N = Name

N is for Name

(A-Z Theme: Changes through history)

Name (n): a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.

Ahh, but what's in a name? I believe lots. Names have changed through history, some evolved, other completely disappeared, and other make comebacks once in a while. A name in a novel can have a great meaning. For example, in my current WIP I use Ty as short for Tybalt. Anyone who's read Rome & Juliet will know to equate that name with betreyal. Will the character live up to it? Most likely yes:)

Following is a list of names which have lasted through decades and are still popular today:

Male:

John

William

James 

George

Charles

Joseph

Frank

Harry

Henry

Edward

Female:

 

Mary

Elizabeth

Anna

Margaret

Emma

Rose

Ethel

Florence

Ida

Helen

Juliet: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."  W. Shakespeare

Do you have a favorite name? Is there a history why your name was chosen?

M = Me!

This is the only post (other than than IWSG) for the A-Z Challenge I'm not doing about technology because:

M is for Me: Marta

Here are the 10 things you most likely don't know about me:

1. I also write under a different pen name.

2. Szemik is not my legal last name, but it wouldn't be hard to find my real name. Marta is my real first name.

3. I do not wear PJ's to sleep - T-shirts is my style (but from time to time I do make an exception for the hubby ; D

4. English is not my mother tongue and I used to speak French, which isn't my mother tongue either.

5. If my parents had not immigrated to Canada, I could have been a professional skiier (key word is could:)

6. At age of 7 I took 3rd place for GS skiing competition for age group (5-16) When in high school I took 4th place in GS skiing competition for all Catholic high schools in the Province of Ontario (Canada). Very proud of this until this day! Was off by 0.3s from third! Ok, too much bragging.

7. I have a Honours BA degree in Economics with an area of concentration in Financial Analysis

8. At one point I taught securities courses to future brokers (but I am in no way responsible for the financial crisis). I enjoyed the job a lot, because I was good at it!

9. I cannot start a morning without a cup of coffee.

10. I have a full time job as a real estate sales rep.

So, did you learn something new? Feel free to tell me something I don't know about you in the comments.

L = Love

L is for Love
(Theme: changes through history)

Love (n): 1.a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

Yes, even the way we express Love has changed throughout history. (source)

* people are more expressive
* kissing in public (think about it - would it have happened 50-100 years ago?) Don't know, me neither, but I don't think as much as today



One thing that hasn't changed though, is that everyone needs a little love <3


What do you love most in life?

K = Knowledge

K is for Knowledge
(Theme: changes through history)

Knowledge (n): 1. acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition: knowledge of many things.

Remember when Earth was flat? No? That's a good thing. (source)

What about when we thought the sun revolved around Earth and we were the center of the universe? (I still sometimes think I am the center, but I have to succumb to the truth of science) (source)

More recent discoveries where human knowledge can be seen to have evolved:

- Pluto is not a planet

- Hybrid cars

- Solar panels

- iTechnology (see my I post) and technology in general

I'm sure you can add to this list of evolving human knowledge. Try it in the comments:

J = Jackets

J is for Jackets
(Theme: changes through history) 

Jacket (n):  1.a short coat, in any of various forms, usually opening down the front.

I could bore you with the history of jackets and how the word came from French, but I'm not going to. Instead, I'll share my most memorable jacket:

The Bomber Jacket! I had a black one with an orange lining.

 (source: Wikipedia)

And for the fun of it, here is a sexy jacket I'd like to buy: 

 (source)

 And a guy in a sexy jacket, just for good measure ;) 

(source)

Do you have a favorite jacket?  

(FYI: This was the hardest letter of the alphabet for the A-Z Challenge for me) 

I = iEverything

I is for iEverything (source for all photos)
(Theme: changes through history - though this history is short)

iEverything: This is where I usually post a definition for the word, but as you can see, this word is self explanatory :)

It started with the iPod

 Then came the iPhone:

Followed by the iPad

Rumor has it iTV is next.  Me, iWish I could have an at home iHelp button which could upload me with iInfo on how iCan best use all the technological tools and resources. So for now, iStay away from too much iStuff. (But secretly iItch to buy an iPad and my iItch is growing)

iDone with my I :D


What is your iWish?

H = Home

H is for Home
(Theme: changes through history)

Home (noun, adj, adv, verb):  a house, apartment or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family or household.

It all started with caves.
(source)

As humans evolved, so did their home.
 (source)

Those lucky in this world live have some sort of shelter,
(source)










 which they call home.
(source)









Others, still use cardboard and plywood or a heating vent of an intersection. That makes me sad :(

To me, home means safety, happiness, fortune, love, protection, family.


What does the word home mean to you?