March 5 - Learn What Your Name Means Day

March 5 - Learn What Your Name Means Day

Aly (short for Alyson, variant of Alice): truth, noble, or noble type

I found my name on Wikipedia, but there are many baby name websites that have the meaning and origin of first names.

As for last names, those may be trickier to define. Try some genealogy websites; I found mine on about.com. My last name is Polish, and translates as "little evening."

According to the website, my surname "may have been intended as a nickname for someone who was active or worked in the late afternoon or evening, or one who often held little parties in the evening."

What do your names mean?

December 10 - Learn a Foreign Language Month

December - Learn a Foreign Language Month

In case you aren't busy with all the holiday hoopla, why don't you take some time to learn a foreign language this month? If you started to learn Chinese last month, why not keep going? Or you could try another language. You could try to learn how to say, "Where is the bathroom?" in all the major languages of the world. This month, I'll be busy in the kitchen baking cookies, where I can listen to language podcasts while I work.

Have fun!

November 7 - Learn Chinese Month

November is Learn Chinese Month. I would suggest heading on over to Chinesepod.com immediately.

I have never before been interested in Asian culture, going to Asia, or learning an Asian language. When I saw that November is Learn Chinese Month, I surprisingly challenged myself to attempt to learn some basic phrases. Almost every day this month (so far) I have been listening to the podcasts at Chinesepod.com, and attempting to learn a little bit.

I do not know any Chinese people, nor do I foresee any possible need to know Chinese. But I considered this a growing experience and who knows – it may come in handy some day.

So far I can say “Hello, how are you? I’m fine, and you? I’m fine, thank you.” I’d at least like to be able to say please, thank you, where is the bathroom, etc. If I remember, later this month I will update you on my progress.