To make a long story short. Allow me to introduce myself, or at least attempt to. My life began on August 17, 1977, but I was born on February 24, two and a half years earlier. Strange, but true. Here's the next strange thing about me, my name. Can you say Agnieszka? If you're Polish, you shouldn't have a problem. If you're not Polish, not to worry, you wouldn't be the first, nor will you be the last to ponder how to approach it, and still mispronounce it in spite of an earnest well intended effort not to. A full explanation, not too mention a pronunciation guide is offered in the first chapter titled "What's in a name?"(pge.1). My life which I came to accept at times reluctantly, at other times willingly, has kept in perfect sync with the name I was gifted, arguably burdened with. Like my name, my life has proven to be equally unordinary, challenging and a perfect case study in a series of contradictory meanings & events. The most tumultuous time of my life arguably began and ended with adulterous affairs. The one I am the result of, and the one I discovered sixteen years later. The first affair introduced me to the early life lessons of a transient solitary existence, growing up an orphan in Communist Poland, punctuated by frequent and extended hospital visits. Two and half years later I was introduced to my mother. She then introduced me to life, her life, which became my life. In struggling with it, learning from it, being hurt by it, at times loving it, other times cursing it, wanting to end it, and eventually accepting it, in finally living it, I was introduced to myself. Suffice it to say what goes around comes around. Call it Karma, fate, or a simple coincidence, but 29 yearslater, my life remains unconventional, immersed repeatedly in uncertainty, composed of both successful and not so successful leaps of faith. The curses and blessings of a life less ordinary, in all it's convoluted wonder. Everybody has a story. This book happens to be my story, very much a life in progress, as told through a compilation of conversations I have enjoyed throughout my life with family, friends, lovers, colleagues and at times complete strangers. In knowing them, I got to know myself. And like my life, I unquestionably am very much a work in progress. I trust you enjoy the story.I've certainly enjoyed living it!
