What’s in a name?
I received another e-mail today from one of the owners addressed to “Shana”. I have politely and formally asked three times now to spell my name correctly and frankly, it’s getting on my nerves. I know my name is unique, but that extra N really isn’t so difficult. It’s not like my name is Shanikwatara, but spelled with a Q but no U only on the day of the full or new moon. I think addressing one of your top-level executives incorrectly is rude and disrespectful. I’ve been told it’s not that big of a deal and it’s not the end of the world. Don’t worry about it?
I was set to write a different blog entry on this topic, one which focused at the heart of the issue – why my name is not being spelled correctly – but I landed on Google and did a search for the name Shanna and Shana. Wow! Both have some cool results! So forget the fact that my name continues to be misspelled at work – look at what I found!
It turns our that the name Shanna was famous in Shanna the She-Devil of Marvel Comics. I think that’s hilarious!!! Look at how awesome she is – Dang! Wish I was that voluptuous! According to Wikipedia:
Shanna the She-Devil is a fictional jungle adventuress in the Marvel Comics universe. (Thank goodness she’s fictional!)
Shanna O’Hara Plunder is the daughter of a diamond miner named Gerald O’Hara. Born in Africa, she spent the majority of her childhood growing up in the jungles of Zaire. At the age of six, her father went to kill a rogue leopard that belonged to her mother, Patricia O’Hara. While hunting for the leopard, Shanna’s father accidentally killed her mother. This traumatic incident led to Shanna’s lifelong crusade against the use of firearms. After the incident, Shanna moved back to the United States to live with relatives. Shanna grows up to become an accomplished Olympic athlete, specializing in competitive swimming and track and field. She then became a licensed veterinarian.
My goodness! I don’t think I can compare to that! What a woman!
I also remember a really trashy romance novel I had for years on my bookshelf with the title Shanna. Here’s the description from Amazon:
Behind the foreboding walls of Newgate Prison, a pact is sealed in secret — as a dashing and doomed criminal consents to wed a beautiful heiress . . . in return for one night of unparalleled pleasure.
In the fading echoes of hollow wedding vows, a promise is broken — as a sensuous free-spirit flees to a lush Caribbean paradise, abandoning the handsome stranger she married to the gallows. But Ruark Beauchamp’s destiny is now eternally intertwined with his exquisite, tempestuous Shanna’s. And no iron ever forged can imprison his magnificent passion . . . and no hangman’s noose will deny him the ecstasy that is rightfully his.
Very sexy stuff. Written by trashy romance novelist Kathleen E. Woodiwiss in 1977, whose other titles include best sellers Ashes in the Wind, Forever in Your Embrace and Moonlight Enchantress. (photo below) Goodness gracious!
Also for your reference, Wikipedia lists:
Shanna is an American feminine given name, and may refer to:
Shanna Collins (21st century), American actress
Shanna Compton (21st century), American poet
Shanna Crossley (born 1983), American professional basketball player
Shanna McCullough (born 1960), American pornographic actress
Shanna Moakler (born 1975), American model, actress and reality television star
Shanna Reed (born 1956), American dancer and actress
Shanna Slone (21st century), American singer
Shanna Swendson (21st century), American author
Shanna the She-Devil, a fictional jungle adventuress in the Marvel Comics universe
Shanna Wylie (How can you call her baby) Waiting to exhale cd
That’s quite a list! But with S.H.A.N.N.A. posing such a challenge for some, I thought I would look up S.H.A.N.A to see if this version of my name had any fame attached to it. And what do you know – Shana is a really awesome Japanese animae character! Look at how cute she is (main photo above)! Shakugan no Shana means Burning-Eyed Shana. Her existence is a bit more complicated than the She-Devil:
The female lead of the show and a Flame Haze. Initially she is concentrated solely on her duty as a Flame Haze, going as far as to not bearing even a name. She sees Yuji only as a Torch, an object, marginally interesting because of his status as a Mystes. However, she slowly opens up to Yuji, coming to think of him as a person, despite being a Torch, and eventually comes to love him. Until she met Yuji, she was identified by only her Flame Haze title “Flame-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter,” or her nodachi, Nietono no Shana (贄殿遮那, “Vairocana of the Offering Room”). Yuji, in his need to humanize her, chose to name her “Shana” after her sword.
Shana has a habit of saying “Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!” which means “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” whenever Yuji asks her questions or makes remarks that disturb her original point of view. But in reality they really care for each other. She has a great fondness for melon bread. Shana later comes to the startling conclusion that she loves Yuji, and even confesses it to him in the last episode of the first anime series when she thought she was going to die, but he does not hear what she said. Shana is continually torn between her mission to protect the balance, and her love for Yuji. Due to a decision she made near the end of the first season of the anime version, the closeness they once had begun to erode as Yuji kept a distance from her because of it. Yuji adopts a viewpoint similar to Shana’s in the beginning of the series. However, Yuji comes to realize that he was wrong, and their relationship seems to be restored.
I love that she shouts “urusai” all the time. Poor little Shana seems to have issues with men. I totally identify with her! ;p
While this complicated little j-heroine seems to be the only noteworthy Shana on the internet (save the town Shana in Tehran, Shana Banana who makes banana bread and Shana Morrison who is apparently a “famous” singer), I rather like her image and her feisty little character. Considering my splendid five years in Japan and my connection with special eyes, I think I might just “go with the flow” and start using Shana with one N. Of course the minute I do this, the owner will probably purposely start spelling it with two, just for kicks.
The big 4-0
I remember being 29 and getting ready for work one morning. In my bright yellow bathroom on Bentley Avenue in Los Angeles, I was putting on my mascara. I looked at myself, the tears started to well and I said out loud, “Oh my God, I’m going to be 30!” For some reason I was terrified.
My 30’s turned out to be pretty damn good. I spread my wings when I moved to Japan, and without a doubt, those five years in Shizuoka made for the best chapter of my life. I was fulfilled on so many levels. The last three years of my 30‘s have been full of transition and constant change… returning to San Diego, getting caught up with family and friends, taking off on world travel and then searching for the next step in my career before heading to Vietnam. Obviously, 39 has been a crazy year filled with both minor and major adjustments.
I’m not sure that I have yet welcomed this next decade with open arms. I haven’t had that moment in the mirror where it has really sunk in that I am now 40. I have had several moments in the mirror recently where I thought about a neck lift and a nose job, about getting pregnant by some handsome stranger just to move along Project Shanna, but I don’t think that that means 40 has sunk in. Does it?
What I hope is that this decade is kind. I hope to find my dude, perhaps have a child (Project Shanna 2009 has rolled over into 2010). It would be nice to share my life with someone and have a family of my own. (My parents would be thrilled with this idea, too!) I’d like to continue to explore new and fantastic corners of the world. I am an adventurer at heart and I don’t yet feel settled. Although I’m not sure how well that goes with the project. I guess at 40 – I want it all, damn it!
I hope I worry a lot less about what people think of me. I’m overly considerate and too concerned about others. While I always want to be a kind and giving person, I’m tired of sacrificing myself for everyone else. I need to get a healthy dose of selfishness. I need to be kinder to me. I have to take care of myself first and foremost.
I suppose that my lack of worry that I’m 40 is a bit of an indication that I am on the right track headed into this phase of life. The fact that I haven’t had that “Oh my God” moment may actually be the sign that it has sunk in and I am accepting this. Besides, aren’t we as young as we feel?
I’ve often said that my ideal age is 28. That was the year I traveled to Italy, my first solo travel. That trip changed my life and that year was just a fantastic year for me. But with all the life experiences I’ve gained since then, I don’t identify as closely to 28 as I once did. In turning 40, I was looking for quotes about the milestone and I found this one – I’m not 40! I’m 18 with 22 years of experience! And you know what? Bingo! That’s how I feel! So here’s to 18 and letting the counter on the years of experience continue to roll over. Bring it on!
Communication skills by English
Once I came back from Marrakech at the end of November, one of the goals at the top of my list was to hire a personal assistant. The thing with my job is that I am so busy, I really need an assistant to help me do this! I’m a day or two away from hiring one of three young ladies who would all be able to make a nice contribution to the role and have a good chance to develop their skills in Sales & Marketing.
During the search process, I have read scores of resumes. The Sales & Marketing Assistant really needs to speak English fluently. There have been numerous applicants who list their skills as “advanced” but who clearly have not yet grasped the language.
I’ve interviewed for a variety for positions throughout this last year, particularly as we have hired a few Sales Executives. What surprises me every time I ask this question in this country is the selfishness of the answer. The question being, “Why should I choose you?” The answer is often along the lines of, “Because I can get good experience and really improve my skills.” So totally NOT what we would say in the US or other Western countries. Yet, this is hands-down the most common way this question is answered. And it’s one tiny aspect of a cultural difference I have not gotten my head around.
To leave you on an entertaining note, I thought I would include one of my favorite cover letters I received from an applicant for my assistant. And this is not even the worst one! But this also gives you a small glimpse as to the level of English I deal with on a daily basis and the skills I’ve developed over the last several years to be able to sift through this garbled nonsense and capture the essence of the meaning. Special talent, people! ;p
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have known that your company is looking a Sales & Marketing assistant and I felt strongly interested in applying for the vacancy.
I graduated from Ha Noi University of Culture in June of 2007 and major in books & magazines business operation.
In my university, I was educated all basic knowledge about business field such as: Sales, Marketing, macroeconimics..and related others such as: method of managing and arranging system of document, data, equipment, chains of distribution books, magazines…
Otherwise, I was taught and practiced not only some basic clerical skills but also other specialist skills such as: research market, care service customers…
So besides, my computer ability for using Microsoft Office package and office equipments( phone, scan,fax, photocopy machine…) effectively as well as basic economic knowledge can useful for your work well.
Especially, I had 2 years experienced working in a Sales department as an order handler for big buyers such as Europe, America in a foreign company of the garment field gave me many chances to communicate with many foreigners directly or by many communication transports such as: phone, email in order to improve my communication skills by English …
Besides such a dynamic and complicated working environtment helped me to learn how manage time, informations, risk.. to give the best solution towards stragetical targets.
And assistant’s duty made me improve negotiation, persuading skill, making report and minutes and following, analyzing, collecting, balancing number,data skill
Because of my major to choosy buyers and diversity of exported order I must work independently under the high pressure as well as co-operate well with my colleagues to archieve common goals.
I believe that with my enthusiasm, ability, knowledge and experience, I can contribute to your company’s success. I hope to be a part of your company. The attached resume is enclosed with more details of my qualification.
I look forward to hearing good new from you soon.
Under Experience, an interesting job title:
Human Assistant
One highlight under “Referees” (versus references):
Comment:A patient and unfear of hardship female staff to find the best way in her work.
I believe that with her experience and ability , she will get new suprising result in her career.
Have a great day everyone!
Blip & Fizzle
Evidence of a home cooked meal
Guys, listen up: If you cook for her, she thinks you like her. If you are not sure about her then don’t go to her house and cook her dinner!!! Keep all dates in a neutral zone so you don’t give the wrong impression!!! Don’t be a jerk!!!
Wonder why I am a bit cynical about my love life? Why I just don’t care so much anymore about finding my dude? Why Project Shanna 2009 is no further along in the month of September than it was in January? I’ll tell ya…because even all the way over here in Vietnam it’s the same. Same scenarios, same stories, same games and same nonsense. I am 39 years old and I have had my fair share of dating experience. And frankly, I’m tired. I don’t want to have to worry about whether I played it well, or am too eager to move forward or any of that nonsense. Straight forward, no bullshit, please. If you like me, tell me. If you want to see me again, make plans. If you have something to say, positive or negative, just say it. I’m a super cool girl and I am really not that complicated. If you lead me on to think that you are into me, don’t be surprised when I respond to your actions, words and intimacy. Don’t run the other direction after I’ve taken the bait. That’s not cool and I do not deserve that.
As if you couldn’t tell…there was a romantic blip on the screen, folks. It had lots of potential, or so I thought, but it quickly fizzled. “It’s not you it’s me” was the general tune. Yawn. Snor. Without a doubt, I am simply not interested in “hanging out.” I don’t want a casual relationship. I don’t need a !!!! buddy. I want a boyfriend. I want to become a “we” (not now, not tomorrow, not next week even…at its own pace). I want to have a hell of a good time together. Is that really too much to ask? Is it?
For crying out loud…..Where IS he???
Thank you for your kind reply
UPDATE 8/5/09: I just had to share this one today. It may even be better than the Italian e-mail…
We understand that we have booked this booking a long time, but clients so late reply to confirm us.
So, we are very sorry to say CANCEL this booking because our Clients have decided to changed this trip. Therefore, we apology this inconvenience Cancellation and looking forward to hearing your early reply with acknowledgement.
………………………………………………
Thank you for the acknowledgement of your confirmation.
Thanks with best regards,
I will endeavour to reply to your email on my return.
Thank you so much for your kind information.
These are actual comments from e-mails. I have the pleasure of reading these types of comments in e-mails I see everyday exchanged between reservation agents in Laos. Long story as to why I am auto-copied on the exchanges, but if nothing else, the e-mails give me a good chuckle everyday. Here is the typical…
A: Please kindly confirm the following booking.
B: Thanks so much for your booking. I’d like to confirm your booking:
A: Thank you for your kind confirmation.
B: You are welcome for the confirmation.
But today topped the cake. I could not stop laughing when this one came in:
Dear All,
Please treat the above clients as VIP Treatment as they are very important (Italian) – I have just been informed by agent today that they are now complaint everywhere for slowly check in and they do not want to wait too long.
Therefore, please try to do the best for them to avoid any problem for us.
A – please hurry up prepare their immigration formality to avoid any delay for them.
B – could you please serve them in house wine for them during Dinner at X as compliment from “Y”? And prepare separate table for them from another passengers.
C – please kindly inform your guide at Z to do the fast check in and do the best services for them. prepare separate table for them from another passengers during meals.
Thanks all of you in advance for your kind co operation.
Aside from being hilarious to me, it hopefully serves to all as a warning how well the staff are aware of problem customers. Clearly this group of Italians are just too impatient. Can’t be bothered to wait for anything. And they don’t like other travelers. I find this hard to believe, as Italy certainly runs at its own pace and most Italians love a good group of fun people! But I guess when folks travel to exotic places and are far away from home, they step outside the mold and get uncomfortable in new surroundings. Too funny, though.
Thanks you for kindly reading this information. Your kind comment is most welcome.
Thank you with best regards,
Shanna
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