About me.
I was born in Ho Chi Minh City, former Saigon, Vietnam in an outside province. My mother gave me up for adoption at birth and I was placed under the care of the Tam Binh Orphanage. The caregivers and staff at the orphanage cared for and loved me from the time I arrived. I was adopted by an American family through Lutheran Social Services one month later, and a couple months after I officially became an United States citizen.
Today, I am an ordinary teen living an extraordinary life. Last year in 2015, I traveled back to Vietnam with my parents and younger brother. I fell in love with the country I left so many years ago, along with it's people and the culture.
Today, I am an ordinary teen living an extraordinary life. Last year in 2015, I traveled back to Vietnam with my parents and younger brother. I fell in love with the country I left so many years ago, along with it's people and the culture.
Left photo: My younger brother and I on the roof terrace of the Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Middle photo: My family and I posing with Vietnamese volunteers and the head caregiver (In orange) of my orphanage. This photo was taken when we visited my orphanage for the first time in 16 years! Right photo: I am walking down a narrow ally, side by side with a local chef and tour guide, in Hoi An.
The Project
Since my time in Vietnam, I have realized how fortunate I am to have grown up with nice clothes, toys, books, and more importantly a family... The trip opened my eyes to the harsh reality I may have faced, in turn, coming home I desperately wanted to give back. I wanted to give the orphanage and the children something that would bring happiness, joy, and bright smiles. Maya Angelou once said "Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud," my storm has long passed, but I would like to shine a light into the lives of others. Thus, started the inspiration to my project, I decided to illustrate and write a children's book in dedication of the Tam Binh Orphanage and the millions of orphaned children around the world. In collaboration with Rob DeBartolo a local artist from Essex, Connecticut, I am in the process of finishing the book. The book will be translated into Vietnamese and shipped to my orphanage for the children to enjoy. The books title will be LITTLE FROG.