Standardized Testing for Homeschoolers? Homeschool Update

 

Well, the time has come that I have dreaded for years. It is to give my oldest her standardized test. Here in the Belly of the Beast state, it is required to be given and sent with her final report for grade 5. I don't think they are necessary. To me, it puts the child in a boxed corner. Like a competition almost. It's like I have to rate her and I don't like it, however, we are still here so I have to do it. I know she will do well on her test, so I guess the problem is me. Did I teach her all the information? Did she retain it? Was I a good teacher? Etc. All these questions in my mind caused me to believe I wasn't a good enough teacher. However like I said in Monday's post, I am not going to give in to fear. I know she got this. Once she does accomplish this we are taking the entire summer off, just to enjoy ourselves from the load of school. So send positive thoughts her way, because her test is in a few days. Cheers to her for passing this test in advance🥂❤️💪.

*Update: Life has caused me to give her the test earlier, and she passed with flying colors, dogs, cats, and various raccoons. We are exhausted from the test. Me prepping her, and her for sitting through it to take it. But I'm proud of her and we will be enjoying our full summer break😎🎉🥂. 

To Publish in Power or Not?

Haylo everyone. So I have an opportunity to publish the second book that I am currently working on. The first book I didn't publish, I gave it away freely. So now I am wondering if I should go forth with it. It's scary to jump into something new like self-publishing. I don't want to step out if it's not worthy. I guess we all have our doubts, and this is one of mine in this season. With so much writers out here, and now with the internet, alot of people don't take time to read poetry. So at times I wonder if I am helping anyone. So this is a tough decision for me. But, I am thinking that if this is for me, it will be and everything will work out how it's supposed too. Well thank you all for listening to me. ❤️🙏

❤️5 Money Savings Tips While Living on One Income❤️

So with all the talk of inflation and societal changes, I thought I would share how we live on one income so I can stay home with the children. Now this may not be for everyone and that's okay. But I am just sharing some things from my perspective. We have tried many ways to do this and here are a few that work. 

1) We buy in bulk 

Buying main items in bulk has helped save a lot of money because there is no big major shopping very often. The things we buy are rice, noodles, quinoa, etc. Like the main dish type of thing. For other perishable items, we go to the local market for it. 

2) Laundry by hand 

Yes I know, the thought right? But with inflation making everything go up laundry costs go up as well. So we use a hand washer that is effective in cleaning all of our clothes. Now if it gets too much I do go to the laundry. But when I am on top of it it's not too bad.

3) Buying laundry detergent in bulk 

This has been a huge lifesaver. When we buy a big jug of detergent it can last for up to a year. I use it for everything as well to help cut costs.

5) Walking lol 

I have boycotted the trains in NYC because it is straight trash. So we stay local if we want to go anywhere or hitch a ride from a brother of ours. I like being driven around anyway😁

For now, I will leave those tips. I am not a financial advisor, but I hope my suggestions can help someone. If you have any money-saving tips feel free to comment below🙏❤️

The risk of using chatgpt

Haylo, so I started using Chatgpt. I like using this as a help to my homeschool. The older my children get, the more requirement and study is needed. So chatgpt has been a help to organize. However, there is another side to it. This actually can write poetry, rap rhymes, and other things that are supposed to come from the heart. We played around with it last week and it was hilarious, but it was empty. You can tell the difference between a genuine piece of writing, and empty cold word writing. So with that being said, it can be used as a substitute, but it can never substitute the personality and heart of the person who genuinely loves to write. I hope I have provoked thought in someone's mind today. Be carefree and have a great day 🕊️

Check out my book review !❤️

"I can't lie it took me a few sessions to read it but each time I feel like a deeper connection to you as a creative. 

It gave me the fuel to create a YouTube video 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

Girl don't be surprised if your content is referenced within mine, I really felt myself relax reading through it. 

The fact that it's in presentation form was like an aha moment. You really took it to another level with that.

But thank you for sharing your gift with all of us. 

You are amazing! 

Continue to be full of Yah 🙌🏽"

Edited to protect identity. 

This is is exactly the feedback that is needed. It encourages me because I know that a few people are reading the book. In the process of reading, they felt inspired to create and go forth. Thank you dear for taking the time to read the book, providing feedback, and stepping out to create. ❤️😉

Moving On?

Happy Monday. So I had so many different thoughts for the past few days. I was thinking if I should move to another platform. Blogger is awesome in its particular ways, however, I want to expand my writings to a bigger platform. I think I can go forth and create and focus on growth through writing. So, I am still thinking about it because change is not always easy. Working on the blogger site is simple, safe, and sweet. However, I feel it's not as open for me to do what I need to so I can expand. So this is a short one today, but the lesson I am learning in this season is to go forth and create, and if that means moving on then so be it. So if everything lines up for me to cross the ocean then I will be leaving Blogger. Well, I hope you all have a creative day. 

The importance of social media breaks

Haylo👋 So there have been so many things happening in the world of social media. I know myself, if I am not careful I could become overwhelmed by it all. Social media can be such a useful tool, but also exhausting. So at times, it's best to pull back from it and just breathe. There are alot of changes happening in the world and we have to be ready for them. There are things I do want to accomplish so our household can be ready for such changes. These include food shortages, water shortages, Emp, and inflation rates. Sometimes with social media platforms in the way, it can become a distraction. For many, I believe this week is spring break. Go outside, enjoy your family, and enjoy different available activities. Lastly, use the tool as a learning device, don't let it use you😉. 

My small book of quotes the beginning

"Depression has no facial expressions. It can smile all day and laugh and the eyes that see it will think wow she's so happy..but only if you can see the darkness and isolation hidden in dark brown pupils that became death from stress. If only people  could see that her life is not as simple as it seems...if only...they noticed that the hope she was holding on to has finally dissipated, and maybe the creator will come searching for her since no one else will..."©️

"Life is full of illusions, but in reality, it's a cesspool of hell"©️

"This world has become a freezer, it was only a matter of time before I join them"©️

"When you look in the mirror, I hope you see, that once the water evaporates that same water will never return" ©️

~Aniyah InYah©️

             

Bitterness epidemic=crack epidemic

To heal naturally from bitterness is like going through withdrawal. From my observation, it looks like death trying to hold onto its rightful place. It eats you up from the inside out. It changes your appearance. Your body starts to decay. So going through the withdrawal process, death is fighting to hold on, and rightfully so. You may go through stages of depression, anxiety, and severe pain. However, it's a process that has to take place to be set free. Is it easy to do? No, it's not. Especially if it seeps into your soul because of the continued pain. When I finally let go of people that no longer serve a purpose in my life then the healing will be more effective. Bitterness has made me so tired. Tired of the state of people's mindsets. So with that, I'm saying peace to bitterness and I am choosing myself finally.❤️🙏The withdrawal process will be painful, but if I am going to survive this life healthy, then I have to start pouring into myself. 

"Don't be bitter, but be better" C.D.

Waiting through the struggle (Bonus post)

🔥A short story for those who feel lost, and no longer have hope🔥Please just hold on, as I hold on as well. ❤️🙏

The Sun says to the clouds, "Why do you look so full of anger today?" The Cloud responds, "Well I have alot of tears that needs to be released, but I was told it's not time for the rain yet." The Sun responded, "Well we were created to do as we are told. We hold no power in ourselves." The cloud replies, "But do you see that woman right there? She needs the rain so she can cry her tears." "Nope," says the Sun, "she must wait. She was created to wait on others as well as nature, so she must be patient." It finally rains so the cloud is free of his anger. The woman is grateful for the rain. She sits in the rain and contemplates her life, wondering why her life feels robotic and stagnant. She cries a painful sob from deep within. She's grateful that it didn't rain the other day because if it had rained, she would have ended it all. She no longer cared about people, because no one cared for her. She felt hopeless, drained, and lost all empathy she once carried inside. She felt she was The Scarecrow, The Tin Man,  and The Lion all at once, with no brain, no heart, or no courage. So had it rained that day, she would stand out in the ocean and wait for the strike of lighting to hit her. The Sun explained this to the cloud and he understood the importance of waiting. Had he moved earlier than what he was told, he would have played a role in her death. So even though it was raining today, she now has a better perspective on life and will go forward to maintain the things she feels she lacks. The end🙏

Fair use for educational purposes 

If you believe The Wiz 1978

https://youtu.be/DHzx2P4x63c

Journey to the future

My journey to the future is everyday 

So daily I think of a better way 

A better way to function 

Because I recognize my dysfunction 

Which will lead to my destruction 

So I strive to see through obstruction

And have better production 

My journey to the future is everyday 

So I strive to love 

In a world that has none 

My journey is not an easy one 

As I watch people become undone 

A people that had hope 

But lost it due to the dope 

That was given to us by a pope 

Who wanted to see the destruction 

Of a collective that had production 

Now please don't be offended friend 

This is just my observation until the end 

My journey to the future is right on time 

Through writing, I can heal myself 

And possibly a nation 

If I keep the dedication 

And people let go of their dysfunction 

My journey to the future will force me to grow 

So I must be cautious of the things I sow 

So I march on forward 

And see what im going toward 

Understanding that my journey to the future is here now.🙏