What Come After X? [p.2]

What movies had an effect on you?
The most memorable movie to me is East of Eden because James Dean’s performance inspired me to be an actor. I grew up on all the classics from everything Hitchcock to Tracy & Hepburn to James Cagney.

What about songs, musicians, and books?
I had an older brother whose musical tastes influenced me greatly because he was six years older than me. So I was exposed to bands such as Molly Hatchet, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Van Halen. There were posters everywhere and vinyls in boxes all along his bedroom walls. The irony is that I still listen to all this music to this day even though it was about 6-10 years before my time. As far as books go I used to read anything I could get my hands on. The most influential book for me was The Little Prince which I still read every once in awhile and give out as presents to people that have become close to me and made an impact on my life.

What historical event had the biggest impact on your life?
The most impacting historical event in my life would have to be the Viet Nam Conflict. I was born at the tail end of it and raised in Vung Tau. I lost my father, who was an American GI, to that war and it molded me into who I am today. For the longest time I tried to distance myself from my Vietnamese heritage and only accepted that I was part Caucasian. Unfortunately I look exactly like my Mother, so no one else thought I was anything but Vietnamese. It took me a real long time to even associate with other Asians growing up because I wanted nothing more than to be like my Caucasian relatives and friends. Obviously growing up in a small town in upstate New York didn’t help either since I was the only Asian at my school in my age range.

What are your life’s goals? Where do you see yourself at age 40?
I’d like to contribute to the change for Asians in entertainment. I don’t need fame or fortune but just to know that what I did helped pave the way for greatness for Asians in entertainment. Although I would like to pay my bills and live without financial worry working as an actor. I don’t really know where I see myself. Forty seems so far away. Ahem, ok maybe not that far. 

Thuy Tran
AGE: 32
PROFESSION: BUSINESS ANALYST
COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Meet the lovely Thuy Tran. Thuy is still sometimes called “Tweety,” her pet name from college. Thuy was born in Sai Gon. At the age of two, she and her family immigrated to Rhode Island and lived in Pennsylvania. She had an average childhood and was bullied by the average mean kids. The oil

boom of the 1980’s led her family to Houston. She spent her high school and college years in Austin. Life in Austin was easier because of its higher tolerance for diversity owed to an already established Asian community. After school, she moved to Chicago, traveled the world, and is now married with two kids and lives in a home in Houston.

How has computer technology affected your life?
I am able to keep more global friends with ease. It’s made keeping in touch, shopping, and personal hobbies a lot easier. But it’s also made certain things more complex. Personal live communication with people is less frequent. I think technology, to a certain extent, has made my communication skills with people close to me less productive.

Is there a difference in the way you and your parents live?
Yes, but not much. Mom has Internet now too. She’s pretty hip to this stuff. And I probably learned to be more frugal about things due to her. We’re pretty similar.

Do you have any regrets in life?
No, I got to travel many places through my career and it always supported me financially. The jobs have their rewarding moments as well. I pretty much did all I wanted, some things probably should have waited until I was an adult.

What movies had an effect on you?
Lots of Chinese kung-fu films. It was our family outing on the weekends at Bo Bo Lang, the Chinese theatre in downtown Houston. My mom watched a lot of Vietnamese/Chinese soap operas. They had little direct effect on me but they kept me close to Asian culture. I saw all the usual big summer blockbusters like Star Wars to connect to American culture. I’ll say “I’ll be back” like Arnold for fun sometimes.

What about songs, musicians, and books?
My tastes in music changed with time and experience. I used to be into all the poppy stuff like Cyndi Lauper. I liked her more than Madonna. I thought Madonna was slutty. I loved Duran Duran. And then I got into the techno/poppy/euro dance stuff in college. I liked all the big ‘80s music, cheesy stuff like Anything Box and Camouflage. Then I got into jazz. I really enjoyed Dave Brubeck, yuppy jazz music. For real jazz I admired Coltrane, Davis, etc. I gained a deeper appreciation for music with age.

What historical event had the biggest impact on your life?
I’m really changed by 9/11 and this war on terror. I just see the world as more threatening and not as lovely and secure. Before, I’d travel worldwide by myself or with another girlfriend. I can’t imagine doing that now. I grew up and now I understand that as much as pacifist and liberals want to think, we won’t all hold hands and sing Kumbaya.