5-Things- A Weekly Obsession

A recent argument with my boyfriend lead to the re-birth of the ancient archive that is this podcast. If you were ever leery of using the internet to order food or groceries here are 5 of the best reasons why using the Instacart.com app will change your life. Let's Connect Here: https://bit.ly/m/TonyaBraden --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/5things/message

Here is a different twist on a year that left much to be desired. It was bad, but not all bad. And im not blaming the year that was blamed for everything. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

Top 5 things I want you to know before you graduate High School 5. Find Your Tribe and build your network. 4. Quitting is not an Option, but a change of strategy is. Changing Majors Changing Schools Getting Help (Tutoring or asking questions) Find a different way to study and prepare for your class, assignments, and exams. Sometimes the way you studied in high school isn't going to cut the mustard in College. You may just need to revisit the way you take notes, prepare in advance for exams, stay organized for your semester, stay ready for the challenges of college life. 3. There is MORE than one pathway to SUCCESS. College or not college Community College, then attending a 4 year University Technical Training (Diplomas and certification) Online Courses On the Job training 2. The Term "Graduate On Time" is irrelevant in College. You determine your time table Your education and career journey will happen at different intervals than others, and that is OK. There is no one formula for how much time is necessary 1. Find a HEALTHY way to Self Soothe! -Alert- You might experience some form of nervousness about graduation, ACT (or SAT) scores, grades, admission requirements, community service, and life in general. Start now learning healthy ways to settle, calm, and focus so you can stay on track. Take 30 minutes to be creative Practice deep breathing Exercise Get outside in the fresh air I am not a doctor, so read some other strategies for HEALTHY self soothing below: https://drjudithorloff.com/self-soothing-techniques-8-ways-to-prevent-overwhelm/ https://www.nspt4kids.com/parenting/10-simple-calm-down-strategies-for-teens/ https://papyrus-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Hope-box.pdf --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

5-Things about Bullet Journaling If you have never heard of such-a-thing as Bullet Journaling, hold on to your crayons and glue sticks because it's about to get real! Real creative:-) Just because you may have a calendar on all of your digital devices, doesn't mean you can't possibly need to be MORE productive and organized in your life. And just maybe my latest internet obsession may help you pull all of your loose ends together and make sense of it all. Welcome to the wonderful world of BuJo on the latest episode of 5-things. Here are some links to help you get started. A google search - http://bit.ly/5thngsbujo A Youtuber - https://youtu.be/1DCx5KErRNE A Youtube search - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bujo+ideas Another Youtuber - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvAiAY4gFc9_z5lhMuwGtSw Enjoy your week! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

Who doesn't want to come home after a long day and have their home smell like your private chef has been cooking all afternoon? Ummmmm, all the smells. Your full tummy will thank me for this one. Have you ever thought about how awesome slow cookers are? Well obviously I have. Crockpots are BAE and this is whY: 5. They lend well to the meal prep lifestyle. 4. They can help you stay on track with your healthy diet. Of course you can make some really fattening things with crock pots too, but we dont have to talk about that right now. 3. They are very easy to learn. Even if you have never cooked before in your life, there are so many websites and videos available to help guide you to a delicious meal. 2. They are inexpensive. Of course you can buy the Rolls Royce brand of anything, but most name brands of crock pots are very reasonable. You can find them at Family Dollar stores, Big Lots, Walmart, Target as well as your local Thrift Store. Some of my thrift store finds have been new in a box. 1. There are so many types! Small, medium, large. Family size or single portion. Fancy party types with double and multi-use sections. Pressure cookers and roasting pans Oh MY! Search Slow cooker recipes on google or youtube. My favorite Chicken Chilli here: https://youtu.be/8vCj-OeywTs I would use dry beans (that have been soaked overnight and rinsed ) to substitute because they are cheaper to use. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

5 Things about Podcasting This has been an epic journey. My goal was simple - create, produce, and upload a podcast with 12 episodes for 2018. Something I have wanted to do for the last couple of years has now come to fruition. With the totality of it all being the sum of its outstanding parts I would be remiss if I didnt dedicate at least one episode to the things that has gotten me to this point. Here are 5 things about podcasting that I did not know until after completing this task. 5. I need to dedicate a separate session to think about, write, and produce the content before recording. Recording is a whole separate art form in itself. Respect the process. 4. The sound is a really important thing. Background noises, interference, too much breath can make or break the overall experience. Editing is important and having the experience and the time to get it right is very valuable. A lot of my episodes did not have that benefit. I definitely want to explore that in the coming project. 3. Stay relevant. So . . . pop culture is very fickle and topics are only HOT for a specific period of time. If there is a new thing the best way to benefit from the buzz and people stumbling upon your content is to be on the top of that wave of interest. Otherwise its old news. 2. My internet is trash. So using the Xfinity service to upload my content is impossible. After resigning from recording in the car I decided to step up to the headphone mic in my bedroom for better sound quality. However uploading from the computer is almost impossible with my home internet for some reason. After a prayer and cry the LORD told me to use my cellphone. #Verizon4TheWin Plan to connect with the audience with social media, Direct messages, and email. Interaction is the key to growing and maintaining the audience attention. Going forward I want to create social media sites and community in conjunction to the podcast content. Podcasting being generally auditory, Twitter and Instagram would be great ways to connect in a visual and textual way. https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+start+a+podcast&oq=how+to+start+a+podcast&aqs=chrome.0.0l6.8543j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

The Romanovs were the royal family of Russia pre WW I in early 1900s. Wikipedia reports that the family was murdered by an opposing communist government. Rumors circled for years that the daughter and son had somehow been hidden away before soldiers attacked the family. Many myths and rumors have circulated regarding the entire family. With those claiming to be descendants of the family the Romanoffs series tells the tails of those tragically connected souls. Whether you spell it with a v or a double f you are in for an suspenseful entertaining evening with tales from this royal bloodline. Each episode is very clever in revealing the details of the story. Very intricate stories that will always point to the person who is generally very proud to be of a royal lineage, however that connection often will be to their downfall. Tons of suspense connected to the thoughtful plots that draw you into their everyday lives. A lot of present day, and back-in-the-day, mixed in with references to the historical genesis. There are tons of documentaries on Youtube about the family history. Learning about the real people somehow made the Amazon series that much more appealing. These are nothing like a hallmark movie each installment with high quality productions. Great costuming and cinematography. So many little intricate things to look at in many of the scenes. Jewelry, Faberge eggs, ball gowns, scenes from New York cafe’s, and European pubs, all marvelous and authentic looking - - to me One episode takes place on a cruise! Heart emoji goes here! I took a chance on a different type of online content and I was not disappointed. Once again proving that cutting the proverbial cable cord was not a mistake. See the whole series on Amazon.com/primevideo Anastasia Romanov- The Disney story was WAY off the mark Family Association - http://www.romanovfamily.org/ Family Cruise - https://theweek.com/articles/801204/all-zany-russian-history-references-romanoffs-explained Where are the royal descendants today? All over, but start with this family tree. - https://usefulcharts.com/blogs/charts/romanov-family-tree --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

All I am saying, is give Straws [another] chance. Yes, of course we need to take care of our planet. If not only for ourselves but for future generations. But WHY oh WHY do we need to start with the one thing that brings so much joy to my life. If you know me, and you may know me, I REALLY enjoy a good Straw. My only suggestion is that we start saving the earth by getting rid of other uses of plastics. And for those of you who dont agree, there is plenty of information out there for you to consider as you listen to this podcast in disgust of my ecological choices. But as for me and my house, we will continue to use straws! ;-) https://www.rubiconglobal.com/blog-statistics-trash-recycling/ https://www.strawlessocean.org/faq/ and their #StopSucking movement. Below is my list of the week in strong opposition as to what we as a global community should do instead of taking away my beloved straws. Consider getting rid of these things instead: Cell phone cases - in particular the blinged out kind with the fake jewelry embellishment Make-up brushes Disposable ink pens Plastic knives from the combo pack Coffee straws --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

Definition of Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. I decided to make a list of things to do instead of freaking out and obsessing over things that usually turn out to not be the all encompassing thing that consumes me to total doom. When things go wrong, It usually isn't that bad either way. And when things are overwhelming they may just be larger than life because I have let my imagination get the best of me. Here are 5 + 5 things that I use to help control, manage, and ultimately reduce anxiety. 1. Watch Cruise Videos on YouTube 2. Exercise - sweat is awesome 3. Singing out loud / Karaoke /In the car alone In the car with others / In public with atmosphere music 4. Eating large amounts of tacos/ Cooking something special / Hosting a dinner party 5. Planning a vacation - 6 to 12 months in advance Bonus 1. Volunteer/ Community group /Local Food pantry or Soup Kitchen/ Children's Hospital www.meetup.com www.volunteermatch.org 2. Reading - Make an Amazon Reading list 3. Listen to Podcasts - AnotherRound 4. Make something / Arts and Crafts/ Scrap booking Creating something with your voice and try podcasting. 5. Long leisurely Drive / Road Trip / 45 min or longer on the highway. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

If you know me, and you may know me, You know that I have a complicated relationship with money. Why aren't I rich already? And why are so many people so much richer than ME? And conversely why are so many people ‘struggling’ with finances’ in what seems to be one of the wealthiest lands in the world. With so many resources here in the United States how are we in the land of plenty with so much personal debt? I have had a banner year, but it didn't start out that way. Here are 5 things that I have changed in my finances to end the big 2018 with some checks on the WIN column. Decided to pay off some debts Determined to reward myself Write everything down I calculate the count down Saving by reducing waste - starting with my lunch money and incidentals --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

90s sitcoms --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

5. Services - Yelp.com Google Places - It's a part of the information you get when you look up locations. Its near the bottom of the listing. A very easy way to add your 2 cents. 4. Products - Amazon Gummi bears - https://www.amazon.com/review/R2JGNJ5ZPJT4YC According to Amazon, "Customers who bought this item also bought a 90-pack of Charmin extra soft toilet tissue". 3. Pictures - Instagram memes 2. Audio - Soundcloud comments The Read - https://soundcloud.com/theread/gnarled-fingers Gettin Grown - https://soundcloud.com/gettingrown/black-tv-land 1. Video - Youtube Drunk in love karaoke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESjYIzQYtIo Ice JJ fish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_d8VSM0nw Anything Black Panther - Soundtrack, clips, press tour, opening weekend. Say what? You have an obsession you want to share with me? Want to send me a message? Feel free to Follow me on Instagram and DM: KingsDaughter2 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

The reasons why Insecure is the most awesome series I've been obsessing over this week. More to consider about Issa and how the Awkward black girl got started: www.issarae.com A more pulled together version of Molly: http://www.carolines.com/comedian/yvonne-orji/ https://soundcloud.com/jesusandjollof Another one of my best "virtual" friends is Amanda Seals. If you want to see why they SHOULD BE better friends to Tiffany, because she is : https://smartfunnyandblack.com/ Get Yo Life -Amanda Seals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry72TKlO76A&list=PLVo7nGot4fPiEe7SieKThw4scV_NKUSx6 More about Kelli and why she should definitely have her own spin off. Here is more about Natasha Rothwell. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Natasha+Rothwell+ You're welcome, Tonya --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

My latest obsession combines a love for travel with the "Happiest" place on earth. Follow me on my obsession for the past week (who am I kidding the past life) on 5-things about Disney Vacations. Things you should know: Disney https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ www.mousesavers.com https://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/step-by-step-guide-to-planning-a-disney-world-vacation/ Podcasts Passporter Mom podcasts The Dis Unplugged --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

This week join the narrative of my new weekly obsession about Crusing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message

Latest episode of 5-Things- A Weekly Obsession --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/5things/message