Nghia's Interview - A Utah Forensic Toxocologist


Today's interview is with someone I have known since the good old days of recess.  Nghia Nguyen came into my world back when freeze tag and kickball were the highlights of my life.  I always knew him to be quiet, but with a quick sense of humor and as we have grown up and gone on to attempt adulthood, I have been able to witness some of the awesome things he has done with his life.

It was a thrill to find out more about his life and chat with him about the difference he has made in our world.  He has a life filled with humor mixed with science, with a shake or two of fun.

1.  How would you describe yourself?

I am quirky because I have varied interests and am a homebody who is a social butterfly.

 

2.  If you were a chocolate candy bar, what would you be and why?

Blue Symphony because I’m nutty and smooth.

 

3.  Where/when is the first place you would go if you had a time machine?

I would go back and hang out with Bob Dylan in 1961 in Greenwich Village.


4.  What is your profession?

Forensic Toxicologist 


     5.   What does a typical day look like in your job?

I come to work and analyze body fluids and then testify in court regarding my findings.

     6.   If you could rewrite a part of your history, would you? 

Being kicked out of 3 colleges and being irresponsible with drug and alcohol use.

     7.   How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.  I define success with being content with your life and I think I measure up.

     8.   Who do you admire and why?

My artist friend Randi Lile because she has a career she is passionate about.
   

     9.   If you had one month to live, what would you do?

I would buy an around the world ticket and explore the world.
      

     10.   What is your number one goal in life and why?

To live my life for myself and to enjoy it.
  

     11.   What risk would you take if you knew you could not fail?

Quit my job and bum around the world.

     12.   How would your best friend describe you?

Loyal as fuck.

     13.   What is your perception of the world?

Pretty positive, but I think too many people sweat the little things and ignore the major things.

     14.   What’s the difference between you and most other people?

Confidence

     15.   What are you doing in your life to influence the world and/or community?

My friend and I have established a charity for orphanages in Vietnam in honor of both of our parents who passed away.


     16.   If you could take only three items (aside from food and water) onto a stranded island what would they be and why?

Sunglasses because I’m sensitive to light.  Firestarter because I get cold easily and a knife because they are handy.
   

     17.   What is your family like?  What was their history like?

They are subdued.  I am from a refugee family.  My father was reeducated twice by communist government and I was born when he was in a camp.  I have 3 sisters.  They are all pretty successful professionally.  I am the only single one.  I am first born male child on both family lines and my offspring would play a very significant role in my family.

     18.   If you could be a superhero, which one would you be and why?

Um, I think everyday folk are superheros.
    

     19.   If you could change one thing and one thing only about the people of this world, what would it be?

Honesty
 
Last but not least, here is an interview Nghia had with KSL here in Utah...

https://youtu.be/v0rR8_i82pI

He's another inspiration to me and I enjoyed getting to know him just a little bit more.  He is always a witty conversationalist and being someone who does not fit into the standard mold here in Utah, I appreciate being able to converse with another oddball like myself.

Thank you Nghia for participating in my Inspirational Warrior Thursdays and keeping life interesting in the freezing desert of the wild west.

P.S.
Nghia and I first reconnected as adults when I ran into one of his friends in Las Vegas years ago.  This friend of his attempted to convince me that he knew the Asian kid from Indiana Jones and Goonies.  I laughed and laughed and laughed when I found out he was talking about Nghia.  Who wouldn't want to know the Asian kid from Indiana Jones.  He's like an extension of Harrison Ford.  Win on everyone's part.

Comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Thank for not misquoting or smearing my good name. You left out the part from Vegas that you guys called me at like 2am to confirm it was the same Nghia that you grew up with in Utah.

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    1. Ha! It was a tad bit earlier in the night since my obliterated friend got us kicked out of the club about 1am. Getting her back to our hotel in one piece was an adventure in itself 😉

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  3. Ummm I'm not so sure about this interview. It makes you sound all upstanding and like a respectable, contributing member of society. Which I suppose you very well may be. Maybe.

    Nice job on the interview Niki. Learned quite a bit about him I didn't know.

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    1. Thanks Vapid Vixen :) Great interview yourself and I love your blog!

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