Teresa

Teresa asked Phuc Tran:

Sorry, this isn't really a question....more of a polite demand for Part Deux. I have to know how you ended up a Latin-teaching tattoo artist! And how it went over with your family?? And what became of your brother??

Phuc Tran Haha, duly noted—winky face. I'm not sure my college years and beyond have the narrative tensions that my teenage and early life had. Any grief that I experienced was mostly self-inflicted (stepping on the landmines of my own stupidity). There are some ridiculous stories, to be sure, but I'm not sure it's so exciting/revelatory that it would warrant a second memoir (per se). My parents were indifferent about Latin teaching (they appreciated that I was a teacher—VERY RESPECTABLE) and cried when they found out I had tattoos and was a tattooer (my mom sobbed and asked me if I was also gay...) ummm... what?! My brother is doing great—he was a mechanical engineer for a while and then got bored and went to law school. He made up for me by being an engineer AND a lawyer—clearly, the successful Tran in our family, haha.

More Answered Questions

Yogesh

Yogesh asked Phuc Tran:

Hi Phuc, this is not a question. I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed your memoir. I felt a connection to your story, having been born in a Hindu family in a Buddhist kingdom and been sent catholic missionary school, and capping all that with finally coming to America as a refugee just as Trump was rising in politics! I hope you write more books. I will be the first in line to buy them..?

Mary

Mary asked Phuc Tran:

I am so excited to read your book. I am from York, PA and during a similar period as you, my family hosted a Vietnamese couple, also refugees. They lived with us for several years and after still stopped by anytime they were passing through town. Do you know how or through what agency these resettlements happened? My parents have passed and I have so many questions about this time and this area's history with refugees

Jessica Loomis

Jessica Loomis asked Phuc Tran:

I grew up in Carlisle and graduated in '96. Loved your books so much. I was into the punk scene, went to St. Pat's, Mooreland...so many crossovers. My parents remember seeing your family at church. Now I have introduced your memoir to my seniors in Portland, Oregon, and they love it. So, my question is, would you ever visit my students? Either through Zoom or in person? :)

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