Mad about the bailout no more…
16 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
I was mad like everyone else. When President Obama decided to bail out the banks that created the current financial mess, I was disappointed. I said, “We should stick to our principles and just let the evil banks go to their graves and let time heal our nation.” After reading a detailed article about Tim Geithner in the 2010 April issue of Atlantic, I have turned my anger away from the government. The anger is now mostly directed at myself.
It is sickening that the big banks are getting away with their sin and we the tax payers will be paying for their bailout. But I now admit that I am guilty of perpetuating the problem which has led to the big bank bailout program. I’m sure there are some wise people who lived their lives just as they should. Saving money, living within their means, not buying a bigger house than they need, not buying into the real estate bubble, etc. etc. The truth is, I did fall into the traps set by the big banks. No one forced me to make those decisions. I made a thoughtful choice. I don’t know about others, but I knew the risks. And I am one of millions of citizens paying for the consequences.
Current recession has helped me to examine my personal financial habits. I have no debt, but I do not have much saved for retirement. Like many Americans, I thoughtlessly spent away my hard earned money. I fooled myself thinking that I am doing just fine since I am paying off all my credit cards every month. I finally admit that credit card does not let me keep track of what I spend and I always end up over spending. There, I said it. My wife was right all along.
After coming to terms with my unbridled management of money, I set a budget for what I would spend for the month of March. Every night, I counted every dollar I spent for the day and wrote it all down on my notebook. On March 21, I spent all my money and I had to squeeze my belt for the remaining ten days. It was (is) not easy, and the refrigerator looks quite empty, but I had full control over my own money first time in a long time. This new style of living will continue on for the rest of my life. Thank God I am still under 40 and I will have some money to spend when I am old.
Speaking of retirement, the media keeps reporting that most Americans don’t have enough savings. So what is going to happen to our country when all these poor adults retire and become homeless? Seriously, can you imagine 100 million old beggars roaming around the streets and the libraries? Is America doomed in 30 years? I do hope the government will step in again and bailout an entire generation of Gen Xers. If they don’t, I’ll be mad AGAIN.
1994 World Cup and Roberto Baggio
14 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
Many Americans cannot fathom what is the big deal about a sport that often ends in 1-1 tie or even 0-0. As 2010 showed again and again, when a team loses the match that ends their WC run, most players break down and cry like a baby. When you watch NFL Superbowl or NBA finals, you just don’t see that. Like all sports, it doesn’t matter how other people describe the sport to be great. YOU have to watch and witness a delirious moment in person and fall in love with the sport. Such an event happened to me in 1994 World Cup.
I loved playing soccer since I was a kid. But it was not until I saw one soccer player which led me to become a fan of World Cup soccer. It was the match between Italy and Spain in 1994 World Cup knockout stage. I was fascinated with hairy looking Italian men jumping up and down and running the field. I am an Asian American and there is something exotic about Italians. Then I saw one Italian man who stood tall above everyone else. Roberto Baggio, who was actually short and had a ponytail, dribbled the ball like a magician blowing past the Spanish defenders, dodged the goal keeper who came out to stop him and made a goal that looked extremely difficult from the right side of the post. After rolling on the ground and standing up, Baggio blew kisses with both hands to the crowd. End of the magic show. I was mesmorized.
In 1994 World Cup, Italy was considered a mediocre team and wasn’t expected to accomplish much. But Baggio single handedly led Italy all the way to the final match against Brazil. I missed most of this match because I was outside, but by the time the game ended 0-0 even after overtime, I saw the penalty shootout. Italy was behind in the penalty points by one and Baggio was the last Italian to shoot. He missed this famous shot and Italy lost to Brazil. The image of Baggio’s disappointment became a famous portrail of 1994 World Cup. Baggio almost led Italy to the World Cup trophy. Many people distinguish winners and losers by the final result of a game. In my eyes, Baggio was a champion and a hero. I am not even an Italian. His goal against Spain and his miss against Brazil basically describes what watching World Cup soccer is like. In 1998 World Cup, Baggio would have a good day and he made a penalty kick during a match against Paraguay. This time, he happily celebrated. In 2006, after Baggio’s retirement, Italy would go on to win their fourth World Cup trophy.
Education
23 Mar 2010 1 Comment
One of my life experiences I am proud of is having had the opportunity to teach middle school students in a public school. President Obama is following the footsteps of George W. Bush to improve the failing public school system of America by holding teachers and schools accountable. No Child Left Behind, initiated by Bush, absurdly requires 100 percent of American students to be proficient in math and reading by 2014. Not only is this impossible, but it is wrong to pressure teachers and schools to produce such a miraculous result. Of course, the idea is to challenge teachers to accept no defeat. But heart of the problem goes deeper than simple attitude improvement.
Yes, there are good teachers and bad teachers. But fundamental problem is American culture itself. Americans don’t take education seriously. There is hardly any appreciation of education. I object to the idea of pressuring teachers when the main problem rises from a culture that does not support education.
Education happens when students have vision and discipline. Many “bad” students come from homes where parental discipline is lacking. It is simple as that and there is a limitation as to how much teachers can do. In Hull Middle School where I taught, teachers had to come early or stay late to give extra lessons for failing students. Some teachers even used lunch time to give extra help. Even with that kind of effort, some students just don’t improve much. Teachers are definitely important, but parents play much more crucial role in determining the success and failure of a student.
Next problem lies with teacher’s union, which protects so called bad teachers to keep their jobs. My state has virtually no teacher’s union so it has been saved from the ill effects of corruption. But I have spoken with teachers from states where teacher’s union is an indestructible force. Yes, teachers should be protected like any other professions. But there is a clear problem when states like New York cannot discipline hundreds of teachers who are accused of offenses ranging from insubordination to sexual misconduct. Yeah, that’s right. Sexual misconduct and they still keep their job. If I lived in New York, you can bet that I will NOT send my precious little daughter to a public school.
Finally, if Americans are serious about education, we would raise teacher’s pay level. One of my students once said, “Mr. Hong, you inspired me to become a teacher when I grow up.” When he grows up and finds out how much teachers make, he will most likely not pursue that vision. Keep in mind that this was a male student, and money is a highly motivating factor for many men. Many teachers became teachers simply because they want to teach. But there are many people who choose to skip this influential profession because it just does not pay enough. Higher pay level will attract more talented and dedicated people to pursue the career of teaching in public school system. Higher competition will naturally weed out bad teachers. Money talks. It really does. Americans pay millions of dollars to movie stars, athletes, and doctors because we are serious about entertainment and health. Americans in general do not consider teaching as a “real job”. Until teaching becomes an enviable profession in this country, 100 percent of American students will not become proficient in EDUCATION.
In reality, teachers will never get paid much. BUT in countries like Korea, teachers are respected. The society as a whole revere teachers. There is a cultural homage paid to teachers and it is felt everywhere you go.
Just in case Mr. Obama is reading my blog, I came up with a name for a new government program. No Teacher Left Disrespected.
Hope for a new generation
23 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
I am starting this blog to share important things I have learned and experienced as I progress in my life. I want to create a better world for my daughter and her generation that is up and coming. I hope to make some influence to the present culture that is ever transforming. This world is full of traps, deceptions, and corruptions. It is my hope that younger people will not repeat the same mistakes that I made and strive to live a better life and create a better world. “Be as wise as a snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
