Interview with Miss Russian Community winner 'MupaMypa'
We chat to our community winner about her extraordinary life both at and away from the virtual felt, charity, morality, travelling and kittens.
Hi, Nonna! Congratulations on your win. What does the title of Miss Russian Community mean to you? 🙂
: The contest was tough and filled with emotions. When it had finished, I was relieved and, at the same time, excited with the results. It's hard to describe...
The emotions have subsided, and now I realise what it all means to me. First, it's feedback. When you do something and put your heart into it then, of course, it's pleasant to receive positive feedback and be assured that everything was not in vain.
For a long time, my PokerStrategy membership has become more then just a hobby. It's very nice that the users recognise a "Miss Community" in me. It's not only a privilege; with it comes a number of unwritten responsibilities which I'll try to fulfill to my best. 🙂
What responsibilities do you mean?
: To try to bring more life, ideas, emotions and experiences to this site; to always be a part of it.
I think, that's what every Miss should do — to inspire and lead by example. Let's get to it then! 🙂
"I've achieved my goals only thanks to poker"
People who read your blog know about the life you've lived for the last two years and how many interesting events you've had in and out of poker. But for those that have not, please tell us about your poker achievements and how they've helped you to change your life.
: Two years ago, I had a very quick start; I got to NL20 in four months and settled there... settled a bit too well, since I'm still there. 🙂
For the last two years, poker's been paying my bills. Only thanks to it I've managed to achieve my goals — obtain EU citizenship and move abroad. I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't opened a poker table back then...
I've always wanted to travel, make discoveries, experience the unusual, learn about foreign cultures, and that is my life now. I'm currently in England and I have no idea where I'll be next. 🙂
"When you want something, there are no boundaries; only opportunities"
How do you manage to balance your active social life in England with poker?
: I got used to working hard and investing my heart and soul into it. It became second nature, so that when I posted my first monthly poker report from England and my readers were impressed by the volume, I realised I hadn't even noticed how well I was doing.
When you want something, there are no boundaries; only opportunities. I guess, that's my motto. I aim to get what I want, so there's always time for some fun. However I had some rest from poker during New Year's celebrations. First the MRC contest, then Christmas... I want to experience real life at its fullest, I work so hard for moments like these as well. It would be silly to miss them...
"The British are crazy about Xmas holidays!"
How was your Christmas in England? Was this your first holiday season abroad?
: It was a fairytale come true — my first New Year away from home, and everything was different here.
The British people are crazy about Xmas holidays! The house decorations we made were so beautiful, that my head kept spinning. We celebrated Christmas in a big company of relatives and friends, we had a gorgeous dinner, played different games, and sang. It was definitely a holiday to remember!
"Non-poker life has taken priority"
You realised many of your life goals thanks to poker. And what about your poker career? How do you plan to develop your game and in what time?
: To be honest, it's unlikely for me to reach high stakes any time soon because my non-poker life has taken priority.
In other words, I only want to earn as much as I need for my travels. If I wanted more my social activities would suffer. Going up the limits would take most of my time. I've reached some balance between poker, my job in England, and traveling. So any extra time invested in any of those would negatively impact the rest. So no big poker plans at the moment for me.
"It's very hard for me to find an irresistible man"
What traits does your ideal man have?
: My man should be stronger than me. I'm a natural born leader and belligerent and commanding. It's hard to find a man I'd want to give up 'without a fight'.
I was raised up in a conservative family, so I believe that a man should be in charge. And with me around, it's hard to be in charge of anything. I understand there are no ideal people, but there are simply things that you can forgive and those you can't.
Feebleness, cowardice, spinelessness — this is what I find repulsive in a man. He may be ideal in every other way but I'll just ignore him anyway. As for a strong-willed, ambitious, and courageous person, I'd be ready to forgive his flaws.
What is it like, to be in a different world surrounded by strangers with no relatives or friends around? Don't you miss home?
: Oh, if you asked me that a week ago, I'd reply that I'm fine and keep myself from being sad.
But this Christmas got me. I saw this big family, how warmly they celebrate, how they hug and make each other happy... I got very sad. I miss my home so much, sometimes I even want to give up everything for my dad's hug.
I try to keep my emotions under control as hard as I can. I hope I'll get better after the holidays. 🙂
"I just listen to my heart and go where it tells me to go"
Why England? Some people dream of Asia, others want to go to the USA. So why exactly has good old England become your favorite in this vast world?
: It's a hard thing to explain... It's like when a boy is in love with a girl and everybody asks "Why?" And he just stares at her like he is hypnotized. It can't be explained, it just is. It's kind of magic. 🙂
There are many countries in the world, and many of them may look as attractive as England. I just listen to my heart andgo where it tells me to go. That's why I'm here.
"I plan to do some volunteering in Africa, and then North Russia awaits"
How long do you plan to stay in England? Do you have the next step planned ahead?
: A serious question. I have some main objectives: learn the language (that means living in England for a year at least) and create a material base for volunteering in Africa because it may be impossible to play poker while I'm there.
It would be great to multi-task, but currently it's hard for me to save money, so it should take more time. After Africa, I'd love to do ecological volunteering in North Russia.
And somewhere in-between all of this, it would be nice to do a few quick 'raids' on other countries. 🙂 These are my global plans for next few years.
"It's hard for adult people to radically change their lives"
What is your view on life, your system of values, moral principles; have they ever changed in recent years? You always seem to be working on self-improvement, where does that come from?
: I think, all the best and all the worst in us is defined by our genes, the way we were raised, and early childhood experiences. It doesn't matter how hard you work on it, you can't radically change who you are if you're already an adult. All we can do is be reasonable, not to chase something for the sake of it, and try to find harmony in yourself.
Yes, me from five years ago was a rather pathetic sight. I lost my mom early, and it was a severe blow for me in my teens. But the way I am now, it's not my achievement — all of this was given to me long before I started thinking about my development as a person. I consiously let my good side exist openly while letting the mad dogs lie. It's not that hard really. 🙂
"I must run as fast as I can, just to stay in place..."
Isn't it too early for you to chase your dreams? Should you be working hard now, having fun or finding a balance?
: Too early?? I'm always complaning about getting old, and there's so much left to do...
There's the quote from "Alice in Wonderland" that's become my motto: "My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that."
While my bankroll (as well as my butt) would be growing, all the interesting things in life would go past me. I'm not afraid of hardship and failure, and now I'd prefer a life on the edge and full of adventure compared to calm, settled, and scheduled life. That would literally kill my brain. The Vikings were raised by North winds, you know. And deep inside I realise that I make my life complicated on purpose because I think it's the only way to develop.
"Helping others is a part of my life, otherwise it would be colourless"
What is the attraction with volunteering? Most young people just want to enjoy their life.
: You ask me why I don't want to enjoy life but that's what it is — helping others is the biggest pleasure for me. And volunteering is not my choice; I just follow the way Nature laid for me. Every one of us have their purpose.
Think about it: A little girl who takes money from home and buys toys for a poor family with lots of kids. Who takes her brother's toy car and gives it to a boy next door who has none. What choice does this girl have?
I was tiny, and even then I was giving shelter to all the homeless cats from the neighborhood. I was hiding them in the communal area of my apartment building, where it was dry and warm. It would be stupid to suppress that gift and not to let it fully grow. Nature took care of it as well so that I wouldn't be able to ignore it — by giving me pleasure from my good deeds. Just as food, sleep, relationships; helping others is the part of my life without which my life would be colourless.
"Poker is honest work; everyone gets what they deserve"
Given you enjoy helping others, do you ever worry about poker being a game where vulnerable people lose money and get exploited? Some of them are even degenerate gamblers.
: I strongly disagree with you. It's honest work. I invest my time, effort, nerves, and energy into it; and I get exactly what I deserve. Those who lose without investing anything get what they deserve. It's their adult choice — sit at a table with their money and play the game they don't fully understand. I'm not a judge here, I don't give and I don't take — that's what life does.
Everyone gets their share, and I'm not morally responsible for other people's choices. Anyone can spend some time and effort, become a pro and win money from me. There are regs that always leave me puzzled and in the red. Does this make them criminals and me their victim? No, they are awesome, and I'm lazy. There are many opportunities in poker, and if somebody doesn't take them it shouldn't cast any shadow on me.
As tradition demands, it's not possible for me not to ask about women in poker. Is it correct to call poker a game of men where women are underdogs? If not, then why are there not so many women in poker?
: Maybe because poker is a game of aggression and risk — it requires nerves of steel, so an average woman may feel threatened in a game like this.
But there are women who can compete and I would never call any of them an underdog. They have all the right qualities and, besides, their unconventional way of thinking gives them an edge. So it's not as bad as it may seem. 🙂
Where does your poker nickname come from?
: It's just a derivative from sound that a purring cat makes. You know how lovers each other; kitties, bunnies and all sorts of cute names — well, my nickname is like that. 🙂 It's spelled ['mira 'mura]. 🙂
"Men, be strong. And be good."
Nonna, you are an essential part of our community. What is your message to your fellow members?
: The world around us changes, as we all do, but there are some things that are unchangeable. A year and a half ago I was asked the same question, and my answer to it is still true without a doubt. I may be quoting myself but here goes:
"As most of our readers are men — I want to say to you, be strong. And be good. When you are strong and evil, you aim for destruction. And when a kind man starts changing the world with all his might — this is a sight to see. Fear nothing and go forward, and everyone else will follow. Strong men can rule not only the micros but the whole world".
And, of course, I'd like to thank all of you people who become very close to me in all these years. You are my strongest supporters! I'm always glad to see you in my blog, even if you're just passing by!
Thanks for the interview, Nonna. May all your dreams come true!
- MupaMypa's blog: "Girls also play poker -) Now in England!"
- Miss Russian Community 2016 Contest voting and results
