(Wikipedia) ‘An Expatriate (often shortened to Expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (“out of”) and patria (“country, fatherland”).

This blog aims to discover people who are adventurers like me, venturing out in a new place to call home and creating memories. I have previously lived with my parents and siblings in the Saudi Arabia when I was in high school. I have enjoyed and cherished my memories in the beautiful Sandbox I once called my home. Now, I am in a new adventure with my husband and son here in Singapore.

I am featuring Expats in different countries every two weeks to share their experiences and adventures with you and me.

Today, I am featuring the beautiful Russian Elena happily living in India”

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1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are originally from?

I was raised in Smolesnk. The city is among the oldest in Russia and has an abundance of picturesque landscapes and some very beautiful churches. The city is also known as the walled city as it is situated at the border and houses a very beautiful fort. I am mostly quiet by nature, unless the situation demands otherwise. Love animals and not just dogs, I love them all. I will pet any animal that doesn’t try to bite my arm off, and there is plenty of petting you can do in the streets of India. I am not much of a party person although I do occasionally, I rather spend my time in cafe with some good company.

2. What made you move to India? How long have you been there?

I met a nice Indian guy and married him in 2013 and have been in India ever since. It’s been over two and half years living in India now. Was a bit sceptical about moving to India at first but now that I live here, I am glad I did.

3. What do you miss about your home country?

I miss the people I grew up with, my parents, friends. My city is filled with beautiful parks and I miss the familiar rustle of trees and the faint yet soothing scent of camomile flowers as you walk by. I love the way yellow and orange leaves are strewn all over the place during autumn, you feel invigorated as your senses are bombarded with all the autumn colors and scents. And lastly just being with your own people around you brings a sense of familiarity and I miss this the most.

 4. What are the wonderful discoveries and things you like about in India?

Indians are quite hospitable and warm by nature. And are proud of their cultural heritage. Speaking of culture the first aspect you would notice about India is the cultural‎ diversity this country has. Every state has its own uniqueness in terms of language and culture. I love the indian vegetarian cuisine, palak paneer being my favourite. Their rituals and festivals have a lot of colors just like their food. Travelling from one state to another is kinda exciting cos it’s almost like travelling from one country to another.

5. What are the three tips you can give to fellow expats in India or those you planning to move here?

 – Well first and foremost be prepared for a lot of stares. I mean most Indians are going to stare at you. There is no escaping that. They don’t do it to offend you, it’s just they like admiring foreigners. You just have to get used to it.

– Watch every time you walk the streets cos traffic laws are barely followed here. Be it urban or rural India, when it comes to traffic sense this place is as good as the lawless times of the wild wild west.

– Do a lot of travelling when u live here. Believe me you can never see enough of India, there is always some new place you can travel to.

6. The LITTLE MISS HONEY community gets inspired through travel, food and books. Can you tell us your current FAVORITE TRAVEL SPOT, current FAVORITE FOOD/RESTAURANT DISCOVERIES & current FAVORITE BOOK?

Thailand would be the one of the most exotic places I have ever travelled to and would love to go there every year. Favourite food would be pork shashlik from a Russian restaurant called ”U Mishy” in Pattaya beach road. If you ever happen to be in Pattaya don’t miss this restaurant. They start off with a complimentary shot of banana flavoured vodka hence they have the Russians sold at that. Eat one meal here and every time you think of ”U Mishy” your taste receptors would feel that special tingling sensation. I don’t get much time to read books but the last book I read was ”Beautiful Disaster” by Jamie McGuire. Yeah, I have a fetish for chessy love stories.

7. Where do you get your inspirations? Who or what inspires you?

It’s hard to pinpoint or put into words as to where I get my inspirations from, it can be from my travels, or even from a random conversation with friends or just by studying a photograph trying to figure the message out. But I do believe that the truest kind of inspiration is the one that happens when u least expect it, the kind where you are deeply touched by the experience you go through.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

People who are born into the worse kind of hardships and physical limitations and yet live life to the fullest. These are the kind of people that inspire me. Simple people who just overcome adversity. These people teach you to appreciate the now moment that you live in, which is the only thing that matters.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

8. Can you tell us more about your photography business, Pixelena Studio?

I was an English teacher by profession in Russia and photography was just a hobby. Not many speak English in Russia and hence there is a good demand for an English teacher back in Russia but in India everybody speaks English especially in Bangalore so pursue that as a career was not an option. My husband noticed that I had an interest in photography and decided we should work together and take this up as a business. He was very supportive. I got my initial contracts through my husbands sources.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

We initially started off with corporate shows and now we shoot indian weddings full time.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

9. What ignited you in your passion for photography?

When I was 9 years old I came across my grandfather’s old retro camera from the 60’s while scavenging for toys in the attic. I still remember how excited I was, just to pull the little levers and the winding noise it made. Never really understood what it was for until grandpa showed me his photos. Got my first point and shoot basic camera at 16 and I felt like I took pretty good photos for someone who was not trained and got a lot of appreciation from the people I photographed. This inspired me in a way. In any occasion photography is the only aspect that leaves a lasting impression of the good times gone by. That fact that photography captures a fleeting magical moment that will never come back makes the profession all the more relevant.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

You can take beautiful pictures and be good at your craft, but to truly be an artist your photograph must have meaning or invoke a deep feeling or thought and when your photography does that, is when you know that you are an artist. Easier said than done but this is what truly ignites my passion for photography.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

10. I am currently loving the whimsical, ethereal and dreamy photos. Any suggestion how to achieve that? Do you also use phone apps to take enhance some photos you take in your phone?

Well I can tell you it just doesn’t come about in a day. Taking up photography as a part time activity will get you know where. This profession requires your complete full time attention. You can never learn much from watching youtube videos, this is the kind of profession where you must learn by working alongside another established professional, there is absolutely no other way. I had the good fortune of working with established indian photographers who were very critical about my work and also were open to share their knowledge gained from experience. You can take beautiful pictures and be good at your craft, but to truly be an artist your photograph must have meaning or invoke a deep feeling or thought and when your photography does that is when you know that you are an artist. This is what inspires me.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

Well, the dreamy aspect of my photos has a lot to do with taking a photo with the right lighting, waiting for the right expression before you hit the shutter button, if you are late by a milli second you lose that moment. Once you get the expression and lighting right then it’s all about editing in Lightroom and Photoshop applications to enhance or bring out the dreamy effect.

Credit: Pixelena Studio

11. Lastly, can you share with what is your inspirational mantra in life?

Credit: Pixelena Studio

It would be a quote from Stephen Hawking.

” Where there is life there is hope .”

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Thank you Elena for sharing with us your story and your beautiful photos.

For those interested in knowing more about Pixelena Studios and interested in hiring Elena for her photography services, head over to their Facebook Page : Pixelena Studio.

If you are an expat or know any expats who are interested to be featured, drop me a line at littlemisshoneyblog@gmail.com.”