First name basis
The Filipino way, most people’s first name is Maria. There are so many Maria’s in our family, me included. However, we don’t use our first name. I use my second name. My only wish is I wish I wasn’t named Maria.
The trouble started not in my childhood. It started when I came to Canada.
The officers saw how long my name is, they started using Maria. Employers did the same thing, Maria. Well, I felt there is no use in contradicting them since they are having a hard time pronouncing the name.
When I say my second name, the common response is, Huh? How do you spell that? P as in Peter, E as in Eve, R as in Richard, P as in Peter (again), E as in Eve (again), T as in Tom, U as in Uranus, A as in Apple. Perpetua. What? Petula? Never mind, call me Maria. The names that I just called out, they understand, but not my name.
As for being Maria, oh the trouble I go. Maria seems to be a troubled name. People started singing “How do you solve a problem like Maria”. Sound’s familiar?
It was only in 2010 that I decided once and for all, I will use my name that I am accustomed to hearing. Perpetua it is. Again, my colleagues of 13 years, they kept on calling me Maria. Sorry, folks, I am not responding to that!
So here I am, as a Canadian Maria, signing and dancing to the Sound of Music.
This is in response to Daily Prompt: Childhood. Come and join us, it will make you sing.
Photographs and Memories 
Nothing wrong with maria I suppose, but Perpetua is actually such a beautiful name!!
They’ll just have to get used to using it 😉
Although, I have a friend that’s undergoing a sex change. I got to know her as Cindy, and now she’s Jaydon – but she said I can continue calling her Cindy because that’s the way i go to know her 😉 She’s still got the right tools for Cindy and not for jaydon!!
Good point ghia. And Jaydon as well. 😀
Perpetua rolls off the tongue. Unique. 😉
It is. Thanks, sarah.
Dear Seeker, I have a First and Surname that I have to spell every day, one thanks to my father who thought it would be could to alter a common name with an unusual spelling, and the other from the Italian husband, so I feel your pain. On a side note, The Sound of Music was the first movie I saw. I loved the flash mob 🙂 D 34
The flash mob was due to looking for a song “how do you solve a problem like Maria”. Now I think Maria will take me further. 😀 So what is your real name d34? No need to answer that but you can spell it out for me 😀
🙂 D 34
I hope you will forgive me if I like your posts and come back to comment on future posts? I am so behind that I haven’t seen some blogs in a month… TY!
Oh Ms. Eliz, please don’t put any pressure on your part. I understand. I can’t comment on all of them. Thanks for coming to see me. Seeing your post in the community is good enough for me that means you are still around. Thank you for your support. Perpetua.
TY! And what’s up with the Camino idea? It’s my dream to go.
Hey you, did you sleep at all? Well, I still have yet to sign up and thanks for reminding me. Want to going me?
Ok, here’s the scope. I just sent out an e-mail for Oct2013 walk. And to entice you, here’s the link: http://www.walkersworld.com/Camino%20Self%20Guided/Camino%20de%20Santiago.htm
It is a beautiful name! It’s lovely! Heck, it’s not difficult to say at all … Nice to know you, Perpetua 🙂 (I love that song, btw)
Hiya TK. Easy for you to say. Thanks for calling me Perpetua, ah, music to my ears. Sound of music, eh?
Perpetua, hello. That video is just marvelous. How joyful. 🙂
Hi Paulette. It’s funny that I was looking for the song “How do you solve a problem like Maria.” And this video just solved my problem. Hahaha.
🙂
Well hello there Perpetua, I think you have a lovely name and am amazed that people find it so difficult.
Hello to you too. Yes, it’s a unique name and finally, I feel like I’ve regained my identity.
Maria! oh I mean Perpetua…Love this post! 🙂
Oh stop it! Thank you for loving it.
Sorry about your name. It’s not that hard to pronounce! I love the video!
I think it’s the Filipino accent that get’s on the way. And that video is awesome!