Yvette Comeau

"Aina and I attended the same class -- Quanta -- during our first two semesters at DBCC. My first impression of her -- before I even knew her name, or anything about her background -- was the fluidity and gracefullness of her movements. She seemed so very comfortable in her body; so self-assured...different, in a very simple yet elegant manner, from the other girls in her age group. I understood more about her when I found out she was from Norway -- the typically Scandinavian cool-headed mannerisms, the proud -- almost regal -- bearing.

But Aina was not only a study in poise and manners: I came to know her as one of the most intelligent and witty women I had ever known -- and I am about 20 years her senior. But difference in age was never an issue with Aina; she reacted to each person she met on an individual basis -- regardless of age, gender, or even intelligence. She even got along with Joe, a member of her "home group" in the class--and he drove the rest of us nuts with his often overbearing, know-it-all attitude! But that is Aina's way, and I applaud her for it, as I tend to be mouthy, overbearing, and a know-it-all myself at times.

Once, each "home group" in the class had to perform a skit. Aina's group acted out a poem (was it by Lorca? Or Williams? I don't quite remember now) and Aina showed up in this outrageous hat covered in fake fruit and pushed a shopping cart around the classroom as if she did it everyday and it was no big deal. NOTHING ruffled Aina's feathers!

Aina and I were among three students chosen to represent DBCC at an Honor's Convention in Orlando. We drove together in my "funny little car" (Aina's words -- and she said it in Norwegian first -- the sly little devil!) and had a good time driving to and from Orlando over the course of the three days we attended the convention. By the third day, however, we were bored to tears and decided to cut out early. We went to the mall instead! We walked around, doing a bit of shopping, and feeling not-so-guilty at all! Aina, of course, could try anything on and look fabulous, because of her slender, lithe figure and her youth.

These are a few of my fondest memories of "Miss Aina," as I used to like to call her because of the charm, manners, and poise she always projected...she reminded me of a privileged "Southern Belle" in the Old South. My life has been enriched because of our friendship....

Tusen takk, Miss Aina !!"