Tag: teen blogger

My favorite aspects of autumn ♡

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Hey, y’all! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog, The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! ♡

Spring, summer, fall, and winter. The four seasons. Each one is unique in their own way; their own special events, holidays, traditions, and other characteristics that make up 1/4 of each year. While I love each one for their own reasons, autumn and winter have always had a special place in my heart. And since we’re practically in the middle of fall (already, I know) I want to explain some of the reasons why autumn is one of my favorite seasons. So without further ado, let’s get this party started!

1.) Warm and cozy colors

There’s something about medium green plants transforming into gorgeous orange, golden rod, and burgundy leaves as they float to the ground that’s so satisfying. All seasons have an aspect of nature that makes them unique, but the eye catching colors of autumn make the season stand out like no other.

2.) The spectacular weather

For me, warm weather is the least desirable weather to have. I mean, I’d rather be a little chilly than sweaty and uncomfortable, do you know what I mean? And while I love summer and winter, with both of those seasons, you either get one or the other side of weather. But when autumn comes around, the temperature is the perfect combination. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just how I like it.

3.) That homey reading atmosphere

By now, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of all things literature. I’ll do it just about any place, at any time of the day, and obviously in any season. But there’s something about fall vibes that makes me want to read even more. And any bookworm who has spent a fall night cuddled up on the couch with their favorite snack and a comfort novel knows what I mean.

4.) One of my favorite holidays – Thanksgiving

I wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for my awesome family. And during the holidays at the end of the year, we always partake in the tradition of having family gatherings, as often as possible. Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for me to recap what and who I’m thankful for and blessed with, eat mouth-watering food, and do all the other autumn things I love with the people I love. There’s not many things in this world that are better than that.

5.) Photography is thebomb.com

Photography is one of my other hobbies that I don’t talk about as often, but I adore taking photos of sceneries, especially in the afternoon or just before a sunset. And if we’re being completely honest, autumn’s gorgeous colors makes it the perfect time to go on a photography splurge.

6.) The yummy food

Technically, the comfort of fall horderves goes hand-in-hand with Thanksgiving, but I still wanted to include it because autumn is certainly not the same me without them. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy eating a soup, a piece of turkey, or a pumpkin pie on an autumn afternoon? (Seriously though, I’m super curious!) Autumn food is definitely another thing that makes fall like no other.

7.) Napping paradise

As I mentioned earlier, the weather in autumn is as close as it could get to perfect. The sun isn’t usually out too early (or too bright, when it does peek out from the clouds) which makes it easier to take a power nap or sleep in without feeling like you’ve missed out on half of a day. And since I’m homeschooled, I take quite a bit of naps, so that’s a bonus!

8.) Simple and chic fashion

When it comes to fashion, I am all for finding outfits that are both stylish and comfy. And from classic cardigans to knee high boots, there is so much wiggle room to play with when it comes to autumn fashion.

9.) The decorations

From pumpkins, to candles, to fairy lights, to throw pillows, there are so many creative yet comforting ways to decorate for fall, both on the inside and outside of our homes. I think that autumn decor is the perfect way to set that homey, timeless vibe inside your home, which is perfect not only for fall, but also the preparation for the transition into winter.

10.) Being outdoors

When it comes to autumn, doing any fun fall activity outdoors just makes my day. There’s so much to do this time of year that it’s hard to make an excuse not to go outside. And with the awesome aspects of fall (many of which I have mentioned in this list) it’s kind of hard to do nothing when there’s so much fun we can have right outside our door.

Most of the time, it would take longer posts like this a little while for me to configure. But when it comes to fall, there is so much to love that it’s easy to find reasons why it’s so amazingly great! Please tell me YOUR favorite season(s) down below in the comments? Also, what’s your favorite aspect of autumn and/or the season that you like the most? I’m looking forward to everybody’s responses!

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Don’t forget that regardless of what you may be going through, we are all beautiful and wonderfully made. And that’s something we can all be thankful to God for! Peace in, y’all! ~ Q’Zion ♡

Book Review: From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

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BOOK INFORMATION

Publication Date: January 14, 2020

Genre: Family, Mystery, Realistic Fiction

Age Category: Middle Grade (MG)

Pages: 304

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

SYNOPSIS

Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime?

A crime he says he never committed.

Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge.

But with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcus’s conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesn’t know how to balance.

MY TAKEAWAYS

I’m a huge fan of baking shows on the Food Network, and while I wouldn’t consider baking one of my main hobbies, I do like to get in the kitchen every once in a while. Therefore, I really enjoyed how the protagonist, Zoe, had an interest in baking and entering a kids baking competition as a sub-plot of the novel. But in reality, this realistic fiction story was about much more than baking.

The main conflict was when Zoe found a letter in the mail on her twelfth birthday . . . and it was from her father, Marcus, who she’s never met due to him going to prison when she was a baby. Although she’s skeptical about writing back to her father at first, she begins to build a relationship with Marcus through their back and fourth written conversations. He even gave Zoe a new R&B song for her to listen to in each of his letters, which Zoe dubbed “Little’s Tomato’s Playlist” after Marcus’ nickname for her. Cute, right?

I truly enjoyed Zoe and Marcus’ relationship throughout the entire novel, and it was really refreshing to have a book that contains representation of the many fatherless daughters (and sons) that are around the world, specifically so among members of the Black community.

Other topics like systemic racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other examples of racial inequality were addressed in a conversation between Zoe and her grandmother. But I admire Janae Marks’ ability to address these topics which can be hard to swallow in a tasteful yet informative way, making this book a great option for kids of all races to learn about the ins and outs of racism and its effect on people of color.

Throughout the story, Zoe had to keep her letters a secret from most of her family–except for her grandmother, whom she has a very close relationship with, and her best friend Trevor–in order to continue to get to know her father. I was rooting for Zoe throughout the entire novel to prove her father innocent of his crime. And while her actions of sneaking out to do so ended up coming back to bite her towards the end, when both her and her blended family’s secrets are revealed, the revolution of this inspiring tale was like the icing on the cake.

Overall, if you’re looking for a book that will tear your heart into pieces and glue it back together again, From the Desk of Zoe Washington is the perfect middle-grade novel for you. From the likeable characters, to the well-delivered hard topics, to the African-American author and protagonist, this heartwarming novel is an appetizing choice that most kids in their pre-teens and teens will happily relate to, while learning important lessons along the way!

Rating: ★★★★✯ (4.5/5 stars)

Recommended Age: for readers 11/12+

Although this novel happened to be a book that I stumbled upon during a trip to a book store, I’m so thankful to God that I gave it a chance! If anyone else has added this to their TBR list, or is contemplating doing so, I highly recommend that you give this novel a try, as well. But if you have already read this literature masterpiece, please tell me some of your thoughts on it–or some other book recommendations–down below!

Have a beautiful and blessed day everyone! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Bye, for now! ♡

Graphic Novel Review: Guts by Raina Telgemeier

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BOOK INFORMATION

Publication Date: September 17, 2019

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Category: Middle Grade (MG)

Pages: 224

Publisher: Graphix

SYNOPSIS

A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts!

Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away… and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on? Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face — and conquer — her fears.

MY TAKEAWAYS

I remember the moment I got the first two editions of this triology, Smile and Sisters, when I was nine years old. To make a long story short, I fell in love immediately, and I still re-read them every now and then to this day. On a recent trip to Barnes & Nobles, I finally got my hands on Guts, a highly-anticipated graphic novel for all of Telgemeier’s loyal fans–and let me tell you, it was all worth the wait! Guts is an absolute masterpiece!

At the beginning of this gem for tweens and teens, Raina (who is the author when she was in 4th grade), catches the stomach flu that had been spreading in her family. And when her stomach problems continue, she develops the fear of getting sick and throwing up (emetophobia) to the point where she is worried about catching something from her family and classmates. Eventually, her family signs her up to see a children’a therapist, and she progresses throughout the story learning how to face her fear while making new friends along the way.

Raina is such a quirky, fun, and relatable protagonist, so its not hard to take a liking to her character within the first few pages of the story. She seems like someone that I would’ve liked to be around back in elementary school. And believe me, having the protagonist be someone who I actually like as a person is critical to me when I read a novel for the first time.

While I thank God that I’m not a victim of anxiety, there are so many young people who struggle with their mental health, even if they fear something small like the dark or going to the doctor. Stories like Guts are not only relatable to a large range of audiences, but they also teach us that while fear is a normal feeling, we shouldn’t let the things that scare us take over our lives. And like any trial, fears can be conquered.

Like always, the vibrant illustrations on each page of this masterpiece illuminated the story, making it that much more entertaining for readers of all ages. Even though the topic of mental health among youth was discussed throughout the course of this story, the funny, light-hearted moments within the book didn’t fail to put a smile on my face.

Overall, Guts is a must-read for bookworms–and even non-bookworms–of all ages! I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

Rating: ★★★★✯ (4.5/5 stars, 5 being the best of the best)

Recommended Age: for readers 9+

I’ve got to admit that I am very pleased with Guts. It was one of the three books that I got for my birthday, earlier this week, and I’ve got to admit that I made some pretty good choices. Be on the look out for the book reviews for the other two novels of my choice; they’re coming soon!

If you haven’t read this book already, I hope my opinion will encourage you to give it a try! However, if you already have this book in your collection, tell me your thoughts on it in the comments!

Have a wonderful rest of your day/night, everybody! God bless you all and I’ll catch you later! Peace in! ♡

6 Things I Love to Do on the Weekends [REPOST]

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A/N~Hey y’all! It’s Q’Zion! My goodness, was this Friday busy for me. But thank God that I have a three-day weekend since the 5th of September is Labor Day! Anyway, because tonight is the start of the weekend for me, I though I’d repost this list of things that I like to do to make the most of the end of each week. I hope you all enjoy it! ♡

Let’s face it–we all sigh with relief when we go home and/or get finished with work on a Friday. We have a whole 2 days ahead of us to relax and enjoy our weekend. Personally, I’m a HUGE FAN of my weekends, and I do as much work as I can throughout the week to make the most of every Saturday and Sunday. And since the weekend is coming up, I thought it’d be a cool idea to share some of the ways that I like to spend my short vacations. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get into it! 

⒈ Go to a Library ♡

Okay, so this one may be a little obvious since most of my followers know how much I love to read. However, reading is one of my favorite activities to do on a weekend. I have a whole 48 hours to start a new book or maybe even finish one that I’ve been procrastinating, for some time. Don’t you just love that feeling when you sat down and finished a book that you haven’t picked up in a while? I sure do!

⒉ Binge My Favorite TV Show ♡

Throughout the week, it’s easy to forget about some of my favorite TV shows, or simply replace watching them with schoolwork, family time, and the occasional naps. When the weekend comes along, I usually spend a couple hours catching up on the new seasons of the shows that I love. And if a new movie just came out on Disney+, it’s not a surprise if we have a family movie night, too.

⒊ Go to Church ♡

One of the perfect ways to start my week and be refreshed before school starts on Monday is fellowshipping and learning the Word in the House of God. Praise and worship, seeing my family and friends, and socializing with other believers is always a blessing and one of the best parts of my week. It makes me feel happier and closer to God when I listen to His Word.

⒋ Fun in the Sun at the Beach or Pool ♡

Due to COVID-19, it seriously has been a while since I’ve went to the beach or the pool. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that I love changing into my bathing suit and having some fun in the sun. Since spring is here, and summer is not too far from now, it’s the perfect time of year to hit the beach and go for a swim.

⒌ Bake a New Recipe ♡

Although I don’t get in the kitchen often (at least not to cook or bake) Friday nights and weekends are the perfect opportunity to learn a new recipe and spend time with Goodmommy. For me, cooking can be so relaxing and satisfying. The fact that you can whip up some ingredients, place it in the oven, and take it out to see a masterpiece is always super rewarding. Especially when you get to eat your creation, when your all done.

⒍ Have a Picnic ♡

Is it just me, or does this remind you of that one scene from Tom and Jerry? LOL 🍓🍉🌭🥤

Honestly, I’ve only been to a picnic once in my life, as far as I can recall. But I must say that I love to eat in nice weather, especially in a screened-in patio or on a balcony. You get to admire the sunshine while eating your lunch. Picnicking seems to be pretty similar and great for spring time. Especially on a weekend!

Weekends are a time for us to take a break from work and school and focus on family and the hobbies that we love the most. Therefore, we might as well make the most of every second. Hopefully, this list gave you some inspiration for how you can spend your short vacation.

What are some of your favorite ways to spend the weekends? Feel free to comment down below.

Have a beautiful weekend, everybody! God bless you all, and I will catch you next time! Peace in! ♡

My Blogiversary: 1 Year with WordPress!!! ♡

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What’s up, y’all! It’s Q’Zion, here, and welcome back to my blog! On August 1, 2021 I was a soon-to-be eighth grader who was looking for a way to share my writing with the world. I didn’t exactly know what to expect from having an entire website to oversee. In fact, I wasn’t even for sure if I would genuinely like blogging. But it turns out that the same day I started my blog was a day that I discovered a new passion of mine; using my writing to inspire others.

Now I’ve been blogging for a whole YEAR (a year and 2 days, to be exact.) And I can’t thank God enough for putting me on this journey.

While this past year has flown by in a lot of ways, I think I’ve learned a lot in this 12 months, as well. Blogging has taught me a lot about patience, perseverance, and commitment, considering that while many people think it’s a simple job, it also takes work and a willpower to keep pushing. I want to thank God, my Goodmommy, and each and every one of my followers who have walked with me on this journey. I pray that I will continue to inspire others in my writing in a way that gives God the glory. From the beginning, that was my goal, and it still is to this day.

In celebration of this important milestone, I’ll be doing a little reflection on the past year of my blog, as well as my plans for the future. Let’s get started!

Last Year’s Statistics

113 Followers (111 WordPress, 2 Email) — Honestly this is such an awesome achievement for my first year as a blogger–seeing my community and audience grow is such a blessing!

367 Blog Posts — It turns out that I’ve been blogging for exactly 367 days–every time I didn’t post for a day, I’d make up for it and write two posts the next. I’m just thankful to God for giving me the strength to be so consistent.

1225 Likes — Out of all my stats, this has got to be the most mind-blowing! This is definitely much more than I was expecting, but I’m so grateful!

208 Comments — One of the most significant improvements on my blog is that now comments are much more common! It feels awesome to be able to communicate with my family, friends, and fellow bloggers through my website.

Will there be any Major Changes?

For the most part, I tend to keep my website the same–in terms of content and appearance. But this next year I plan on doing a few more posts about nutrition and health. I’ve also been thinking about doing monthly wrap-ups, where I give an overview of some of the highlights of each month (what I’ve read, where I went, my progress in school, etc.)

The most major change that I think I will put into place once I get into school in a week is how often I post. Instead of posting daily, I’m considering creating new content every 2 days, which is about 4 times a week. Not only will this give me more time to focus on school and come up with new content, but it will also allow me to work on adding new content to my YouTube Channel, most of which will likely be tutorials and reviews for Rainbow Loom, as well as some other Roblox and lifestyle content.

Goals for Next Blogiversary

By August 1, 2023, it’s my goal to have reached at least 275 followers on my blog! I can’t wait to see my blogging community grow as I continue to stay consistent with creating awesome content for you all!

Once again, a huge thank you to all of you for pressing the “SUBSCRIBE” button on The Joys and Trials of a Christian Teen! I’m so thankful to God that I have made it to this blogiversary, and I pray for many more wonderful years of blogging filled with inspiration, growth, and lots and lots of love.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! See you next time! ♡

8 Wellness Tips for a Healthier (and Happier) Lifestyle

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What’s up, everybody! This is Q’Zion, and welcome to my blog! I hope all of you are enjoying the prime of summer!

As you all know, we recently entered the month of August. But did you know that the 8th month of the year also promotes wellness in our everyday lives? If not, then today’s the day! In honor of National Wellness Month, I have created a list of 8 simple tips to help us live our happiest and healthiest lives possible. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road!

1. Start your mornings with something productive

The morning is one of the most important times of the day; it’s a time for us to get our gears moving and create a fresh start for a brand new 24 hours. After we finish our regular morning routine, we might as well do something to boost our energy. Stretching with some yoga poses, finishing another chapter of your new book, and learning a new language are a few options. You never know–after you begin to start your day doing something you love, you may even become a morning person.

2. Go outside and get some sunlight

Exercise is just as good for our minds as it is beneficial for our bodies. And that means that it’s one of the best ways to maintain a healthier lifestyle. A quick jog around your neighborhood or a local park is a great way to enjoy what nature has to offer while burning a few calories, before dinner. What’s not to love?

3. Eliminate negative self-talk

Wellness isn’t technically something that’s hard to achieve–but the progress starts with us. In order to transition to a state of better mental health, our mindsets have to be a reflection of that. This means that in order to make the progress that we want, we’ve got to be kind to ourselves by promoting positive words in our heads everyday. It’s much easier to reach a goal when we use our inner voice as an outlet of encouragement, rather than negativity.

4. Get a green thumb

Have you ever heard that people who garden tend to be happier? Well, then that is in fact correct. Multiple studies have shown that plants have a way of helping people feel more relaxed and content, similar to the effects of riding a bike everyday. Plants can even help increase concentration, your ability to breathe, and quality of life. So taking up the hobby of gardening might be a good idea to consider.

5. Creatively eat more fruits and veggies

Although we’ve all heard it thousands of times, we really do need to get our daily intakes of fruits and veggies. But just because we want to make an effort to make our diet more nutritious, doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun while doing it. Feel free to experiment with creative–and delicious–ways to eat healthier. Fruit smoothies, colorful salads, and veggie casseroles are a few tasty ways to spice things up in the kitchen.

6. Create something

I don’t know about you, but it always feels good when I take some time out of my day to be creative. There are so many options for what you can make–whether it’s a few quick doodles, a portrait, a paper craft, or even your own book. All it takes is a little imagination, and thousands of productive possibilities are within our reach!

7. Make sleep a priority

One of the things that we all need everyday is our beauty sleep. Without it, there’s no way that we could get through each day. So even if you find yourself busy as a bee, make sure that when your work for today is done, you get your 8 hours. This way, you can put just as much energy in the work that tomorrow has in store, and feel great while doing it.

8. Stay hydrated

The golden rule to a healthy lifestyle is to keep water in our systems. Not only does water reduce the risk of a large number of diseases, but it also does the basic job of maintaining high energy levels and keeping our brain functioning at its best. Considering all it’s benefits, drinking water is definitely a goal that we should all commit to.

Working towards a healthier lifestyle can be a challenge for some, but with a few simple changes here and there, achieving our wellness goals is a piece of cake. I challenge you all to take the time during National Wellness Month to make a few goals for yourself to pave the way for a healthier, and happier life. Hopefully, these tips were a good way to start your journey!

Let’s Chat~What are some of the methods that you take to achieve wellness? Feel free to share your response down below.

Have a blessed rest of your day, everyone! I’ll catch you later! ♡

5 Benefits of Having a Parent Who Works From Home

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What’s up, everybody? I hope you are having a splendid day or night! ♡

As most of your know, I have been homeschooled for a sum of almost 6 years now, and I absolutely love it! But I’m not the only one in my family who stays at home during weekdays; my grandmother and guardian, who I call my Goodmommy, also works from home as an offsite receptionist. Throughout the years, technology has improved drastically. And one of the benefits of the constant revolutions is that they allow many parents to work in the comfort of their own home. Goodmommy is one example of many.

Why am I talking about this subject in particular, you ask? Today is National Work From Home Day, and since my Goodmommy has been slaying at her job for 7 years, I want to share some of the things that I love about having a parent who works from home as a homeschooled teenager.

So without further ado, let’s get this party started!

1. A Flexible Schedule

Compared to work in an office building, working from home gives people an opportunity to be more flexible with when they work. For example, even though Goodmommy does have a schedule that she sticks to every week, she had the option to choose her own schedule according to her needs. This helps assure that her schedule is a healthy balance between her work and family life, unlike the demanding hours of some in-person jobs.

2. No Demanding Dress Codes

Depending on where you work, some businesses require their employees to dress business casual, or casual. While there is nothing wrong with a standard for appropriate attire, it can still limit what you can and cannot wear to work. Working from home–and attending virtual school–give you the option as to whether you want to work in everyday clothing or your pajamas and a robe. I personally think that you can be much more productive when you are in comfy clothing.

3. More Family Time

I’m quite sure I’ve repeated this multiple times, but Goodmommy is my absolute best friend. Therefore, because both of our schedules are so flexible, we are able to spend hours of quality time together each day. Working from home can have long hours, in some circumstances. But some companies actually give employees vacation time at and around special holidays, which helps people spend more of their leisurely time with their families.

4. We Use Less Gas

It’s hard to believe that we once had to drive to school and work five times every week. While it feels normal if you have that type of lifestyle, it isn’t hard to recognize that it uses a lot of gas—not to mention a lot of your time. And considering that the price of gas has been sky rocketing lately, working from home has definitely allowed us to save a lot of money.

5. Reduced the Risk of Contracting COVID

Although many people have let their guards down in regards to COVID, the risk of contracting the virus increases when you work amongst people every day. But having a parent that works at home means that it is much less likely that Goodmommy will get COVID or spread it to me, in the process. P.S. Don’t forget to stay safe, and wear your masks, everybody!

As you can see, having a parent who works from home is a blessing in so many ways. That’s why I thank God that He gave me and Goodmommy the opportunity to get our education and work at home, in the first place. At first, I missed attending in-person schooling, but the more I got used to the adjustment, the more I realized that being homeschooled is the perfect option for me; I wouldn’t have it any other way.

LET’S CHAT~Do you prefer working from home/attending virtual school, or being amongst other people? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Have a beautiful rest of your day, everybody! God bless you and I’ll see you next time! ♡

The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 | national day of joy ♡

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If you could describe the best feeling in the world, what would it be? Come to think of it, there are a few that come to my mind. Love, gratitude, hope, peace. But what about the word “joy”? The dictionary itself defines the word as “a feeling of great pleasure or happiness.”

And while some might say that joy is a synonym to the word happy, it’s more of an abundance of glee that feels like a burst of energy throughout your body; in other words, pure bliss. Today happens to be the National Day of Joy, and a special Hug Holiday, which ironically go together perfectly. I mean, if there’s anything that bring us joy, it’s a warm hug.

In order to celebrate this day catered to joy, I decided to answer some fun yet thought-provoking questions in my original creation: The Joyful Blogger Tag 🌻 Feel free to answer each of these questions on your blog, as long as you state my name as the original creator (Q’Zion) and provide a link to the homepage of my blog within that post. And, without further ado, let’s get started!

What brings you the most joy–that does not include materialistic items?

Firstly Father God, who all my joy comes from. Then my family and friends. My pet fish. Seeing others be kind to one another. Doing what I love to do: including writing, art, listening to music, singing, reading, looming, etc. I think I feel happiest when I am doing what I love with the people that I love. While participating in my hobbies is always fun, whether I do it individually or with others, I always love to share my work with the people whom I care about the most.

Which color do you associate with the word “joy” the most?

I know this might be a little standard, but yellow is the first color that comes to my mind after reading this question. Bubblegum pink is a pretty close second, though. I think both of those colors are bright, energetic, bright and happy–looking. Brighter colors in the warmer spectrum tend to make me the happiest. On the other hand, colors like purple, blue and green give me a serene vibe. It’s funny how different colors and shades can make us feel different emotions, isn’t it?

How do you think you’ve grown as an individual within the past year?

The past year–or two–of my life have had a huge affect on the person that I am today. For one, I think that I’ve got a lot wiser, both due to things that God and my Goodmommy has shared with me as well as personal experiences. Now I am much more confident in who I am and how I look, and as a result I am a lot less shy then I was years ago. I have come to discover that I am wonderfully and perfectly made. In other words, I am exactly who God wants me to be. And I think that as long as I keep that motto in my heart, I will continue to grow.

What are you most grateful for?

The list is so long that it would never end, as there are always things to be thankful for when you look at the big picture of your life and what it could be. Right now, I’m most thankful for love and peace in my home. Being able to laugh, smile, and just enjoy life. I know that’s a pretty simple answer, but the things that make us happy don’t have to be complicated. In fact, most times it’s the everyday miracles that bring us the most joy.

How do you find joy through the trials of life?

When life gets tough and you’re in a tight spot, it can be tough for some to find things to be joyful about. However, I always like to remember that even though things might not be going my way, I’m still alive and breathing. Therefore, my journey is not over. Life itself is one of the greatest blessings of all. If we weren’t alive, how would we be able experience joy in the first place?

Wow! Those questions were the exact daily dose of happiness that I needed. The entire purpose for this post was to give us a chance to reflect on what makes us feel joy, and what we are grateful for even throughout the trials that we face. Remember, nothing and nobody can take your joy without your permission!

LET’S CHAT~What brings you the most joy? And furthermore, what is your favorite way to spread joy to others? Feel free to share your responses in the comments. I would love to hear from you all!

Have a joyful day, everybody! See you next time! 🌻

Visit an art museum — check ✅ | Reblog

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A/N: Here is a quick reblog of the post where me and Goodmommy visited an art museum. I feel like this great post was super underrated, so I decided to post it again to give some more of you an opportunity to see the fun that me and Goodmommy had during my last spring break. Enjoy!

*I do not own any of the art in the photographs that I provided from the inside of the museum. All the pieces of art that I photographed belong to their rightful owners. As well, if you see any small, black markings on my photographs, they are for the purpose to protect the location of the museum and names of the employees of the museum. Thanks for reading this short disclaimer.*

In my house, we’ve stayed home for pretty much the whole week. Most of you, my current followers, already know that I’m a homebody, so that really didn’t bother me; so far, my spring break had been going awesome. 

But this day in particular, Goodmommy was not having it; early this morning, she woke me up and mentioned the idea of going to an art museum. Recently, I had brought up the idea of going to one, since I’m an art lover. Therefore, we both agreed that it would be a great idea for us to check out some art to get out of the house and have some mother-daughter bonding time.

If I couldn’t think of any other good reason to visit a museum–and trust me, I have plenty–one reason would be that most of the time, they provide so many opportunities to take beautiful pictures. Me and Goodmommy had so much fun taking a look at the water view and the tall buildings of downtown. The museum was in an entire center that included parks, restaurants, and even art organizations for kids. They’re was so much to do, which made the visit even more enjoyable.

Art museums tend to be giant, and the one that we visited was just another example. The pretty glass windows and doors looked beautiful, both outside an inside. Just by the front desk was a cute bakery and small jewelry shop. On the second level, where the galleries are located, you can even go outside on this deck area to see everything from a higher view. Cool, right?

What I really love about museums is that they’re kind of like a quick History lesson. But instead of learning the history through textbooks, you get to see the history through the story that the artists tell through their work, as well as the credited descriptions explaining the history of the work and creators.

Diversity is another beautiful element of art. Art comes in many shapes, scales, and colors, just like we do as people. This one gallery called Verde: Poetics of Shade was actually created by 5 different black woman, representing the diversity of a community and the people in it.

Although many people probably don’t realize it, a museum is a lot like a library. It’s very quiet, promote learning about the places we call home, and help preserve the history of past and present generations. 

This next one particularly caught Goodmommy’s attention. We both noticed that a lot of the artists behind many of the galleries were African-American, Greek, Egyptian, or Roman. It’s amazing how many cultures, mediums, and art styles can be combined to make one museum filled with creativity. Even though each piece is unique, they all come together to fill the walls of the museum.

After the short and sweet visit to the museum, we decided to go and get a bite to eat. We both ordered this really yummy sandwich with turkey, sauerkraut, cheese, pickles and more. A few months ago, we got the same sandwich without some of the ingredients…and we realized that it tastes soooo much better with everything on it. They give you pretty good servings. Me and Goodmommy ate 2 out of 4 pieces of our sandwiches at the restaurant, and we saved the other half for later. 

P.S., this whole thing is actually one sandwich. Goodmommy got one sandwich each for both of us. They definitely give you your money’s worth of food! 

After our main course, we both split a large slice of lemon cake–that was delicious, too. The whole meal was a 10/10. Now, we definitely know one of the best places to visit the next time we want to go out to eat.

Overall, we both had tons of fun today. I thank God that we were able to spend some quality time together outside of the house. Even though we don’t do so often, when we do, it makes me really appreciate my time with Goodmommy, and my entire family, even more.

Question of the Day: Have you ever been to a museum? If so, did you enjoy it? Feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments.

Thank you so much for reading, everyone! God bless you all! <33

Observing Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

Q'Zion2 Comments

Hello, beautiful people! I’m Q’Zion, and welcome or welcome back to my blog! ♡

As you all know, there are a bunch of holidays that many of us celebrate each year; Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine’s, and New Year’s are just a few examples. And while those are all great, there is one holiday in particular that was recently made a national holiday due to a bill signed by Joe Biden, coming into effect on June of 2021. That holiday is Juneteenth. And today, I’m going to tell you all what it’s all about.

What is Juneteenth?

In short, Juneteenth–a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth”–is a holiday celebrating the freedom of the last African slaves in the United States on June 19, 1865, over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Not only is it a mark of the end of slavery within our country, but also the freedom of African-Americans. This year, it just so happens to be shared with Father’s Day, which falls on the third Sunday of June.

Why should we celebrate it?

Even though Juneteenth is considered a national holiday, most Americans know little to nothing about it. This percentage includes some African-Americans, like myself. I believe Juneteenth is a holiday that should be observed and celebrated by American citizens of all nationalities and ethnic identities. Here are some reasons why.

1. We need to learn the good and bads of our nation’s history

While slavery was an unfourtunate element of the history of the United States, it is important that we know about what slaves went through before they were freed, their struggle to gain all of their natural rights, and the people who helped make African-American freedom a reality.

2. To help fight for equality

While Black Americans are now free from slavery, we are still constant victims of police brutality, discrimination due to the color of our skin or the way we dress our hair, higher chance of imprisonment, and higher employment rates. Our world has come a long way from its past, but racism is still a reality among some. Juneteenth gives us a chance to fight for equality for ALL human beings.

3. The freedom of slaves affects every American

As soon as the last African-American slaves were freed, it was a step forward to a more understanding, anti-racist, and fair country and world. Even after they gained their freedom, our black ancestors still struggled to gain all of their legal rights as American citizens. And many of us still struggle in today’s world. But with every peaceful protest, campaign, and usage of other personal platforms to spread awareness about Juneteenth, we can all work together to make our nation better than what it was decades ago.

Hopefully, this helped you all understand what Juneteenth is, as well as its importance. While the world isn’t perfect, we are making progress. And Juneteenth is a reminder that when we work together– in faith, perseverance, and love–there is no goal that our nation can’t achieve.

LET’S CHAT~Had you ever heard of Juneteenth before you read this post? If so, did you learn anything new about it today?

Thank you so much for joining me! I’ll see you next time! ♡