THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410040119
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Linda McNatt
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
Nine years ago, Helle Kuriks Frejus was living in Estonia, a small country on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, bordered by Latvia and Russia.
And, like so many of her countrymen, she longed to come to the United States.
``There was very hard times,'' Helle (pronounced Hel-AY) said in her soft, melodious voice. ``Russians had decided to take over other republics. They brought Russians into Estonia and Latvia, tried to make them all Russians. But the people are so different in culture. Estonians are, thank God, very calm. They are people of great passions.''
Everybody in Estonia who had reason to go anywhere was using those reasons, Helle said. She had an aunt in California who was ill and needed her. For six years, Helle had her name on a list to come to this country.
When she finally got word that she had permission, she had only three weeks to pack and get ready for the move. Her aunt died before she arrived on the West Coast.
Coming to this country was a sad and happy event, Helle said. It was sad because her aunt had died. But it was happy because she would finally get her wish to see the world outside of her homeland.
``I wanted to travel,'' she said. ``I wanted to feel free.''
Helle settled in Los Angeles with one of her daughters. Another is still living in Estonia.
Helle had little trouble settling into life in America. She is a graphic illustrator and a calligrapher with a degree from the Tallinn Art University, previously the Estonian State Institute of Art in Tallinn, Estonia. She graduated in 1960 with the degree of Diplomate in Applied and Commercial Art, equivalent to the master of arts degree.
In Estonia, she worked for newspapers as an advertising artist. She designed cassette recording covers and lighting systems, and she made whatever extra money she needed doing free-lance work.
In California, she simply continued her career. She worked as a free-lance technical illustrator in Pasadena. And from 1987 until late last year, she was a graphic designer for Panorama, Almanac Enterprises, Inc., publisher of the largest independent American-Russian weekly newspaper in the U.S.
But last year, Helle's life took another turn, in the direction of Isle of Wight County.
I found her in her small, neat, sparsely furnished apartment in Smithfield. When I walked in, her table was set with fragile china coffee cups, and we enjoyed delicious coffee. It was a Finnish blend, she told me, something of her country she still enjoys.
Her daughter who still lives in Estonia sends it to her.
Helle is small-boned and delicate in appearance, though not exactly petite, because of her height. She has fine, blonde hair and a gracious smile.
In conversation, a perplexed look spreads across her face when she has to search for the right English word. Her English is perfect in reading and writing.
She still has a few problems with the spoken word. She likes to ``practice.'' In addition to English, she speaks Russian and Estonian.
Her journey to Virginia, she told me, began about this time last year when she was at a gathering of friends. A man at the same party told her, somewhat out of the blue, that she would be moving to Virginia.
``That was so funny to me,'' she said. ``That was last year, exactly same time.''
A few weeks later, Helle met another Estonian, a woman already living in Smithfield. The two became fast friends. At Christmas, Helle visited her friend here.
``I liked this place very much,'' she said. ``Before I knew what was happening, I was packing up, and I was moving here. I think maybe that was my fate. Three weeks after I left California, there was the big earthquake. Maybe God saved me.''
Helle has been living here since January. She has been supporting herself on savings and by doing artwork - brochures, business cards, wedding announcements - on the computer she invested in since moving to America. She is self taught on the computer and quite accomplished.
``I am quick learning,'' she said. ``I like all kinds of machines. I love computers. It is so easy for me, so interesting to find something new. Very interesting.''
But the jobs she gets are few and far between. And because she is without a car, she's unable to travel to a larger city right now to find work.
Helle said she feels, for some reason - she's still uncertain why - she's meant to be here. She's unwilling to go elsewhere until she discovers a reason.
``I need a job,'' she said. ``I can do everything. Brochures, layouts for books, wedding announcements, postcards, stationary, calling cards, newsletters - with computer and by hand. Finding a job before has never been a problem for me.''
She doesn't want to leave Smithfield. She's started over too many times. She's tired. And besides, she's meant to be here.
Maybe somebody knows somebody else who can use Helle's talents.
Anyone would enjoy this quiet, pleasant woman's company.
If you're looking for a graphic artist or know somebody who is, you can contact Helle by calling 365-0522.
``I never was looking for a job,'' Helle said. ``Always, the job was looking for me. Now, I have to look, and I have to find ground for my feet. I am here. Nothing happens in life that has no reason.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA McNATT
Helle Frejus came to the United States because she wanted to ``feel
free.''
by CNB