Greyhound Buses and Red Envelopes

Instead of my usually commentaries, I am writing about my trip home for Lunar New Year.

The two bus trips I made were the most intense/interesting rides I have taken in a while. For my outbound trip, my friend and I sat across from three recently released prisoners. At first glance, you would have a hard time knowing that they were prisoners. They had an all-beige uniform on instead the traditional orange and carried a mesh baggie with textbooks and school supplies. That's borderline Kindergarten or cult-status. I had an inkling but how did I know they just got out of prison for sure? They talked about it rather loudly the entire trip and exchanged witty banter with the bus driver (we were sitting in the back). I was not disturbed because of their presence but more annoyed that the bus was so rowdy. On the bus back to Cuse, I was supposed to meet up with the same friend to take the 7:15PM bus. However, my phone died when I got to the station and she didn't make the bus. It was an uncomfortable bus ride because I was freaking out over the fact that I abandoned someone at the bus station and the woman that sat next to me had a baby who was fussing the entire ride. My freaking out status got up to the point where I got off at the Scranton station to charge my phone next to the water fountain. When I got back to campus, I felt much better knowing that my friend missed the bus and was safely on the next one.

My Lunar New Year celebration was uneventful this year, as was my Valentine's day. I had reservations about going home because of other obligations but my parents eventually coerced me to do so. It felt like any usual weekend home. I had dinner, debated on current events issues with my parents, annoyed/motivated my brother about school, and did my homework. On top of all this, I was sick for the weekend but I received red envelopes to make up for it.

Needless to say, I did enjoy the time I spent with my family and my cold went away over the course of the weekend. I am definitely looking forward to the new lunar year because that means any resolutions I broke in the last six weeks, I can do that now. 新 年 快 乐！

An Unnescessary Education

At what age did you start school? I began my schooling at the age of three at a private Catholic daycare and continued throughout my Kindergarten years. At the age of six, I began my (rather lengthy) public school career. So yes, I did received a "boost" in my education at an early age, and one that came with a price tag. However, in the 21st century, some parents are pushing their children to attend some of New York City's most selective elementary schools before they can even start walking.

This post is my reaction toward the cover article of this week's issue of New York Magazine. There are parents out there who have been pushing their children as early as age one to prepare them for the best preschool and elementary programs in the city, in hopes of putting their children on the right track fast. They spend hundreds of dollars for a private tutor to prepare their children for the ability examination that is required for gifted programs offered by both private and public schools. This examination consists of a booklet filled with multiple choice questions, similar to many of standardized tests you see today. Now, imagine being 4-years olds and taking an examination like that. Personally, I've been through a watered-down version of this. I remembered prior to attending my elementary school, I had to interview a woman who asked me some fundamental skills questions. I also remembered being smart-alecky throughout the process and not knowing why I was there. When she asked me what color roses are, I answered they can be many different colors. When asked why the children were wearing galoshes and rain coats, I answered because it is either raining outside or to match their outfits. No, my process is not as hard as the ones that many children endured today, but intense competition to get into a good school still remains.

Now, is all this really necessary for a successful life and career? I do not think such an intense preparation is necessary. The process is even harder for private schools, which includes observations, interviews, and examinations. When admitted, the tuition is around $20,000 a year, which is more expensive than some colleges. All this to buy your children a good education and bright future, which is not even guaranteed (just look at those NYC Prep kids). My advice to all the the parents out there is to send your kids to public schools- it builds character- and invest your money into something that your children are passionate about.