Wanderlusting (wanderlusting) wrote, @ 2008-06-13 16:06:00

A MESSAGE TO THE SENIORS
I know you think I’m gonna lecture you again.

Forget it. You’re too smart for that. You’re seniors. I can’t tell you nuthin’.

So instead, let me just say what a pleasure it was to get to know you and let me part of your lives. It was a true joy to have you in my English, Philosophy and Film classes. You were trusted with mature art and sophisticated works (Stephanie Guevarra termed many of them pornographic. Hahaha. BTW, never say “pornographic”, always use the term “sophisticated”...it makes the OTHER person look uneducated and a rube). You took those films and books and made yourself intellectually stronger.

You know I like brains. I appreciate your brains. Brains are very sexy. Your brains are, um, quite sophisticated.

It pleases me to know that you will use your immeasurable talents to go off into the world and challenge yourselves even further. The people you meet in college will be impressed by you and they’ll want to know what “private” school you went to to think the way you do.

You’re Carson, baby. Keep the flame flickering. When you come back to visit, tell us about the world you discovered out there and tell us how the world is reacting to you. As you know from all the past alumni who have come back to talk about their college experiences, everyone has to live it for themselves. I hope your first year is full of powerful new thoughts and insights.

Okay. I lied. Here’s my ONLY piece of advice: DON’T GET DISCOURAGED. Inevitably, you will have some bumpy times and you will feel over your head. That’s just YOU crashing into some crazy new dimension that you are not quite used to. You need to acclimate to your new environment. Take a breath. If you mess up, it ain’t the proverbial end of the world. More likely, you will devise a new strategy to get it right the next time.

You ALL know that even though you leave Carson, you ALWAYS have us to rely on. If you need any help, advice or a kick-in-the-ass, write Ms. North, Dr. Schuetze-Coburn, Ms. Bottlik, Ms. (Needs-to-go-to-anger-management-counseling) Koletty, Mr. Aquino, Ms. Herrera, Ms. Harger, Mr. Mertens, Ms. Weir, Mr. Perman, Mr. Soltysik, Ms. Harris, Mr. Burger or ANY of your other wise teachers. One of the things that Carson should have taught you is that we all help each other. We all learn from each other. ASA is both a concept AND a practice. We LIKE you! We WANT to see you succeed. Your success and ultimate happiness makes us thrilled!

Good karma begets good karma. A generosity of spirit and practical assistance never goes unrewarded; we all benefit from it and it should permeate throughout ASA.

Hopefully, one wishing-on-a-star day, it will permeate throughout the whole world.

Now Seniors, get outta here before you make me cry. Go out there and try not to have too much sophisticated fun.

.

You missed out on a LOT! annie101490 2008-06-14 19:55 (link)

I can't believe you had to leave so soon for so long! But yeah, I'll post pics at the end of this message just because there are so many of pics from various events that you have missed. Such as prom, P.I.D. [Filipino Independence Day], ASA awards, etc. you get the point. I think you need to go easy on those brains there Leibs...we went into your room for our Carson High Walk, and NO ONE could find your brain...you didn't happen to take it with you...did you? but yeah, we probably weren't looking there hard enough..and I heard a lot about the new Humanities 17 teacher. Seriously though, they take notes all day and tests and quizzes..can you believe that?! What a boring class that is. So many people have gotten together, broken up, moved on, been held back, etc. geez, it seems like you left for years already when the truth is you only left around February. So about 9 seniors are going to UC Berkeley and about 8 are going to UCLA. Go Bears!! Also, a number of us are in the Ephebian Honors Society. I also met this junior and he scares me already Leibs!! We talked for 5 minutes out of our lives and he wrote me a page front and back for my yearbook that is very..stalker-like. This is like a new experience for me and it is quite creepy. Maybe I'll tell you more about it later, but Koletty also knows about this and Judy and Elise [college center people mostly]. So I somewhat can't wait to get out of Carson [what am I saying? I've been wanting out for a LONG time]. Okay..so time for spam of pictures and stories. (Reply to this) (Thread)

Prom Part 1 annie101490 2008-06-14 19:59 (link)

I went single and I was wearing everything you would never expect from me [or at least me of myself] such as make up, something that would actually fit into societies definition of cute, sexy, etc, PINK [I dislike pink], and my hair being done. All that good stuff. We got to dance with fishes! [Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach] Also, some pre-prom pics at Anthony's house [if you remember him! since he left your class after the first semester I believe]. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Part 2 annie101490 2008-06-14 20:00 (link)
	(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Phillipine Independence Day annie101490 2008-06-14 20:02 (link)

We got to march in the parade that day. They publicly announced Carson High School during the whole ceremony at the beginning! It was exciting and new. Last year, there was a youth corner and I was in charger of face painting. This year, I was in charge of face painting and for a little while the astrojump thiny. I was so red after that day hahaha...they made me paint little kids int he sun! Can you believe that?! All the volunteers were sitting the shade while I had to stand inthe sun and work! -whines and complains- After awhile, I got to "work" inside the jumper. I saw this little girl who seemed like she wanted to come in, but was scared. So I helped her in and I ended up playing with her until she had to leave. It was cute because she didn't want to leave when her mother called for her. Near the end, the dance group Kaba Modern [or whatever they were called] performed. The crowd pretty much went wild [I am guessing they are pretty famous?]. I am not too sure but truthfully I don't care. Anthony did though [he was on that "fan girl" status!] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Senior Awards Night annie101490 2008-06-14 20:04 (link)
	I recieved a certificate from Bank of America for Forgien Language, the Watson Land Company scholarship, CSF recognition, and NHS recognition. Overall it was not a bad night. Also, 3 people from our school received the Gates scholarship..all in ASA! Evette, Aldwin, and Lilianna. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Miscellaneous annie101490 2008-06-14 20:06 (link)

Do you know about Anime Expo Leibs? Well, you know how I love anime and all [or if you don't you probably heard from other ASA teachers maybe?] But Anthony and I are going this year [my first year] and I shall be cosplaying [dressing up as a character]. I can't wait! I already have my outfit ready and I wore it at school once. Some of the students asked what school we [both of us had it on] were from and it was a fun-filled day! I was just surprised almost none of my teachers said anything about it. The next time you see me, my hair will be short!! The real convention is being held in July though....so no more pictures till then! And so ends my little rant about high school life without Leibs being here. ~Annie L. P.S. I shall add on more and spread the word! =] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Stephanie G.uevarra (Anonymous) 2008-06-15 12:52 (link)
	I don't recall using the word "pornographic". I do remember using the word "x rated". hahaha. same difference. i'll post my dedication up later today :] (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Stephanie G.uevarra (Anonymous) 2008-07-14 00:07 (link)

LEIBDAWG! I’m sorry I’m signing your yearbook soooooooooo freakishly late. I came back from Santa Cruz Wednesday night, and man, it brought back so many memories from the ASA SF trip! It was so much fun going back and becoming so familiar with the places. What was even better was showing my sister around who never been there yet. Also, staying at my bro’s house and visiting new and exciting places. But anyway, let’s stick to the main reason why I’m here signing your yearbook. I don’t think I need to remind you of how much you inspired many of your students to learn and explore what the world has offered us. Its nature, art, and beauty. I know I’ve mentioned this to you before, but I’ll say it again..because of what you have taught us and what you have tempted us to do, your students learned and explored so many things that I know no other highschool student would have even considered. You treated us like adults and trusted our instinct by offering us “sophisticated” works of art. By doing so, we fooled others into thinking we were just a bunch of college students. Guess what? We’re not. I thank you for everything. I find myself becoming more interested and aware of many things because of you. I now search for foreign films once I enter a record store, and I actually enjoy reading subtitles rather than listening to the characters being dubbed. Hahah. I have so much to explore at such a young age, and you have motivated and encouraged me to do so much and discover new things. I realized once you left that ASA is not ASA without you. I am very glad to have had you as a teacher. You weren’t just a teacher.. But a mentor and a friend. Thank you leibs for the most unforgettable memories. I will never ever forget what you have done. Now that I no longer go to Carson High, we most definitely have to hang out outside of school! I still remember you mentioning how we would be able to hang out once I graduate from highschool, like you do with my brother :] Well I guess I’m about done. I miss and love ya leibs! Thanks for teaching me how to become more “sophisticated” ;] hahaha Love, Stephanie G.uevarra (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Stephanie G.uevarra (Anonymous) 2008-07-14 00:13 (link)
	hey.. i think i posted this dedication in the wrong blurty entry. SORRY!! i'll post it in the other one too, just in case :] (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	^__^ (Anonymous) 2008-06-17 01:23 (link)
	oh wow leibnerr, i'm really gonna miss yah! well i've been missing ya ever since you left.. i cant believe my valentine left me!! okay well i'm going to write a "yearbook" dedication in the other blurty posting so read it there mmkay!! --Andrea Magbanua (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Kristine Fernando [: (Anonymous) 2008-06-18 15:47 (link)
	hey Leibs! how are you? how's Cambodia treating you? well, we graduated yesterday and I wish that you could've been there! you have taught me so much! I've learned to love art and movies and all that other 'sophisticated' stuff [: I hope that you're able to come back next year! I'll be around to visit, promise! Take care over there! Love yah Leibs! (Reply to this) (Thread)

Marthina Cinco (Anonymous) 2008-06-21 02:03 (link)

06-20-08 Leibner, I miss you a lot! I hope you're having a lot of fun because it seems like it with the blog I read. I never realized the many things you did in your life, and wow, you're amazing. I hope that you're coming back to Carson High, but if there's a chance that you're not, be sure to visit me at Berkeley. The ASA Awards Luncheon thing was really fun. We were all hoping you were the surprise at the end, where you would pop up, and the whole phone thing where Ms. Herrera (Shahabi) called you, was just part of the surprise, making it seem that you were still in Cambodia... Well anyway, the video was great. I saw that you were having fun, so I'm happy for you. You needed the break. It's night-time here. In the Philippines, it would be about 2 o'clock in the afternoon or so, I haven't been there in a while so I forgot the time difference, but anyway if you're not next to a computer, you're probably drinking a beer and relaxing somewhere. Oh, so just to update you: I got the California Masonic Scholarship, which gives me $10,000, renewable for four years. I also got the Toyota TODOS Avid Scholarship for $500. I got accepted to UC Berkeley as a Spring admit, so I'm in the Fall Extension Program at Berkeley, just like what Lisette Lopez was in. Anyway, whenever you decide to go to the Philippines, remember to visit Boracay and the other beaches. My dad said they're beautiful, even though I haven't been there myself. My relatives from my father's side live in Manila. Some parts of Manila remind me of the United States, where it's "clean" and the malls are nice. Well, the "rich" malls. Other than that, it's polluted there and there's many children on the streets, which always gets me sad. If you ever need a tour-guide, contact me! Juan Castellanos and Evette Gonzalez also want to go to the Philippines so I was thinking about bringing them with me during or after college. Well, see you soon Leibner. I love you! <3 Marthina Cinco (Reply to this) (Thread)