Minnesotan at home in the world?
I am definitely sitting at Amsterdam airport with my contacts sticking to my eyes causing excessive blinking (because I am too lazy to go get my glasses and too cheap to have bought new contacts) and practicing how to say your Chinese name...I looked up to find two Dutch guys looking at me as if I was having a seizure...and I don't think I said it correctly.
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