In 1980 I voluntarily joined a family of two Soviet engineers and one curly haired boy named Zhanik. Our mother had an incredible talent sewing and knitting our clothes while father was an amateur photographer who often would highjack our bathroom and convert it into a dark room. One day he decided it is time for me and Zhanik to learn independence. "Get on tramway #4 and get off on Gagarin Street," he said. Since that day we were commuting to kindergarten and later school on our own.
I am most grateful to my parents for taking us traveling around the Soviet Union and once it collapsed, we were happy to cross the border from time to time. It gave me an opportunity to see other places, learn different cultures and just get the feel of the road. At the age of 13, Zhanik and I traveled to Hustings (England) without the engineers and at 21, I crossed the Atlantic.
Today I live in Chicago. I like to draw, trace maps and watch How It’s Made on Discovery channel. I don’t drive and hope I never have to. Your grandma’s fluffy cat will probably intimidate me more than a pitbull. If you have a sarcastic sense of humor, endless supply of dark chocolate and naturally red hair, there is a high chance I’ll be your stalker.*
* indicates slight exaggeration
