Haiti

It's still hard to believe that an earthquake occured in Haiti.  It's been 200 years since the last.  I didn't even know that Haiti had fault lines under it.  My heart hurts for the country, those who've died, the survivors and  family members who can't reach loved ones.  According to reports and photos, the devastation is indescribable.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.  The majority of the population lives below the poverty line.  Constant political unrest and numerous natural disasters have left the country barely surviving over the last few years.

Here in The Bahamas, we have strong ties to Haiti.  Not only are we neighbours, but many Haitians come here (many illegally) looking for a better life.  There is a rapidly growing Haitian-Bahamian population here.

Illegal immigration is many times a source of contention here in The Bahamas.  Many resources, financial and man power have been spent on controlling a sometimes thought of as uncontrollable situation.  The majority of those illegally entering the country are from Haiti.  As a result there are some negative attitudes toward Haitians and those of Haitian descent.

Right now, I do not wish to go any further on this subject.  Right now is the time for prayer.  Right now, is the time for compassion, charity, consideration and empathy.  Right now is the time to act. We are our brother's keeper, as we are all children of God.

Happy Birthday Ma

My Grandmother turned 93 yesterday.  She's in great health, with the exception of losing her eyesight a few years back.  She was widowed more than 34 years ago and never remarried.  She has travelled extensively and cared for many.  She is the root of our family.  From her came 10 children, 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. I love you Ma!

How Does Your Garden Grow? part3

Just a brief update from the garden.
Everything has been growing wonderfully.  I got my 1st harvest yesterday!

Carrots, lettuce, a beet and a few spinach leaves.

Outside of the Box

I've been homeschooling the boy going on three years. It’s been a rewarding experience and I would recommend that every parent, if the opportunity allows, should homeschool.
For Kindergarten, I used a reading program and printed things off of the internet from free websites. He started reading at four and now reads very well.
 For 1st grade, he's been using Calvert. Calvert is a curriculum that comes in a box with everything you will need for the school year. It covers all the core subjects along with Science and Social Studies. It's an excellent curriculum and I have seen the boy flourish since we've used it. I would recommend a boxed curriculum for new homeschoolers who aren't on solid footing and need extra guidance.
However, I have for a while now felt that this boxed curriculum isn't for us anymore. So we are going outside the box. I am officially ECLECTIC! And I Love it!

I have poured over my text choices and have decided on the following:
Singapore Math - Math
First Language Lessons - Grammar
Wordly Wise 3000 - Vocabulary
Writing with Ease - Writing
Spelling Power - Spelling
Explode the Code - Phonics
Noeo Chemistry 1 - Science
The Story of the World 1 - History, Geography and Literature
Drawing with Children - Art

We start using these this month.  I homeschool year round. If you've used any of these, feel free to leave a comment.

African Diaspora Reading Reading Challenge 2010

I happened upon this challenge by BrownGirl Speaks, and decided to participate.  I haven't been much of a reader in 2009. I used to love reading.  But like many other things, I allowed life to get in the way.  I'm hoping this will get me back into books again.

Here's the jist of it from BrownGirl Speaks:
The African diaspora speaks mainly to the dispersion of African descendants in the Americas and Europe due to the Atlantic slave trade…..So, for this challenge, books read will be by Black authors and set in Africa, North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean Islands, and Europe.

Now, for guidelines:
*This challenge will run from January 1, 2010-December 31, 2010
*Crossovers are allowed
*Fiction and nonfiction hard copies or e-books from any genre (no audio books)
*Participants should visit different geographical regions in their reading (i.e. not all African American or Afro-Brit or Haitian or any one group representing the diaspora)
*Levels of participation
Novice: commitment to read four (4) books
Versed: commitment to read eight (8) books
Scholar: commitment to read twelve (12) books

For more info, go to BrownGirl Speaks

I've decided to go in the Novice category. Only four books, i know.  But I want to start slow.  I hope to read more. 
These are my first two:
1.  White Teeth by Zadie Smith. It's been sitting on my bookshelf  for years.  I started reading it but never finished.
2.  If They Come in the Morning by Angela Davis.  I got this from my dad's collection after he passed away but never got to it.

Resolutions

I hate resolutions. So I won't make any.  Let's just say "Change will come."