20 Questions with Tracy
EPISODE 11 — 18 MARCH 2022
“There are always opportunities that you can take no matter what age you are, and it’s never too late to do something. So I think I would remind myself at 54, that I’m still young. If there’s stuff you want to do, just go and do it.”
ABOUT THE EP
Grab a cuppa and take a seat because we're getting up close and personal with Tracy. Wendy asks Tracy about her milestones, the values that shape her, discovering what matters, her personality traits, and living her best life in London.
THE DETAILS
A glimpse into Tracy’s childhood
Finding the confidence to be yourself
How family has shaped Tracy today
Geeking out over paper and hobbies
Quality time in relationships
Prioritising enjoyment and growth in a job
Adventure and freedom on exchange
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Wendy
Hey, friends. Welcome back to the podcast. We are doing part two of the get to know us episode. So now we're getting deep and personal with Tracy Trieu. So thank you for taking the time to come take a seat at this Mahjong table with me in my bedroom. We've upgraded from the floor at least. Anyway, that's beside the point. So I've written 20 questions for Tracy. And there are questions about you know, her childhood, her hobbies, her career, but also our favourite topic, exchange, because we love talking about it. So let's dive straight in. I thought we could start in a reflective note. Let's check in. How is 2022 treating you so far?
Tracy
Oh, 2022 has been good. It has been stable, I would say. It's been like a nice slow start to the year. I think everything's cool, like starting a new job, I guess, learning a new job, that's been fun. But also continuing with what I've been doing last year, because we're still technically still working from home. So it's still like, nothing crazy. I feel like I'm at the stage of life now where things are getting steady. Like, I know what makes me happy. I know what I enjoy. I know what makes me content, so that's what I'm doing. But hopefully more adventures to come this year.
Wendy
I feel like it's kind of like a less of an intense parabola. More of like an exponential graph.
Tracy
Yes. Wait...
Wendy
Yeah, math, wasn't my strong point. Anyway, glad to hear that it's going really well. We're gonna dive a little bit deeper into you know, your new job and everything. But before we do, let's tell the listeners what it was like growing up as Tracy Trieu. Do you have any like fond memories, significant people who shaped your life and then any, like pivotal moments?
Tracy
I think for me, when I think about my childhood, I think of my childhood home. So I was probably there from birth till maybe year six or something like that. And that's where I think my fondest childhood memories come from, because it was such a blissful time when I reflect on it. I think after that, like I had to like grow up. But that time in that childhood home, I just remember like playing outside in the front yard, but also like doing random shit in the backyard. Like we had a little small inflatable pool that we used to put up and all my cousins would come in and swim around in the back yard. We'd do like swimming lessons weekly with my cousins, and then I'll spend weekends with my grandparents because my parents used to work on the weekends. So it was just a lot of time just being with family, but also being outdoors and doing random stuff, like painting and oh, at my grandma's house, we used to do this thing where we would slide down the stairs. We'd get like cardboard boxes, and me and my cousins would just like sit on the cardboard boxes and slide down the stairs. Just random stuff.
Wendy
Were there any kind of like pivotal moments or like a specific age maybe from your childhood to maybe high school?
Tracy
Yeah, I think for me, my biggest moment of growth was probably in year 10 when I first got my like, first big girl job at Woolworths Cabramatta. My first job ever, like 14 and nine months, as soon as I could get a job, followed Wendy's footsteps, got a job at Woollies, and that was very pivotal in character growth. I think before that, I felt like in year seven, year eight, as a person I was quite timid. I felt I didn't grow into myself. I hadn't grown into myself yet. But in year 10, when I was working and I was able to meet all these people outside of school but also like be a checkout chick and like, run things and you know, talk to customers, help people, like I really grew in confidence in that job, and making money as well, becoming independent. I think that was very significant in pushing me outside of my comfort zone and making me more confident as a person. So year 10, very important year for me. When I started year 11 year 12, then I think the growth kept on going exponentially at that point, because I think that's when we got really close to our group of friends that we call the E-Blockers. So literally like a group of just extroverted people.
Wendy
Like we literally did anything, everything under the sun. Like it was meant to be a quiet block and we we would just be singing Happy birthday every week because it was someone's belated birthday celebration. We would decorate this like skinny tree with Christmas decorations, we celebrated Halloween, we started a conga line at one point.
Tracy
Yeah, like we were just doing random shit all the time in E Block, which is why we were called the E-Blockers, and it was just very wholesome, right. And I genuinely felt that in year 12, I could be myself around a safe space, or people who were just as crazy, as weird, as silly as each other. And I think they that group of friends really showed me what it's like to be yourself and not be afraid of it. So I think that was a very important lesson for me in high school.
Wendy
I think from when you were at Woolies, you started to really have an identity that you could carry and hold as your own. Whereas before that you kind of were just unsure of who you were. And yeah, having that independence and that responsibility helps you build that even more, right? I want to take it back to when you were talking about your cousins a little bit. I feel like they're also a really big part of your identity. And you always talk about like hanging with your extended family. How do you think that's like shaped you who you are today and your values?
Tracy
Well, I'm lucky because all my cousins are kind of the same age as me, and my sisters are also quite close in age. So my sisters, my cousins, we're very close. And we spent weekends together with my grandparents and the aunties, uncles. So family is like one of my biggest values. And I think that translates to friends as well. Because I kind of grew up in a family where, if you're a friend of someone in the family, you're also part of the family. So I think that lesson is really important for me, where I try to treat people that I love and are close to, like family. So I think the family values and like, the collective mindset, like being happy as a group, hanging out with friends, doing things with other people, like really shaped my life, because I just love being around other people.
Wendy
Yeah and for context, like Tracy, how many cousins do you have?
Tracy
It's like 10 people, roughly 10.
Wendy
It's like a lot of people and I have to say, I've been on the receiving end of being that friend and feeling like I'm so welcomed into the family. Yeah, feel like your aunty is like the only person that I hug. Yeah, it's not my directly blood related aunty, but every time I see her, I'm just like, Oh my God, aunty! But yeah, I feel like I envy the family that you have, because you celebrate kind of key moments in the year as well, like you always go camping, you always do Christmas and Kris Kringle together, and so, you know, those are the moments that you're going to come together as a family. And I feel like, that's so hard to find. Which is, yeah, super, super special.
Tracy
I think I've said it before, like, they're a really close group of mine. I'm like friends with them. We're not just cousins. We're not just sisters. They're like, really good friends. And they're also another group of people that I can literally be like, so stupid and silly around because we're all the same, we just muck around. So I think it just helps in like, being yourself and you know, just having fun, doing spontaneous things and just enjoying life.
Wendy
Switching gears a little bit. What do you geek out about?
Tracy
So I thought about how about this, and I realised what it is. It's paper. Like wrapping paper. I love wrapping presents. I don't know why, but I just love keeping anything that could be wrapping. If people give me presents, I keep the ribbons. I keep the wrapping and then I reuse it. So I just love paper for some reason, like wrapping paper cards, packaging, journals, diaries, anything with paper. Yeah, I do not know why.
Wendy
This is really, really true. Because every time Tracy gives me a present, it's wrapped in recycled paper. And it's such a vibe because it adds to the aesthetic. And I like I think I always ask you like, where's this wrapping paper from? You'd be like, Oh, yeah it's recycled. Yeah, but I think it's so sustainable. I love that. I think it's a good thing.
Tracy
Yeah, I geek out about like really nice paper or like nice designs on packaging and things like that.
Wendy
Love that. What are your favourite hobbies? And how did they come about?
Tracy
I feel like we've talked about this in the past, but everyone knows, I read a lot, I like doing art, I love like being outdoors, I like going to markets, playing sports. But also recently, I feel like I've really enjoyed video editing. Like I started a YouTube channel with my sisters last year during COVID. Shout out The Trieu Sisters. Yeah, and shout out to Skillshare because I actually really developed my skills through doing a free trial on Skillshare. That's my recent thing. I think every time I get to edit videos, I get really into it, because I just love how fun it is. And that kind of came out of just COVID and wanting to learn new skills and and going on Skillshare seeing what I could learn. I also did some art classes on Skillshare. Then I found the video one, and did some photography ones, and it's just a lot of fun for me, just trying something new and trying to get good at it.
Wendy
Yeah, yeah. How much like time do you invest in the hobby? Is it something that becomes an ongoing hobby? Or is it kind of like you stop and start it and then you're on to the next thing?
Tracy
I think it's a little both. I love doing arts and crafts, I love using my hands, hands on stuff. So I feel like I try a lot of stuff, like I've done like tufting or I've done like weaving and some of that those were kind of a phase. I did it once and I was like, I don't think I could continue this because I didn't enjoy it as much. But then once I experiment with other things that I like, I will continue it, like sewing is something I stick to. Video editing. I've done more than once.
Wendy
What is a hobby that you've always wanted to try and master?
Tracy
Yeah, cooking. 100% I think growing up, I never really had exposure to the kitchen. Because my mum is like the type of person who's like, get away like you're, you're in the way, you know. So being actually being in the kitchen with adults around gave me anxiety because they're gonna judge how I'm chopping things. And like, it just got so clustered, being in the kitchen, trying to do stuff, just having people watch you. So I think I just didn't have the experience growing up. But then now as I'm older and I'm trying like making my own meals, because I'm trying to be healthier. And also on exchange, when I started making cooking, I realised that I truly enjoy cooking. I'm not good at it at all. But it's something that I want to learn. And I do want to try to learn to make more complex meals and not just like curry or something, you know, stir fry or something.
Wendy
Yeah, like master the, like key core skills of cooking.
Learning how to balance ingredients, flavours.
Yeah, I think the other thing is also carrying through like our Asian heritage. As well like learning how to cook very specific dishes that kind of reminds us of our childhood.
Tracy
Yeah, love that. I think just asking parents like, Oh, why are you doing that? What are you doing? How do you like that? Why did you do it? Like, why did you do that that way? Whereas before, I was just not interested.
Wendy
And I think you have to be in the environment where you're forced to fend for yourself and then you start to actually take an interest in it. And I would have to say when I was an exchange, like, I loved cooking, because it was quite therapeutic. And you feel quite proud. Because you're like, feeding yourself. Yeah, that's a big accomplishment in yourself. Whereas like today, for example, when I came home, I was like, Oh, mum, what's for lunch and she was like, Oh, I'll fix your bowl. And I was just like, Yeah, cool. But then, like, if I was living by myself, I would have to actually look in the fridge to figure out what to cook and then feed myself. So I think that's a good good hobby to to try.
Tracy
Exactly. Yeah. Hopefully one day.
Wendy
So switching gears again to keep things interesting. What is your love language? And how do these translate into your friendships and relationships?
Tracy
My love language is quality time. And I think quality time is actually really high up there. I think my second one's words of affirmation, which makes sense because I love validation. But yes, quality time is for sure up there. For me how it translates to my friendships and relationships is I always make the effort to be like, Okay, I haven't talked to this person in a long time, let's organise something. And for me, I'm really big on if you're with someone in person, you have to be present with them. I do not want to touch my phone. I don't want to be distracted. I just want to be in the moment. So I think that's something I prioritise. And I, I realised I suffer when I don't have that quality time with people. If I don't make time, if I'm too busy, or if I just go on autopilot and don't make the effort to spend quality time with people, I started feeling disconnected. I start feeling like not as energised. And then I realised once I spend a day with my friends like a really, really good time, then I'm energised again.
Wendy
Yeah, I totally understand that. Because you actually, in talking to other people about your life, you also reflect on it. And then hearing someone else's perspective is also really refreshing as well, despite like, whatever you might be saying.
Tracy
Yeah. And I think one thing for me is I'm a really bad texter. Because when me and you, we don't talk via text that often. We do it for like more transactional? Our big, important conversations are done in person. And that's what I like. And I don't like having full on conversations via texts, like some people do. I don't like having like DNM conversations via text. So I think that's for me another thing, right, like quality time means having in person conversations and not just relying on technology.
Wendy
Yeah, same. Because it's like very staggered communication, and you're not really able to ask those follow up questions. Yeah, I find that really difficult as well. Because you could send a really long paragraph, and you just get lost in the paragraph. And you're just like, This is not a really sustainable way to communicate with another person.
Tracy
And not a very emotional, yeah. And you can just look at it and go back to it. I don't reply instantly, because I can look at it and I be lile, I'm not like available right now, I'm gonna come back to it.
Wendy
It's also though the level of understanding you have with the other person. Yeah, I feel like for you and I, we've worked out like a way to communicate that works for us. And if it's like a really serious thing, we'll go to like phone communication, or we'll be like, Oh, do you have a you have time tonight to like, meet up and chat. Whereas if it's more transactional stuff, we'll just text.
Tracy
Yeah, exactly. More quick stuff. But like, for me, I feel like when if I'm struggling with something, I like to phone call. That's, that's better than texting.
Wendy
Yeah, we've worked out the perfect formula. So on the opposite end of that, what is your toxic trait?
Tracy
Okay, this is so funny, because Wendy made me do this quiz. I did not know about it, but my one is so accurate. Mine is the control freak.
Wendy
I mean, I feel like on my end, I don't feel it that much. But maybe with mostly like your sisters or with your partner?
Tracy
I just need control over everything. I don't know. Maybe being the eldest, I feel like I grew up just needing control. Like, I need to know exactly what's happening. ABCD you know. I'm trying to be better, though.
Wendy
That was gonna be my next question. Like, after you found out, did it like change you in any way?
Tracy
The quiz just told me something I already knew. And I think I already knew I was a bit like that years ago. And that's been a journey for me trying to be less, like more spontaneous, or less needing control.
Wendy
Like less rigid in the way that you were?
Tracy
I think so. Like, for example, like in my new job that I've started this year, there's a lot of stuff that I don't know. And because we're in this phase of transitioning, like some people are leaving, so a lot of knowledge is leaving as well, the company. So as a new starter, like, I feel uncomfortable, because I don't have control over the process. I don't know everything. And for me, knowing everything means control. Yeah, I want to know what happens next. But now I'm kind of learning like, I'm not expected to know everything. I'm not expected to be perfect. And I can let go of that need of control because it's okay. It will all pan out. Yeah, I don't need all that control. I don't need to know everything.
Wendy
So, being comfortable with ambiguity. And being okay with the fact that you're actually not meant to know everything because you're only human right? And like work takes a team, you're only one person.
Tracy
Yeah exactly. Because I think another way that it plays out is I get quite stressed if I don't know stuff.
Wendy
And you pride yourself on that, right?
Tracy
Yeah, I'm just like, What do you mean I have to do this, like, give me more instructions. I need to know exactly what to do then I'll feel okay, I can run with it now.
Wendy
Yeah, because I know that I would feel incompetent. And I would feel like I'm unsure if the output I produce is going to be aligned with what is expected. And you don't want to disappoint people? On that topic with this new job that you started this year. Were there any rituals that you did to prepare for it?
Tracy
I wore clothes that's not pyjamas. Because we're all working from home and like doing Zoom. Literally you could be in your pyjamas whilst working. Yeah, people wouldn't care.
Wendy
Yeah, but you just feel like you needed to get dressed up.
Tracy
Yeah. Like, pretending like I'm actually going out to the city to the office. Put on a nice shirt, put on pants.
Wendy
Yeah. First school day. I actually did the same with my new job, too.
Tracy
I didn't really do too much else to be honest. Like, I just tried to wake up early. Your standard stuff? It's a bit different because we're working from home. Yeah.
Wendy
Did you have any fears going into the job? How did you overcome those adversities?
Tracy
This job is quite different from my last job in the sense that it's a level higher. So it's a Senior Account Manager role, working in the retail space. I've never had clients in the retail space before because I've come from health advertising. But now it's like more fast paced retail advertising. So for me, it was just like, not a fear, but more like, how quickly can I pick things up? And not letting people down? Like, I don't want to go in Aand they're like, Oh, she's not as good as we thought she was in the interview. But then I've also tried not to put those expectations too much on myself. They don't expect me to know everything, they know the background I've come from, and they've taken this chance on me. But it's just something that I always kind of have at the beginning of a job. I want to prove myself.
It takes time, though, doesn't it. It takes like, actually a couple of months. And it's proven in the opportunities that you're given. Yeah, it's hard to prove yourself when you're actually not given the right opportunities to do that.
I agree. I think they need to support new starters to be able to actually shine as well. But yeah, they've been lovely like that. I've had really nice messages from the team saying, like, You're doing such a great job and words of affirmation, you know, like, works for me. So it's helped. But also, I think another not a fear, but like, a thing that was on the back of my head is like, what if I'm not passionate about this? So I think that's something that's always in the back of my mind when I'm trying something new, if I'm gonna like it or not.
Wendy
Yeah, but I mean, you took a chance on it. And you never would have known what this industry would have been or this focus area in the advertising agency would have been like, as opposed to health.
Tracy
Yes, I think I was niched into health, but now I'm kind of opening up my opportunities a lot more now. And it's been so fun. It's been really interesting. Learning something new. So it was a good move.
Wendy
Yeah. What do you what do you love about it?
Tracy
Um, I don't know. Like, it's just so I think maybe it's so relatable, because like, my client is Westfield. And like, I am a customer of Westfield, right? I know Westfield. I know, like the people and the I think it's just like, so fun. Yeah, I mean, I think no matter where I've been in advertising, the culture always in agency life has been really fun and stuff like that. So that carries through. But this job, specifically is just like, so different. So I think just doing something so different afresh is enjoyable for me at this point, anyway. Yeah. I just enjoy how dynamic it is.
Wendy
What about on the other end? Is there anything that you hate about it?
Tracy
Oh, I feel like it's too early to say that. I think it would probably be the same as, like, not specifically the job. But probably like the industry, the industry being in advertising, right? Like the themes that always come up for me is diversity. Like I always wished that advertising was much more diverse. Like it's definitely getting there. But that's something that we could work on. Other things would be like pay probably. I feel like going into advertising, you probably don't get paid as much as you do going into the big four or something like that. Yeah, but those are things I'm happy to sacrifice, not sacrifice, but like, I prioritise enjoyment, things I'm passionate about, and growth. At this stage of my life, money is not everything.
Wendy
Yeah. And I think that's all always a work in progress, right? No company is ever going to be perfect, but it's more so about like what they're doing in that space to improve it. If you weren't in the advertising industry, what do you think you would be doing?
Tracy
Um, what would I be doing? I think I would be maybe publishing. I really like writing, written communication. I think journalism was something I thought about when I was deciding what I wanted to do. And I just love magazines. Yeah, media like, online blogs and stuff like that. I just love all that. I think it will be fun to like, write something.
Wendy
You're really good at it, though. I have to say like, you're much better than I am. I think creative writing is something that you're good at.
Tracy
Like, even Instagram captions, I love doing that. Because it's just like a chance to just like write.
Wendy
I mean, it's chance to be punny. But most people dread that stuff.
Tracy
I really enjoy written communication. So yeah, I think I will do that. Otherwise, I'll probably be in like a nonprofit or social enterprise or something like that. Maybe in the future I will.
Wendy
Yeah. Never say never. What is your mantra towards your professional life?
Tracy
I try to do cool shit that matters. And I think this came from uni. But every time I'm looking for a job, I'm like, is this cool shit that matters, in terms of does it matter to me? Will it provide me benefit? Will it help me grow as a person? But also, does the work make an impact in the world? And is it cool? Because I just want to be excited and have fun about what I do. Yeah, excitement and enjoyment is very important for me in a job.
Wendy
You want to be invested in it, right?
Tracy
Yeah, like, I want to have fun. But I also want to have an impact.
Wendy
Yeah, yeah. Cool. On the flip side, for your personal life, or actually, also your career, how do you keep yourself kind of on your toes and challenge yourself to grow?
Tracy
I think I'm always looking for what else? I'm quite ambitious as a person. So like, when I'm in a job, it's not just the job. I'm looking at a company like, who can I learn from? What can I learn? What opportunities are there that I can pursue? And then let that be known, like this is where I want to go and help me with it.
Wendy
I think we're very, very similar in how we approach things. It's more so like, not just what you can do for the company, because that's what the kind of vibe of the interview usually is. The intention is you go in there to try and prove your worth. But it's also now I'm starting to notice being in the been a full time job for a couple of years. Now it's like, what can the company do for me?
Tracy
It's a two streak. And I'm always asking for external training at work. Every company I've been to, I've got an external training paid for. I'm always looking out, like, what else is there for me to learn outside of work? Because actually, like, learning is one of my biggest values as well. So I'm always wanting to be in opportunities where I can keep learning and improving myself.
Wendy
Yeah, yeah, I think you've always been really good at that. Like, yeah, keeping your company accountable for providing that training expense, because I think it's really easy to just forget about it when you get so busy. What have you done training in all the years you've been working full time?
Tracy
So AWARD School. I've talked about the creativity course that I did. But it also did a strategic course on strategic thinking. And I've also done a digital marketing course via Academy Xi. And that was really cool, like learning digital marketing specifics like search, social, websites, things like that.
Wendy
Yeah. And that's kind of played into like A Seat at Our Table as well.
Tracy
Yeah, totally. Like, it really helps and helps my job because I am in a marketing role. So I already kind of knew the basics of it, but going into detail and actually applying it more. It just helped. Yeah.
Wendy
Is there anything you're looking to get training in next?
Tracy
I think that's my next question. Because I've always known what I want to do. I'm at a stage now where I'm like, I feel like the foundations there. I'm pretty confident in how I can do my job. Now it's like, what's next? And where I can take myself next? TBC I would say. I'm still very new at the job so I want to learn this first and then see what's missing and where I can develop.
Wendy
Yeah, that's a good approach. Let's talk about exchange. Tell our audience where you went and what you studied.
Tracy
So I went to London at King's College. So at USYD, I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies), but when I went overseas to King's College, it was just arts subjects. So I had like my electives that I did there and it was just so random. I did film studies, I did social media, I did like English literature or something like that. And one more I don't know what it was, but was another random arts subject. Yeah.
Wendy
Did you enjoy it?
Tracy
I loved it. Actually, if I could do another course, I would do arts. Like I think that's very aligned with my interests, like film studies, writing, English, reading, literature. That's what I do on the side.
Wendy
It's very interesting, because so many people shit on arts. I think it's because it takes a certain type of person to be able to survive in that type of degree. Yeah, because it's very vague. But it also encapsulates, like so many parts of our life that we expose ourselves to.
Tracy
It's a very worldly faculty. Like, you learn just so many different perspectives. You learn about history, you learn about the context of things, I find that all really, really interesting. And I love that I got that opportunity to do arts in another university.
Wendy
How did you make exchange happen? Because unlike me, obviously, it was embedded in my degree, I know that exchange can sometimes be quite hard to figure out.
Tracy
Yes. Like Wendy, I knew from high school that I wanted to go overseas on exchange. And I started working in year 10, knowing I wanted to save up money for it. And going into university, I got scholarships, and I also knew that was going towards exchange. So I think knowing from the beginning you wanted to do it was very helpful for me, because I knew whatever degree I was going to get into, I had to make room for it.
Wendy
That's such a good mentality. Because I think a lot of people actually get to the point where it's too late. And then they can't make it happen. Which I know for some people that I've spoken to is a massive regret.
Tracy
Yeah. It's a shame. Everyone I know, their regret in university is not going on exchange. So if you're in university, go on exchange, make it happen.
Wendy
It's hard because COVID is a thing right now, right? But think about what opportunities you can make happen within the realms of it. What were your fondest memories from exchange?
Tracy
I have so many like, every day, I felt like I was living my life. Not a lie. Like genuinely I wake up and be like I'm so grateful to be alive, I love this city, like I love the people around me, I'm having so much fun. Genuinely, I woke up every day going, I'm gonna make today count, the best day ever. Seriously. But like, I felt like I was living my life. I was on a high all the time. Yeah.
Wendy
What were some of those highs?
Tracy
My flatmates, shout out to my flatmates. Yeah, they really made my exchange what it is. We had one person from Germany, one from Switzerland, two from the States, and another one person from Australia. And we're just such a multicultural bunch. And it was just so funny to do random stuff, do spontaneous events. We decided to go to Dublin one weekend. Yeah, that was really fun. Like, randomly we'll just be like, okay, we feel like pancakes, let's go get ingredients to make pancakes like literally at midnight. And we'll be like in the kitchen making pancakes and cooking together. And my room was right next to the kitchen. So I heard when people were in the kitchen, and I had like no self control because as soon as I hear someone step in the kitchen, I'd be like, Hello? And just like hanging out with them, I think. And Wendy's met them. Do you remember the random disco that we did at my flat? I
Wendy
I just have so many vivid memories with your flatmates, like missing out on the Peking Duk concert and then ending up at some random bar.
Tracy
Like there was a party and we got kicked out. Because we're the only Asians in the room. For the disco, we were supposed to go out that night. But we started pre drinking whatever, having fun and then suddenly the lights were off, we had a strobe light, and just dancing in the kitchen. It was so fun.
Wendy
You just feel so free in those moments. Like, it's like being a child again.
Tracy
Yeah, it's like being a child again. So fun. So free. Just great time. So my fondest memories, always kind of were with my flatmates. We had so many memories, but also like, obviously, the times we spent travelling as well. Yeah, everyday was a great time.
Wendy
I think the friends that you make on exchange, like the ones that you keep around and stay in contact with as well was like, such a special connection because I have friends in different countries.
Tracy
And like they know what you went through and they know how special that moment was.
Wendy
You can never recreate it.
Tracy
No you can never recreate it. I was so sad like I was so sad when we left.
Wendy
I remember this.
Tracy
I was like the last person left in my flat. Like honestly saddest moment my life.
Wendy
Yeah. I did meet them. And I have to vouch for everything that Tracy's saying. It was a wild time. But so fun.
Tracy
Yeah, we did Thanksgiving together. We did Christmas dinner. Like just very wholesome.
Wendy
Yeah, love. What were the low lights about exchange? And how did you combat them?
Tracy
When my flatmates left me... Okay, I'm gonna be honest here. And I didn't have many low lights on exchange. Yeah, I genuinely felt like I was on a high all the time. I think low lights would probably like not being able to put as much energy and time into maintaining friendships at home. Yeah, that was very difficult. Especially being on opposite ends of the world where I think I had to wake up really early, to be able to talk to family and friends back home, and it was really late for them. So I think that's something I felt I should have done better, putting more effort into maintaining those relations back home.
Wendy
But they also knew that like, this is your time. And you're coming back anyway.
Tracy
Yeah, I think it was fine.
Wendy
It's really funny, because I was like, Oh, I wonder if Tracy will mention like me, like almost breaking my leg.
Tracy
No! That was so funny. That was not a lowlight at all. Have we told this story.
Wendy
I don't know. But just a quick run through. Like, what's your version of it?
Tracy
My version was we were in Mykonos, the last night in Mykonos. And I think it was early morning. We had to catch an Uber to the airport to go to Athens. And I think Wendy was carrying like two luggagses down. I think she was rushing and then she just skipped a step and like almost broke her ankle. She almost fractured her ankle and we had a whole trip planned. We were going to Croatia, we're going to Italy together. We're going to do stuff but then we ended up going back to Athens, going to the hospital there, getting Wendy a cast, going back to where you were staying for exchange, and then I became a caretaker.
Wendy
It was just like, so chaotic, because when it happened, like Mykonos, tthe airport is like literally four walls and like no high tech like of reception. So I remember you just frantically trying to get me on the plane. But like, I couldn't walk on my foot.
Tracy
And Wendy was on a wheelchair.
Wendy
And I was like, lying on some cement block outside the airport. It was just so makeshift, and you're like trying to communicate with these people. I can only imagine how stressful it was for you.
Tracy
Yeah, but my highlight though, do you remember being at the Athens hospital and nobody spoke English? We just didn't know what to do. We literally did not know what to do. Nobody spoke English. I'm trying to get her into I guess, the emergency department. And like, literally, nobody could understand us. And then a man walked past and he was like, Do you guys need help? And he spoke English.
Wendy
It was a lifesaver.
Tracy
And he was I think Greek but he spoke English. So he translated for us. And I was like, this man saved our life.
Wendy
He like helped us with the forms and everything. The doctor spoke English, it was great. But yeah, it was just chaotic for 24 hours. And then like, me having to inject myself because of the blood clots. Yeah, I think I have videos of this. And then you just kind of just witnessing me going through the sufferings and being my caretaker.
Tracy
I mean, that wasn't a lowlight, I think it was just funny.
Wendy
That's the thing, right? Like thinking about exchange overall, you just think of these moments that you would usually be really down about. But actually, because you're an exchange, you just laugh about it.
Tracy
It was just an adventure. The whole thing was an adventure. Yeah.
Wendy
Ah, well, I mean, what was the biggest thing that you learned about yourself? Overall, I know that you've spoken about, like, you know, you loved everything about it. But how did exchange spark change in your life?
Tracy
I think the love for adventure really, really cemented itself on exchange because every day I was doing something new. I was finding things I want to do, like going to a play, going to theatre, trying new restaurants, you know, just doing random things. And I realised how important it was for me I have that sense of adventure. And to always be doing something new, learning new things, meeting new people. And coming back to Sydney, I remember like vowing to myself that I'm going to keep the adventure alive. And coming back to Sydney, I really wanted to, like, have these fun moments with my friends. I want to explore Sydney, explore my own home, I guess, going out to do new things. So I think that was something that stuck. Other lessons I've learned was, I guess putting myself first. I think that exchange was really the first time I was like, this is all for me and I'm just going to, like, take every moment, take every opportunity and just live my life.
Wendy
Yeah, yeah. I think you summarised in such a beautiful. Like, I definitely did not summarise that in the same kind of respect to exchange. But I think it's almost like you've brought the sense of adventure home and you want to spread the same energy that you felt overseas with everyone around you, which I think is incredible. Last question. If you were to send a message to yourself in 2050, what would that be?
Tracy
How old would I be in 2050?
Wendy
Like 54... What would you want to be at 54?
Tracy
That kind of scared me.
Wendy
Let's not think about the age. Just think about the future.
Tracy
Okay. Okay. I think I want to remind myself that I'm still young. Age, it's just a number. I think at 54, I'm still going to feel young. Hopefully, I'm going to feel young. Because I think growing up I was like, Oh my God, as soon as I hit 20, I will be so old and as soon as I hit 25, that's life over, you know, yeah. But I'm at a stage now that I'm like, I'm actually so young. And life is a journey. Like it's always going to keep progressing. There's always opportunities that you can take no matter what age you are. And it's never too late to do something. So I think I would remind myself at 54, whatever I am, that like you're still young. If there's stuff that you want to do, just go and do it.
Wendy
Yeah. Love that. Imagine us at 54 and 55 still running this podcast. All right, so to close off, I have some random fun facts about Tracy tha people don't know, but I know. And let's have a discussion about it. So recently, Tracy told me that she hates zoos. Please confirm or deny, Tracy, and why?
Tracy
Wow, I feel like I'm on Daily Mail. Okay, I dislik the zoo. Going to the zoo is not something that I would think of like, Oh, yay. Going to the zoo doesn't excite me. It doesn't excite me because I feel like the zoo just smells like animal poop. I just imagined the heat, it's like hot, and it seems like poop. And you have to walk a million miles. Like I love walking for people who know me. I love walking but like, I don't like looking at animals. I'm horrible. But I like learning the facts though. The facts are very interesting.
Wendy
For context, I just brought it up because like, it was a date that I went on with my partner and then Tracy was just like so not vibing it. She was just like, why would she go to the zoo?
Tracy
Okay, no, actually think as a date, that sounds pretty cute. I just wouldn't do it.
Wendy
Alright, second fact. Tracy does not drink soft drinks, confirm or deny. Since when and why?
Tracy
Confirm, I don't drink soft drink, unless it's mixed in an alcoholic beverage? But I really try to avoid that because when I drink, I chase with water or juice.
Wendy
This is no lie. This is for reals guys like she chases water. Like at every moment, she will never choose soft drinks. Yeah, not a moment of weakness.
Tracy
Unless it's already a premixed drink and I have to drink it.
Wendy
Why did this come about? I feel like it's such an interesting fact.
Tracy
Yeah, I don't know if you know, do you know? Yeah, so I don't think a lot of people know but I haven't had a soft drink since I was in year nine. Yeah, and it was actually a health reason because I had this big ulcer in my mouth that just did not go away for months and months. It did not go away for a long time. I was like, Am I dying? I finally went to a doctor and he was just like, seems fine, how about just try for a month cutting out everything oily. No junk food. No Maccas. No KFC, nothing like that. And no soft drink. See if it changes anything, if not, then surgery. And I literally was strict on myself and did not eat out, did not have junk food, did not have soft drink, and it just went away.
Wendy
That takes too much willpower. And that's stuck with you for like 10 years.
Tracy
And it's stuck with me for 10 years. And I think that actually helped me build up my healthy eating habits because I don't really snack. Yeah, because I was forced to let it go for like a month.
Wendy
Yeah. Wow. Yeah, actually, in the years and years that I've known you, you don't really snack? And if you snack, you snack on healthy stuff.
Tracy
Yeah. Or if I'm in a party, then I'll snack. But yeah, like I just cut it out and I was like, why do I need soft drink in my life? I don't crave it. When I go Maccas, I just get the meal. I mean, the burger and the chips or I'll swap it up for a juice. But even that, I don't even know how to drink that much sugary stuff.
Wendy
Inspiration for us, people. Last one. Tracy is multilingual. You speak Vietnamese, Chinese and Teochew.
Tracy
I mean, I don't speak all those languages.
Wendy
But you understand, you have like a level of proficiency, which I think is so sought after nowadays. How did this happen?
Tracy
I think because my family is quite multilingual as well. So my grandparents are from China, they speak Teochew. My parents are from Vietnam, so they speak Vietnamese. And then when they came to Australia, I think that's when they learned Cantonese, probably for business and things like that. So I always grew up knowing Teochew, because that was taught to me. So that's my first language. I speak that with my parents and my grandparents. But I also grew up with a lot of Vietnamese, like listening to Vietnamese, because that's how my parents speak to each other. So I learned it by just listening to them. Yeah, so I can understand Vietnamese really well. I just don't speak it. I don't know how to speak it.
Wendy
It's weird. Because when I listen to your parents, like on the phone or something, calling you, it's just a mix of Vietnamese and Teochew. And it's just like wild. Yeah, but it's probably so normal.
Tracy
It's so normal. Like, I think when people listen to me, I'm mixing Vietnamese words with Chinese with English. It just makes sense in our family. It's a bit chaotic, but yeah, my family's very chaotic.
It's so true to your nature as a family. Yeah.
And Cantonese, my mum watched TV dramas growing up. For you Canto people out there, you know what TVB drama is, Chinese dramas based in Hong Kong. And I grew up watching it with her all my childhood. I watched TVB dramas, and I'll just be like, the annoying child going like what are they saying? What's that? Like what's happening now? And mum would explain it. And then that's how I picked up Cantonese. I don't know how it happened. But now, I understand Cantonese.
Wendy
Yeah, it's useful because I used to just say things. Yeah, if we wanted to, like, say something that other people wouldn't understand, I'll just speak to Tracy in Cantonese. And you just get it?
Tracy
Yeah. The frustrating thing for me is not being able to speak. Like I like being able to talk to my friends' parents and things like that. So not be able to speak Vietnamese and Cantonese has been tricky, because I feel so useless. But hopefully, in my lifetime, hopefully soon, if I can learn how to speak Cantonese and Vietnamese, I feel like that would just unlock my language skills to another level.
Wendy
Yeah, you'll be like someone that cannot be beaten in the language space. Because like, I learned how to speak French. A lot of it is actually to do with just the fear of sounding like you're not saying the right thing. And I think if we ask kids, you don't care. And that's why it's so easy for kids to pick up languages. This is my theory. And I think as adults, we just have this fear of looking stupid. So I think I feel like you're more than capable of speaking the languages because I've just seen how well you can understand it. But it's just like this fear of like not being able to be perfect.
Tracy
I think it's just not having practice. Like I've never really had to be in a situation we have to practice speaking those languages. People speak to me in Cantonese, I reply in English. Or my parents would speak in Vietnamese, I reply in Chinese. I think it's like recognition versus recollection. So it's like, if someone says the words, I can recognise it and understand it, but if someone goes, Okay, what's the word for fish? It takes me a very long time. I'm like, what is the word for fish? But when you say it, I can get it. But when I have to think of it by myself, it takes longer. I think there's just something in my brain that hasn't connected.
Wendy
Yeah, same as French for me. Okay, well, that brings us to the end of this episode. I hope everybody enjoyed getting to know Miss Tracy Trieu. Thank you for taking a seat at our table, Tracy. But as always, if you have any questions for Tracy, professional or personal, feel free to DM us on A Seat at Our Table.
Tracy
Thank you for listening.
Wendy
Catch you next time.
Tracy
Bye.