Once, my mother — who has an unusual name — ordered food at Panera and was asked for her name. I offered mine to avoid the tragedy that always unfolds when people, fighting a mixture of confusion and despair, have to write or pronounce her name.
‘Patricia,’ I said.
‘That is not your name,’ added my mother. ‘I named you Patricia’
She, being Spanish-speaking, always meant for my name to be pronounced Pa-tree-see-ah.
I was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, but recently moved to Southern California. I’ve lived in North Carolina, where I went to UNC-Chapel Hill, then Phoenix, Arizona, and for a brief period I lived in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and on board the Corwith Cramer, a sailing school vessel with Sea Education Association. My first language is Spanish, but I’ve heard that my English is just as good. I thank a childhood of cable TV (with subtitles) for that and other questionable personality traits.
I do some Web design, photography, writing, travel, sailing. I’m fascinated by other cultures, points of view, and I believe everyone has a story deserving to be told.
Want to further discuss the pronunciation of my name? Waste not a minute and send me a note.
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