A Chinese by any other name is still a Chinese

15 years ago when I came to America. I had a dream. But the reality was harder than I expected. Every single step was a struggle, and even to get myself a good English name, it took me 12 years.

Look at this video and see how I got my first English name.

"Bubba" is a friendly name, but it is a nick-name and mostly used by rural southerners. I wanted a real English name.

In 1999, one Asian American became very famous. His name, to many Chinese, means "strength, power, speed, beauty, and integrity". He is one-quarter Chinese. His name is "Tiger Woods".

I wanted my friends to call me "Tiger". But good things didn't last long. In 2003 when I graduated with master degree in computer, the IT job market was bad. I sent tons of resumes but no one replied.

You could imagine how excited I was when a small company in New Jersey liked to offer a job, but under one condition: I have to drop my name "Tiger" because their boss had the same name.




I accepted the condition and dropped my name "Tiger". After much thinking I decided to name myself "Arnold" after Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold and I had a few things in common. We were both from foreign countries and his English is as hard to understand as mine is. He had power, and wealth I dreamed of, and he had a body that I hoped to develop for myself.

The name "Arnold" didn't work well for me. Instead of Arnold, many people called me "girlie man". For 4 years afterwards, I tried to find a English name for myself, but no name sounded right.

When God closes a door he always leave a window open. In August, 2008, I found a job in Kansas.

When I drove to Kansas. It was windy, hot and sunny! Sunny! That would be my name! To show her support, my wife changed her name to "Windy". Our dog got a new name: "Tornado".

When I look back at those 15 years now, I found every time I named myself after a man, that man got into some trouble. Every time I tried to be someone else, I failed miserably. But I am very grateful because every failure, every step, every struggle is a blessing too.

In Julia and Romeo, Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell sweet as well". I want to say, "A Chinese by any other name is still a Chinese."

I like the name "Sunny" very much and I want to keep it forever. It is bright and positive. Most importantly, it is the starting point for my dream.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• China
• Chinese
• rose
• entertaining
• English name
• Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Tiger Woods
• dream
• Bubba
• New Jersey
• sunny
• Chinglish
• talk
• Asian
• comedian
• God
• blessings
• Tornado
• my
• dog
• American

[pcbd]

I always enjoyed the way you tell your story in a humourous way. Sunny is a name really fits your personality as you always bring sunshine to all of us. Waiting for your next video. Friend from Hong Kong and Canada!

[SunnySunKansas]

@pcbd Many thanks for your great compliments. Happy Chinese New Year to you!

[AnandaLunaBlue]

do I have a way to say ' I love you, sunny'? for the great person you are!

no jealous required!

respectfully!

[SunnySunKansas]

@AnandaLunaBlue yes, there is a way to say: "Thank God, Almighty God for all the blessings. Thank all our friends who support each other in this earthly journey. Let's praise, and let's sing. "

[AnandaLunaBlue]

@SunnySunKansas

yesss!

didn't I say you are great, wonderful, with a big heart and soul??

thank you friend as well!

greetings

ananda

[SunnySunKansas]

@AnandaLunaBlue thanks a lot for your nice words. But I am not a person with a big heart or anything I should brag about. In the past years and at present I fell short of God's glory. I pray everyday that God teach me, guide me and give me wisdom. May God bless you and all our friends in this new year!

[MrReckyz]

like you videos bro keep it up iam a fan from yout bro reckyz

[luc59457]

Good story, I like, I like.

[Afrikitty]

Good story, Sunny - Told with panache!

[Invader05]

"When God closes a door, he always opens a window" very nice job with this video!

[tyetygon]

this is very good!! 

[ukyou1988nana]

Thanks for the video. I like much, again thanks.

[urCherieAmor]

I like to hear your story. Nice to know some background about you my friend. Thank you for sharing part of your life history. Best wishes to you....

[zannnazu]

Wonderful !

[southernmissy75]

God bless thanks for sharing!!! :) <3 it!!!