We talk for hours, we laugh till tears

My mom was the 5th child. Pregnancy took my grandmother as a big surprise. Grandma was in her 40’s, already raised 4 children, survived Revolution, World War 2, hunger. Having a child was definitely not part of her plan. However, my mom was born into this world, in 1948. Only 3 years after World War 2 was over>>>

My first steps in the new country

When people find out that I am from Kazakhstan I am often asked about my first impression of America, American people, and American culture. Usually I think to myself that the biggest question is what was the impression of Americans of me, who met me not long after I moved to America. I will share with you 3 few stories>>>

American Vogue Breaks the Stereotype of a Russian Woman

For more than 15 years I have been trying to break the stereotype of Russian women – “poor submissive housewives, who wear nothing but babushkas and are interested in nothing but marrying out to the westerners.” So, one can realize how refreshing it was to finally have one of the leading fashion magazines>>>

Do I feel Russian?

Russian women have always been independent, straight-forward, educated, fashionable and very good spouses and girlfriends. Of course, there are two types of Russians: the ones who want to show off and the ones who are the cautious types. I keep saying they, but I am Russian too, even though I have not lived in Russia for more than 15 years>>>

Nagging Questions

This story is about my new experience, and what impact it had on me. My life in Canada began two and a half years ago after yet another marriage of mine. I was not a bit apprehensive when I moved to this country. After all, it was not the first foreign country I landed in, but I was not a ‘spring chicken’ any more, as they say>>>

Challenges of international marriage