I was trying to explain to someone about the schools in Central Jersey area and I said, "it is a little crazy, right? Aren't you surprised?" "Oh no," she said, "I was expecting something like this. I had known about the craziness of schools here before we came." It was my turn to become surprised. … Continue reading Battle For Schools And Grades
Tag: education
Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 5)
This is the 5th part of the post. The previous parts are here: 1, 2, 3,4. Family Life I've known several families, which have the good luck of sending their kids to top colleges. They all live in this area. I have to say the aspiration of getting their kids into better colleges takes a … Continue reading Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 5)
Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 4)
This is the 4rd part of the post. The previous parts are here: 1, 2, 3. Choices and More Choices I just watched an online video of a young Asian guy coming to the evening news of two weeks ago to defend his conservative Asian organization and its lawsuit, which precipitated the termination of affirmative … Continue reading Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 4)
Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 3)
This is the 3rd part of the post. The 1st and 2nd part are here and here. Insecurity And Not Belonging For most of the Asian immigrant families, insecurity and not belonging is an overwhelming feeling. The parents of the families, usually the first generation immigrants, live in the enclave of their own communities and … Continue reading Education In A Form Of Madness (Part 3)
Education In A Form Of Madness (Continued)
This is the 2nd part of the post. The 1st part is here. In the 1st part of the post, I wrote a little about the recent termination of affirmative action in college admission. It is regrettable to see that Asians have played a central part in this event. I am not surprised since the … Continue reading Education In A Form Of Madness (Continued)
Education In A Form Of Madness
Education is a form of madness in the Asian community here in New Jersey. It has been this way for years, and every year it becomes a little crazier than the year before. And sometimes it seems to me that there is no limit to this craze and the intensity can just go up and … Continue reading Education In A Form Of Madness
Zina’s Game Plan (Flash Fiction Part 3)
Image by AnjaGh from Pixabay This is the third and last part of the story. The first part is here and the second part is here. The end of June sees Chris starting his summer break and the family having sold their house in Mount Oak. Zina is still searching for a private school for … Continue reading Zina’s Game Plan (Flash Fiction Part 3)
Zina’s Game Plan (Flash Fiction Part 2)
Image by AnjaGh from Pixabay This is the 2nd half of the story. The first half can be found here. Soon after they settle down in the Mount Oak Township, Zina starts to feel that something is happening to her son Chris. He's not as chirpy and happy as before. When his mother asks him … Continue reading Zina’s Game Plan (Flash Fiction Part 2)
Hero Or Villain, Crime Or Justice (Flash Fiction #100)
Image by Herbert Bieser from Pixabay This happened in 1960s and it is a true story. I heard it when listening to the conversations between my parents and their friends when I was growing up. I also knew Sister Cabbage, who's a mixture of old age and young passion, severity and naivety, reticence and outbursts. … Continue reading Hero Or Villain, Crime Or Justice (Flash Fiction #100)
Who’s More Suitable (Flash Fiction #70)
Image by MarieXMartin from Pixabay "Lil is a wonderful lady, but she's not suitable to be a speaker at our event." Lulan says. Jil shows up in the previous story "The Harvest" here. "Well, she's good looking, wealthy, with a perfect husband and a brilliant kid. She's everything that we are not. We are just … Continue reading Who’s More Suitable (Flash Fiction #70)
That’s Not What I Had In Mind (Flash Fiction #67)
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay "Sixty years ago your grandfather studied abroad. He aspired to be an engineer before he went away, but coming back he's bitten by the literary bug and was a man of literature. In his hometown on the island of Penang, off the coast of Malaysia, he built a theater … Continue reading That’s Not What I Had In Mind (Flash Fiction #67)
Language And Custom (Flash Non-Fiction #46)
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash This morning, as I spent ten minutes to review some Thai phrases from a website, I suddenly remember several strange incidents happened in school when I was learning English as a second language. I can't remember exactly when this happened, but it could be when I was a forth … Continue reading Language And Custom (Flash Non-Fiction #46)
Don’t See The Contradiction
After reading Herb's blog about Walmart protester who is eager to buy Walmart merchandise, I can think of people in my life who are unaware of the contradiction in their behavior. Even if one points it out to them, they still don't see it. The Crazy Lovers Or Haters This happened many years ago among … Continue reading Don’t See The Contradiction
The New Teacher (Flash Fiction #21)
Tom Tsai, the owner of the Ivy Training Center, has just hired Cindy Wong, a high school senior, as a part time teacher for one of the weekend ESL classes in Edison, New Jersey. ESL stands for English As Second Language, and ESL students are children who can't catch up with the regular classes at … Continue reading The New Teacher (Flash Fiction #21)
Things Unexpected
I went to the store to pick up some emergency mouthwash and dental floss, and the store assistant told a lady in front of me to put on her mask. She must be vaccinated. I thought people who are vaccinated don't have to wear masks anymore. Gossip about an acquaintance who always manages to find … Continue reading Things Unexpected
At The Hair Salon (Flash Fiction #17)
Arlan, Maylin, Wani are doing their hair at the hair salon, although only Maylin has the money to do the flat ironing and highlighting. They always book the same time so that they can talk and catch up with each other. Sometimes if they don't think they have talked enough, they would go to the … Continue reading At The Hair Salon (Flash Fiction #17)
Haoyan Do 