Naming - Have we lost part of our culture?

It's always very difficult choosing your child's name. It's the one thing that they will be identified by for the rest of their lives. No pressure! So how do you choose? Some people choose based on the sound of the name or others the 'convenience'. For example people would sway from choosing a name like Wilhelmina because it is hard to spell.
      But in the past names were chosen from their meaning. This is still popular practice in cultures like Chinese. It is shown that in many ancient cultures parents believed that a child's name would determine their future.  For example, taken from ancient Celtic tradition, Iestyn meaning archer. A popular meaning was warrior as warriors were highly valued people in society then. Meanings weren't just proffessions either, but personality traits too. These are the meanings we are mainly left with today.
        Another ancient tradition is a naming ceremony. Still in the twentieth century was it popular to have a christening for new-borns. In my opinion it is very nice to celebrate not just the word that will stay with your child for ever more but at the same time celebrate the birth of the child, with  all your friends and family. I am not saying we should all take advantage of a Christian ceremony. But perhaps there should be an equivalent that does not directly involve religion.


Interesting info:The name Boudicca means victory. It is disputed whether this meaning aroused after the famous Celtic queen Boudicca or whether she was purposely called that by her parents who had high hopes for her. 

Pea Salad

Do not worry about quantities when doing this. Like in any salad it is about personal taste. Just mix up the following ingredients to taste and serve: 

• Peas (better fresh from the pod)
• Mint (shredded
• Pumpkin seeds
• Olive oil
• Lime juice
• Salt
• Rocket (not too much of  this)

And if you like sprinkle parmesan on top! Enjoy!

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

Inspiration for Book

Michael Morpurgo has loved elephants all of his life since his mother repeatedly read him the stories of the 'Elephant's Child and the 'Jungle Book' as a child. He heard the story on the news of a women who worked in the zoo in Ireland. The owner of the zoo anounced that if and when the city was bombed then all the large animals would have to be shot in case they got free. The women cared very much for one baby elephant and got permission to take it home. Michael also knew about the mass evacuation from the city of Dresdern in Germany. He was inspired by both these stories and incorporated it all into one. One day some of his friends visited. One of them was part German. He told her about the story he was writing. She got very excited and told him that her Grandma had left an account of when she was part of that mass evacuation from Germany. 

Chapter Summaries

Part 1 Ring of Truth

Chapter 1: A nurse in a nursing home brings her son Karl to work. She finds him in one of the patient's (Lizzie) room. Karl comes back for another visit again. Lizzie is slightly senile but begins to tell them about the elephant that was in her garden long ago. No one has believed her till now. Karl does but the nurse is not so sure.

Chapter 2: Lizzie talks about her brother Karli who asked many questions and had a limp. Her parents argue with her aunt and uncle who they are living with.

Covers

Above you can see the two covers that the book has.

Body Shop Instructions

So many people are often confused as to how to apply body shop products as it does not seem to be written on the labels. There is in fact instructions underneath. All you have to do is peel it off where it says. However I have posted some of the instructions here in case you want to know now!

Nail and cuticle treatment: Soak your hands in warm water until soft. Apply with the brush. Push back your cuticles using rubber top. 

Blemish gel: Apply generously to blemished areas.