Hello! I am one of this summer’s first guest bloggers. Thank you very much, gracious folk of Feministe, for inviting me. It’s an honour and a privilege.
I’m editor-in-chief of this online magazine & this online Arab magazine (I’m the only one in charge until we create our Arabic section). I also have a personal blog where I natter on about things like colossal squid. I write creatively on the side. If you’re wondering if I manage to have a life with all the writing I do, the short answer is “not really.”
I was born in the USSR, in Kiev, to a Ukrainian-Russian family. I immigrated to the United States in 1995. Recently, I lived for a short time in Dubai, UAE, and presently reside in Amman, Jordan with my sexy boyfriend, his kind family, and an entire army of enormous, saber-toothed cockroaches (more about that later…).
I call myself a cynical eurotrash feminist. Cynical – because the world is a horrible farking place, and people will always be people. Eurotrash – because I am a blonde Natasha (Natasha being a diminutive of Natalia in Russian) who likes dance music and is often accosted by guys who think that “an Eastern European chick will do anyone, even a harasser like me.”
I’d like to use my time here to blog about things that will hopefully be of interest to you: trafficking, the “mail-order bride” phenomenon, life as an expat, Eastern European feminism, being a feminist big sister, the joys of PTSD, the drama of high heels, the pastime of objectifying men, and possibly more, or less.
Preemptive apologies for inserting my foot into my mouth. I do that a lot, especially when I am in new surroundings. I sincerely hope we have fun. Anyone watching Euro 2008? Anyone?
Similar Posts:
- How I wore hijab and how much it sucked for me by Natalia Antonova October 5, 2009
- Blogging from Cairo by Fauzia November 5, 2007
- The Expat Perpetual by Natalia Antonova July 3, 2008
- “Murder in the Name of Honour” by Natalia Antonova June 3, 2009
- Hugs, Kisses, Poetry, and Verka by Natalia Antonova July 6, 2008
Yep. I can’t believe Russia beat the Netherlands. The Netherlands for FSMs sake! I’m half hoping for a Russia-Turkei final, just for the surrealism of it all (they were NOT the favored teams), but will be even more pleased if Germany finally wins one.
I’m not exactly watching IT, per se, so much as I’m watching my hawt Turkish artificial intelligence group project partner. ;-)
Has San Marino been eliminated yet?
Colossal squid is the greatest thing ever.
I was supporting Holland *weeps gently*
Priviet, Natasha! Euro 2008? You bet! I’m a German expat, so I’m rooting for “my guys” to trounce Turkey on Wednesday (and yes, I’m TiVo’ing the match).
Colossal squid? Dude, they’re scary!
Sigh. I liked them too. The viertefinale round was upsets all the way down the line. Except, arguably, Spain and they had their first win against Italy in something like 30 years, so not exactly perfectly expected either.
Hi Natalia,
I see you a lot in the comment section on Ali Eteraz in addition to your blog. I always enjoy your insights. It’s good to see you here at Feministe :)
Natalia, hi! You’ve impelled me to come out of lurkerdom and say welcome, I’m excited you’re here. (I also see you over at Ali Eteraz.) Hello from another (temporary) Ammani!
Not watching Euro 2008 (though I do like football), but just wanted to say hi and welcome!
Go Natalia, go!
Welcome Natalia!
Welcome and yea, I watch it. Even though quite a few games were unbeliavable boring so far. But all the favourites have been kicked in the butt (except Spain but they beat Italy – yay!) so it’s become unpredictable. Betting on the Netherlands and Luca Toni didn’t really work out, though :/
Yay Natalia!
/dance of joy
I WAS cheering for the Netherlands (*sob*) but am now squarely in the Turkish camp.
Natalia! *waves*
I’m supporting Spain because they wear red and never win anything (I’ve been a Liverpool FC fan all my life so this feels comfortable and right) and Turkey because underdogs are just so much fun to support.
Hi guys! :) Everyone must support Russia, of course, or else I’ll… uhhh… pout? Hehe. I think a Germany/Russia final would be very, very cool, but I’m not betting on it. Do watch out for my boy Arshavin though! He’s awesome, tournament or no tournament.
Hi, Antonia, glad to see you over here!!
Oh, and yes, I support Russia, cuz I don’t want you to pout.
(I know nothing about the *real* football — as opposed to the unrelated US hypermacho head-bashing sport called the same thing. But I’ll play along.)
Holland had it coming. Any team that can overrun Italy, France and Romania and then fail to string together more then three passes, get more than 50% of shots on target or win more than 3 corners, in the softest fucking quarter-final because they were too scared to open up deserve to go home early.
Welcome! I recently spent a couple of months backpacking around the Middle East and the highlight of my trip was Jordan. Its a cliché I know, but the people are just so friendly and hospitable, and the major sights (Petra, Wadi Rum, etc) were mindblowing. I’m definitely going back to Jordan again.
I didn’t come across any of those cockroaches, though. I think I’d probably have liked the place a lot less if I did!
Well, since my first team, Poland, apparently never had a chance, I have to now support my “other side”, which would be Germany.
I do, however, take great pleasure from seeing Italy eliminated.
Yay and welcome! I can’t wait to read what you have to say. I’m a fellow expat Natasha living in the Middle East, Bahrain for me, and a righteous, super gnarly feminist causing trouble in an island where that isn’t taken too kindly. Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Sigh. You’ve got a point. The moral is too much conservatism is bad for you;P
Russia-Germany would be an interesting game. I won’t say who I’d support because I don’t want to make Natalia pout.
Yay Natalia!
(And I’m so American I don’t even know what Euro 2008 is. Soccer?)
I am currently in Germany, so I feel like I need to root for them, sorry Natalia. Although if Turkey wins on Wednesday, I could switch loyalties. It shouldn’t be too painful considering that when I arrived here at the end of May I didn’t even know such a thing existed as the Euro Championship! (um, I’m American? that’s my excuse)
I’m coming to this a little late, but… Yay! Glad to see you here, Natalia.