Episode Transcript
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 0:00
Femininity is powerful in all its forms exceptional women. Rare girls must be appreciated in every way for their perspectives, actions, thoughts, and their unique ways of being. Such rare girls are inspiring. And this is what this podcast is all about. Hello, my name is Aziz and my guest today is Marina Toderash. Marina graduated with a Bachelor of philology in 2021, and the Bachelor of Law in 2021 as well. She is currently getting a master's degree in economics, specialty marketing to graduate in December 2022. And in Philology, and oral translation to graduate in May 2023, Marina like psychology, then she is interested in self development. She loves singing, getting together with friends, watching Turkish TV shows and Ukrainian football. She is also interested in true Ukrainian history because she believes unfortunately, the Soviet and Russian government did everything to distort it. That's why she wants to know the truth, and to analyze the history of her country and to share her knowledge on the page of her educational project. volitionally narrowed as she studies translation recently, she had had an experience of translating the lecture of Robert F and gold or Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002. It's an achievement for students who study translation, when she was a child Marina became Little Miss Eurasia, and she was Little Miss of Bukovina. That's the region where she lives. She is a student at Taras Shevchenko National University, which is the best university in Ukraine and then euery fit go Veatch Chernivtsi National University where she studied Marketing. Medina, how are you today?
Marina Toderash 2:26
Hey, I'm great. And you?
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 2:30
I'm feeling blessed. I'm feeling optimistic, and I'm feeling very curious about you. So I'll begin with this question. Do you describe yourself or think about yourself as a girl who is full of emotions? Or do you feel you're much more logical?
Marina Toderash 2:51
And difficult questions to answer? Like, you know, I think that I can mix both personalities in one. But yeah, mostly, I am very serious and logical, girl woman. But in some cases, when it touches my soul, I can be so emotional. And I suppose that I cannot show my emotions to everyone. My true emotions, I mean, so if someone can observe that I am upset or so excited by something, I mean that these people are so close to me.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 3:44
Thank you. I heard this more than once in Ukraine that you cannot share your emotions with everybody. Well, what is the problem or the issue with opening up sharing all your emotions with everybody?
Marina Toderash 4:01
Ukrainians are amazing people with false specter of emotions. But yeah, it is difficult for us to share our faith feelings with somebody because we are afraid I suppose, of that something will be a will get worse with if we share our positive experience. I mean, and that is actually a historical background, I suppose. But actually, I'm not sure maybe that's a specific of our culture, maybe something deeper, I don't know. But yes. It used to be so maybe the future generations will show best results because if to speak about this issue, because As we are changing AI whatever day, you know, and the current situation shows us that it is important to leave our best days right now, like not in the future, not in the past. But now. So maybe, yeah, our next generation will be more open minded and more, more open to the world.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 5:28
Thank you. I have a question about that. Because some sociologists say that the war in Ukraine will traumatize many generations that a lot of people will become more closed and negative because of it. And you need maybe three, four generations for people to return to more positivity. Do you agree with that? Or do you feel that one victory happens? That celebration will bring back the joy and enthusiasm for life?
Marina Toderash 6:00
I could agree with it. But the second part of the question was quite optimistic. So let's speak about it. So yeah, if to judge this, from psychological point of view, I suppose that yet to be completely free of depression or some negative feelings. Yeah, there should. That's a work of lots of generations that are going to be but actually, Ukrainians, Ukrainians are so unique nation that I don't even know how we wouldn't behave after the victory after our victory. It's important, you know, I suppose that yeah, we we will have that moment of joy. But we understand the price of the, of this victory. And we aren't it's understand that many generations before us, or so suffered, and they were, you know, like Soviet government and Russian imperial government did a great job, to do everything to kill Ukrainians, to kill our wealth, our unique culture to kill everything that we have. They are doing it more than 300 years. So we are Ukrainians who will leave now. We are also not victims of its aggression. But we are like an experiment, you know. But yeah, I suppose that this victory will be like, a new start the new beginning. And we can our nation can start from the scratch, rebuilding our history, rebuilding our country. And yeah, that's, that's a big trouble for us. Because I see that our people, now they are suffering, I observe it and me too. Like, I mean, that's not so bad, but badly showing, but yeah, we have that impact. But then generation, the next generations are our hope. So maybe they will change everything.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 9:04
Thank you. This is a very important topic, and we will discuss it more. First, before we go deeper and to more emotional things. I want to know more about you. What is to you the meaning of being a woman of femininity? What is that energy? How can you describe it? Is it aesthetic? Is it behavior? Or what is it for you when you feel like a woman
Marina Toderash 9:36
being a woman? It's about being confident in everything that you do? Yeah, being a woman, it's about aesthetics. Like, I mean, there are no rules for these aesthetics. Like, there are so many girls who likes I don't know Like old Monty style, you know, and they are perfect. There are so many girls that like that baggy trousers and crop tops, and they also are amazing. And everybody on this planet is amazing. But if to speak about our power, I mean that it is confidence. Because when every woman is confident in what she's doing, she can change the world. That is so essential for woman right now for women right now to to show their personality. Because, you know, also if to speak about some historical background, we can observe that women's or women in some countries were not so free as they are now. And I suppose that this is very optimistic results. Right now. But yeah, we have to, we don't have to We women are amazing, perfect. A woman is all about her inner power. And the women actually can do anything, if they want to, of course.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 11:45
Thank you. That's a very empowering message and something really, really wonderful. And I want to know about you specifically, if your friends were to describe your personality, what would they say? And is there a difference between your personality? And the first image that people see about you, when they first meet you? Maybe they think you're arrogant or have a bitch face are very serious, but you're not? Or maybe they're correct. Can you share more about you inside and how people new people perceive you on the outside?
Marina Toderash 12:25
Everything that you just said is all about the situation that I have? Always with my friends? Actually, they if the judge by the first meeting? Yeah, they think that I am arrogant, a little bit so serious. And you know, yeah, I have such kind of face that they don't like. But actually, when we start, I don't know, speaking when we start our conversation, especially if to speak about some things that are well known. And so they would say that I am. They say actually not would they say that I'm so straightforward, and quite open minded. And to do everything for people to feel comfortable or convenient. Nearby me, I suppose that is like that's what they say. Like, that's just like the the conclusion.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 13:41
Thank you. This is fascinating. And if people you know, if you meet new people, have you ever had the experience of instant chemistry where you felt whether it's a friend or more romantically where you felt with a guy that you know him all your life? That chemistry is intense between you? Or are you always more reserved, and you need more time to slowly observe people get to know them before you open up and build any chemistry or connection?
Marina Toderash 14:19
For sure, this chemical chemistry exists, but I usually think I usually is so logical person. So yeah, I'm, I rely on my on things that I see. And I need some time to think that what I think about this person, but I actually trust my intuition. And I always understand if this person is, could be my soul mate. ate or just a friend? I feel it. That is why I believe a little bit in chemistry. But yeah, that's a feature of my personality that I always overthinking. And this is the the way I judge people, yeah, I have to see how they behave, how they talk, I have to listen to their maybe values, I have to understand them. And only after it i, I can, like have an overall impression. But still, yeah, I suppose that chemistry exists, may be I haven't experienced it. So. So how highlighted?
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 15:59
Thank you. And since you're being logical, have you ever experienced or understand the maybe stereotype that a lot of women prefer bad guys more than good guys, because they have a lot of emotions, drama, excitement and risk, while good guys could be more stable, but boring, and not so roller coaster? What's your perspective on this? Is it a myth? Is it reality? Have you felt it? Do you understand it? And can you share more,
Marina Toderash 16:34
for sure, is, for me a stereotype and myth, but as such kind of women exist, exists. And I believe that, that is only in the first impression, but for imagine that they started dating. And after that they exist that bad guys are not true for them. So that is why I think that it is like the consequence of such chemistry that we've been talking. And if to speak personally about me, I also like, I also like such kind of bad guys, but only into TV shows, I suppose. But if to speak about life, I better think 100 times if it is good for me. If this guy really is good, for easy, good choice, and we can not waste our time but spend it like really good for, for both people.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 17:58
Thank you. This is very, very fascinating. And therefore, have you ever had the situation where maybe in a new university or any new place, you have noticed that people think or are afraid to speak with you are intimidated, because they think you have a poker face? And therefore you try to initiate and start the friendships or the communication? Or are you more that you wait? And if people want to speak with you, they come to speak with you? And what is your thoughts about that? Do you feel that you have enough and many friends? Or do you wish that people saw you as someone who's not so intimidating? And so they will be more friendly? And you'll have more connections?
Marina Toderash 18:54
Great question. So, maybe so, but I don't remember the moments when some people wanted to talk to me, but a you was I don't know with that poker face or so arrogant or something like that. But, you know, I have noticed a trend that every year I become more open minded to people. So that is why such situations maybe if they work, but I don't remember. So such situations are less than a year or less and less with every year.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 19:38
Thank you. And can you speak about the unique Ukrainian culture, the Ukrainian heritage and how the Soviet and the Russian government tried to raise it. What do you think is important for Ukrainians and the world to know when understand and why is An important topic for you. Is that from before the war or after,
Marina Toderash 20:05
I was interested in it before the word a little bit because, you know, Ukrainian culture is unique. Like, I don't I'm not sure if any other country has something like we have. Because that is why maybe isn't the reason why Russian government why Russians, not only government, because it's like, about nation about their culture and their lifestyles. That is why Russians wanted to destroy everything that we have to steal the best examples of people's of Ukrainians, art, and so on. Maybe I have like lots of examples. But have you heard about such an artist as money rich? No. Okay, so he, he's the most famous picture is the work of art is black square. But lots of people who are interested in art, they think that Malevich is Russian, but actually isn't his Ukrainian. And that is only a one example. You know, Russians wanted to steal almost everything that we have, for example, they like the sound of like the melody, right? Or they like the sound of our national song. They will, that is why they wrote, like, Russian taxed for that malady that was, like produced in Ukraine, and it became popular, and as their heritage, not ours. Now, after the war has started, we observe such examples more and more with every day. And, of course, I would like to continue speaking about the language. You know, that is a problem in Ukraine now. half or more or less? I don't know. Like, let's say half of Ukrainians speak Russian. They started speaking Russian when they were children. And they continue doing it right now. It is obvious because it's like, Russian is their mother language. The reasons are the following the Soviet Union, mate, everybody to speak Russian, they of course, teach to children, Russian, they did everything to distribute only Russian culture, if we can say so. And Russian language. That is why lots of people in Ukraine, you know that we have been a part of Soviet Union, I suppose. So lots of people of Ukraine. speak Russian. That is a pity, because Ukrainian language is the mother language for lots of other languages. Like and Russian was created. It is a mix. It is a mix of it isn't even a mix. I suppose. It's an accent of Ukrainian language. But with some other words from other cultures. I mean, some may be Asian or other countries that are neighbor to neighbors to Russia. So yeah, they did everything to kill Ukrainian language. And now people started to speak Ukrainian and they understand how unique and how fascinating how incredible is our language? It is so it sounds very soft. Do you know and when you speak Ukrainian, it sounds very smoothly. I Um, but such people who don't want to speak Ukrainian, they are still exist. And you know, like, if to speak about other countries look at Romania, right. They speak Romanian. Look at Poland, they speak Polish. It's obvious. Look in Germany they speak German. Right. But why Ukrainians have one national language, but they still speak like the language of aggressor? That is a big question. I understand the pain and maybe the difficulties that face that people who have been spoken Russian for the for the whole their lives. But we have to do something that is like our field to fight with Russian aggression. We can, like we have the armed forces of Ukraine that are fighting like on the east of Ukraine. And not only in the east. Sorry, I, I remember, actually about, right, they are fighting with weapons. But we have to fight with Russia, with Russians by all cultural weapons, while all by all cultural means that only exist, that is our task, to do everything to
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 26:42
thank you that is very deep and very important. And to document and understand your experience and the reality. How was that first day of war in Ukraine? How did you experience it? Where were you? And how did this whole war situation, maybe change you as a person?
Marina Toderash 27:07
It was difficult morally. Because I was in eternity, that that's the only western part of Ukraine. But there were explosions like Neo BIOSs not in our region, but in our neighborhood regions. It was so painful, we, you know, it was a kind of a feeling that you want to run somewhere not to run away. Like I mean, not run abroad, because you are terrified by what is going on. But you want to do something you you want to I don't know. Yeah, I felt it like to run somewhere, but you cannot, you cannot do anything with it. Like the war has started has just started, like you understand that. That this is the most that is the thing that you would never thought you would never think that it some day it would happen. We know that the government did everything to like, not directly but to tell us some, like hidden ways that it is possible that the word will be but we didn't want to believe them. Yeah, that is the true Ukrainians didn't want to believe anyone that the word will start at that moment. And it is okay. Because who wants to believe that the work will start? Yeah. The first day was, was in was I was reading the news and watching TV also news the whole day. The second, the third, the fourth, like, I mean, the first week, just reading use, reading us and maybe solving some problems that we could face. I mean, like, oil and gas troubles or grocery shopping, we have to do it but you know, that was the kind of chaos so everything was okay, but we had to do that. And maybe on the fifth day, I decided to volunteer, but that was a wave of people who wanted to help everywhere and everyone. That is why Me and my friends, we went to one place when we could actually, I don't know how it is called, but we did nats to mask the soldiers for masking the soldiers. And, yeah, we did that for some days. And it helped us to mentally relax, because you don't read the news and it really helps you to, to be not so not so late in by the information and so on. That is why Yeah, and after that, after one week, we were just, I mean, after that, we were just two weeks doing nothing also reading and watching news. And after that, we started we tried to live our normal life, like my parents started doing their job, I the education also is important for us even even the war that is why the learning process has started, you know, that you told our listeners that I started at two universities simultaneously, that is why I had like work I had something to do, but still you you can I don't know write essay for your classes, but on the background, you think, oh my gosh, what is going on there? Are there explosions also this you know, the first time there were and now also they are air raid sirens. And the first time we were so afraid of them we were hiding in shelters. And most Lee it was during the nights. So you have to I was sleeping in our regular warm clothes, not in pajamas, but in cloth. So, it would be convenient for us to move to the shelter very quickly. And yeah, like it was it was stressful. But you know, what I have experienced, we cannot even compare to people who were on occupied territories. Never, you know, I am as a Ukrainian, but I am not. But I cannot feel everything they they underwent. And it is so painful to understand it and if to speak about psychology point, psychological point of view. You have such a syndrome that, you know, you feel that you feel you feel guilty that you don't experience that that people their experience. And it is it is weird, actually. Maybe when not not everyone understand me. But yeah, everything that is going on right now. And during the first day or the first month. It is so stressful, painful and in total chaos, I would say so.
Abdulaziz M Alhamdan 33:48
Thank you. I can feel the emotions and every one of your words. That was very powerful. Lisa and I wish you success in your studies. I wish you peace and Slava Ukraini
Marina Toderash 34:05
Heroyam Slava thank you for this amazing opportunity.
