When it comes to overcoming advertisities I wanted to share the excerpts from my upcoming book: Tatyana Gann: My Russian America I hope it can inspire you, encourage you to follow your intuition, passions, and do what you feel best for you first.
It was spring cool afternoon when my life changed. Little did I know that 3 months later I will be stepping my foot on the american land and meet people who will impact my life, my decisions and my passions and I will rediscover who I would become.
That cool spring april afternoon was a regular day in my life, spending time with my grandparents in their brownstone but I got a call from a professor telling me to get dressed and be on campus in 2 hours. I had to take a test to come to US. I was given a chance… I had to take a risk unprepared, not knowing what to expect. I took leap of faith and got in my little trolley and arrived to the college campus in Ufa, Russia. I was not even 19 yet. I think about the courage, belief I had in myself and belief in the future that I did not see, and I could see myself being in America speaking English, speaking, traveling. That was a HUGE dream and honestly strong belief that I would be here. I expected only YES from test results and expected nothing less. May be I called myself crazy but it was true. It was me. I was young naive but had a strong will and determination.
I will fast forward and three months later boeing 767 landed in NYC JFK airport and I am with two suitcases was going thru customs and first words I heard “Welcome to America” For some people it is nothing, but for me it was special. I had no money, only 200 bucks borrowed from my family, a torn platform sandals, which were new before I left for US until one man stepped on them on the escalator and I was too tired to get mad and to respond. I might have had no money, no good shoes, 200 bucks hidden in my bra and no clue where I was going, and whom I will become. All I knew I was proud of what I achieved- I came to USA to study and make my family proud of me. I was not good in English.. I could write, read, had pretty good grammar knowledge and some skills but I was scared to speak with Americans. I had fears that I had to overcome. I did. Eventually. I would call my mom on weekends where the phone rate to RUssia was one dollar per minute, thank Goodness, we do not that any more and I would complain about my English that I was like a dog could understand but could not talk. My mom would calm down and say “YOU made it so far, do not be afraid, just read more and learn to love writing” I said i was not a writer and do not plan to become one. Very little I knew that I had writing genes in me that I was able to discover much later in my life in US.
I learned to trust strangers, I learned to love people who loved me for who I was, I went from being a shy ugly duckling to a strong swan, a strong woman who learned the main principles of success: be crazy, believe in what to come, learn to cry, learn to trust, take leap of faith and jump high! Life and business success is not about skills set or talents we possess but how truly we believe in ourselves, our determination to connect with the right people and have gratitude… ”
This weekend we all celerbrated amazing holiday I learned to love. Thanksgiving Day… What a wonderful day to express gratitude and truly be thankful for everything in our life: good, bad and ugly. Every experience enriches your life…Every moment you have now will take you closer to your dreams. Stop dreaming but start living your dreams… Believe me it takes courage to overcome fears and uncertainty in life. Nobody can predict your life journey. Only you can create magic in your life because you have decided so! You are the magician of your life!
Enjoy your week!
Happy Holidays!
Tatyana Y. Gann
Tatyana, you have such a unique, rich, in-depth story of your personal journey to share with the world. I will be such a proud husband to be beside you at your first book signing, handing out copies of your story for the world to be inspired by!
Love you!
Tanya
I remember you as an attractive, energetic exchange student. It was a pleasure to team teach Russian for Travelers with you at Freed-Hardeman. You and Bryan made a good couple and after graduation and a transitional period here were well received by the White River church in Ufa. It has also been a pleasure to get acquainted wih your mother in Russia and when she has visited in the U.S.
JDThomas
Sounds like you have a fabulous husband and wonderful story to tell. Thank you, Tatyana, for your inspiration. Nice to find you on Twitter.
Yes it was a great pleasure and I am so glad we did that. I miss teaching… That is why I decided to teach people around the world and share my knowledge… I am launching my PR consulting and creative writing services and I am excited… Thank you!
Mary I appreciate you kind words… Life is wonderful. Tatyana
Very inspiring! I can see you have a very loving husband. I love this post because I think this empower women who has the same fear to live their dreams and have faith to themselves and to God that there is nothing impossible if we just believe that we can.