Too few people know the shy but secretly brilliant and sassy Minh Ton, cell and molecular biology senior. Here’s a sneak peek into her life.
Q: What’s the best pun someone has ever come up with for your name?
A: Minh-ty Fresh. The worst one was Minh Thong, like man thong. I don’t want that to become a thing.
Q: What’s it like being a married woman on campus?
A: I feel like a unicorn to people. I always get asked the same questions, and they say, “Wow, you’re so young!” I don’t think it’s that weird, though.
Q: What was your wedding like?
A: I was 18 and had just graduated high school. He was about to be deployed in the Air Force, so it was pretty quick. He brought me back to the place where we first kissed (behind Wal-Mart) and proposed. It was nothing fancy, but I liked it. I’m not fancy. We got married a month later. It wasn’t really a wedding. I guess we eloped. My parents didn’t know about it, and his didn’t either. We just went to the courthouse, but I dressed up. He put on a suit, and I wore a white teacup dress. I watched some YouTube tutorials to try to figure out my hair and makeup. He brought his best friend and the friend’s girlfriend at the time – they’re not together anymore. I guess those weren’t the best witnesses. I’m happy though! We’ve been married for three years and together for seven.
Q: Tell me about your husband.
A: His name is Benjermin. He prefers Ben because he thinks his name is spelled weird. He’s the chillest person you’ll ever meet. I like him because he’s really accepting, and he doesn’t care about how you do things, as long as the intention is good. When I met him, I didn’t speak English that well. My grammar still isn’t the best, but he doesn’t care how I say things. He only cares about the meaning behind it. He reads a lot. He’s one of those people you can be really comfortable around.
Q: Where are you from? What’s the most iconic physical landmark from your childhood?
A: I’m from Vietnam originally. I lived there for 10 years. My parents moved here to be close to my dad’s family and give me a better future. The landmark is probably only iconic to me, but a street down from my house, there’s an outdoor food market where everyone would bring their catch of the day. There was a lot of fish and fruit that they’d sell there at a little market. I’d go with my grandma every morning to get food.
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to paint and draw Manga, like Japanese comics. It’s very popular over there.
Q: What is your ultimate life dream?
A: Not having to read any more textbooks! No, I’m joking. I just want to get a house where I can fit all of my stuff. I’m a hoarder. Then, I want to travel the world – maybe go back to Vietnam someday and visit my family.
Q: If you had to have an exotic animal as a pet, what would you pick?
A: I want baby dragons. I would like to be the mother of dragons. Or a dire wolf. All my decisions are influenced by Game of Thrones.
Q: What is your all-time favorite movie?
A: Lord of the Rings because it is the most mystical fairytale and will take you out of this world.
Q: What is the rudest thing someone has ever said to you?
A: Other than that man thong thing? There was this one girl who didn’t think I understood English as well as I did. She’d call me stupid in front of my face, and I’d pretend I didn’t understand so she didn’t get the satisfaction of knowing I heard her.
Q: What is the greatest compliment you’ve ever been given?
A: Ben told me he loves the way that I think. I think in terms of science and philosophy, and that can be a weird combination.
Q: If you could pick anyone in the world to sing you to sleep, who would you pick?
A: Christina Aguilera. I’d be too excited to sleep though. She’s my all-time favorite pop singer. Ooh I also love Frank Sinatra, if we’re talking any kind of singer.
Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
A: I give people weird first impressions because I am religious, in a sense. I like to cross before I eat, and I give off a good girl image. People think I’m innocent and are afraid to cuss in front of me. But I curse sometimes, and I actually have controversial thoughts.
Q: What is your biggest deal breaker in a relationship?
A: So many. I’ll name a few. First of all, if you’re petty, it won’t work with me. I also expect you to share your food. Lastly, I get jealous very easily, so don’t give me even a smidgeon of suspicion, or I will go off on you. I hate flirty personalities.
If you’d like to suggest someone for the next Feature Friday, comment below!
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