Welcome, all, to the marvelous misadventures of Annie.

As my ninth month in the Peace Corps approaches, I feel the need for a substantial product. Just imagine: if instead of going off to an adventure in Ukraine, I had gone off to a bar somewhere and gotten knocked-up, I’d be a month away from motherhood. Happily, that’s a totally ridiculous scenario, but still­­– I’d like to have something to show for this passage of time. More specifically, something to show-OFF to all of you I’ve left behind. And so emerges this blog, my baby.


A List of Important Facts:

1. I am a teacher, 5th to 11th grade. I did not plan this, but it seems to be turning out surprisingly well. Soon, I’ll probably even feel normal being the “adult in charge.”
2. I have a cat; her name is Sherlock. I spend a lot of time with her, talking to her, and wondering if I’m taking care of her correctly. This occupies a lot of my day.
3. In February I got sick. After a very interesting encounter with the Ukrainian medical system, a week of alternating between vomiting and thinking I was a hypochondriac, and four days in the Peace Corps sick bay, I was flown to America. My gallbladder was gotten rid of, and now I’m cured. Perfectly A-Okay. Plus, I got to keep some gallstones.
4. Fact: I live in a small town on the coast of Crimea. Fact: I have my own apartment. Fact: This is a great and beautiful thing. Fact: Great and beautiful does not mean hot water. Or even water on Thursdays. Or heating, now that it’s looking like springtime. But still, great and beautiful.
5. I’m developing a new life theory:
   
   “When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear, and life stands explained.” --Twain
   

So, here, in this newly birthed blog, I invite you to share my madness.