”Hi, I’m Kemi. It’s nice to meet you.”
“ Kimmy? Kami? Tammy? What?”
“Nope, Kemi. K-E-M-I, like ‘chemistry’. It’s Japanese.”
“Oh. That’s pretty. I’ve never heard that name before. Okay. Kemi. Chemistry. I can remember that.”
I’ve found that life is often like that. I think I’m speaking as clearly as possible, using vivid imagery and making a solid, irrefutable mental picture, when I realize that for all my verbal prowess, my target audience is staring at me with a befuddled, glazed-eye stare. I’ve decided that is has less to do with my delivery and more to do with my listeners’ limited experience with the chosen subject matter, just like with my name.
That has to be it, right? Oh well. If it’s not, I’m used to it. Four kids and a husband give me daily confirmation that I am truly, accidentally, utterly misunderstood.
oh i like it here…adding you to the blogroll now!
Hey Kemi!
Just wanted to stop by and say hello! Hope all is well in your neighborhood! Love Ya! Mere
You are a good writer, I can tell!
I love your name. When I saw it on your comment on my blog I totally pronounced it right in my head. Of course, I was reading it, but I like to give myself lots of credit for small things, and think I would not have misunderstood you if I met you in person. (I also can walk and chew gum at the same time!)
Thanks, K. I don’t think it’s THAT difficult, but I’ve been proven wrong so many times. Now I’ve learned to spell it. It helps.
I just remembered that in junior high, I started calling myself “Kim” because I knew that people couldn’t mess that up. Wow, was my mom mad!
I even had a teacher insist that my name was short for something else. When I kept telling her my name was, in fact “Kemi”, she muttered under her breath, “You probably just don’t know what your REAL name is.”
Uh, hello? I was in seventh grade.
I have always thought your name was beautiful.
Kemi–I saw your comment on my blog–THANKS for your note of encouragement!
However, I also noticed that you made a blogger account to comment this time. I hope I didn’t make a wrong move and refer to your blog with my “I AM” post the other day! If so, I am so sorry!!
You have such a wonderful way of writing and I relate SO well with that!!
So, thanks for giving me a peek into your life!
I hope that I haven’t done anything wrong in the blogging world–would hate to cause problems!
Rachel
LOL Rachel– it was nothing you did. (Well, maybe lazy blogging… j/k) <—– (inside joke)
I was tired of standing out with my “open ID” name, so I tried the “google blogger” thing. Surprise! It pulled up an old name I don’t even remember creating, and I posted first, before editing and updating my profile. (Oops.) From here on out, I’ll show up as “Kemi”, the way I intended, but for that one comment, it used my old name.
No worries. If I was afraid of someone finding my “real” identity, I would never have used my first name.
I would like the template for “helping hands” with the liquid soap. Just send it ot my e-mail…THANKS!
Funny, I used to use “chemistry” to explain the pronunciation of our name, now I just say, “it’s Kemi, like ‘Hemi’ with K”. For the most part, that works.
Does Kemi mean anything or is it “just a name.” Is someone in your family Japanese or go on a mission there or something?
Also, how have I not read this page before?
Di, my dad served a mission in Japan, and then he went back for a stint in the foreign service. He came home set on naming his first daughter “Kemi Lynn”. He said it means “touched by beauty”.
Aw. What a wonderful meaning
And very accurate.
Well FYI there is another Kemi in town. She’s a teller at the Chase bank downtown near 17th and Arapahoe. She’s very sweet. Hope I didn’t bust your bubble. Ps went to college with not one, not two, but three other Joshua Thompsons.
hi my name is kemi shotomide, and i have the same problem with my name. now i just let people call me kimmy. my dad is nigerian and so is my name it means love and take care of me. people would always ask if my whole name was japanese but i would always say no its nigerian but now i guess it is. i read your entire blog with my mouth open it reminds me of my life
Can you send me your template for your soap bottles – I would love to use them for teacher Christmas gifts.
What a great idea.
Cheri