englishstudent57-blog

[englishstudent57-blog]

     My legal name is Olivia Caroline Lorenzo, however, more often in my family, it is considered Olivia Carolina Lorenzo. Coming from a Cuban-American family I received the perfect mix of an English-based first name and a Hispanic last name that preserved the history and heritage of my family. When I questioned my parents about why they chose the name Olivia they claim they wanted a more traditional name. They wanted to stay away from the trendy scraps so many mothers and fathers collected. Of course, Olivia actually is a trendy name but I'm not going to be the one who breaks it to them. The name Olivia actually was coined by Shakespeare. It is believed he was trying to find a feminine version of the male name Oliver and created Olivia. In his "Twelfth Night' play, he featured a noblewoman named Olivia (of course) who gains the affections of a Duke but classicly falls in love with a messenger. Another possibility was that it stemmed from the Latin word for olive, which is oliva.  

     I personally love my full name. I feel it, in a way, embodies who I am and a large part of my identity, Cuban-American. I would never consider changing or altering it in any way, it is a part of who I am and I have never felt ashamed or it or the decision my parents made. Mispronunciation is a complex occurrence. With an English name and Spanish last name, there is no way to smoothly transition between the two. It is either one or the other, never both. Though more often the English pronunciation is used. However, I don't really mind either way. I understand the awkwardness within it. I don't hold anyone accountable for mispronunciation because I myself, never correctly pronounce it, It depends on who I am conversing with, it is always one or the other. 

     For a while now, I have known that my future child's name, if it were a girl, would be Elena. I love the smooth and beautiful sound it creates when pronounced correctly (Spanish pronunciation). Its meaning is just as beautiful as well, Elena means "bright light". A characteristic I believe my future child will bring into my life, light and happiness. If I were to have a boy? Who knows.

[englishstudent57-blog]

For Sale: My Dog Bella's Customized Face Mug

Price: $7 US

This is a white medium sized mug with green paw prints and dog bone symbols printed on it, as well as my dog Bella Lorenzo's adorable face. There are no chips and it works wonderfully for both hot and cold drinks. It's a baby, only about five months old, and I received it as a going away present for college. Though it had been created and delivered to my house in secret three months before that. This mug was created from Petmugs.com and has made a lovely contribution to my life. It gives anyone who uses it a warm feeling and happy reminder that dogs really are a man's (or woman's/other's) best friend. I have used Bella's face mug for tea, water, and as a decoration, however, feel free to get creative. It has many unexpected uses! This mug is very special to me and has a close place to my heart. I received it from my amazing parents and it is a small reminder of the dog I love so much waiting for me back home (which is twenty minutes away but that is irrelevant.) I hope the next owner will enjoy this glass as much as I have and will find comfort and happiness in Bella's face even if they have yet to meet her.

Olivia Lorenzo

[englishstudent57-blog]

This is Fluffy Bunny. A name I so creatively came up with between the ages of one and four and she is my favorite childhood stuffed animal. We grew up together, made memories together, and played together. She kept the monsters out of my closet and will forever be close to my heart. She is something I hope to someday pass onto my own future child. However being nineteen years old and a young adult I can see how still possessing this toy can be considered "uncool." It's uncool because holding on to something like this can be seen as childish, immature, and maybe even stupid to some. However, that is not really the case, in my opinion. Keeping this bunny for all these years is actually a vulnerable act, a sentimental reminder of a simpler time and kind future, one where my own (FUTURE) child will have similar experiences with a toy of their choosing. A friend that expands their imagination, something to hug when frightened or throw in the air when excited. Fluffy bunny is cool because she is deep. She is emotional and real. She is the past and future. She is my childhood.

Olivia Lorenzo

[englishstudent57-blog]

So you may be asking yourself, a bike? 

What's so spectacularly cool about a regular old bicycle? Well, reader, it's actually not about the bike, per se, it's more about the meaning behind the bike. Technically this is a male advertised object. The high rise top tube, black and red coloring and huffy board bad boy vibes of it all might as well scream "not for girls". However, these gender rules and societal expectations are something I have always found to be a great annoyance. I am a female and will continue to be feminine even when riding a "male" bicycle. So why are there objects, colors, and boxes set specifically for boys and girls and who says I have to follow them? This is what makes the bike cool. It embodies the rebellious act of going against these stereotypes. It spits in the face of societal guidelines. As a pair, we are uncommon and perfectly defiant. I absolutely love this bicycle.  I have tried the pink, the flowery, and the and the glittery and at this point in my life, it is just not me. This bike is me and it's cool, in that rebel sort of way.

Olivia Lorenzo