以前不明白美国大学为什么不给（至少极少明了的给）

merit based scholarship. 现在想想很有道理。否则学校就需要定一个标准。大学录取如果有了明确的标准（比如分数线），该大学就死了。

不是 BSO, 家里小孩常常被学校推荐得这个奖那个奖，我始终没有搞明白是为什么。我跟校长老师谈过一两次，也不得要领。

我从来没有刻意跟老师校长套关系，送大礼。我觉得那样是对人家的藐视(insult). 

当然，我对老师赞美感谢还是有的, 比如：

收到女儿英文老师的email后我给老师的reply: 
>> > Dear Mrs xxx,
>> >
>> > I am ABC's dad and I am very glad to receive this email and I want to
>> > say "thank you!".
>> >
>> > I am in my office in Shanghai right now. I remember last month when I
>> > was here I discussed (through skype) with ABC about her Essay after
>> > reading Crime and Punishment. I just had a discussion with her about the book
>> > The Catcher in the Rye.

>> > My wife and I are fortunate that we can have a rather smooth and open
>> > communication with ABC and her brother ABC2, who is a 9th grader at
>> > MCA. ABC says that many students in your class feel that you are not
>> > only a teacher but also a mom. I reckon that is a praise that every teacher wants
>> > to hear from the students. I wish I could hear that when I was a young
>> > professor in China twenty some years ago :-) It is apparent to my wife and
>> > myself that ABC enjoys your classes tremendously. Hope ABC2 can
>> > have you as his English teacher next year.

>> > My wife and I would like to have a meeting with you when I get back.
>> > When is the most convenient time in the week for you?
>> >
>> > Best regards,
>> > xxxxx

老师的回复：

>> You have made my day! Thank you so much for your kind words and
>> supreme compliments (although I am sure you give me way too much
>> credit!). ABC is remarkable and a joy to teach. You are obviously
>> very supportive parents. I am available to meet next Thursday, January
>> 31st at 12:45 or next Friday, February 1st right after school, or we
>> can look at the following week? Let me know what works best for you.
>> Safe travels!
>> - xxxxx.