What's in a Name?

The original form of my last name, Sherk, was O Searcaigh. This is a Gaelic name used in Ireland. It comes from the word "searcach" which means "loving". I think this very accurately describes my immediate family because we are very loving and affectionate towards each other. When looking at this character trait in the context of my extended family I still believe it fits but in a different manner. On my Dad's side, where the surname originates, people tend to be loving but more reserved in their expression of such emotion. I think this may have to do with the education level of my grandparents. They both have PhDs, which means that their personality is intertwined with their education. I think this because the "academic" type of person is stereotypically more serious and less expressive. My mom and dad, who did not receive four-year degrees, do not typically think of themselves as incredibly educated or smart. I think this is because of the stereotype that one needs a college degree to be "smart". I am glad that my parents don't take themselves too seriously because it is exactly what makes them so unapologetically honest, loving, and wise.

My name is very easily shortened. In my case, it is often shortened to Bella. My family has always called me Bella, but at school and in all other aspects of my life I have always been known as Isabella. When I was little, I believed my varying names gave me a double life most reminiscent of Hannah Montana. I was living "the best of both worlds" by utilizing two different variations of my name. In this time period, I was "two": the person I was with my family and the person I was with my friends. Individuality can easily be lost, or found, in a group setting. In many situations, people can morph based on the group of people they are with. This is the ultimate dilemma because it can be hard to maintain your individuality within a group setting because society tells us we should try to fit into a group. If you don't fit into any group, society sees you as an outcast. 

I experienced this divide between two worlds when I was younger. At home, I was loud and outrageous. At school,  I was quieter and reserved. I think that this divide lessened to a degree once I stopped trying to fit in with people I just didn't mesh well with. Once I found my true friends, I stuck with them. I was able to be myself. As a result, I stopped being quiet in school and learned to love my inquisitive and energetic nature.