Outside of the Theatrics
With the assistance of my mother's sisters, my parents, my sister, and I immigrated to the United States in 2004 when I was about five years old. It was a big and scary change. However, I remind myself not to take life here for granted. My parents moved us here for my sister and I to obtain better educational and employment opportunities. Their American dream was to have a roof over our heads and for my sister and I to succeed. My mother likes to remind us to "học tốt và kiếm tiền để tự lo cho con" which translates to "learn well in school and make money to take care of yourselves." It may sound simple, but it's how I'll make my parents proud.
Hello and welcome! My name is Aly Tu (she/her/hers). I was born in Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh (aka Ho Chi Minh City or Sài Gòn) in Vietnam. I have two incredibly supportive parents, a hard-working big sister, and a loving extended family.
As a professional homebody, I like to watch animated series, have self-care spa nights, watch interesting documentaries, rewatch my favorite movies, and/or free-write. When I am home in Maryland, I enjoy spending time with family. We love to eat! Some delicious grub places in the DMV area that I'd recommend are: The Block in Annandale, VA; Teas'n You in Vienna VA; and Pike Kitchen & Iron Age in Rockville, MD.
I love and appreciate Vietnam's culture, cuisines, and the various forms of theatre. One beautiful but fading theatrical and stylized art form is Hát Bội or Hát Tuồng which is known for its unique and rich Chinese theatre influence and history. Its stylized make-up and costumes, stock characters, percussive use of instruments, falsetto vocals, and its intricate body movements and facial expressions are enchanting.
