Hi, I’m Eve Brown-Waite, the last of the new Debutantes … finally taking the stage. And this is a picture of me building a stage (well, a barn actually). Since you already have that nice one up at the top with me looking all Debutante-y, I thought I should let you see what I really look like. Not glamorous at all!
I do own a tiara though, and am thrilled to finally have an excuse to wear it. But I have to admit I was a little disappointed to learn there is no actual ball. Maybe that’s a good thing, because if there were I’d probably step on everyone’s toes, drink too much and end up dancing on top of the table. (Oh, wait a minute, that was my wedding!)
I live in a lovely, very green corner of Western Massachusetts although I grew up in New Yawk (the city) and then moved to upstate New York. I went to college at the State University of New York at Oneonta (school cheer: “Give me an O … Give me an N … Give me a beer!”) and I liked everything there so much – the college, the town, the beer – that I stayed for seven years. I eventually joined the Peace Corps, met my husband, and followed him – literally – around the world until we landed in bucolic New England, which I guess is kind of a cross between the hustling metropolis of NYC and the malaria infested bush of northern Uganda. It’s nice here: there are no landmines.
St. John and I have been married for 17 years (he seems to have forgiven me for dancing on the table and I forgave him for schlepping me into someone else’s civil war). I call him St. John because he really is that good (and because I think he doesn’t like it when I call him “the live organ donor”). We have two (sometimes three) kids. We made two of them ourselves, with stuff we had lying around the house (one in Uganda and the other in Uzbekistan) and the third is our god-daughter who followed us home from Uzbekistan. We really wanted to keep her but she went off to Brown University (“Give me a B … Give me an R … Give me a protractor and a calculus book!” You see it’s just not the same!). When she graduated she got a job in San Francisco where she will no doubt whiz her way up the corporate ladder, become rich, and take over the world. It certainly takes some of the pressure off the other two kids.
My book is FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA, and yes it’s the story of me following St. John around the third world and I promise you, it’s all true and it’s really funny. One day I’m going to write some fiction, but I keep writing non-fiction because, let’s face it, life is hilarious if you just squint at it the right way.
I am thrilled to be at the ball at last and thrilled to be sharing this year with all of you. So pass the champagne, get up on the table and let’s dance!
LOVE the post and you’ve already got me laughing. Can’t wait to read First Comes Love–I know it’s going to be a fabulous book.
What an amazing group you all are! Welcome, everyone, to the Debutante Ball and pass that champagne around! It’s going to be a hell of a year!
OK Eve, this completely cracked me up. “It’s nice here: there are no landmines.” That puts anyone’s neighborhood complaints into perspective!
I’m going to love your memoir, I just know it.
Welcome other memoirist!! I used to write fiction but now I can’t stop writing from life because you’re right… life is hilarious… and amazing! Can’t wait to read your book!
Ah, we have this year’s comedian! I loved it, Eve 😀 You’ll be the exclamation point on the end of the week.
What a beautiful job everyone!! Welcome Debs of 2009…the Ball has begun:
LET’S DANCE!
I think you’ll do just fine for Fridays, Eve (or any other day of the week for that matter). You totally made me laugh and I look forward to your posts and your book. Welcome!
Okay, now you realize you’ll get absolutely NO rest until you post wedding pictures.
Wonderful post, Eve! Landmines and malaria and civil war formed you into a hilarious writer, apparently–can’t wait to read your book.
Oh I have pictures. Don’t you worry! And it wasn’t just me dancing on the table. It was my mother too!
Eve, you had me laughing out loud. I can not wait to see those wedding shots and read your memoir!
What a great group you all are! 🙂
Nice barn behind you there, English. When you’re ready to build another, come on down to Texas, or at least send your children. Indentured servitude is still legal here, and we could use the help.
I am the kvelling mother of writers…oh, I am so fahklempt…and lucky too…by reading my kid’s posts and blogs and books, I know where they are…’cause they never call!!!
Not only are you adorable, but I can only imagine how funny your book is after reading your self introduction. I too, have spent much time in Africa and have many funny experiences to share. Maybe one day we will have lunch over a few laughs!
TCF
Eve, you’re the BEST!
I can’t wait to read your first one of many, I’m sure! I have yet to see you dance. I say a Women’s Club night out soon!
I trust you are looking DEBish in your tiara!
Welcome to the ball, new Debs, one and all! You sound a likely lot, and that’s for sure. Have a fabulous year and remember: try not to stand on your hem, no matter how fast the polka!
Buckets of good wishes from Guest Author Kate
Bravo Eve!!! As usual, a great read. Can’t wait for The Book!
“try not to stand on your hem, no matter how fast the polka!”
This is advice to live by! I think I’ll embroider it on a sampler! Er, maybe just print it out…
It’s so great to read your post at last, Eve. Can’t wait to read the book and give it to my friends (who found true love in the Peace Corps in Thailand!).
We’re all going to have to get together for a real dance sometime… BEA anyone?
Cheers Eve! Still have great memories from your wedding for more than just the dancing on the table. Looking forward to reading the book.
Deb Eve, welcome to the Ball! Your book sounds great (having traveled extensively over Asia, I’m hearing you on the malaria though I was fortunately spared!). I hope you’ll call on us older Debs if you need us! 🙂
Can’t wait to read it. You are a sweet inspiration. I am so happy for you!!!