My Name: Kaitlyn

My name means “little darling?” Other sources disagree; my name either means “torture” or “one who is pure.” My name comes from Ireland, Greece, or England, three places that have always interested me. My name fits me, because it describes a person who is loud, and outspoken, and a bookworm. But the way I imagine a person named Kaitlyn, is someone who is mousy, quiet, and blonde. I am not mousy, definitely not quiet, and not blonde (though I may act like it sometimes). I like my name because it’s timeless. The name “Kaitlyn” could come from anytime in the history of the world. Also, my name sounds like it describes a bubbly, fun, happy person. “Kaitlyn” also sounds like an elegant, and graceful person; two things I’m definitely not.

Because I’ve always liked my name, it’s surprising that I constantly wanted to change it. I was obsessed with plant names, like Fern, Lily and Rose, for a while. I also really liked the name Cassidy, but spelled “Kasadie,” when I was nine or ten. Some of my nicknames include, Kaity, Kate, Kathy, and Kaitie-Kat. I’ve never really been teased about my name, but in 3rd grade I was called “Kaitie-Kaitlyn-Kyle-Princess-Has-leeches-in-her-lunch.” It’s a long story, but in a nutshell: I hated being called Kaity, I wanted to be called Kaitlyn, and my “male name” was supposedly Kyle. Then I thought I was royalty, and over Christmas break I left a bottle of orange juice in the classroom, and when I got back there were leeches in the bottle. The nickname was pretty much the events of my 3rd grade year summarized.

I was given my name, because my mom read a book when she was little, about a girl named Caitlin. She liked the name, and thought it was cute. When she was picking out names (while she was pregnant with me), she found the name Caitlin, but with a “k” (Kaitlin). She changed the last “i” to a “y,” and eureka! Kaitlyn (my name), is born! I really like my name, because it fits me, and all my memories revolve around my name: Kaitlyn.

Hercules' Journey

Hercules was born very strong, and very large. His father was Zeus, the great god of the sky: His mother, a mere mortal. Zeus’ wife, Hera, became extremely jealous, and in due time she fought for revenge. Hercules was raised as a prince, with tutors to teach him the ways of knowledge. Rhadamanthus, the great philosopher, to teach him wisdom. Linus to teach him music. And the great centaur, Chiron, to teach him sports. There was nothing he liked more than classes with Chiron. The centaur, his mentor, made him promise never to drink wine. Though at the time it made little sense to Hercules, he agreed.

Years passed, and Hercules married his half-sister, Megara, and had many children. His stepfather raised a toast to their kingdom, Thebes, and grew agitated when Hercules did not drink. After being pestered for some time, he agreed and downed his cup. He reached for all the cups on the table and drank them all. In his drunken rage, he killed not only his children, but also his wife and mother, leaving his father on the verge of a breakdown. When his drunken state passed, he realized the destruction he'd caused. He understood his wrong doings, and begged the gods to punish him fittingly.

Zeus was in despair. He did not want to kill his son, but he knew that Hercules had to be punished. Hera was pleased to be able to give Hercules the revenge he deserved. She suggested that he be made a slave to his cousin, King Eurytheus. Zeus consented. Hercules visited King Eurytheus, who gave Hercules the hardest tasks: Killing the Hydra, the Nemean Lion, the Bladebills, and countless others. Eventually, after Hercules had done everything requested of him, King Eurytheus’ spoiled oldest daughter invented many jobs for him. Hera watched all that Hercules did from Mt. Olympus, and was pleased with her scheming, glad to get the savory revenge she disserved.