Hello, It's Me, Smith T
My name is Smith. I know your first question: "What?? That's your first name?" 99.3% of people I've met have had this exact same conversation with me. I believe this is how the story goes:
I was born in Bangkok, Thailand in July 1997. My mother is a native Thai, and my father is from Burma (which I believe is now called Myanmar). They had set their minds and their hearts to go the US eventually to make sure their kids had a good education and a better opportunity at a good life. Thus, to make sure I fit in, they looked up the most common English names. Unfortunately, the one they found happened to be a last name. And so, to this day, I have never met another man named Smith. Here's a picture of my parents, taken on a trip back to Thailand last summer. They're pretty cool people:
Fun fact, though: Martin van Buren's (the eighth US president's) youngest son was named Smith! So indirectly, I guess I'm pretty famous, though it seems nobody knows. Maybe this blog will become viral and everyone will know.
I am studying to be a Chemical Engineer, with a focus on Pre-Med, and looking through the posts from the other students in this class, it seems there's a couple of other Chemical Engineers. To you guys, if you're reading this...we'll make it through. I really like what I've learned of Chemical Engineering so far, that is, extraction, separation, and purification processes and the study and application of the transfer of momentum, heat, and mass in those processes to increase efficiency. By this definition, Chemical Engineering can be applied to a multitude of tasks, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, electronics, and chemistry to name a few. But my real aim is to apply such principles to biological systems.
On the side, I am learning German and Korean (children can communicate better than me at both). My roommate is learning German, so I am inadvertently learning it so we can have secret conversations in public. My Korean motivation is a bit more selfish, that is, so I can understand Korean dramas. As an added bonus, across the hall from where I live is a Korean family. They invite us over for dinner every Wednesday evening, so I get a good chance to practice a little bit of what I have learned. I think it's amazing that, though we are all human, we are so reliant on air flowing through different mouth shapes/tongue positions to communicate. Incredible! I wish I could just be fluent in every language. Then I can travel the world and talk with everyone I meet.
See you in the next post,
Smith
I was born in Bangkok, Thailand in July 1997. My mother is a native Thai, and my father is from Burma (which I believe is now called Myanmar). They had set their minds and their hearts to go the US eventually to make sure their kids had a good education and a better opportunity at a good life. Thus, to make sure I fit in, they looked up the most common English names. Unfortunately, the one they found happened to be a last name. And so, to this day, I have never met another man named Smith. Here's a picture of my parents, taken on a trip back to Thailand last summer. They're pretty cool people:
(Surat Thani, Thailand)
Fun fact, though: Martin van Buren's (the eighth US president's) youngest son was named Smith! So indirectly, I guess I'm pretty famous, though it seems nobody knows. Maybe this blog will become viral and everyone will know.
I am studying to be a Chemical Engineer, with a focus on Pre-Med, and looking through the posts from the other students in this class, it seems there's a couple of other Chemical Engineers. To you guys, if you're reading this...we'll make it through. I really like what I've learned of Chemical Engineering so far, that is, extraction, separation, and purification processes and the study and application of the transfer of momentum, heat, and mass in those processes to increase efficiency. By this definition, Chemical Engineering can be applied to a multitude of tasks, such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, electronics, and chemistry to name a few. But my real aim is to apply such principles to biological systems.
On the side, I am learning German and Korean (children can communicate better than me at both). My roommate is learning German, so I am inadvertently learning it so we can have secret conversations in public. My Korean motivation is a bit more selfish, that is, so I can understand Korean dramas. As an added bonus, across the hall from where I live is a Korean family. They invite us over for dinner every Wednesday evening, so I get a good chance to practice a little bit of what I have learned. I think it's amazing that, though we are all human, we are so reliant on air flowing through different mouth shapes/tongue positions to communicate. Incredible! I wish I could just be fluent in every language. Then I can travel the world and talk with everyone I meet.
See you in the next post,
Smith
Oh, this really is exciting, Smith! I love the story of your name, and it is so great that you have this connection to both Thailand and Burma through your family. As I told you in that email yesterday, it is one of my life goals to be able to go to Thailand someday; there are so many things I would want to see there, with the Khon performance at the top of the list. My favorite Thai restaurant near where I live has beautiful Khon masks on the walls! The food is great, and even better with those masks looking down on us! And I am so impressed that you are working on both German and Korean: that multiplies all your possible ways of connecting with people and stories all over the world, and across the hall. Wonderful! I hope you will get a chance to ask your parents what Ramayana/Ramakien stories they might remember and like the best: Rama's story is one that has traveled all over Thailand and Myanmar also!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith. I think the irony of your name is really cool, that in trying to give you a really common name they ended up giving you a rather unique name. I'm also an engineer, though I'm a mechanical engineer. It's interesting that chemical engineering does a lot with heat and mass transfer, as those are big topics in mechanical engineering, though I assume we tend to work on slightly different scales. I'm excited to hear more from you this semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Alex! My roommate is actually a mechanical engineer student as well, so I kind of know your pain vicariously through him, haha. It'll be worth it in the end, Alex. Hope to see more of your comments in future blog posts!
DeleteSmith is such a unique name though, wouldn't it be better to have a unique name than a common one like John? Idk it could go either way. Thailand looks like a very beautiful place, at least based on the picture you posted! I can't imagine learning so many languages, but that much be so beneficial when meeting people from around the world. I think being fluent in every language is such a stretch, but with passion anything can be done!
ReplyDeleteIt's the only name I know, so I like it a little bit (:
DeleteInterestingly, my mom showed me an old document and they had considered naming me "Jereme" at one point. I shudder to think of who I would be if I was named Jereme (no offense to the Jeremes of the world!). I couldn't imagine how different my life would be!
And yes! Languages are awesome! In my experience, there's no better way to connect with someone than through the same language. People absolutely just light up when you unexpectedly say something in their language. It's fantastic.
Hey Smith! What a cool name!! My first name is Stalder which is a common german LAST NAME as well!! I have never met anyone with it as a first name! Although I don't think I've met anyone with it as a last name either. Also I love engineering and my major is mechanical engineering! Chemical engineering sounds really tough, I don't think I could make it through all those chemistry classes!
ReplyDeleteHey Smith,
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, I love the story of your name!
I have a ton of respect for Chemical Engineers: you guys really seem to have a particularly in depth and rigorous curriculum, and the work you do is really interesting! Best of luck with that, and enjoy!
See you around the course,
A
Hey Smith!
ReplyDeleteGood for you man, studying Chemical Engineering! What made you want to major in that and be pre-med. Also, btw if you need any help or advise about the MCAT or applications, feel free to reach out! I am done with all of that thankfully!
When I lived overseas in Japan, I had always wanted to go visit Thailand!! My cousin who is now in Japan went a few weeks ago and loved it! I hope to go visit one day.
Hi Smith,
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that you're chemical engineering and pre-med. I bet that's a really difficult but rewarding major! Also it's really cool that you're from Thailand. I've heard it's a very beautiful country and it's always been on my bucket list of places I'd like to visit. It's also so awesome that you're learning two new languages. I wish I spoke another language!
Haha, I love the story behind your name. I definitely make jokes about my name too "Crystal like the rock, Gillette like the razor". Your background seems incredibly interesting though and I'm interested in reading your stories. RIP that Chemical Engineering life tho, good luck! To add learning 2 different languages on top of that sounds rough but I'm sure you can do it!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith! The story behind you name is funny yet so innocent! I can see how your parents would easily get confused between first names and last names. But you do have an awesome unique name! I know some German! I can speak some and understand certain phrases and word, but not enough to have full conversations with a native speaker!
ReplyDeleteHowdy Smith,
ReplyDeleteThe story behind your name is great! My last name is Mulder, so I always get the comment, "Oh like Fox Mulder," so I can relate to having to explain your name. Although, for me there is not much to explain, I mean I inherited my last name, it is what it is. Also, I think your life story is super interesting. I am also learning German right now too, but it is definitely not by choice. I guess it is not too bad though. Good luck on your studies this semester!
Hi Smith~
ReplyDeleteI have a brother whose name is my stepmom's maiden name so I guess I never really thought it was weird for someone to have a 'last name' for their first name. I'll have to ask my brother if he ever thinks about his name like that. It's awesome that you're learning Korean! Since I studied abroad in Korea I always perk up when someone mentions anything related. I'm still working on my Korean though, it's been a struggle getting past the learning curve. Somehow it's already the end of week 6 so good luck with the rest of the semester!
Hey Smith. I enjoyed reading your introduction! It is funny how names work. I get called Carlos all the time but my name is Carlo. Smith is a great name! Also, I saw that you are Chemical Engineering and Pre-Med. My question to you is how do you do it? I have one friend who is doing both and he says it is difficult. Props to you. I am a Pre-Med student also, but decided to major in History. Good luck with everything and glad I got to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith! I also get people confused about my name. My last name is Lagge so many people find it interesting. I always have to tell people that it's like your xbox is lagging so people understand what I mean. i am an engineer too, but I am in computer engineering. I am enjoying it and really looking forward to being done with everything! Best of luck in the rest of your studies!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith!
ReplyDeleteI love the story about your name! It is so unique and special! I even told my mom because it made me laugh out loud. I am super impressed you find time to excel in school as well as learn two separate languages on the side. I find learning languages incredibly difficult because I am constantly comparing it to English. I even lived in Italy for four years and never managed to pick up much Italian!
Hi Smith!
ReplyDeleteOne day, I think you will honestly be famous for the story of your name haha! Speaking of fun with names, most of my family still doesn't write mine correctly because it's usually only spelt with one 'a'. Also, do you visit Thailand ever so often, and what made you decide to learn German before your roommate? It was great meeting you!
Hi Smith,
ReplyDeleteI can kind of relate to you on a name basis because I have met only one other person named Corona. My dad just decided to have fun with my name I guess. I think it is awesome that you are studying Chemical Engineering, but I don't have the smarts for that. I think it is really neat that you want to learn German and Korean. I, myself, wish to know many languages as well. I am currently learning Latin, have taken Spanish, and plan to start studying Arabic this summer. I hope you have a great semester and I look forward to reading more of your stories!
Hi Smith,
ReplyDeleteYour story of your name is so wonderful haha. It is so cool hearing that back story. You seem so smart and intelligent! Learning two languages for fun amidst chemical engineering and pre-med? A true talent. I wish I had the brains for that! Good luck with all of your endeavors, and I hope that it all works out for you!
Hi Smith, what an enthusiastic introduction. It seems as though you enjoy chemical engineering. That’s awesome! I am always glad when people genuinely enjoy their majors or their work, because I know how much time people spend doing it. It is impressive that you are learning two languages, and they are both super cool as well. It was nice to meet you through your introduction.
ReplyDeleteThe scenery in the background of the picture of your parents is beautiful! Also, I like your name despite it technically being a last name. You can definitely say it's unique. Your passion for language is incredible. I wanted to learn Spanish back in the day but after a few years of high school and college I mostly gave up and only remember a few words.
ReplyDeleteHey Smith, I love your introduction. It is very impressive to hear about all of your goals and accomplishments thus far. I love hearing about people actually achieving their goals as it gets hard to hear about people having them but never quit reaching them while in school. I appreciate how much you care for language, as I find it extremely important to spread that interest to others to continue that passion!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith! I really like your name. I also have a kind of different name. Well, it is different for here but it is more prevalent in other countries I think. Especially more for guys? Not sure that's just my guess that I have synthesized from googling my name a lot! Have you appreciated having a unique name throughout your life? I used to have it but honestly I am starting to like it more now. I think it makes me stand out to teachers and they remember me better. Good luck with the rest of your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Smith!
ReplyDeleteYour story is so unique! I think it is so awesome that your parents chose to move to the United States so you could have a good education. Last year I studied abroad and had the chance to go to Myanmar (yes it is called that now) and it was amazing! Have you had the chance to visit before? Or Thailand? Southeast Asia is one of my favorite regions in the world hands down.
Hi Smith,
ReplyDeleteYour name might be a common name, or actually is not even a name at all, is more of a common last name. But I think the story is what makes all the difference. I feel like Korean and German are very different and difficult. I speak English and Spanish, and boy am I glad that they share mostly the same alphabet.
Hey Smith!
ReplyDeleteI understand you want to know every language. I decided to learn Latin when I came to OU because I thought it would make learning romance languages easier. It has and it hasn't. I am currently in an Italian class and sometimes I get the two mixed up. But, it has made remembering my Spanish easier, so who knows. Maybe that might help your desire? Hopefully it works better for you!
Hi Smith! You have an interesting backstory to your name. Come to think of it, I don't think I know anyone else with a first name of Smith, but it doesn't feel unnatural so I wasn't too surprised until you pointed it out and made me think. I am glad you're learning German also. Learning languages can be a lot of fun; I am learning German myself. I don't have anyone to practice with, so you've got me there. Good luck with your degree, by the way! I've heard from many people that chemical engineering is one of the harder degrees offered here.
ReplyDelete