My name is Jen, and here are the basics:

- I was born in May of 1978 in the backwoods of Virginia, and I’m a coal miner’s daughter.

- I left home to go to a huge state college in 1995 (I was barely 17).

- When I realized I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, I–who had never held a wrench or fixed anything more complicated than a piece of toast–dropped out of college and joined the Navy as a mechanic in 1998.

- After I got out of the military, I spent two years in Asia studying religion, history, and politics and got a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies.

- I came to DC, where I still live today, and earned a Master’s in International Affairs.

- I got a job working for the federal government in 2004, where I’m still just another cog in the wheel of the faceless bureaucracy.

- After kissing many a frog, I married my Prince Charming in December 2007. (Yes, we went to Disney World on our honeymoon.)

Since I left home lo these many years ago, my life has been alternately depressing, exhausting, confusing, and exhilirating. But as the past two or three years have edged closer and closer to happiness and fulfillment, I’ve recognized that I’m living a charmed life. Well, semi-charmed anyway (after all, I still have to deal with bills, hangnails, and office drama).

I started my website because I want to share what I’ve learned as I progressed from College Dropout to World Traveling Gypsy to Frustrated Bureaucrat, and finally, to Semi-Charmed Wife.