What's in a Name?

So apparently I can't pronounce my own name.

98% of the time when I introduce myself as "Hi, Sylvia, USA, Tennessee" I either get "Sofia?" or with confidence "Ah, Sofia [nice to meet you]." Oh and "Kristina" too, but I'll tell that story in a second.

I can literally count the number of times someone has correctly repeated "Sylvia?" or "Ah, Sylvia [nice to meet you]" on one hand. 

Thrice.

I now have to say my name with an Italian accent for people to understand what I'm saying...and then they get confused when I immediately switch accents back and say I'm from Tennessee.

I'm starting to wonder if this whole being called Sofia thing is some kind of sign...or like a hint that I'm actually about to have to change identities...which is even funnier when you consider all of my little faces that I had to cut out last week:

Prepping for the transition. Lil Sofia's everywhere. I don't know why this rotated funnily.

So remember my friend who thought I spoke pretty good English? Well, it was our second weekend in Wroclaw and I decided to friend him on Facebook. I said "Why hello there!" I was expecting some kind of response but didn't get one. Later that day I went jogging with his roommate and the roommate asked me, "So why is your name different on Facebook?" Naturally I assumed he was talking about my last name on Facebook. As I was about to start explaining he asked, "Like, why does it say Sylvia?" "What do you Mean 'Why does it say Sylvia?'?" "Why does it not say Kristina?" "HUH? My name's not Kristina!" "Yes it is." "No it's not!" "But you said it was." "WHaaaa? When? No I didn't." "Yeah you did. ....So it's not Kristina?" "No, it's Sylvia!" "Oh, weird. Matteo thought your name was Kristina too." "HE DID?" "Yeah today he was like, "Why is this Sylvia girl from the USA saying 'Why hello there!"? What does that even mean? I don't understand."

So yes. My neighbors for a week (and I'd hung out with them several times) thought my name was Kristina. 

And even today in class my Polish teacher (who I assumed would understand me) called me Sofia all through class...she then also called a girl named Innes Sofia hahah.

Maybe Sofia is the new informal "you" Like "Hey you" except it's "Hey Sofia."

Love always,

Sylvia Sofia Kristina Zletters

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