Nailed It Q&A Reed College

State of Oregon Podcast

This was a very special night I won't forget. I had stepped out of the theater (because I've seen the film a million times,) and when I came back in, my father was standing there, watching from the back row. My heart trilled and I'm surprised I didn't ugly cry. As a second generation Vietnamese kid, the daughter of a war refugee going into film, I still question myself. I wish I had more money to help my family. My emotions were already running high just being on campus, Reed College, the Harvard of the West, where my younger brother got a full ride and graduated -- but paid the price. He still has not recovered from the mental break he experienced there, and Reed gave us 0 support. As a family we've been through so much, and are still together, and trying to pull everyone through. The metaphor of the Vietnamese nail salon as a family unit holds great meaning for me. I'd like to think that's where the heart of god lives -- in not abandoning your family or any human being, when faced with insurmountable odds.