Facts

Recent visit to Hong Kong reminded me of 2 facts.
Hard to be a student in HK.
Even harder to be a student's parent in HK.

My sister-in-law's child was to start primary.
She'd  'day off' to queue outside several schools,
In 30+ degree, out on a street just to get a form.

Not even the very top schools.
Still the competition was so fierce.
Child's portfolio, Interview, Tests  & yes, deposit $£.

Met a parent whose child also starting primary.
The 1st question her relatives asking her was,
'Have you found a tutor for your child yet?'

Her child was only 6 - same as my sister-in-law's.
A private piano teacher telling me something new.
Many of her students revised their school work.....

Till 2300 hrs........in the past,
Now.... it's 0100 hrs.
Yes, till the early morning.

In my years as a student in HK, only a few had a tutor.
Now, only a few if any, NOT having a tutor.
And most popular tutors earning millions of $£ a year.

After years of Intense Pressure & Insufficient Sleep,
Do HK students know how to Think, be Creative etc.?
Are they just good at answering questions on papers?

I'd done some observations & 'tests' while in HK,
On some selected students of different ages, abilities etc.,
And confirmed some of the facts I always believe.

As parents, we've to look beyond headlines, figures etc.,
Have to establish facts ourselves.
Finding the best way forward for our child.

I'm to take the Strengths of  HK & UK's education system,
When developing my own system for my boys,
To ensure the Right Level of  'Pressure' & Pleasure.

Fate
Facts Speak for Itself - Finding them Ourselves
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

Memory

After attending a presentation in HK,
I returned hotel & had a chat with Elder Boy.

I : I was wrong, my boy.

ED : You mean...?

I : I thought the talk was organised by a 'watchdog',
In the memory study profession, but it's just...
Another profit-focusing organisation.

ED : Really?

I : Yes. Have a guess.
How much do you think it charges for a course?

ED : Thousands of  dollars?
(HK$.  £1 =HK$12)

I : No.
ONLY about HK$38,000!

ED : Well, it may sound a lot.
But how many lessons are there?

I : 70 lessons.

ED : How long for each lesson?

I : 90 minutes.

ED : And how many students in a class?

I : About 1 : 6.

ED : Do you still think it's expansive?

I : Hm...how much is it again?


Fate
Money Can't buy Good Memory
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

VCR

During my recent 5-week trip to HK,
I had the chance to meet many people.
And I was pleasantly surprised by 2 fathers.

At an optical shop, the owner told me,
'I arranged books on shelf in a way as you'd suggested.
'My boy picked up books & just read them by himself.'

At a hotel cafe, an executive told me,
'I asked my boy interesting questions as you'd hinted.
'He enjoyed them & now ask me interesting questions.'

I was very happy.
Not because of  the fathers' praise,
But because of their VCR.

First, their Vision.
They understand how important a father's involvement is,
In a child's development, especially when the child is a boy.

Then, because of their Commitment.
Not just talking or thinking about it but Commit themselves.
They're DOING it - making it happen, making a difference.

And, of course, because of them doing it Regularly.
Doing it 1 day, 2 days is not the same as doing it EVERY day.
Have to do it Day in, Day out - that's what it's all about.

Because these fathers are Communicating with their boy,
Constantly Challenging their child etc.,
They're helping their child to develop the essential Life Skills.

So, I'm happy.
Happy to see more Happy Fathers, Happy Children around.
Making this world a Happier Place to hang around.

Fate
VCR Fathers Prepare Children Better
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

Think

When walking past a shop in HK,
My Younger Boy started a chat.

YB : Dad, do you know what a casino has?

I : What do you think?

YB : A Big TV.

I : Yes.

YB :Unhealthy drinks.

I : Right.

YB : Someone smoking.

I : Could be.

YB : Playing darts.

I : Playing darts?

YB : Yes, did you not see them playing earlier?

I : Earlier?
Oh, that's a pub not a casino.

Fate
Children Are Quick & Great Thinkers
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

Purpose

While planning this HK trip a few months ago,
I had a chat with my Elder Boy.

I : Where do you think we should stay in HK,
Hotel or Serviced Apartment?

EB : Well, depends on Purpose of  the trip.

I : What do you mean...Purpose?

EB : Well, if it's for Leisure, it has to be Hotel;
But it's for Work, then Serviced Apartment.

I : Sounds reasonable.
But can you give more details?

EB : If it's for Leisure, a Hotel's grand lobby,
Big front desk, good buffet meals, room service etc.,
Will make the trip more relaxing.

I : Yeah. Sounds good.

EB : If it's for Work, like me & my brother has to...
Do some work during this summer school holiday,
While us on an overseas trip, I suppose .......
Serviced Apartment serve us better because we can...
Have a proper writing desk, proper lights etc.

I : That's True.

EB : So, are we having a Leisure or Work trip?

I : It can't be Leisure, can it, just Play, Play?
It can't be Work either, can it, just Work, Work?
So, it has to be a Leisure and Work trip.
Work, Play, Work, Play.....

EB : So, where are we staying then?

I : Hm....good question.
For you, Service Apartment.........may not be good.
So, we're to stay at a Hotel -  you're to Work better,
Thinking you're on a Leisure trip!

Fate
Life has a Purpose
E : fatesecrets@gmail.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

Responsibility

In HK for a Business/Family trip.
As usual, boys know their Responsibilities.
For example, buy breakfast.

Although it's 30 degree in the morning,
Boys have to walk with me to buy breakfast.
And to carry breakfast back to hotel.

Another example,  water bottle.
When going out,
They've to bring & look after their water bottle.

More example?
As it could be 35 degree during the day,
Boys sometimes have to make a decision.

To walk first or walk later.
As I agree to pay for transport for one way only.
Just to remind them it's their Responsibility....

To act Sensibly,
To spend Wisely, 
Or one's to have a very Tough Life Journey.

Fate
Responsible. Reasonable. Remarkable
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

General

When I picked him up from school,
Younger Boy started a chat.

YB : Dad, do you know what we did today?

I : Something exciting?

YB : Yes, we'd a quiz .

I : That's good. About Olympics?

YB : No. About General Knowledge.

I : General Knowledge?
Hm..... how general were the questions ?

YB : One question was,
'What's the capital city of Spain?'

I : Did you know the answer?

YB : Yes, of course.
Do you know the answer?

I : Yes, of course. Barcelona.

YB : No. It's Madrid.

I : Oops.......

YB : Another one was,
'How many wives did Henry VIII have?'

I : Did you know the answer?

YB : Of course. Do you?

I : Hm.....well,.......

YB : He had six wives.

I : Wow! I wish I could afford that!
I thought Henry had 8 wives - he's the 8th!

YB : One more?
'What's the name of Harry Potter's pet?'

I : Did you know the answer?

YB : Yeah. Do you?

I : .............

YB : Its name is Hedwig.

I : How come you knew all the answers?

YB : Well, we're given one sheet,
With 35 questions on it. 
But...we could look up the answers in books.

I : So, that's not General Knowledge then.

YB : What do you mean?

I : That's General.....'Cheating' Hahaha!

Fate
Life is about making the Right Choices
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com