15: Growing up in Soviet Moldova - Anna’s Story

0:00Hello and welcome to the Soviet life. I'm your host Kate Saba. In today's episode I'm joined by a very special guest Anna Kachug. Anna was born and raised in Moldova during the Soviet era and she's here to share what life was like growing up in the Soviet Republic. We'll talk about her experience under socialism and what she imagined about America back then and how Moldova's identity was shaped by its place in the USSR. Anna's story is fascinated. She grew up in Moldova, moved to the United States, which she calls home right now. So Anna speaks four languages. Russian, Moldova, Spanish and English. Those are all very different languages. I'm just really super impressed with how much she knows and how she cares herself. Her live bridges, different cultures and continents. She has traveled to South America a number of times so she knows that culture very well too. In our conversation we'll talk about what was difficult about the Soviet system, what if anything

1:05she misses from that time and how Moldova has changed since independence from the Soviet Union. So through Anna's perspective I'll explore how Soviet life continues to shape not only individuals but entire nations. I'm so excited to share this conversation with you. I'm so glad you joined and I want to make sure this is going to be worth your time. So stay with me. But before we start, before we dive in, I want to tell you very, very quickly about Moldova and its history just to kind of set up to help set up the stage. I'm going to keep it short and brief so nobody's going to fall asleep. So Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe. It's located between Romania and Ukraine. Its history is very complex and deeply tied to both Eastern and Western cultures. For centuries the land which is not called Moldova was part of the principality of Moldova. It's a small but very, very important stage that's caught between powerful empires. In the 1500s

2:05it came under Ottoman influence. But Moldova and really very impressed with the country and its people. So the people managed to hold on to their language and traditions. Later in 1812, and when I think in 1812 on my mind, I'm always thinking about Napoleon war, so 1812 the Eastern part of Moldova, known as Bisterrabia, was annexed by the Russian Empire and it became part of the Russian Empire for 100 years. So for more than 100 years Moldova lived under the Russian rule and after the World War I the region united was Romania and now it reflects its close cultural and linguistic ties. But in 1940 everything changed again and Moldova was annexed by Russia and became part of the Soviet Union. And that is when Moldova and Soviet history began. So from 1940 until the Soviet collapse in 1991 Moldova was one of the Soviet

3:07republics, one of the 15 republics of the USSR. During this period, same as you probably heard before from other republics, Moldova underwent rapid industrialization, collectivization of agriculture and cultural policies that were designed to strengthen Soviet identity. Of course Russian language and culture were emphasized sometimes at the expense of Moldova and Romanian traditions. At the same time Soviet rule brought infrastructure schools and health care but also political repression and restrictions on freedoms. Then when Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 Moldova declared independence and transitioned, which tradition was pretty turbulent and not easy, Moldova faced a lot of economic struggles, political instability and a conflict in the Transnistria region, which remains unresolved today. So today Moldova continues to navigate a delicate balance between Eastern West economically. It is a little bit on the poor side compared to other countries in Europe,

4:12but it has been pursuing closer ties with the European Union. At the same time it's historical cultural and energy ties are with Russia and with the Ukraine war, it's really highlighted the Moldova's challenges and choices. Moldova's story reflects the broader experience of many Soviet republics shaped by empire caught between superpowers, but also striving to maintain its unique identity and path forward. Moldova is officially neutral, it is not part of European Union, but it has condemned Russian invasion to Ukraine and has taken in many Ukraine refugees. At the same time the country faced a pressure from Moscow, especially because of the for Russian region of Transnistria where Russian troops are still stationed today. And the war has pushed Moldova to look more toward Europe and they have applied for EU membership. It is a long process, but they have applied and hoping to be part of a European Union one day. So without further ado, let's get back to our guest. Anna, thank you so much. Sorry for such a

5:17length introduction. So glad you joined us today. How are you? Thank you Kate for inviting me here to broadcast. I was very eager to be here and talk to you. Thank you so much. So tell us a little bit about where you were born, your childhood how was life like growing up in Moldova? So I was born in the capital of Moldova. I was on from the capital, you know, but my parents were born outside of the capital, different from the country side. I was born in the 80s when the Soviet Union was approaching its final years. I have great memories of my childhood. Tell me some of you memories? Yes, I have good memories. Before the Soviet Union, the first years of being a part, I got to be a pioneer only for a couple of years, I think. So I have great memories of my first

6:22years of school and I had to work with the uniform. The people was in my here and very remarkable memories. It was the celebration of the September 1st. Yeah, same here. We had the same thing. A few flowers and we weren't sure if it was in my friends. To do what other older kids were doing, we got to last a very shortly. So that was kind of memories of those times. We were very united family. We did a lot of family reunions and I have good memories of the holidays, years in waiting for that midnight with the shows on the TV. Yes, it's definitely something that we were looking for. For children. The orange is under the trees under the Christmas trees that I was making. Or years later, we didn't really have Christmas right. We had most of them.

7:26We had to go in that time, then Christmas. Yes, same here. We died with Santa Claus for us, what did my eyes were? Yes, yes, yes. What could you know, which wasn't in Romania, right? In the kindergarten, when we used to have those special festivities for our parents to come and see us, I think those were the greatest memories of that. I can recall where they weren't big a lot after that or you know, we didn't, I didn't realize too much of the political situation but those were my parents that best in order for me to have a great childhood and have good memories. And I think those are staple memories as for many other children in Moldova or Kircheneau. Yes, yes, I remember we had candy hanging on the New Year's tree, so that was the big memory for me

8:27that that's when I could get candy. So yeah, we have similar, very, very similar memories there. Where were you during the collapse of the Soviet Union? Oh, I was still young. I have vague memories. I remember some of the protests. I remember maybe my father mentioning to us. Well, of course, we were, we feared that he was spread. We we knew what we were told, like my parents would tell us, but I was very young when the Soviet Union found us. He was definitely a time of great uncertainty because we were so eager to get that independence and we were eager to be proud of who we are because in the Soviet Union, we kind of lost our identity, the special, we couldn't speak our language. I identify in a

9:31speak Romanian at home. We have their traditional names, me, my brother. So during the Soviet Union, we definitely lost that identity. We couldn't speak Romanian. You couldn't get a say a job. No, in Russian or go to buy something. Oh, wow. Even the names or the documents, you're in your certificate. I still have mine that is in Russian. Do you speak Romanian, but was really close? We accepted, but we knew that it's not where we are. That's amazing. You can be proud of being a Romanian from the top and again. You know what strikes me is very interesting. As I was preparing to read the history, Moldova was part of Russia for at least part of Moldova was part of Russia for 100 years and then it was part of Romania or independent and only from 1918 to 1940 and then it was back part of Russia. Even in those years,

10:36so many years, it's still remained close to its original roots of the Romanian Moldovan roots. So I just find that very, very fascinating and really interesting and you should obviously be very proud that your new family maintained those roots. Now, were you on that side that was part of Russia for 100 years before World War I? Yes, yes. Even more impressive. Even more impressive that even after being under Russia for 100 years before World War I, then you still remain in those that identity. If you go back into the history where Romania was, you know, we were part of Romania much longer than we were part of Romania. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. You can't even do what they tried to erase. You know, try to erase the Moldova language. There is no such history as Romanian. Moldova history. So they tried to rewrite the history of Moldova. Yeah. Basically, so you go to the real countryside. We still celebrated more. We did

11:43we spoke the language and the traditions. We still want to church. Speaking of green, we kind of stayed the same. Because when you go to the capital, you have to be right or follow. Yeah. Yes, in the family, within the family, within that structure, you know, you remain in the union who you are. That's so important. You know, this is like words of truth. You need to know who you are. And it's so amazing that your family kind of kept the tradition, kept the that knowledge and passed it on to kids so the kids know who they are. That's that's very very impressive. Now, you said you went to church. How was I know Soviet Union to call the religion? And it was forbidden to believe in God. I know it's such an extra warranty of a pronounced forbidden to believe. I mean, just I can't even fasten that. But yes,

12:47they were trying to root out religion. And it was especially like in where I was in Belarus and in Maine, Russia, it was really a crackdown on churches. How was religion affected in Moldova? If you can tell us a little bit about that, how hard was it for you to go to church? Well, definitely during the Soviet Union, a lot of churches were destroyed. Beautiful landmarks of our history of Moldova. First thing I can say that my family was very religious. My grandmother, I spent my summer there, so we had to go. We were used to go to church every Sunday. We were in the village in the small church. So for our students, at least in my or my or my side, I can't say that that's excellent. That's so clear.

13:49Let's explain many families in the countryside. We had a small village, each village had a church. The big churches and the, you know, the past, they were destroyed if you're going to see. We tried to keep the, you know, that one kept us also united, I think. Well, I remember going to church maybe like twice in my life until, of course, I came to the United States or after the fall of the Soviet Union, but if I'm a strong believer, I typically believe in God. It just wasn't brought up going to church and now that my kids are going to Catholic school and we try to go to church. We don't go to church every week. I'm guilty. But we're going to try to do, we're going to do better. I do see, I totally see the importance of going to church having that community, having that connection with people. So this is so wonderful that your parents kept that and that, you know, you keep this going with your kids as well.

14:50Now, so where were you during the fall of the Soviet Union and how did you find out about the collapse? I was pretty young. I was probably maybe not even 10 years old. So I didn't, I think I wasn't very aware of what's going on. But I can say of the aftermath. I know the economic situation that happened after we felt it was a few million. It was a lot of inflation. People struggled. The culture struggled. Yes. There was a lot of on the base salaries, scores, scores, cities, the ability, let's say. And so also that's what it was a time for the families to see together and the neighbors help each other. Of course, after the fall, I see people's outside to find ways of maybe somehow you would go abroad, go abroad and work. I know that many families chose to

15:53or separate somehow the broke. And some of them, members of the family, they went outside, for example, Romania and work and then come back on other countries. Because they were allowed already to travel or to live easier. So when did you, when did you find out about America and tell us about your journey coming here? You know about America, sort of the movies and cartoons. I think, of course, you have this ideal country that you know, you're nice there. But I had this opportunity of coming here through school. I got a scholarship here at the college. So that was my way of coming here to New York State. It's very lucky. I think it's very, very lucky because I had good friends throughout my, you know, teens when I was at school. But they were very hardworking,

16:58young people that liked to study. And for me, they were like four models. And one of my best friends was the first one to come here to New York State. It's still a scholarship. And I told myself, I said to myself, what if I try? There you go. One, exactly. And once you give yourself an opportunity to do something that is a little bit out of your zone. That's really what, that one brought me here. I think it's just like doing that extra mile. I think there's also my influence on my parents, my father taught me that. Your work hard. And when you feel that you're more tired than you're doing something good. So if you are, for example, when you feel comfortable, that means you're, okay, but if you want to do something better or more, you just have to do a little extra. And if you feel that you're overworking, then it's sitting yourself. I mean, you're getting your perspective. I'm so happy to hear that. This is so wonderful. Go ahead.

18:01By trying something else, by doing a little more, I think I just expanded. That's what it is for me. Wow, I love this. I love this. You know, I switched jobs. And I was kind of at a very comfortable place for many years. And I got a new job. And I was going through quite a bit of, I don't want to say discomfort, but it's learning new things. And it's really fast-paced. And I was thinking a few times, gee, I don't know if I can hang on to this. This is too much. But I'm just, I'm just glad to hear this words because, yes, through discomfort, if you do grow, because it's still hard, but it's not as hard as it was. And I feel like just keep pushing through, keep pushing through, keep going. And yes, as they say, no pain, no gain sometimes, right? So it applies not just to physical activity, but to just about anything. And yeah, so that's that's a great mindset to have. I totally agree with your dad and with what you're saying.

19:04Wow. I think it's very important that friendships will look when you are young, because if you surround yourself with people that are working hard, being like a role model for you, you want to be like them, you want to, you want to become something. Absolutely. That's definitely important for young people to surround themselves with people that they can look up to. You know that you are shaped by people that you meet in the books that you read. And I 100% agree. It's so important to be in that right environment. And of course it's there's no set, obviously, guide on what is the right environment, but just where you feel and your heart is the right environment for you. It's just so important to be further from negativity, close to where you feel positivity, where you motivate it, where you could thrive. So tell us a little bit about your first years in the United States. Any immigrant, including

20:06myself coming to the United States, it's not easy the first years because you kind of trailblazing, you're setting up the ground for your life ahead, but you have some memories to share of your first times or first years in America. I think that I can put into it because it's time that I came in two occasions. For the first time I came to you, I was taking with the scholarship and I felt this the American style of the student life as always a college here, so I lived on campus and I definitely had this opportunity to learn and see how the American student life is. I really enjoyed it. I really liked it. You know the freedom, the classrooms, the way they would engage in the classroom. So I came back here and I continued my studies and of course the first years until I graduated, it was hard. I did have to work hard, work

21:10to jobs, and it sounds like my story. I had to work three jobs too, so I was like so many immigrant stories. Absolutely. Wow. But that's definitely a really hard work. Absolutely. Wow. So do you ever imagine that your life in America might be like before you move like what are your thoughts about America? I never really put too much thought. I never, you know, I can't say that I saw myself here, so basically I took one day at a time. I was here and I had to go on and study and I knew the way, I knew that I had to make the correct decisions to my decisions, but I never envisioned myself in US. When I was young, I never thought I'm going to live the country. I think I just stood up and appeared in my life and I wasn't afraid just to try things. So I'm going to stay here or

22:11be here. I know that it was something to pray. Same with me. I knew that I always wanted to go west where we have more freedom, so I just wanted to be who I could be and my plan was to go to the linguistic university and I got into the Spanish faculty, so I could study Spanish. So not in a million years that I see myself coming to United States, but I did have an opportunity to three people that I met to have this scholarship to come to school here for one year and then from there, it's just once I stepped in this land and I saw how amazing people are, how much opportunity you have here and just the whole life structure, so different. I just fell in love so deeply that I knew I had to do everything possible to come back to America and I had to go back, of course, because it was one year of scholarship, I took it back and then reapply and then come back

23:13again as a student and then I stayed. It took me about 10 years to become a citizen, but it was quite a journey, but I never thought, I never imagined that I would end up in America. I would have been, I just never envisioned myself in United States, so I totally can relate to that. I think Kate, we have very similar stories about how we, you know, I came to know you. Yeah, so I'm still a member of the United States. I think your story is very similar to mine. Yeah, and in a new parents, they continue supporting you all the way and until now too, right? Yes, you know, same thing. My father was a, when sometimes I would go home and I would say it's hard, mom or dad, it's near her. I would say, you know, it's harder at home, so I can go in. Yeah, that's so good. Are they still back home in Moldova now? They're doing good. Well, yeah, my mother used to, my father passed away a couple of years ago.

24:15Sorry to hear that, but my mother is there, there we talk. Now, how often do you go back to Moldova? I try every year. No, no problems. You just, no issues going there and back? No, no, no, no, no, no. Same thing as everything is good. Of course, it's a lot of stuff, but the media, you know, get there, but yeah, it's a long issue. It's a long flight, but it's not no issues. Yeah. So in your, in your opinion, and this is only your opinion, what was good about the Soviet Union and then we'll look at what was bad, just to pinpoint the good and the bad. If there was anything good, one memory is definitely the family time, but you need to have the community. I think that is what I remember, the nice, the nice memories, the good memories, the holidays, you know, the happiness and with, with my family, I think that's the biggest part. They kept us together. Yeah, yeah. And then, and I'm sure there's a lot

25:26of the bad parts, the oppression that not being able to have your, your roots and then speaking Yes, definitely. I think, you know, there was a cultural awakening after the fall of the Soviet Union. And especially the younger generation, the embrace that, of course, many people in Moldova that believed most of their part in under the Soviet Union, they had this nostalgia and we all have that nostalgia, you know, about the, the violence when everything seemed comfortable. Yeah, and stable, there was stability, that's, that's what I hear a lot, it was very, very stable. We did offer us stability, but we, you know, what are the cost of that work? Exactly, exactly. But the, so we, there is like a split mentality, people that still believe that there's a possibility something to be similar as before, which will never be, I think. Yeah. And then the generation that, they embrace independence and they embrace the culture

26:31revival. Yes. They oppose, you know, the oppression. Yeah, absolutely. So how did you, how do you, how do you feel they, was the effect of the independence of the fall of the Soviet Union like on families as far as economically, socially and culturally? I think it was very hard. It is still very hard to split a lot of families too. I think because, you know, after, after that, the economy, everything was, was that, you know, the economy, the situation, you know. I don't know if you know what about doing the Soviet Union a lot of the social problems they completely try to cover up like they don't exist. And then after that, you realize there are a lot of problems. That's what I actually don't trust. That's why I don't get to a lot of people to to immigrate, to live the country, to look for a better life or to make the life better in all over by helping the ones at state. Yeah. Yeah. Although it's a very small country,

27:34if you look at it, but, and if you, you look at the, you know, the population, I don't know, they're saying that two thousand, two thousand countries, that's way much more than it's right now because I think the population, I don't know exactly the numbers, but they did live the country. They younger people, people that were able to work, they left the country for a better life. Yeah. Or, and they did send money home and they did help their family there, back home. Mm-hmm. But definitely after the Soviet Union, we discovered a lot of social problems. I think even a lot of people also, they suffered, even the country, young women, who were, you know, trafficked. We fell through, we felt. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. It's not strong. Well, just to, I just looked it up real quick. So the population of Moldova

28:37in 2000 was 4.3 million. In 2024, it was 2.4. So that's like, like 50% down. And then I'm looking, looking back further in 1990, it was 4.3 million, 2004.3. And then it starts to go down from there. 2010 is 3.6 million. And then now it's 2.4. So yes, this is, this is pretty sad. Well, I definitely hope there's going to be some kind of a turnaround there. I'm really hoping that they get accepted in European Union to rebuild the country and let it get back on their feet. And I wanted to ask you about Transnistria. Can you tell me, what do you know about Transnistria? Some people who have trouble, some of the Americans that I know who have trouble to Moldova, they're very familiar with this region, which is occupied by Russia. However, when I ask other people, it's kind of unknown. So tell me your thoughts on Transnistria.

29:42Well, definitely a region is that opposed the Moldova independence. And if you go there, you feel like you're back in time. Really? Wow. Yes, this will have the statue of many people. No kidding. So it's like when I'm back in time, it definitely is a part of the country, the region that has oppressed the Moldova independence in the UK. Definitely, yes, it's more like Soviet life that was before you go there. Which is what is right now? I know that the information I have is that it's definitely like going back in time and feeling how it's so legitimate. They kind of try to keep the same. Yeah, yeah. I just just thought my listeners know it's a very small strip of land that's between Nester River. It's

30:45at the Ukrainian border that has been internationally recognized as part of Moldova. But since 1990, it was operated as a self-proclaimed independent state. And Russia invaded that area and they have their military currently stationed there. Although no United Nations member of country, where any country recognizes this independence, even Russia doesn't recognize it independence, but they support it politically and economically and they have their military station there. So it's quite an interesting region. So yeah, I'll probably do a separate episode just just on that because it's just such an interesting area that's just so kind of deep and involved. So you've traveled, you've traveled to South America, you've traveled around the world. What was it like? What was your perception of other countries? What did you say in compared to United States, compared to Moldova? Is that something you want to take your kids to travel

31:47around the world to kind of see other parts? Are there regions? Definitely. I think traveling is very important not for yourself, but also for young minds, so they can see how other people in front have a broader understanding of the world. I think what is the completely different one to United States offers with, you know, how is the lifestyle and other countries in Europe, for example, if you go to a country in Europe, it's paying. You see the difference in the world. The lifestyle, of course, there is more relaxed. Yeah. I think it's just really fun. You've been views. Absolutely. How have you taken your kids back home to Moldova? Yes, they've been to Moldova. Not recently, we did take a couple of years ago.

32:49Oh, they really like Moldova. We were going to Spain, Spain as well. Not for Peru. So they have traveled a bit. They really enjoy traveling and being the differences and meeting your people. Yeah. I wanted to pivot here a little bit and ask you something a little bit on the personal side, I guess. So as a parent, would you say, as a Moldovan parent or post-Soviet parent? So there's two trains of thoughts on raising kids. Now, this is my view here. This is my division here just to make it clear. I call it the American and this and the Russian or the American and the Soviet. So here, so my husband is American and his view and this is kind of very similar to what most of my American friends have is you let kids decide what they want to do, what their interests are, what activities they take.

33:54So pretty much, it's kind of like not not the free range, but you let the kids drive their activities and whichever way or direction they want to sort of float. The Russian way, the Soviet way, and this is what I've heard also often from my Russian friends and family members, is you need to guide your kids and have a structural guide, sort of speak. An example of that is right now, for example, my 10-year-old doesn't really want to get up at six o'clock in the morning and necessarily go training for his activity, for his, he's in figure skating and it's very, it's very involved. So he doesn't necessarily want to get up at six o'clock in the morning. I don't, I understand, I don't honestly want to either, but the Soviet side of me is telling, hey, whether he likes to or not, he needs to get up at six o'clock and he needs to go and train and train hard and this is a solid mentality. And a lot of his Soviet coaches are that mentality

34:54of this iron fist mentality. If you want to get somewhere, if you want to be successful, if you want to reach the stars, so basically you need to work hard. And my husband's view is like just, he doesn't want to do it. Just let him find what he likes and what most of the people on the, on the other side would say, well, what's 10-year-old knows what they want. So I wanted to kind of get your perspective on as you're raising your kids, which side you gravitate to. And again, this is not to put you on the spot, but just kind of get your input on, actually wrote this question down. Do you let your kids figure out what they want to do in life or do you employ a more controlling and structural guide to raising it? I think we definitely have to give them the structure. Yeah. I think I'm more of the, let me back home, you know, style of parenting. Definitely have to, you have to work hard. If you want something, there is definitely structure.

36:01Yes, I agree, I agree. And you know, you can't let, you know, your children to decide for themselves, they're not ready. Yeah. Come at them and want to be ready. Exactly, exactly. They'll take the decisions, the good decisions, and then they will prove when they learn something. Exactly. At this moment, I, it's my duty to, I believe that's my responsibility at this moment. Yeah. Absolutely. Some decisions for them. Yes. You know, they'll take, you know, better decisions or the same decisions or whichever they like, but at this moment, they have to do what? Yeah, what we guide them. You know, what you tell them to do, that's right. Absolutely. It's a moment. Of course, we, it's not always so strict. Yeah. There's a golden middle somewhere. Absolutely. I believe that first it would be, you know, we limit some of the things for them. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Because when you're young, you let yourself influenced by others.

37:04And so we want to be a positive influence in their lives. Yeah. And not let other other influences that might, you know, or we definitely more strict or not, means technology or, you know, fault or. Yeah. Absolutely. They want to take their own decisions. Yeah, when they're older, right? And, you know, they're, they're the word I wrote down. When I wrote down my question, I put kind of controlling. And right away, I'm thinking, hardly, this sounds so bad because here in the West controlling, it's kind of almost a directory term when somebody's telling, oh, you're so controlling. But when I'm thinking of it, coming from the Soviet Union, you had no control over anything. The government dictated everything to you. So when you're coming out of, out here to Western side in the United States, you feel like you have control of your life. You have control of something. So when somebody telling me, oh, somebody tells me I'm controlling, I take it. This is me as a compliment. And I said, well, thank you. I'm so glad I'm controlling. So I can help you.

38:08That's something that I never realized. I was very young in those times. But I think you're so right here. You have, you definitely have more choices. There's someone how to decide for you. Yeah. And it's so hard. It was so hard. I struggled so much when I first came because we were not taught how to think for ourselves. We were not taught, we were not taught to have control of our lives. So I struggled for a long time just to find what profession to choose. So I have four different degrees in completely different fields. So I finally found something that I was kind of happy with. And I stuck with it, which is sciences and laboratory. And of course, who is now their mother, I'm fighting out a lot, a lot more interest. And like I love doing the podcast. I love creating things. Yes, of course, if I was to have a do over here in the West, I would have come kind of completely redundancy. So although it's not so late, that's what I'm doing the spot gas because it's not too late, right? Yes. I'm happy that I'm talking to you because there's some things that I

39:15didn't realize myself. And I'm talking to you, I understand some things too. You're so much right that I think there's not the ability to choose for yourself to do things on your own, to realize that you're able to do hobbies or something that you like. Yes. And then you didn't have those pleasures. You had to, and especially I think, if you leave in the modest working class parents with family, you definitely worry about what you're going to have to learn, right? Absolutely. In tomorrow, what you, if you have enough, but never really think of what to do for yourself. Yes, there was no you. There was no I. It was old. Yes. Yes. Yes. And then you come here. It's actually okay to do something for yourself. And it's actually celebrated and applauded when you say, Hey, I'm going to take this time every day to go to

40:16the gym. And there's nothing wrong with that. Nobody's going to shame you that, you know, what, you're going to let your kids on their own this morning get ready to go to school and you're going to go to the gym. What's kind of paranoid. All right. I'm like, no, they're old enough to get themselves dressed. I can go to the gym. So, so yeah, it's absolutely. That's a very interesting fact, very interesting fact about the lifestyle and the, you know, the mentality. You know, back then, the Soviet. Yeah. You were pressed. Yeah. You are. Yeah. How are you? You enjoy life. Yeah. You can have more. You can travel. Yeah. You see things. Yeah. You know, it's interesting when I interview people that are that were younger during the Soviet times. They have a very similar view, like, like you had, there was the point out a lot of the press oppressions, a lot of the limitations. And then I had a few interviews with older folks, which I have not published yet.

41:18I am still figuring out how to translate it, but I am going to get to it. And they are all pretty much in unison are kind of, I don't want to say miss that's that times, but they do it in a way miss it, but they have a lot of positive things to say. And, you know, partly, and I talked to them offline too. Partly, they tell me, look, I still have family back home and I don't need to have any problems. I don't need to create any problems for them, which is also important to point out. But then they also tell me that, you know, I genuinely, there were good things. So to ask you, if you were to cherry pick, if you would just go back in time and just cherry pick things from the Soviet Union that you would want to bring back here, what would it be? That's a very good question. Maybe that closeness to, you know, to your family or to the closeness to the community. That's what I hear often. And that's my, that's my pick too, is that camaraderie that we had not only with family, but like your classmates or people, yeah, like your close-knit

42:26community, we were very, very close. If you, if you have friends, you don't have a lot of friends, you have few friends, but those friends would take a bullet for you. And that's something really that I do miss. And like my classmates, we had a few, like our class, our class was very, very tight. We just knew that we can count on each other, and that's just a great feeling to have. Yeah, so I'm so glad that we were able to connect and have this interview. I learned so much about Valdoba, first of all, and it's amazing how much we have, how many similarities we have, and not only in a branding, but it's coming to the United States, so many similar views. It's quite mind-boggling to me. It's different from different parts of different countries, yet very similar stories. That's the thing that is the best about the sisterhood of the countries. That's right. I love the sisterhood of the Soviet countries. I'm going to have to quote

43:27you on that. That's awesome. This is very good. So in closing remarks, is there anything that you want to let our listeners know, or just in general, anything that you want to share as we come into an end? Coming from a small country, but with big dreams and big hopes, you learn through life that nothing comes easy, and you have to work hard. Definitely work and your generations have to also consider it, but if you want to achieve something, you do have to put your mind to it. I love that. I love that. I've got to work hard. I have to put your mind to it. This is something I will take with me to my kids, for me to reflect on. This is a real words of wisdom. Anna, thank you so, so much for sharing your memories and reflections on growing up in Sohit Moldova, and for giving us such an honest look at how history, culture, and politics continue to shape people's lives long after the Soviet Union is gone. And dear listeners,

44:32thank you for joining me. Anna's story reminds us that while borders and governments may change, the experiences may and values that we carry continue to connect us across cultures and generations. Thank you so much for listening to The Sohit Live. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps bring more voices and stories from the former Sohit World to a wider audience. Reach out to me with any questions, comments. I would absolutely love to hear from you. You can reach me at Kate at The Sohit Live.com. Again, I'm your host Kate Sohbit. Join me next time as we continue exploring the stories of those whose lives were shaped by the Sohit Union and the lessons they carry today. Until then, take care and I'll see you soon.