For the past 85 days or so, I have written and mailed letters, one for every day of quarantine. With restaurants re-opened for Dine-In, specifically Phil’s BBQ, that brings this project to its natural conclusion. Here are some of my recipients and some small details about why they are important to me!
Sennie Viramontes
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2019
Favorite Memory: Sneak attacking her
What I have learned from her: How to pretend to be tough but actually am soft deep down inside
Edith Granados
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2014
Favorite Memory: Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to sing Shabooya Roll Call on a bus with 20 kids, and how to spread fake gossip
Laura Fernandez
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2016
Favorite Memory: San Diego Field Overnight Trips (3 years in a row!)
What I have learned from her: How to genuinely care for your students
Winfred Hwang
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2015
Favorite Memory: Tattoo Competition
What I have learned from him: How to pick up women
Emma Kailiponi
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2019
Favorite Memory: Telling her to not give up on “the one”
What I have learned from her: How to pretend to be nice
Michelle Smith
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2016
Favorite Memory: Trips to San Diego (3 years in a row!)
What I have learned from her: How to eat vegetarian food succsesfully
Cassidy Kysoth
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2019
Favorite Memory: Trip to Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to be cool and introverted at the same time
Tiana Vo
How We Met: Stanford Elementary School, 2001
Favorite Memory: Accidentally hitting her at Mile Square Park
What I have learned from her: How to best find love
Sarah Sporn
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2019
Favorite Memory: Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to win dance competitions
Salar Tofighi
How We Met: Monterey Park, 2019
Favorite Memory: Parkers’ lighthouse
What I have learned from him: How to be a good husband
Claire Kwon
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2015
Favorite Memory: Eating at random dessert places in Koreattown
What I have learned from her: How to be a good listener and give great advice
Noelle Herrera
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2014
Favorite Memory: Seeing Justin Bieber at the OC Fair
What I have learned from her: How to be a good friend and drive me places
Mimi Tran
How We Met: Rancho Alamitos High School, 2005?
Favorite Memory: Black Friday Christmas Shopping
What I have learned from her: How to be inspiring inside and outside of the classroom
Enrico Cosinas
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2018
Favorite Memory: Friday Night Boba Runs
What I have learned from him: How to be loyal and humble at the same time, and not take things for granted
Karl Yabes
How We Met: Cal State Fullerton Circle K International, 2012
Favorite Memory: Staying up all night at Mae’s Cafe and then volunteering right after
What I have learned from him: How to be a loyal and caring friend – how to be funny and mature at the same time
Cheyenne Paige
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2014
Favorite Memory: Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to attract Indian followers on Instagram
Amul Shah
How We Met: University of California, San Diego – Programming at Warren, 2009
Favorite Memory: Being roommates
What I have learned from him: How to be patient and introspective through conflict
Kevin Kim
How We Met: Alamitos Intermediate, 2002
Favorite Memory: Writing a poem to Mr. Conlay to try to get him to round our grades up (we failed)
What I have learned from him: How to have constructive political and social disagreements
Shirley Hwong
How We Met: Monterey Park, 2019
Favorite Memory: Her Hosting a Charity Dinner
What I have learned from her: How to be welcoming and loving to others
Tanya Tran
How We Met: Rancho Alamitos High School, 2004
Favorite Memory: Visiting her in Chicago!
What I have learned from her: How to persevere through difficult times in life and be inspiring to others
Jessica Daggett
How We Met: University of California, San Diego, 2010
Favorite Memory: Universal Studios
What I have learned from her: How to avoid toxic relationships
Chevonne Miller
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2014
Favorite Memory: Sea World and Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to not be a stereotypical sorority chick
Ana Boror
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2013
Favorite Memory: Going to get boba
What I have learned from her: How to have a personality outside of being a Filipino who likes Jollibee
Mackenzie Fernanez
How We Met: Fairmont Summer Programs, 2019
Favorite Memory: Ding Dong Dang Karaoke!
What I have learned from her: How to be mature for an 18 year old
Sandy Elyassian
How We Met: University of California, San Diego 2010
Favorite Memory: Photoshoot @ her apartment!
What I have learned from her: How to have a dynamic personality and be exciting around all
Jennine Ta
How We Met: Stanford Elementary, 2000
Favorite Memory: Playing handball
What I have learned from her: How to have a chill personality
Phillip Pham
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2016
Favorite Memory: Hanging out after school with students
What I have learned from him: How to develop good relationships with students
Jazmine Contreda
How We Met: Anime Expo 2018
Favorite Memory: Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to have great cosplay outfits
Josh Eng
How We Met: Anime Expo 2018
Favorite Memory: AX Comedy Show
What I have learned from him: How to be chill and down to earth
Karishma Chauhan
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2017
Favorite Memory: Paint Nite
What I have learned from her: How to have an Indian boyfriend from miles and miles away
Fiorella Carhuaz
How We Met: Las Vegas Meetup Group, 2014
Favorite Memory: Assembling a chair together
What I have learned from her: How to handle a breakup properly
Nathaniel Hanna
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2014
Favorite Memory: Chilling at his place
What I have learned from him: Great Interview and social skills
Ronny Hoffman
How We Met: Cram Middle School, 2014
Favorite Memory: Trip to Europe
What I have learned from him: How to be a dynamic and engaging teacher
Eugene Hahn
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2016
Favorite Memory: Trips to San Diego
What I have learned from him: How to incorporate memes into the classroom
Michele Gauthier
How We Met: Las Vegas Meetup Group, 2014
Favorite Memory: Phil’s BBQ
What I have learned from her: How to be a caring social worker
Louise Chan
How We Met: University of California, San Diego 2010
Favorite Memory: DisneyWorld Florida
What I have learned from her: How to be a diligent and thoughtful person
Sam Choi
How We Met: Rise Kohyang Middle School, 2014
Favorite Memory: Yosemite
What I have learned from her: How to be an amazing and inspirational teacher and overall human being
Brandon Millis
How We Met: University of California, San Diego, 2011
Favorite Memory: Bringing Ron Paul to campus
What I have learned from him: Problems with collectivism
