Romy

For those of you who don't know, Romy is my Spanish name here. In September, when I arrived at the hogar the girls were really confused by my name. They had heard of Batman and Robin and of Robinhood, but did not understand why I had a boys name. It was also just too hard for them to say. Some of the tias struggled with it so these little 7 year old girls just could not get a grasp on it.

Then on my second weekend in Chile, I took a day trip to the beach with some other volunteers. We were chatting about the hogar and one of the girls said I think we're going to have to change your name. She works in the VE office now, but had worked at my hogar for over a year so she knew these girls really well and that they were not going to get Robin.

So the serach began for a new name. We tossed out a lot of R names, but couldn't find one that fit. Then we came across a book of names in a local market and found the perfect one..... Romy.

At first, I thought it was a little weird. The only reference I had to Romy was from Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and that girl was an airhead, but oh well! I said let's give it a try.

Almost 8 months later I now catch myself introducing myself to other people as Romy by accident. It sometimes feels like I have two identities.  Robin, the American girl from the South and then Romy, the Chilean girl. It cracks me up on days when I meet people outside of the hogar (where I am strictly Romy) and introduce myself in Spanish as Romy. Or when I meet a Chilean woman who is actually named Romy and say "Oh, that's my name too" and then think, no it's Robin and then they just think I am completely weird.

I even have nicknames with Romy now.... Romes, Rom dawg, Romita.
The little 3 and 5 year old at the hogar call me Tia Lomy because they can't pronouce their r's.
It has become a part of me now.

So this past weekend, when Jess and I were in Valpo, I saw another name book and looked up Romy again. The description is in Spanish and this time I could actually understand what it meant.

Here's what it says:

ROMY

Origin: Latin

Significance: Pilgrim who walks to Rome

Characteristics:  A woman who is imaginative, sensitive and a dreamer. Loves material and spiritual progress. Loves reading and art in general. Is highly intelligent and as a result, takes on lots of various activities. Smiles easily, kind, loving and courteous.

Love: She has idealized love and men, so it is hard to fall in love, but when she does it is forever.

Famous people with the same name:

Romy Schneider (She is a German/Austrian film actress from the 60's..... seriously have no idea why they picked her.)

I've been pretty sentimental about things lately as my time is coming to an end (only 2 more weeks... ahhh!) and the name is no exceptation.

Ciao for now!
Romy