Entered this world as Nguyễn Từ Bi in 1982 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I am the daughter of South
Vietnamese refugees who fled their homeland during the oppression and hardship following the
Vietnam war. My family, among many known as the Boat People, spent time in the Pulau Bidong
Refugee Camp before acceptance into the U.S. that same year; starting a new chapter of our lives in
the Washington D.C. area.

Navigating the complexities of growing up between two very different cultures, I often felt torn about
my identity; turning to journaling as a way to capture my experiences and emotions. After graduating
high school, I took a bold step, enlisting in the U.S. Army, breaking away from expectations. Life
moved fast—I married young, started a family, and later pursued a career in nursing. In 2008, I was
diagnosed with cancer, a diagnosis that brought life’s fragility into sharp focus.

Through life’s hardships, I found her voice. On her podcast and YouTube channel, Comfort Kills, she
shared stories of loss, courage, and miracles—both her own and those of the guests she interviewed.
These collective journeys of resilience and strength have inspired me to begin working on the
Meridian Series, a collection of novels based on true stories that shines a light on life’s toughest
moments through the eyes of a nurse.

jasmine’s

Private Nguyen, U.S. Army

Fort Sam Houston, TX - 2001