NPR

David and I currently have 2 cars.  One is our '04 Corolla that is still in pretty good shape.  The other is my parents '84 Bronco that they lent to us until we move away or until the engine falls out the bottom.  I usually drive the Bronco because my work is closer than David's and that thing is a gas hog.  But when I do drive the Corolla, one of my favorite things to do is to listen to NPR!  I know, that sounds weird.  It's also our classical music station and, unless they're playing jazz, I always listen to that.  My favorite thing about NPR is the stories you get to listen to.  I love telling other people the things I learn, so that's the main topic of my post.

While David was finishing up some work at the cemetery, I was waiting in the car listening to the radio and I heard something really interesting.  They were talking about how a lot of parents in China aren't satisfied with the school system there.  It sounds like it's a lot like American schools where you basically just get information, memorize it, and spit it back out.  They were unsatisfied because it won't help their children learn to be creative and adapt to new situations, which is what they need in order to keep up with the current job market.  China tends to model its school system after other countries, those that have figured out a method that works.  It makes China very flexible and helps their children learn to adapt and change.  China changed to its current system back in the 90's after American schools, but they feel it's no longer effective.

That was one aspect that they talked about.  The other I found even more interesting.  A thought was brought up that culture plays a large part in your thinking patterns.  Americans, for example, largely believe that if you are smart, it's because of your genes.  That genetics plays a large part and those people that are smart simply lucked out.  Europeans tend to go with tradition.  If your father was a plumber, then you will be a plumber.  But the Chinese believe it is all about work.  If I want a good job, I have to work the hardest.  I have to put in the longest hours and be a team leader.  This isn't true for every person out there, but as a majority, that has been the trend.

I thought that was so interesting.  It helps me to understand that culture, as well as our own, a little better.  Anyways, I love to tell people these types of stories so I'm sure you'll get to hear more in the future, but for now I hope that gives you something to think about!