Doe Deere Blogazine

What was your childhood/adolescence like in Russia?

Many people asked this question. The majority of memories I have about Russia are filled with light – idealization at work, perhaps? Well, maybe I didn’t have the best possible childhood one could have, but I can at the very least say it was fairly painless and I don’t have any regrets. Thinking about it conjures up memories of swimming naked in the dirty rivers in the summer, living with my family & our pets, causing mischief with my cousins and sister, falling in love with a boy, falling in love with a girl, observing the difficult relationship between my grandmother and alcoholic grandfather, facing discrimination at school for being different, being admired for being different, listening to Russian bands, discovering American bands and along with it American culture, dreaming (or perhaps knowing?) of bigger & better things and making a difference.

Growing up in Russia shaped me in ways that I cannot describe; I would simply not be the same person, had I grown up elsewhere. But most importantly, it’s the transition from Russia to America, and the choices I made along the way, that have truly made me who I am.

Did you live in a big city, small town, etc? Was it culturally/ethnically diverse (i.e. different ethnic groups in Russia)? -Stephanie

I lived in a big, but not very well-known city (population 613, 000). Izhevsk was a closed city for many years due to being a gun-manufacturing town  – the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, Kalashnikov, lives there. In addition to rifles, many other war-related plants were moved here during WWII.

On a lighter note – Izhevsk is the capital of Udmurtia, an autonomous region within Russia. Native Udmurts (‘wood people’) are the fascinating minority, along with Tatars and other ethnic groups. In spite of its name, most of Udmurtia is populated by Russians. I am a Russian/Udmurt mix, which explains my red hair – Udmurtia is second in the population of redheads only to Ireland!

Here are a few pictures of my home town:

the pond

Lots of snow in the winter.

I really enjoyed your blog about Russian food and I would really love to hear about your experiences of Russia – why you moved, your favourite and least favourite things about it, maybe in what ways you feel Russian? -Rhia

Thank you, I had a great time compiling those pics from the food store! On to your question – my mother fell in love with an American guy in Czech Republic, and they decided to get married. This is how we all ended up in the US.

Culturally, there are lots of great things about both places. I try to incorporate the positives into my life and leave the negatives behind. I feel that kids and pets are treated better here in the US, but Russians make friends for life (all the friends I’d made in kindergarten, I’m still friends with today!).

At this point, I don’t pledge allegiance to any country or continent. I am a New Yorker in the truest sense of the word. However, I still enjoy Russian films/TV shows on occasion, and have a big taste for my favorite beverage, TEA!

You mentioned moving here as a teenager; so did you assimilate easily? How did you deal with learning a new language at a later age (unless you had received English instruction prior to moving), culture/customs, and most importantly, the COST!! -Stephanie

After the initial culture shock, it took me about 6 months to be able to express myself freely, and about 2 years to stop feeling out of place entirely. Unlike most immigrants, we didn’t have any friends or relatives here and were surrounded by the Americans most of the time. Although it felt lonely sometimes, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise – we learned the language and assimilated much faster than anyone I know.

I was the only one who was fluent in English when we first came. I have Michael Jackson to thank for that – I was so obsessed with him and his music in Russia, I practically learned English just listening to his songs! I think most of my basic vocabulary came from the songs of MJ, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses (Cursing In English 101!) and Nirvana. Haha.

The cost. Loaded question. We were extremely poor during our first few years here. The relationship between my mother and her husband didn’t work out (he was abusive), and we had to flee. We lived in a homeless shelter for several years, before slowly getting back on our feet. We have many people to thank for that – every single person we’d met at that time seemed to have brought us one step closer to our goal: living well, independently.

I have learned many important lessons during that time, but the most important of them all is to believe in yourself.

I read your bio on MySpace and you said you attended a special school for the arts – did you like it? – Stephanie

In Russia, art education is rather common amongst middle class, so most Russians you’ll meet have either sat behind the piano or know ballet. I showed interest in the arts early, and went to two schools most of my life – regular and the arts. Did I like it? Probably not, because I was a kid who wanted to play! ;) Cramming Bach and practicing scales was not exactly my idea of fun, but – it did lead me to discover my passion for songwriting and made learning the guitar much easier in the future!

I am very grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to develop myself in a creative way.

Do you speak with a Russian accent? – Aimee

Yes, mam. :) It’s slight, but it’s there – especially the “sh” sound, like when I say “Russia”. :)

I was wondering if you can still speak, read, or understand Russian? – Naeniamorta

I was pretty much an adult when we moved, so I still read, understand & speak the language fluently. I was told I have a slight accent when speaking Russian, but  it disappears after a few days of practice. Yay!

Do you ever miss Russia? -Stephanie

Sometimes. I’ll have a nostalgic episode every once in a while, bawling my eyes out. But for the most part, I’m very happy with my life here. My mom, sister, and husband are here; plus my cats who have pretty much become my children. :) I do miss the rest of my family and friends sometimes – which is why I’m planning to go back this summer!

Not so much a question, but I’d love to see any photos you have of when you were in Russia. -Becca

I don’t have many, unfortunately (most family albums are still back in Russia, in my aunt’s possession), but here are a few.

Me, age 15

Me, my mom with little Kat, dad.

Russian Babushkas (I’m in the center)

Thank you all for asking brilliant questions, I had a great time answering them. Chapter 2 coming soon!