The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir (15 page)

When we first arrived in Australia, soft drinks seemed like such a luxury. Here we are showing off our wealth with our abundance of Fanta.

Even on her birthday Tram always tried very hard not to smile…

. . . but dad always managed to get a grin from his little girl.

Happy family at Tram’s fourth birthday.

At Tram’s fifth birthday we are joined by our cousins. (L to r) Me, Dung, Manh, Tram, Grandma, Tri, Khoa.

The Dos executing break dancing moves at a Christmas party. We were encouraged to perform at every family gathering. (L to r) Me, Khoa, Dung and Tri.

I was good looking when I was six.

Dad being funny at a friend’s wedding. He was filling in for the MC who didn’t show and made things up as he went along. Watching him as a kid influenced my decision to become a comedian.

Mum posing as if she was on the cover of a magazine. Dad used to tell us: ‘Your mum’s beautiful enough to be a model.’ They adored each other.

Khoa and me on the trip to Melbourne with Uncle Six. I am wearing the Balmain Tigers jacket that Uncle Six gave me. Khoa is eating.

Christmas time. The kid in the middle got a transformer robot… Khoa and I got pictures of Jesus and Mary. Check out Khoa’s smartypants fake excitement.

A childhood birthday. Good times.