Polina's Passions
Creativity and performing skills are something that I was born with. Now, by simply implementing my talent into the real world, I can definitely make a change out there!
Let's perform!
Volleyball
Junior Russian National Team
I've been a captain for the Junior National team for almost four years. From 2015 to 2019, including my last bronze medal at the World Championship over the summer while I was already in college. With these wonderful girls, we have won gold medals at the European Championship, twice won bronze at Worlds, and another bronze at the Junior Olympic Games. With these girls, we have visited 16 countries while playing volleyball. With these girls, I've learnt how to be an outstanding team leader and a good friend at the same time. That was a life-changing experience for me which definitely help me today.
Syracuse Volleyball
Turning over to the next page, my volleyball journey continuing. In 2018 was my first practice at Syracuse Volleyball. And today I am a captain of the team, was selected as a Freshman of the year of the ACC Conference, have earned All-American Honours every year and much more to come! It is fascinating how dramatically different my volleyball experiences are, but that's why they are so unique and incredible to me! Something that I would carry away from Syracuse Volleyball is definitely the culture within the team: the diversity that we have on our team is something very valuable to us so we can learn from each other.
Music
Singing
My dad is very good at singing. So I didn't really had a chance to had a bad voice. From singing in the shower, I ended up in Russian Traditional Folk Ensemble being in middle school. I am very grateful to had a change to be a part of this ensemble because by performing traditional Russian folk songs, you keep the history of your ancestors alive and carry it through the decades. It is something very valuable to me to think about when I am singing. Carrying the culture through the years of music beauty. Oh, this crazy feeling when you don't think about anything in this world besides what you are singing about. You are absolutely not present on Earth when you sing. And that's what makes me do it. The feeling of an absolute nirvana and the reactions of people listening to me.
Playing Ukulele
This hobby I picked around 5 years ago by my own initiative. I was very curious about this magic tiny musical instrument - ukulele, so I simply decided to get one and learn to to actually play. It also perfectly works with my singing ability because you can combine those two together. As you can see in the picture, there is my younger brother Arsenii and myself singing at one of the "Music Nights" back in Russia. We would have a little crowd in front of us, and sitting by the fireplace we were singing and playing ukulele (my brother also plays classical guitar), peacefully enjoying the evening. It is never to late to pick a new hobby, and I definitely did not regret about picking that one up. I am actually learning how to play Kalimba now, so I honestly don't know what would be the next musical instrument. Any ideas?
Arts&Crafts
Sewing
This passion came to me from my Sewing Classes back in High School. We used to design clothes and let the magic happen with our own hands and sewing machines. And that's where I felt how naturally it was for me and that I am very interested in this particular hobby. In the picture, you can actually see a doll that I made for on of our Senior and Syracuse Volleyball for her last game. It was so inspiring to create a doll while applying all the skills that I've learn and all my love and passions towards this activity.
Gift Organisation
I personally think this is a very handy-dandy skill to learn or have. I always had much more happiness when I would GIVE people presents, but not receive them. The first impression of the person is pretty much why I love organising presents so much. The emotions people experiment are what drives my passions. In the picture you can see a whole basket which was made for one of our Volleyball Seniors as well.
Sketchbook Creation
This skill is something that help you creativity to be put on the paper. Sketchbooks always have a huge amount of memories, thoughts, and feeling inside it. That is why while you creating one, you really have to understand what you put in this page. It might be love or hate, happiness or sadness, or, let's say, flowers and rainbow. The picture above is a sketch book bag with one of my best friends Ira, which looks l=to me very welcoming and comforting.
Crochet
I think this is the field in which I am not a great expert, however, this is something I have to pick up more in order to learn new stuff. It was always fascinating to me how people would walk by in the sweater they made or the scarf that is going to save your life because of the snow in the middle of April. You can simply watch tv, while crocheting! Isn't it something you can do? In the picture, this is one of my first work I've done while crocheting. Crochet makes me feel relaxed and tranquil. I love it!