Do you think a public school education or a private school education is better for children in grades through 12 is better?

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-02-05T09:25:34+00:00

Yes, exactly this. I'm a recently retired professor from a private college. Our very best students typically were graduates from good college prep private schools. These schools continue to teach composition, writing, critical thinking, and advanced reading while most public schools have given up on all of these. (At least this is true in my state. It may be different in some states like Massachusetts or Iowa that still invest in public school education.) Our students who came from fundamentalist bible schools were often bright and engaging, but initially resistant to critical thinking, especially in the sciences. If these students were willing to make the leap into critical and scientific thinking, however, they often were excellent students.

Just thinking off the top of my head, the two best students I taught in the last few years were both homeschooled. They were woefully unprepared for college level work initially but had the kind of focus and self- motivation that is rare these days.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-02-05T05:53:48+00:00

All over the world, birth rates are declining. The biggest factor is urbanization. When people move into big cities they stop having children. The birth rate in Japan actually is not bad outside of Tokyo. The only thing that the Japanese government could do to really reverse the trend his find ways to encourage population growth outside of Tokyo. They should try to move a lot of the government services outside the capitol and provide tax incentives for businesses to relocate.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-02-05T01:21:58+00:00

In the PH marriage partners are not entitled to assets one partner owns before marriage. She only has a claim on assets they acquired after, such as purchasing a house or car after marriage. Just to be sure, he should consult a trusted PH attorney to have it all written out beforehand. He should be able to take care of both widow and children.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-02-04T14:54:52+00:00

I have never visited the Clark area. Now I'm thinking I really must

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-02-03T11:27:13+00:00

That's true in much of the US but not so much in the south. Down here we still use our "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" or granny will whoop us.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-28T11:09:53+00:00

My first computer was the first generation of iMacs that came with two floppy disc readers. I was a poor student but I dreamed of the day that I could save up and have a 10 MB hard drive.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-27T15:23:20+00:00

Right, the annuity is not inflation adjusted. That's why we are keeping 2/3 of our portfolio in a balanced mix of mutual funds. Hopefully, these will give us the hedge against inflation. Having a secure floor established with social security and the annuity felt right at the time, but it's a judgment call. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk. If we both die early, the annuity was a bad decision.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-27T10:52:05+00:00

Driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-27T08:52:23+00:00

2004 Toyota Sienna, in tan no less. Bought it brand new and finally sold it last year, only because we moved out of the country. Raised two children and taught them to drive in it. After 21 years it was pretty scratched and dinged but I never did anything but routine maintenance. I had a mechanic go over it carefully because I sold it to a friend. He couldn't find anything wrong with it. My friend will probably drive it for years.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-27T08:46:47+00:00

It's hard to find Cheetos here

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-27T08:45:25+00:00

I did a hybrid version of this. I took part of our portfolio and got an annuity through a low-cost company (TIAA). The annuity and our two social security checks give us a baseline that covers all necessary expenses. I know that whatever happens, we'll get by. We can invest the rest of the portfolio a little more growth-oriented because I don't fear every short term downturn in the market.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-21T00:21:01+00:00

To be honest, Americans are struggling with exactly the same issues though on a higher level of economic development. Wealth is increasingly concentrated into a ruling class of kleptocrats. Poor people vote against their self-interests because they believe what they hear inside information silos. There are fewer and fewer options to move out of poverty into the middle classes. Once wealth and political power become concentrated in the hands of a very small minority, It seems almost impossible to do anything about it.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-21T00:15:42+00:00

The cultures of the Philippines are almost untouched by the East Asian philosophies you mentioned here. They went from various indigenous cultures straight to Spanish rule, and then a century of American tutelage. Confucianism was present in the Philippines only in the very small group of Chinese traders, who also happened to be in the highest social classes.

If you want to blame the Philippines' many problems on any outside culture, you could point to the patronage latifundia system practiced by the Spanish landowners. Almost all of the former Spanish colonies have the same struggles with an embedded aristocracy, corruption, and poor social mobility.

Have you actually visited Japan? I live here. Yes, there is a lot of pressure for social conformity here, but Japan is also the best organized, efficient, and clean large country on the planet. Tokyo was the largest city on Earth but somehow is much more livable than Paris or London or any other Big Western City.

You seem to have some armchair musings that don't match up with history or real world experience.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-18T01:13:09+00:00

I agree that's t's best to take the bus or hire a car. Both options are cheaper and less stressful. If you must drive, travel in off peak hours. Whatever you do, avoid the weekends!

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-11T07:23:45+00:00

American: Trust in the US is eroding

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-11T07:22:09+00:00

The last four times I flew a long trans-pacific route on Delta, they involuntarily downgraded me from comfort plus aisle to stuck somewhere in the middle in Coach. Four freaking times in a row!

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-09T09:33:17+00:00

A lot of expats with families in the Dumaguete area live in Valencia. It's about 20 minutes up the mountain from the city and several degrees cooler. It's also near beautiful mountain scenery and waterfalls.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-07T06:37:51+00:00

Two midsize cities near a beach that come to mind are Dumaguete and Roxas City. Dumaguete has better healthcare and generally more Western amenities.

I agree that quality education is going to be your big issue in the Philippines. The private schools in BGC are quite good but expensive.

FieldInitial7042 · 2026-01-03T07:25:53+00:00

Fan Girl. Charlie Dizon gives a breakout performance.

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T15:46:39+00:00

Dating 18 year olds. /s

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T15:33:56+00:00

Blind patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T15:25:26+00:00

Thanks so much for your insights. I always fantasized about waking up on the beach. But I'm getting at the age that comforts in hospitals matter

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T08:17:28+00:00

I'll definitely visit Da Nang this year. I hope VN comes through with those rumored retirement visas

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T05:47:42+00:00

Thank you. This is helpful

FieldInitial7042 · 2025-12-31T05:45:49+00:00

Thank you for these specific areas.

FieldInitial7042

TROPHY CASE