where does fear go?
Share Article Educational Folly is the Vietnamese Teachers’ Manual.
Rule #1 push students through
Rule #2 students memorize the text
Rule #3 ask students for donations disguised as bribes
Rule #4 students vomit material on an exam
Hanoi women do did done all the work. Buying, selling, cleaning, screwing, birthing, nurturing, raising kids, teaching, sewing, cutting hair, washing, cooking, serving, scrubbing pots, pans and chopsticks, sharpening knives and tuning musical instruments in life’s orchestra.
World women survive by sighing, singing, laughing and loving. Women are crazy and men are stupid. Stupid men makes women crazy.
Repetition education is practicing task-based activities, like sweeping dust, said Tran.
Thuy is forty-seven and labors in a public middle school in Hanoi. She makes $800 a month. Her classes number seventy.
Essence before Form, pure and simple, said Zeynep.
It’s their innate cultural disquiet Sensation, said, Rita.
I suggest it’s their representation of Symbols, said Tran, taking a cue from Leo, the Leader of Cannibals, teaching Nothing.
Devina practiced the art of Becoming.
Students’ humbling life changing experiences might be learning:
a) how to be independent and grow their English skills
b) how to share with others
c) how to do their own laundry
d) how to manage their time
e) how to find secret places for experimental sex
Personal puzzle confusion danced across a blue lake infiltrating the consciousness of peasants. They sharpened knives, cleavers, swords, arrows and bamboo spikes.
*
Thuy in Hanoi speaks good English. She’s married with two daughters, Ben, a bright and lively 20 and V, 10. Her husband is an engineer at the largest paint company in Hanoi and speaks Russian. Thuy has a friend, a euphemism for lover, who owns a small cafe downtown she visits on Sunday. They fool around in the back room.
Ben studies Portuguese at Hanoi University and hopes to study in Lisbon with Fernando Pessoa, the author of The Book of Disquiet.
V is learning how to ride her bike and overcome the dynamic fear of losing her balance by releasing her small fears. V thought about this.
While riding at Lenin Park one night after dinner V asked Ben, Where does fear go.
That’s a heavy question little sister.
How can a simple question be heavy, wondered V ... It’s the gravity of thinking ... that’s it.
That’s it keep pedaling and don’t look down little sister.
Ok, said V spinning her wheels. But I want to know where does fear go.
You got me little sister, perhaps it explores jungles swallowing Angkor Wat dancers, or maybe it’s for sale at the Fear For All Store.
V stopped pedaling. Are you kidding me.
No, ask mom about fear she’s the smartest person she knows.
Two students talk. Why is your English so good.
My motivation is money.
Please explain.
Better English = better job = more money = more food.
What is essential is invisible to the eye, said The Little Prince. This was required reading in a 4th grade class in Indonesia, said Devina.
Find freedom you need or freedom from need. Everyone lives in their visible, secret, serene, creative, joyful, eternal garden.
Accept loss forever, said Tran, gifting V a mirror.
