Who knew TROUTMAN would be so hard to understand...

In Slovakia it is custom to put -ova at the end of a woman's last name. For example, Mr. Smith's wife would be Mrs. Smithova. Except that you would never, ever meet a Smith over here... that is unless they were American of course.

Well, anyhow, in the month that I have been here - that's right, it's been a month - I have learned that my last name causes some problems over here. And by problems, I mean that most people don't spell it right. I don't mind you putting -ova at the end of my name. I completely understand that. I don't want people thinking I'm a dude either, especially since there are so many male Laura's out there. All I ask is that when I am spelling out my name for you, you pay attention and write it down correctly. Is that too much to ask? I think not.