Gender Toys

This one simple reverse action can save our world from ourselves. I cringe anytime I see a little girl pushing a toy baby carriage. Do we really want to encourage our young girls to see themselves as mothers, so young? On the same token, why has it always been acceptable to give toy guns to boys. Do we really want to encourage our young boys to be violent, so young? Challenge: Give toy guns to girls to play with and raise them with the understanding that no one should take advantage of them. Give boys the toy carriage and teach them to practice patience and managing the resources.

Global Population

More than you'll ever know..

Its a choice to remember, a choice to forget. Love gotten or left to protect. Chased for stretched hours. Silly games, complete with towers.

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!" - Randy Pausch

Sade - Pearls (Live)

"It hurts like brand new shoes.." Certain amount of my naivety I embrace.. shit I've been through hell and back the fact I can still see the good left in the world is outstanding. Takes a moment to realize the need to protect yourself.. people say a many things that they want and need. Hidden agenda.. amo to unleash. The only thing that makes sense these days are the children I bared, to love and raise my children to believe in themselves more than I did, laugh harder and always listen to your heart.  The thought of the struggling mothers with less than half the opportunities I have available keep me grounded and grateful.

Savion made a very brave decision to 'opt out" of the PARCC testing this week after finding out that was an option this past weekend. This is an honor roll student that is successful applying what he learns and contributing to his class greatly. He spent time researching the controversy surrounding this situation. I made him aware that, although in theory this would seem like an easy task, to be prepared for the back lash. Anyone who stands for something must face the wrath of the very thing you are standing against. Ultimately, Along with personal reasons, he believes it is a crucial way to say that his teachers are professional and can asses him with out these test. It is understand that when a child opts out, that gives the test a 0 and brings down the schools total score, an aspect that is not taken lightly. These tests are creating an environment that is difficult to thrive in. I reached out to Savion's Honor English teacher out of respect (bc he was worried about disappointing her). Her response was invaluable.

Thanks so much for your beautiful email. As a mom, I completely respect and support your decision; only you truly know what is best for your child. As for Savion, I know in my heart that he will succeed in any endeavor in life. I love having him as my student and sharing in his learning. He has such a complex and intuitive mind. He teaches me something every day, and the rest of the class always benefits from discussions he shares in. I will always support you and Savion, and any decisions you make for him.

Encourage your child to have a voice!

This young man makes me proud everyday. #smartkid #focus #conscious #determined #brave

A photo posted by annysgrace (@anny_ariz) on Mar 3, 2015 at 5:42am PST