Tuyet Nguyen was born on the 22'th of July in 1978, which makes her a bit older than I. Although when you look at her picture, you'd think she's only 'bout 13 yo. Don't let that sweet innocent look on her face fool you though :) *grin* :) She can also be as sharp as a knife if she wants to *smile*

Tuyet was born and raised in Vietnam, and aside for the trip to the US, when she was 15yo, she's never left the country before. When she first came here, everything was new and a wonder to her. It was a real miracle that we've both met. She was exploring the world and needing guidance, curious of everything, and I needed someone to help me deal with the isolation that I've felt after I came to the US.

Language differences didn't pose any problems to us, which is incredibly funny. Her not knowing a word of English, and my lack of knowledge when it comes to Vietnamese, did not stop us from communicating. You have no idea how far a simple smile can go, and how universal it is :) That's how it all started…with a look in the eyes, and a simple smile. Before I knew it, I was learning to speak Vietnamese :) And it's just a huge shame, that I've begun to forget it as Tuyet learned to speak English more and more fluelently.



At the time though, we were both new to the Upper Darby High School and the community of Upper Darby. The life to us was full of strangers and stress. It wasn't easy to cope with the rigours placed on us by the school rules, but we've put up with them constantly supporting each other. I'll never forget, for as long as I live, all the things that we've seen each other through during the years, the tears we've both cried out and all the laughs that we shared.

Being so different ethnically, we shared a lot in common and whatever one knew that the other didn't, we would teach each other. And one thing that drew us closer, is what drives everyone else apart, which is the difference in cultures. We were both alien to the US, and we had an easier time associating with each other, than we did with the natives. We were both considered as 'outsiders', although being white, I had an easier time being accepted. I've never cared to fit in though, because the culture and the customs of Americans did not suit me. I've actually made it my point to show everyone that "yes, I am European", "yes I am different", and "yes, I am proud of it"; which sometimes tended to stir me on the war path with some people.

In the spring of 1997, Tuyet and I both graduated from UDHS and both went on to universities. Unfortunatelly, two different ones. My course of major is criminal justice, and hers is nursing, and while I'll be attending Uni of London, she'll stay back in the US attending the Temple University in Philadelphia. The first year of uni was horrible for the both of us. Not only because we were going to different unis, but also because we both worked in two different places after classes, and it was just hard for us to get together each day as we used to.
Of course, the professors haven't spared us the stress either. I dare say, my first year at the uni was the worst of all in my entire life, but I've pulled through it all on my own.

Unfortunatelly, Tuyet hasn't escaped discrimination either on the basis of the colour of her skin, which we both find highly unfair.

I say she looks good just the way she is, and if you do not wish to take my word for it, simply take a look at these pictures that I've taken of her, and decide for yourself.