Tag: #forteenagers

Who’s Ready for Highschool? | How to Get Prepared — Reblog

Q'ZionLeave a comment

A/N~ Happy Saturday, everyone! Let. me. tell. you. Today was a busy day, for me. Still, I decided to reblog this super fun post of mine to help out 8th and 9th graders to prepare for high school, since most schools are already/almost back in session. I hope you all enjoy it!

When you’re in 8th grade, it can be a lot to think about your future. It’s the last year of middle school, a.k.a. the time in your life where you start thinking about college and what career you want to pursue, all while trying to find out more about yourself and how you are changing. I know that it can seem like a lot sometimes. However, as a soon-to-be-freshman myself, I’m here to tell you that everything will be okay! We just need to get prepared. And here’s how!

1.) Make Sure You Have a Consistent Schedule to Better Suit the Upcoming Changes ~ Highschool is nothing to be afraid of. Still, it’s a new chapter of our lives that requires preparation. And that means a schedule that will better suit the changes. In high school we will have new classes, teachers, peers, schools and our grades begin setting deeper footprints. This means that we need to make sure that we have routines that will give us plenty of time to stay productive during weekdays.

2.) Pay Attention to Academic Areas that Need Improving ~ Most of us have at least one favorite subject. And along with that, there might be some subjects that you feel like you could improve in. Now is the time to put those feelings into action. If we go through the process of getting more comfortable with the subjects that we need help in, we are setting ourselves up for success in the future and in life.

3.) Maintain Good Study Habits ~ One of the biggest differences in high school vs. middle school is the amount of work. High school is when we really start to prepare for our future, so why not start early? Maintaining positive and stable study habits will help prepare us for what’s to come, making the load lighter when high school is in session.

Recommended Post: How to Stay Organized as a Virtual Student

4.) Ask For Help If (and When) You Need It ~ At one point or another, we’ve all had to ask for help, whether it was from God, a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even our communities. And if there’s any stage in our lives that we need to ask for help, it’s probably now. New stages can be exciting, but for others they can be nerve-wracking. So, whenever you need a helping hand to lay on your shoulder during this time of transition, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Asking for assistance is a skill that we will need to use in all stages of our journeys as people and individuals.

5.) Create an Organized Workspace ~ While study habits are important, the only way that we can study effectively is if we have a constant place to do so. When you come home from school (or when you do your work if you’re homeschooled, like me) it makes it much easier to focus when you have an effective study space to get the job done.

6.) Get Your Priorities in Check ~ Prioritizing what we find the most important in our lives is crucial to preparing for grade 9. Peer pressure is just about everywhere in most public schools, so make sure that you are in check with what and whom you should spend your time. High school is all about preparing for adulthood, and while we still have time left before then, making priorities are a must for another successful school year!

7.) Relax~We Got This! ~ No matter what, remember that as long as you give it your all, you’ve got it together! You are capable. You are smart. You will succeed. You are getting better every day. You got this! Don’t forget to say these things to yourself whenever you need some words of encouragement. We can’t overlook mental health! <33

This guide for How to Prepare for Highschool was such a blast to create! I’m super excited for what high school has in store for me, and I hope that now you are, too. Don’t forget that with effort, the willingness to ask for help, positive affirmation, and academic preparation, high school will be smooth-sailing. All we need to do (besides these tips) is relax and enjoy what’s soon to come!

For more amazing content like this, please follow my blog for notifications every time I post another masterpiece.

Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in! ✨

National Apple Pie Day (+ my original poem)

Q'ZionLeave a comment

Literally a month ago (April 13th) I was inspired to write a poem about apple pie, since Goodmommy had just bought us one for the first time in a little while. Ironically, today happens to be National Apple Pie Day. Apple is one of my favorite flavors of pie, right after sweet potato. To celebrate this delicious National Day, I will be sharing my original poem “Old-Fashioned Apple Pie.”

Although this will be the second time that I posted this poem on my blog–and you can view the first time by clicking HERE–I wanted to incorporate it into this post to celebrate the National Day and give any of you who have yet to read my poetry a chance to do so.

A golden shell
flakes away
As warm, bright apples 
dance along my tongue
Criss-crossed crust
Gaps every couple bites
Sweet mingles with succulent
In an old-fashioned 
apple pie

In my mouth
the dessert takes flight
Like a butterfly that flutters with grace
Across the light blue sky
Every bite makes you want another
It’s hard to say goodbye
To the perfect treat to munch
On a friendly,
family Sunday brunch

And when the journeys over
You look down at your plate
And see nothing but humble crumbs

— “Old Fashioned Apple Pie” by Princess Q’Zion, written on April 13th, 2022. All Rights Reserved.

It’s really nice when you write something, let it sit for a little while, and then return to it with a fresh mind. I find it almost like how a home-cooked meal tastes better after the flavors blend over time. Now reviewing this creation, I begin to appreciate it more. For my first ever free-verse poem–which is drastically different compared to the tight rhyme schemes that I usually incorporate into my other poems–I truly think that this is spectacular. (Thank God!)

Hopefully this will inspire you that not only is it good to try new things at times, but also that when it comes to writing, sometimes we just need to take a break. And when we’re done, go back and review what we created.

Today’s advice: It makes it easier to see the beauty in your creation when you simply let it sit.

Thank you so much for reading! Have a blessed day, and may God bless you all! ✨

Prayer is a Powerful Weapon – Words of Wisdom #14

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What is prayer? And furthermore, how do you pray?

Prayer is a huge part of Christianity.And if you’re anything like me, you pray every single day, multiple times a day. Chances are, you’ve heard the word prayer several times in your life. But have you ever really learned what the true definition of prayer actually is?

For this addition of Words of Wisdom, in celebration of the National Day of Prayer (May 5th), I will be sharing why prayer is so much more than bowing your head and putting your hands together. Prayer is having a conversation with God; it is a resource, a weapon that God has equipped us with. But it’s up to us to use it. Let’s get started! 🙏

How Do You Pray?

Matthew 6:9-13
"This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

The reason why I feel like this scripture is important is because it explains exactly how we need to pray, even in today’s time. Here is a breakdown of what this scripture reveals about the power of prayer.

  • “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” — first of all, it is important that we acknowledge that we are talking to the Lord. In this way we are giving our conversation with Him our undivided attention. Prayer is our spiritual and intimate time with God. Therefore, we need to remember to stay focused on Him, when we do pray.
  • “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” — this is how we say, “let God’s will be done,” as we are admitting that God’s way is the best and only way.
  • “Give us today our daily bread.” — a huge part of prayer is to ask God to bless us. If we have the desire for something, we need to humble ourselves and request it of our Heavenly Father. He already knows what we need. But He also wants us to come to Him so that He may meet those needs. Never forget that while we can give out requests, we should also thank God for what He has and is blessing us with.
  • “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” — in prayer, we must be sure to ask God for forgiveness of our sins. And in order to gain God’s forgiveness, we need to forgive others that have sinned against us. In order to be forgiven, we must forgive. (Matthew 6:14-15)
  • “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” — prayer is a weapon because it is a way for us to protect ourselves against the temptations and attacks of the enemy. As we ask God for Him to deliver us, we can be released from the attempts of the enemy to distract us from the Lord and all that He has in store for us.

What are the Benefits of Prayer?

Although I already talked about some of the reasons why prayer is powerful, I would like to wrap up these Words of Wisdom with just a few of the endless benefits of prayer.

  • Prayer helps strengthen and further develop our relationship with God.
  • Prayer gives us the answers that we need.
  • Prayer helps us resist giving into temptation.
  • Prayer can ignite miracles.
  • Prayer gives us inner peace.
  • Prayer allows us to lift up other believers, and whoever God puts on our hearts and minds.

If you get nothing else from today’s post, just remember this: we are able to talk to God 24/7. He is never too busy, and He is always anticipating our call. He has given us a gift to be able to access Him in all times of need. And we must admit that even if He doesn’t answer in the way we expected He will always answer. God is good like that.

So never take the power of prayer for granted; because prayer is a powerful weapon.

God bless you all! I’ll see you next time! ✨

My Role Model (and why we all need one) ♡

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Almost everyone has (or has had) a role model during their formative years. Many adults will recall a person who they looked up to and helped them become the person they are to this day. Our role models are the people who help form us into responsible adults and help prepare us for the real world. That’s exactly why every kid and teenager needs a good role model in their life.

Now, some of you may wonder who my role models are. Although Jesus himself is the role model for all of us, and the generations who will follow, I believe that God always puts at least 1 person in our lives to be a second role model. For me, that person is Goodmommy, my grandmother and guardian who I love very dearly.

What I love about Goodmommy so much is that she is a Godly woman. Throughout her life, her joys and trials were God’s way of teaching her, not only so she can be knowledgeable, but also that she may pass on the wisdom that God has given her by instilling it in me. That is why I am so thankful to Him for placing this role model in my life: He knew exactly who I needed to be my example. 💖 Thank you, Jesus! 💖

Goodmommy is and will always be one of my best friends (right after Jesus and myself.) Not only do we do everything together, but she is always a joy to be around. There are very few instances that we are together without filling the room with laughter. No matter what, even with our very rare disagreements, we always come back together again, apologize, and continue in love. Every day is a day of love, joy, and laughter.

Role models can come in many forms. While some look up to their parents or grandparents, others may see an older sibling or a friend as their role model. Just keep in mind that even though we all have positive role models, there is a such thing as a negative role model, too. In everything, make sure that the people you surround yourself with are willing to invest in you to be the best person that you can be.

The people that will stay by your side (through your joys AND your trials) are people worth keeping around. Thank them for being your role models; we never know when our last chance to do so will be.

LET’S CHAT~Who is your role model? What’s an important lesson that you’ve learned from them?

Thank you so much for joining me today! God bless you all and I’ll “see” you next time! ✨

My summer break has started; I’m done with 8th grade!

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A crucial part of my virtual public schooling is our Pace Chart, which is basically a guide that tells us which assignments we need to submit each week to keep a steady pace. One of the factors that I love about my school is the amount of flexibility; even though we need to follow the pace chart, we are also able to get ahead of pace in order to finish our courses early.

Now, I love school and all, but if I can have a longer summer break, then I’m all for it.

Due to having more time in my schedule after I finished my elective courses early on, I was able to get well beyond the assignments for the week. This means that (aside from my final Module discussions with my teachers and segment exams for 2 subjects) I am done with middle school! This school year went by so fast, but I’m thankful that I was able to pass with all As! ✨ YAYYYYYYY! ✨

I am still attending my daily live lessons for all of my main courses, mostly to prepare for the upcoming FSA, SSA, and EOC tests. Still, completing all of my required assignments for the year is a big weight off of my shoulders. I thank God, Goodmommy, and everyone who has supported me throughout this school year for their love and encouragement. I’m excited to see what high school has in store for me. ❤

Related Post: How to Stay Organized as a Virtual Student

Although the post that you see the link to above was aimed toward other people who attend school virtually, many of the tips can also apply to in-person public school students, so feel free to check that post out. Additionally, here are 3 ultimate tips that can help you get/stay on (or ahead of) pace to set you up for success as a student and a person.

Attend your classes everyday. This tip is kind of common sense, but I still believe it’s necessary to add to this list, considering that the reason why many kids fail their classes is because they simply don’t go to class. If we aren’t doing schoolwork and going to class on a daily basis, we won’t know what to expect on pop-quizzes, tests, and end of the year exams. Being present is a must for the best school experience possible.

Make sure you have a study space. Whether you are a virtual student and you work at your in-home study space daily, or you need a place to do your homework after school, every student should have a designated study space. It can be a lot easier to focus on your schoolwork or homework when you are constantly doing it in one spot every day. Eventually, your study space will help you keep your work stored in an orderly fashion. Organization is key!

Get 8 hours of sleep a night; just not in class. The amount of sleep that we get every night can have a huge effect on our attention spans. Therefore, to avoid dozing off in class, make a daily schedule that allows you to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. A healthier body = a healthier mind.

I hope you learned something from this short and sweet post. We only have a month left of this school year, which is a little hard to believe. But don’t worry–with some hard work and faith, we are sure to succeed!

Have a beautiful day, everybody! Remember that every moment is a blessing; God bless you all! ✨

7 Things that I’ve Learned Since I’ve Bought My (Third) Betta Fish – Reblog

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Author’s Note: Hey, y’all! Today is National Pet Parents Day, so I will be reposting some things that I’ve learned since I got my betta fish Peace. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! ❤️

It’s been a little while since we’ve gotten Peace (about two months or so.) And I must admit that the time has went by so fast! Since I’m able to stay downstairs, where Peace is located, while I do my schoolwork, we have already been able to create a bond. Getting to know him and the different parts of his big (but sweet) personality makes my heart content.

Despite the fairly short time that I’ve had him, I’ve learned a lot about the evolution of betta fish and the type of care that they need to keep them happy. Here are 7 of the lessons that I’ve learned since getting my third betta fish. This post is for current betta fish keepers, potential future betta fish owners, and even those who are just curious to see the care that these small but beautiful fish need.

1. A heater is a must.

Since bettas are tropical fish, it is required to get a heater that will keep your aquarium water evenly distributed with heat. In the wild, bettas are found in places with a temperature between 75-82 degrees. Therefore, when you get a pet betta, it is crucial that you keep the temperature (from minimum to maximum) 75-85 degrees to keep them comfortable in their environment.

2. Healthy bettas are very interactive.

When most people think of teaching a pet tricks, they will likely think of, let’s face it, a dog. While you might not be able to touch your betta as you would a mammal companion, you can still teach them tricks and play with them. Bettas are highly intelligent, therefore, similarly to a goldfish, you can teach them how to swim through hoops, jump to fetch their food from your fingers, and push a ball–either moss or ping-pong–across the top of the tank. When you put the time and love in, bettas can be super interactive, sweet, and loving pets!

3. There is a such thing as overfeeding.

Some bettas have stomachs that are smaller than their eyes, which, if you aren’t aware, are super tiny. This means that while you can feed them anywhere between twice a day to once every other day, you must do so with caution, as bettas can be overfed. This is why some betta owners let their fish fast once a week.

Still, keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave your betta at home or not feed your fish for more than 3 days, and if you ever do this, don’t do so often. While we as fish owners should avoid overfeeding, healthy and happy fish still need to be fed at least 6 days a week.

4. Many fish eat insects.

Bettas are actually known to eat insects, larvae and even other smaller fish, in their natural habitats. While most people tend to feed their betta pellets made from insects, it is a good idea to feed your betta live food such as blood worms or brine shrimp a couple times a week. Keep in mind that this is not required, but rather a couple alternatives if your betta doesn’t like pellets or flakes and/or you want to add a little more variety into his or her diet.

5. Aquarium plants (whether real or synthetic) serve for great places to sleep.

Personally, I see my betta sleeping next to or on top of the plastic plants in his tank quite often. To be honest, it’s probably one of the spots in his 3 gallon aquarium that he loves the most and spends the most time in. Many bettas sleep at night and periodically during the day, so don’t be surprised if you see your betta snoozing on some of the tank plants. 

Bettas can sleep in many different ways–some of which may look uncomfortable or strange–but this is a completely a normal behavior. So don’t panic if you see your betta being still or motionless for some periods of time. They’re likely just taking a nap. Just like we need our sleep, healthy bettas take naps and need their rest to remain happy and healthy. As long as you see their little gills moving at a steady pace, their is nothing to worry about.

6. Bettas get to know you through feeding times and frequent interaction.

Here’s me interacting with my fish baby, Peace. He loves to check out my fingers when I gently place my hand on his tank.

Believe it or not, bettas can grow to love their owners, and healthy betta fish should commonly swim up to the tank to see you and interact with you when you pass by. Most fish associate their owners with playtime, feeding time, as well as simple companionship and a source of love. Therefore, make sure that you give your betta attention throughout the day, give them plenty of things in their tank to interact with (without over-doing it or adding decor with ragged edges), and you will likely feel the connection between you and your fish grow.

7. Bettas can beg (even when they’re not hungry).

Okay, so Peace is a really awesome fish (if you can’t already tell) but he, as well as many other fish, are probably more similar to dogs than you might think. How, exactly? Well…they beg. You see, my betta will commonly stay at the top of the tank just before or after feeding time, which is two times daily. Considering that we feed him quite a decent amount, it is obviously that he isn’t hungry, but instead he just loves to eat.

So, if you see your betta begging, don’t get sucked in by their adorableness. In the wild, bettas will eat as much as they can, as they aren’t sure when their next meal will be. Similarly, healthy domesticated bettas will eat as much as you feed them, and may even ask for more, whether they are hungry or not. I know. It’s pretty crazy and hilarious at the same time.

I hope that these fun facts were very interesting and informative for you all. It was super fun to talk about bettas, which are honestly better pets then they might seem. 

Question of the Day: Do you have any pet(s)? Is there anything that you’ve learned after you got your pet(s)? Also, which fact in this post surprised you, if any? Please comment down below.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in! ✨

God blesses us so we can be a blessing – Words of Wisdom #13

Q'ZionLeave a comment 
Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Try to think of all the things in life to be thankful for….the truth is, there’s probably too many to count. And thank God for it.

Every second, minute, hour and day on this Earth is a blessing from the Lord. But the thing is, it’s one thing to be blessed, and it’s another to use your blessings to bless others.

How can we spread God’s love if we do things hoping for a selfish outcome? In order to be His examples as His children, we should be on the lookout for how we can invest in others, just like God has invested (and continues to invest) in us.

God may show us something or put something in our lives not only so that we may be blessed, but so that we may use it for His glory by doing something kind in the interests of others.

Keep in mind that blessing people is different from letting others take advantage of you. While giving is always a blessing from the Lord, the truth is that there can be people who we may encounter in life who might try to take advantage of our kindness. And if you ever encounter that type of person, always know that its okay to distance yourself from them, if needed. You don’t need to try to be friends with everyone in order to be respectful and kind towards them.

That being said, if you have extra food, why not give it to people who need it? If you have a day(s) on your calendar that are empty, why not take the opportunity to volunteer? If you feel really good today, why not show a smile? And if we can pray for our friends, why not pray for our enemies?

Genesis 12:2-3 New International Version (NIV)
 2 I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.

Being a blessing can come in many forms– a smile, a prayer, a hug, or even a few words of encouragement can do the trick. Even when you can’t do something big, do something small. It’s little things that add up.

The more God blesses us, the more we can be a blessing. So who has God placed in YOUR spirit to be a blessing to today?

One of the greatest parts of virtual learning: wearing pajamas

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Have you ever worn pajamas while working or at school? Whether you do so often because you do school/work at home or you’ve had a Pajama Day at school, chances are you have at least once in your life. If not, today might be a good day to do so if you are able to–it’s Wear Pajamas to Work Day.

Ever since COVID-19 started, you commonly hear people saying that they’ve worn a work outfit on top and pajama bottoms off camera. And while this was a comfy adjustment for many, one of the luxuries of attending a virtual public school is the ability wear my pajamas, when I want to.


Let’s be fair, pajamas are the ultimate clothing for a slow day of work or virtual school: they’re comfy, colorful, and most of all, convenient. So, if you work or go to school from home, consider spending some of your day in your PJs.

You could even have a pajama party with close family and friends: now that sounds exciting!

Aaannnddd, that’s all for today, folks! Thank you so much for reading and I’ll see you all next time! ✨

I got a gift for Easter…and I LOVE it!!! ♡

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In my family, it is a tradition to get a gift basket (or other present) to celebrate Easter. And although it isn’t set in stone, Goodmommy is always so sweet to do something special for both of us to enjoy. Although I love spending Easter simply surrounded by family and friends while celebrating the Lord, I must admit that this was a really sweet surprise!

As soon as I saw this, I thought that it was so adorable. You can tell that Goodmommy truly knows me and my style–whenever we surprise one another with something, we are bound to love it.

This cute new kit comes with this HUGE ceramic rainbow that says “DREAM BIG” on top. I love to keep my room (and our house, in general) filled with positive and motivational messages, so that was a detail that I noticed and fell in love with immediately. There are a total of 6 small paint containers (although I must admit that it was a pretty good amount for the scale of the rainbow.) And to add some shiny finishing details are 4 gold stars and 29 diamond-like jewels.

Unlike most of these kits, I didn’t do many changes at all to the color scheme. All I did was tweak the pinks and the blue, and the rest was smooth sailing. Overall, the solid-color paints had amazing coverage. Although, considering that I did add some of my paints in the paint that came with the kit, I’m not sure how much I would’ve had left without them.

The glitter paint looks very translucent on the first coat, but with about 2 or 3 layers, the glitter actually sticks to the surface really well! This has got to be one of my favorite things that I’ve ever painted. The jewels make it feel so luxurious, too.

As you can see, my finished product looks almost exactly like the example on the box. Besides the color tweaks, I also switched the order of the colors of the rainbow and put the dark pink outside and the light pink on the top stripe instead of the other way around. Although they aren’t drastic differences, I think they were worth the extra effort.

Thank you all so much for going on this art journey with me! And never forget, the more you practice at anything that you want to achieve in life, the easier it will be and the more you’ll love it! As the rainbow says, “DREAM BIG!”

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in! ✨

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie (my first free-verse poem) 🥧

Q'Zion2 Comments

To be honest, it’s been a minute since I’ve had any type of pie. At least that was the case until Goodmommy bought us an apple pie yesterday. And as you guys can see, it looked (and tastes) delicious! While we always make sure to keep plenty of snacks in the house, I will admit that the occasional pie (especially apple or sweet potato) is one of my favorite desserts.

If you haven’t been notified yet, April is considered National Poetry Month, so I see it as the perfect opportunity for me polish my poetic writing skills.

As some of you may have noticed, I usually write poetry with a specific rhyme scheme or order. This time, however, I am going to attempt writing a free-verse poem for the first time. It was a little tough to write a poem that does NOT rhyme; it’s kind of become a muscle memory.

But trying new things and getting outside of your comfort zone can be crucial to improving any skill. So I hope you all enjoy reading my poem!

A golden shell
flakes away
As warm, bright apples 
dance along my tongue
Criss-crossed crust
Gaps every couple bites
Sweet mingles with succulent
In an old-fashioned 
apple pie

In my mouth
the dessert takes flight
Like a butterfly that flutters with grace
Across the light blue sky
Every bite makes you want another
It’s hard to say goodbye
To the perfect treat to munch
On a friendly,
family Sunday brunch

And when the journeys over
You look down at your plate
And see nothing but humble crumbs

— “Old Fashioned Apple Pie” by Princess Q’Zion, written on April 13th, 2022. All Rights Reserved.

Well, the process of writing this work of art was a fun ride to say the least. It’s not often that I decide to write about food, so this was a challenge that I quite enjoyed. Learning how to write without having an assigned format is one way to step out the box, a little. And in my opinion, we all need that once in a while.

LET’S CHAT~Have you ever written a poem? If so, have you ever written free-verse?

Have a blessed day, everybody! God bless you all! 🥧