"What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell just as sweet."
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet act II, sc. ii
Recently I've realized that my name is not as unique as I once thought it was. It's still strange to most westerners and even easterners, but no uncommon. The same mispronunciations, questions, awkward award ceremonies..... all these things I had come to know with my own unique name was no longer exclusive to me; I now shared those experiences with a number of other individuals, one of whom just happened to take my place as I left UCLA. Contemplating my own now shattered uniqueness, I was led to realize a name is only outward label. Who you are and what defines you as a unique individual, is not defined by a name, but it's who you are inside, how you carry yourself, your past experiences, dreams and aspirations and beliefs. These are the things that really define you as an individual and contribute to your unique place in history.