Born and raised in Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod), Russia. Graduated from college in 1997 and immigrated to the US to start my new life in South Bend, IN, as a graduate student at Indiana University. At this time, I've lived in the US for almost 14 years, during which I got a Master's in Public Affairs from IU and have worked at many great companies, including Dow Jones & Co., Booz Allen Hamilton, AOL/Time Warner, Deloitte Consulting, and, as of last September, the US. General Services Administration as a program manager of Web analytics. I am proud of my career accomplishments and look forward to achieving more...

But, that's not why I have this blog... I have it because I am a Mom of two wonderful children - William (Will) and Victoria. Will, my 6-year-old, was diagnosed with Autism almost three years ago, which changed my life forever. Reading Autism blogs and writing my own posts has become an essential part of my coping with his diagnosis, becoming a better parent, and helping Will grow and flourish despite Autism.

I named my blog "Pearls" because I hope that my posts can offer tiny pearls of wisdom to whomever stumbles upon my blog.

I write because of Will.