Wrapping Up

Wrapping Up
Winding Down
This Semester
Peace:It was good. Next semester should be better. I tend to slack at the end. I enjoyed reading Malcolm X. It is a good story. It teaches you a lot and is entertaining. I didn't like the questions that went with Stolen Legacy but I enjoyed the book. Math was ok. I am looking forward to next semester. I didn't care for my current math book, glad it is almost over. Thankful for my parents for putting me in Quantum classes. I enjoy going, I learn a lot and it is fun. The homework is hard.
I like my interactive goal chart, it helps; BUT I don't like having to do it every Sunday.
I am looking forward to a new math book and Quantum classes starting back up.

Peace Creating Her Interactive To Do List

Working on Poster

Black Hist Club Poster in collaboration with Yahnijah

Peace and Emiliano Grooving to His Wii

Presenting to grandparents

Faith:
It was good, looking forward to starting pre-algebra.
I enjoyed reading Malcolm X. Math was challenging but I got through it and now it is easier.
Very pleased with my crocheting. My stitches look more even and professional. And I learned to embellish my hats.
I am interested to find out what books you have us reading next semester.

Faith's decorated envelop to one of her pen pals

Faith working it out

working

looking for a button to add flavor to the hat

We play games for math on Thursdays. This is her favorite right now.

One of her hobbies, making doll houses and such from recycled materials.

Exploring at the Oakland Museum

Chilling with her mom

The Boy:
I enjoyed Time4Learning, math (I liked my math a lot), and boat making class. My writing has improved a lot. I like studying the Bible. The part that stood out the most to me is when Abraham was going to sacrifice his son. I think I learned more this semester. And I found some really fun, cool, and educational websites.
I don't really know what we are doing for next semester but I am looking forward to completing my math book and memorizing all my time tables. My mom says it should be like breathing. I can almost do them.

Making a paddle

Learning how to chisel

Friends

 proving my answer

Making Flashcards

About to test out paddle

Boat is almost complete.

The Boy making his own herbal concoction.

This semester went well, God willing, the next will be even better.

COMMUNITY

We want to give a BIG thanks to our loving and supportive community for helping us achieve our goal of raising money to get passports so we can finally take a trip abroad.

We normally have an Awesome chart hanging in our house. The awesome chart is where we post personal goals that we have accomplished that are awesome to the individual posting. For instance, it is NOT a place for me to post how awesome it is that Faith finished her current math book with an A- and will start pre-algebra next semester. It is a space where she can post that she is awesome because she learned how to crochet a star to add flair to the hats she makes. This month's chart is a little different.

We worked together to create a poster to tell all the communities we belong to thank you for supporting us. Whether it was by purchasing one of our products, giving a donation, helping us to advertise, or wishing us well in our endeavor. We are grateful. In addition to the trip we hope to take we have this to remind us of all the wonderful people we are surrounded by.

Good Times

I was asked to find a few photos and was blessed to get sidetracked by looking at a bunch of photos of when the children were younger. Those years were beyond special. I was trying to pick a few favorites but that proved to be impossible. I wouldn't want to bore you with fifty or so pictures so I am going to randomly pick 7. This is going to be difficult.

Act like I can't count and I hope I didn't bore you. I am not sure how I selected but this is what made the cut.

You Can Have My Vote

Today as I was washing the dishes and pondering the various issues in the upcoming elections, I asked myself am I taking educating my children too far.

Backing up a bit
Peace has been very interested in politricks, I mean politics, lately so we have been discussing. During one of our discussions I blurted out that if she researches the issues and can articulate why she would vote a particular way she can have my vote. She got pretty excited.

Now, (a week later), I am wondering... REALLY Erika?

I have settled on that I vote for her. Whatever I can do to help improve her mentally, physically, and spiritually I am all for it.

So Yes, Peace can have my vote. I am excited to see what and who she picks and why.

Going Abroad!!!!!

Greetings and Peace!
To The Folks in the Bay Area or those willing to advertise for us in the Bay Area...

Our two products: Laundry Detergent and Chinook Books

 We are officially set up to distribute Chinook Books. If you have no idea what the Chinook Book is please keep reading or check out this link. Chinook Book

In case you are wondering why we are selling the book. We are attempting to raise money to help us go abroad. We have been desirous for quite sometime to travel abroad but have not made it a reality. We are attempting to make it happen and would love your support in the effort. 
We have been very picky in what we have decided to use as a fund-raiser. We want products that we use ourselves and that are also guilt-free. I have personally purchased a Chinook Book ($20) for the past 3+ years and recouped my investment every time and believe you will as well. Hence, it is a win-win for both sides. This is my first year using the mobile app ($14) as this is also my first year having a smart-phone. I think both (book or app) are great deals. Below is a list of my favorites and I must admit, I mostly stay in the Grocery and Garden sections. However there are coupons in Dining, Entertainment and Family, Fashion and Gifts, Home & Garden, Travel and Recreation, & Wellness. They also have all kind of helpful tips and recommend earth friendly apps and such. Basically, it is a good product and I hope you purchase one from us. If you plan on getting the mobile app give me a call, I can get you started today.


-Chinook Book is a one-of-a-kind resource – a coupon book, a directory and source of ideas for living well and enjoying the best of what’s green and local in the East Bay.

-We are selling it to raise money for our school and to help connect the sustainable economy. Buy the print book for $20 or the mobile version for $14 and earn your money back while enjoying fabulous businesses that are making a difference.

-Valuable neighborhood offers include:

•      Ace
• Natural Grocer
• Piedmont Grocer
• Alameda Natural Grocer
• Monterey Market
• Diablo Foods
• Farmers Markets throughout bay area
• Lakeshore Natural Foods
• Farmer Joe's
• Grocery Outlet
• Andronico's
• Diablo Foods
• Arizmendi
• Cafe Gratitude
• Thrift Town
• Grand Lake Theatre
• Stonemountain & Daughters
• East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
• East Bay Nursery
• Wertbrae Nursery
• Flowerland
• Amtrak

Chinook Book makes a wonderful gift and it’s a great tool for exploring your community.


Learn more about what's inside and how the app works at bay.chinookbook.net

And of course, A BIG THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ALREADY!

Stanford Splash Reveiw

Last month I went to a middle school and high school program called the Stanford Splash. I really enjoyed it. Stanford Splash is a program for students at Stanford University where students come for two days to participate in a variety of classes. The Splash includes classes about filmaking,cake decorating, singing,wildlife, chocolate, and more. A few of the classes I took were: "The Chemistry of Chocolate", "The Secrets of Filmaking", "The Ethics of Medical Research", "Indian Rangoli", "Festivals of India", and "

Psychology and Decision-Making" just to name a few. I really liked participating in Stanford Splash and I definitely recommend it.

Book Review: How White Folks Got So Rich by Aminah Muhammad

     In history, my sister and I just finished a book called How White Folks Got So Rich: The Untold Story of American White Supremacy.  I really enjoyed reading it. Some of the things I learned are:

•  A black woman named Henrietta Lacks, died of cancer in 1951. Her family later found out that her very unique cells were being used for drugs.
•   In Holmesburg Prison, skin experiments were being done on the Black prisoners by cosmetic company scientists. 
• Prisoners earn 0.23 an hour, meaning American gets cheap labor from prisoners.
• Some of the companies that benefit from cheap labor are: IBM, Texas Instruments, Dell, Kmart, JCPenny, Honeywell, Microsoft, Motorolo, Chevron, McDonalds, Victoria's Secret and more. This is important because these stores are extremely popular so most of America buys merchandise that is made thanks to cheap labor and don't know it.

These things are, like the Holocaust, but while the Holocaust is known world wide, very few know of the suffering of Black people by the hands of the American government. I recommend this book to any and everyone.

Peace's Art

These are all pictures that I drew last week.

Barbie Friend or Foe?

By Aminah Muhammad
Barbie the toy young girls have played with for years. Over the years barbie has been made into more races and more careers. Including President Barbie, Beach Barbie, Alvin Alley Barbie, ect. Barbie has made even her own movies. Although, Barbie shows girls that they can take on any role they set their mind too. We have to ask ourselves is Barbie really are friend?
Bye Barbie
The media fl00ds us with the untrue idea that beauty is everything and Barbie only reinforces this idea. Every barbie is thin not even a little chubby & Barbie would have a 39 inch chest as a real woman. Also every Barbie has makeup why cant a girl be pretty without mascara? Over the years barbie has gotten less modest also telling girls that normal girls aren't modest. In the Barbie movies the main character is always a white skinned blond haired barbie. Why cant the main character be a Hispanic barbie. One day one of us may create a more realistic Barbie, but until then lets be our own role models.