LDS Conference Center -- people in line
Between session -- people hanging out
The Malagasy booth inside the translation area
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
LDS General Conference (April 5-6, 2008)
Every six month, our Church holds its conference in Salt Lake City; they usually take place in April and October. We always look forward to this event to be able to listen to powerful and inspiring speeches from the church leaders. Also, I get to be an interpreter for the event -- we interpret in Malagasy for the people of Madagascar. It's been an awesome experience. I enjoy being a part of it!
LDS Conference Center -- people in line
Between session -- people hanging out
The Malagasy booth inside the translation area
LDS Conference Center -- people in line
Between session -- people hanging out
The Malagasy booth inside the translation area
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Domoina -- what does it mean anyway?
Many can relate to what I am about to say. One of the frustrating things that you experience when you live in a foreign place is that it is hard for people to pronounce or spell your name.
I wish I had recorded every way people said my name for the past 5 years. That would have been hilarious :) But I am used to it now so it's okay and I understand that it's hard to pronounce foreign names.
Here are a few suggestions friends gave me to tell people how to say my name:
1. It's like Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. Sometimes it works; sometimes, it doesn't because I have met people who don't know anything about Iowa. Not to exaggerate, someone has written my name exactely like Des Moines on the board one time. Funny :)
2. Just shorten it or cut it. Many have asked me to call me D. or Dee.
3. Get an American name like many of my Asian friends.
I have been using the first suggestions and it's okay, although people still don't get it. As for the second option, I cannot afford to cut my name in 2 or 3 parts. The 3rd option, I don't think there is any English or any foreign name that would fit my personality. Name means something in my culture, it shapes who I am. If I change my name, then I would have to change myself to fit that name.
So, Domoina is my name and it means "dove" in my language. I love my name and I just want to be called Domoina, period.
I wish I had recorded every way people said my name for the past 5 years. That would have been hilarious :) But I am used to it now so it's okay and I understand that it's hard to pronounce foreign names.
Here are a few suggestions friends gave me to tell people how to say my name:
1. It's like Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. Sometimes it works; sometimes, it doesn't because I have met people who don't know anything about Iowa. Not to exaggerate, someone has written my name exactely like Des Moines on the board one time. Funny :)
2. Just shorten it or cut it. Many have asked me to call me D. or Dee.
3. Get an American name like many of my Asian friends.
I have been using the first suggestions and it's okay, although people still don't get it. As for the second option, I cannot afford to cut my name in 2 or 3 parts. The 3rd option, I don't think there is any English or any foreign name that would fit my personality. Name means something in my culture, it shapes who I am. If I change my name, then I would have to change myself to fit that name.
So, Domoina is my name and it means "dove" in my language. I love my name and I just want to be called Domoina, period.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Spring Break in California
Fialan-tsasatry ny lohataona. Nandeha nanao asa maimaimpoana tany Point Reyes California niaraka tamin'ny mpianatra maromaro izaho. Fa nahafinaritra koa ny nahita ny ranomasina pasifika.
C'était le "Spring Break"! Nous avons une semaine de vacances en Avril. Je suis allée en Californie pour un service bénévole. C'etait formidable d'avoir été tout près de l'ocean.
So for Spring Break (March 15-22), I went on a volunteer trip with 12 other students/staff from the University of Utah. We did a service project at the Point Reyes National Seashore. Basically, we went to help remove invasive plants along the seashore. It was nice to be by the ocean. Northern California is cold but still, it was gorgeous.
C'était le "Spring Break"! Nous avons une semaine de vacances en Avril. Je suis allée en Californie pour un service bénévole. C'etait formidable d'avoir été tout près de l'ocean.
So for Spring Break (March 15-22), I went on a volunteer trip with 12 other students/staff from the University of Utah. We did a service project at the Point Reyes National Seashore. Basically, we went to help remove invasive plants along the seashore. It was nice to be by the ocean. Northern California is cold but still, it was gorgeous.
Point Reyes Seashore
Abbots Lagoon - pulling beach grass to restore birds habitat
Ice plants -- considered invasive
Abbots Lagoon - pulling beach grass to restore birds habitat
Ice plants -- considered invasive
Also, on the way to Point Reyes, we went to the Muir Woods to see those amazing, tall redwood trees.
These trees are amazingly tall.
Our group minus the one who is taking the picture.
It was a fun trip. I made 12 new cool friends:
These trees are amazingly tall.
Our group minus the one who is taking the picture.
It was a fun trip. I made 12 new cool friends:
Brent, Zach, Sara, Jaime, Roy, Leo, Tifani, Wu, Jin, Hyo, Rob and Bryan
This trip taught me that differences doon't matter. We all come from different background, but we managed to live together and learned from one another. It was hard to leave these guys.
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