The Arrow's Museum of Me

Born in 1967 in Crimea, instructor of mathematics Natalya Kutsevalova came to the United States in 2001. With a degree in engineering she earned in Crimea, a bachelor's degree in mathematics and teaching certification, and a master's degree in natural science and mathematics, here, Kutsevalova shares her story from becoming a young girl in Crimea during the Cold War to an instructor here at SEMO. (Photo by Koki Lynn)

The book "The History of Chersonesus" The book "The History of Chersonesus" is a book about the area near Sevastopol where Kutsevalova was born. It tells of the long history of the area and its transition from a Greek city to protected ruins under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Kutsevalova remembers times in her childhood during which she and her friend went for jogs through the area. "We would jog in the morning to dip in the water," she said. "It was from September to May, when it's not so hot. At that time, you feel that sun energy in these Greek ruins, and you can imagine that people had lived here." (Photo by Koki Lynn)

A scarf. Scarves remind Kutsevalova of her childhood, when she wore scarves similar to this one, which was a gift from a friend. Since cars were not widely available throughout her region in Crimea, she said public transportation was commonly used. In winter, as the temperatures dropped, the need to bundle up became more and more necessary. "Grandma takes you, because Mom is at work. Grandma is retired, so she put coat on you and scarf with only eyes showing and because you stay on the trolly stop or bus stop, so you stay protected," Kutsevalova said. When the temperature gets cold, Kutsevalova said she still can't help but bundle up like her grandma taught her. (Photo by Koki Lynn)

A book of poems. "Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám" is a collection of poems written by Omar Khayyám. Kutsevalova said Khayyám was an influential philosopher and mathematician. When Kutsevalova was a child, she often spent hours reading this book at her local library. Though it could not leave the building, that did not stop young Kutsevalova from copying down her favorite poems that still stick with her to this day. "I have many poems that I remember, but you can always find one that sticks with you," Kutsevalova said. Though they were written nearly a thousand years ago, the poems still touch the hearts of people like Kutsevalova to this day. (Photo by Koki Lynn)