Out of the Blue

I always love surprises. I got one today. I received an e-mail from 冯艾寒 . What? You can’t pronounce the name? Neither can I. I almost deleted it, thinking it was junk mail, but I replied asking how this person knew me. It turned out it was one of my English as a second language students from Harbin, China.

Her name is Frances, although her Chinese name is Aihan Feng. Actually it is probably Feng Aihan, assuming that her last name is Feng. In China they use the family name first.

I always like talking to my students from Harbin. I have many stories to tell, but the one for tonight is the day I asked them why they all chose English names. I never really got a great reply except that when dealing with people from North America and Europe, it was easier to have a western name.

Then one of them asked me if I had a Chinese name. I think my laughter could be heard all around Harbin. Why would I have a Chinese name, especially when I still don’t think they need to have English ones?

I told them I didn’t, but invited them to make one up for me. The name they chose for me was Lee (or Li, I’m not sure) Lehr. Then somebody explained how they came up with this name.

They chose the family name, Lee, because it is one of the most common in China. It is the equivalent of Smith.

The “Lehr” part has something to do with smiling. They said they chose this for me because I seemed to be always happy. And I was.

I truly live in the lap of luxury in Canada, but when I think of my days in Harbin, they were among the happiest I ever had in my life. Each day was filled with adventure and joy. I don’t think my students could have picked a name for me that would make my happier than the one they chose.

It is always lovely when somebody pays you the compliment of looking you up after so many years. It shows you are not forgotten.