Aaron Louie:
CLASS OF 1991
Millikan Junior High SchoolClass of 1991
Sherman oaks, CA
Pasadena City CollegeClass of 2000
Pasadena, CA
Franklin High SchoolClass of 1994
Los angeles, CA
Gardena High SchoolClass of 1992
Gardena, CA
Solano Elementary SchoolClass of 1988
Los angeles, CA
Aaron's Story
Life
My life so far, is what one would say is stranger than fiction. Having already lost both blood parents before turning 14 is traumatic: I lost my Mom when I was 6, and then my Dad 7 years later. Between those two events, I had a stepmother to look after me and my sister. It's not exactly an easy task for all of us, meaning me, my sister and then my stepmom. If anything, it's more comparable to a 10-year long, trial by fire. In short, my early years wasn't a real cake walk. And that's before we add into account about the financial situation. But still, even with all the "bad luck" that had happened to me (I don't think I ever have any good luck in the first place), I still feel that through it all, there's this destiny waiting to take hold of me. Not of malice per se, but something more along the lines of a "Forrest Gump" scenario. OK, maybe not that grandiose, but it's a start! And to prove this point, I can testify that despite of the setbacks I've encountered(i.e, making ends meet with limited resources, being stuck in PCC for 5 years!), I've already acquired an Associates Degree, a Bachelor's Degree (in English), accumulated some work experience, (albeit oddjobs or work-study clerical), and even took on character maturity that otherwise is previously unimaginable! All I can say is that God's been with me in ways I couldn't possibly guage. It's strange that all of this progress is occuring in my life, especially since this coming from a person that didn't conceive the possibility of being a... Christian (quoi?). It's been a strange journey that I've took part in--maybe something that's less traveled, if not less desirable, BUT, if this is only the prologue to some kind of Odyssean epic, count me in! Strange, but cool.
School
File 1: The Millikan papers
My biggest crush? The most inspiring teacher? And would I do it all over again? Well, here's the following answers: Tracy Phan, Cindy Lam, Ms. "B," Ms. Nelson (I actually have a crush on those two inspiring teachers as well) and most recently (5 years later since '91), Ruby Van Kuilenburg, and yes, I probably would, ONLY if I can learn from my mistakes (so as not to repeat the stupidest things imaginable). As for the funniest and craziest school memories,... I think the fact that I even reached Jr. High at that time is funny and crazy as is!!! But I believe my most happiest moments in Millikan (yeah, even by I-can't-believe-I'm saying-these-words, "tender years," middle-school standards) was when I: a) started getting better grades in math, climb up the social ladder--I mean be more "socially competent," get better grades in general in 8th grade, and much of the latter semester of 9th grade where things were a blast! I discovered great things such as uhhhh.... having crushes on teachers, experiencing what big idea behind Christianity, and er.... witnessing the effects of puberty on pretty girls ( yeah, I know this is hard to stomach!).
File 2: The Gardena Papers
It's almost as much fun as Jr. High, BUT I have to say, not one less intriguing. The interesting people I met, the friends I made, the teachers and subjects that widened by horizon ( as oppose to my equator!), and yes, the excellent grades I earned. For some odd reasons, I was able to get a lot of A's and B's without much difficulty! Comment monsieur? Pardon-moi? I hope it's not indicative of LA public schooling standards! But at least I was able to understand my Christian walk admist the school's peculiarities.
File 3: Franklin Sr. High
This is probably by far, the most grueling experience I ever had in my pre-college days, having to deal with ma...Expand for more
turity, issues at home, self-discovery, family, grades, family, growing in my faith in God, peer pressure, and uh, family! Yup, it's a crucible of terror from where I'm coming from. And to top it all off, there's that climatic twist involving my graduation process in 12th grade... or more accurately, the possibility of not taking part in it! I'm still befuddled today that I was able to walk alongside my Class of '94 peers, despite the perpetual screw-ups that took place prior to June of that year? Huh?! Can anyone explain this to me?, 'cause I'm just as surprised as the next bloke down the street. I guess it's my version of walking on water.
College
What I remember most about college life is the panic over grades (math especially!), the off-campus roommates I got, my first taste of caffeine to keep me awake during lectures, getting up early for those dreaded 8am classes (which I don't have the energy for since high school! Even today!), and yes, the first paper I turned in that was not only a day or two over due, but took me 7 near-straight hours to do on a Friday... from 7:30-4 something pm!!! And did I forget about going through Pasadena City College for 5 freakin' years to get my AA's (before getting my BA in CSULA)! I think a former classmate says it best about PCC as not Pasadena City College, but poor Chrisian Charity! Yup, those semesters can run right into limbo-sized eternity!!! Maybe even purgatory!!! But for Cal State Los Angeles, I think I had an equally fun time (since Jr. High), when I started to develope in talent, creativity, and heavy investment in friends, since I started late on the wonders of... email!!! Especially with graduating with a BA, I though it was one of, if not the greatest achievements ever made in my life to date!!! Now if only I can stop using triple exclamation points... Sorry!
BTW: The cafeteria food isn't all that bad... as compared to the tastelessly boring dreck I have to eat in my Freshman year! That some food for thought... sorry about the pun!
Workplace
Let's see now... my first real job took place with (gasp!) a telemarketing firm. Thanks be to God (unvainly speaking :D), it was a brief experience--they let me go! From there, it took another few years before I took on any line of work, however odd it is. That came in the form of an oddjob washing dishes for my church's senior ministry; a job that involves a weekly commitment of cleaning after the event--and I don't mean that "kind" of cleaning up:). From there it's work-study at Cal STate University L.A., as an admin. assistant. I didn't mind the cubicle/bureau existence, just the the boredom that comes about from lack of work. Sure it reels in the d'argent, BUT still... ZZZZZZZZZ!! That took two years of my college life at Cal STAte. The first with the Art Dept., then later with Admissions... the latter I was let go due to some errors on the job:(. Yup, a learning experience. At this point on, even after graduation, work is rather lacking to nil. It wasn't until last year that I started doing temp work to regain whatever work experience (and pay) there is. So far, I've done 8 different assignments involving mainly with admin. work (i.e, filing), two dealing with moving, and two more dealing with customer service... yeah, I know... I finally know what is like to be on the receiving end of irate customers! Especially during Christmas rush!!!:O I guess that oughta teach me the real meaning behind Christmas! But other than that, I'm still pursuing more temp assignments before settling down into what I hope to be graduate studies in cinematography! Cool. L.A. Film School or bust!
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