This blog is about the homeschooling journey of a single, full-time working mom in the Philippines and her Spawn. We are independent, secular, relaxed homeschoolers, using the Global Village School’s Whole Child, Healthy Planet curriculum, supplemented by Filipino subjects provided by Homeschool of Asia and the Pacific.
Here’s a little something about me:
Random Jan graduated from Visual Merchandising Arts at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, Canada.
She is a self-employed mom, writer, graphic designer, teacher, storyteller, and craft artist.
She has been a volunteer doll-maker for Manikako Inc. since it’s inception in 2007 and is now part of it’s Board of Directors as Dollmaster of Educational and Outreach Programs.
She is also a member of the League of Yogic Storytellers, and is the first in the Philippines authorized to conduct Storytime Yoga classes.
And something about The Spawn…
The Spawn is the only child of Random Jan. He is currently in Grade 2 and enjoys art, music, swimming, watching movies, and playing games on Y8 and Club Penguin with his friends.
He would like to learn more about Dinosaurs and take singing lessons so he can sing all the songs that he has written.
He also enjoys playing the Drums, and making fruit salad freezer cake.
He thinks homeschooling is EXTREMELY GREAT!
Creative Hemispheres
I decided to call this blog “Creative Hemispheres” because I believe that education should encourage full brain and body development.
What does this mean?
I am a firm believer that the traditional school system focuses too much on the academics. Math, Science, and Linguistics will always be given top priority in school. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with that, it is my hope to see that Art, Music, and Physical Education be given EQUAL time and importance as left brained subjects, especially for younger pre-school to elementary kids who are still going through drastic physical and mental changes, for a more well-rounded education.
This blog is my contribution to help change the way we look at education. It is my observations on how we can enrich our kids’ learning experiences.
What else?
And there you have it. I’m a mom. I’m a proud Filipina. I like to craft. I like to blog. I love yoga. I’m a freelance teacher, writer, artist, wanna-be philanthropist, and storyteller. I have one Spawn who, like me, loves animals, art, music, yoga, and reading. And unlike me, he loves sports and math.
My Spawn is homeschooling for the first time as a Second Grader. Previously he has been enrolled in a Progressive pre-school, a Traditional school (that didn’t last long), and a Montessori school. I am employed full-time at a photography studio and will be the primary teacher mama in charge of homeschooling the Spawn.
I hope you enjoy what we share on this blog!
(top image adapted from http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaxzine/2278300537/)
Full Disclosure
Part of the reason for the existence of this blog is for selfish monetary gain. I will effort to make my ads unobtrusive and seamless but I also hope you will support my sponsors. By clicking their links you are helping me to maintain the quality of this blog and my workshops. =D
Ads will not be hidden on my posts and I will not post sponsored links without disclosing them as such. I modified some link banners and badges to display the words “PAID LINK” on them. This means that clicking them will take you to the outside site via a paid advertisement.
The Nitty Gritty Disclaimer and COPYRIGHT…
I love the Copyright Notice of the Angry 365 Days a Year blog but mine is a rated-G blog. I could modify what he wrote, but heck, that ruins the fun. And since this is a rated-G blog, I’m reluctant to even post a link back to 365… but I’m sure you’ll be able to find it through your own creative means. ;D
So I write this rather unimaginative blah, blah, blah copyright notice. Still important info though so please, if I may…
The views expressed on this blog are my personal opinions only and should not be taken as, or substituted for, expert or professional advice or instruction.
Unless otherwise noted, all images, text, and the content of this blog are copyright www.CreativeHemispheres.com or Random Jan. In accessing these pages, you agree that any downloading of content is for personal, non-commercial use only.
For graphics, photographs, and videos – absolutely no hotlinking, screen grabbing, reposting, modifying, or redistributing through any method whatsoever (electronic, print and others) is allowed without my explicit permission.
For my posts, non-downloadable instructables, and other written content – highlighting excerpts with a credit to Random Jan and a link back to www.CreativeHemispheres.com is the permitted procedure. If you link to my blog or one of my posts, a shout-out in the comments or an email to give me a heads up would be awesome and much appreciated.
By accessing this blog you agree to these policies and you will get good karma by reporting any suspected violations of these agreements.
Acknowledgments
My sister, for lending me her Mac Mini when Mordred (my beautiful, trusty, black MacBook since college) died. And for supporting me in my endeavor to switch to paid blogging and for checking out my site from her office with different MS Windows browsers for me.
My mom, for always staying on top of my credit card statements.
Ate Irene (www.Minadaoan.com), for giving me advice on how to get started and for the handy-dandy tips on the smarter use of keywords to get my site noticed by robots.
The Manikako girls who are made of pure awesome. Go Manikako!
Bikram. For making hot yoga what it is today. Sweat, 26 poses, and Savasana have changed my whole life.
Whoever created the eLouai Candybar Dollmaker. I used it to make the “self-portrait” in my avatar. It’s cuter than I’ll ever be. =P
The Spawn. For being the Spawn. Above all else, this blog and my workshops are for him.choo
