In my “Birthday Suit”
Tuesday, July 12th, 200519 years ago, at about 16 hours from now, a little girl who grown up to be not that small was born. Oh, let’s cut the chase, I was born - the little unknown me from the beautifu city of Manila.
I was name (God help me!) after the famous linguistic beauty queen Melanie Marquez. My aunt thought that was cool at that time, being named after M.Marquez. Why not name me after Kris or her mother Cory, them too are popular that time? Anyway, I’m still thankful of this name (quite). Why after I trash it and defamed it (as if "nagfefeeling lang ako"), do i feel grateful?
One thing is that "Melanie" came from Melania which means black. And black suits me. I love to wear black tops and shirt. I don’t always have the cheerful glow of youngness, or whatever. (Currently, I wore black in tuned with how I feel about Gloria. I don’t like Gloria to stay so I’m mourning for her and the people.)
Second, the name "Melanie" has many benefits. I could form so many nicknames from Melanie. I even get confused by my nicknames (let me stress the "s"). People call me "melai," "lanie," "mel," "lai," "lan," "lei," "lanz," "melz," "nie," and so there goes the list of who I am.
Lastly, I’m thankful for my name because I wouldn’t know what would happen or what they would be calling me if I was named differently. I called be Miracle (because my mom is named Milagros), or Mibet (Mila and Obet), or Chiqui or Apple or Lemon or maybe we could be named the same. I couldn’t imagine my self if I’m not Melanie. There is nothing wrong with those other names, but I think our names helped us build our personality.
When someone hears your name, they know how to differentiate you from the others. "Ah, si Melai ng CMC," or "Si Melai? Melai na friend ko," these little things implies something so big. Along with our personalities, our names helps define or identify us. It gives us a sense of belonging, that like others we do have our own names that is enveloped (somehow) by how we act or how we think.
Well, I guess I’m going. Sorry, if you think what i wrote was cyclical. Forgive me, it’s 1 in the morning so I’m tired from school and doing my chores. God bless!
***why I named my article "in my birthday suit"? It is simply because it is my birthday today and i think what i discussed here (my name) is a clothing of some sort that makes us feel protected and secure.
