Madeleine’s Page

home writing

I don’t know what to write here. What should go on my page of this web site? Who am I? What do I do? What is my role in the Harlamovs family? All good questions. Let me start with a short history of my life.

I was born in London, England the second child of eight. When I was sixteen months old my mother had twins, the first boy in the family and a girl, and then a second set, two boys, when I was 3 ½. So I grew up in a family of eight very close in age. This had its advantages and disadvantages. I can remember many family events where we played together and had fun, many times of games, sharing and laughter. There was the inevitable discord and having to share bedrooms made for much squabbling, fighting and the usual sort of childhood jealousies. I learnt to be very self sufficient and independent, disappearing to my room to read for hours on end rather than get into fights. I learnt to have an appreciation for learning and books, loved games and puzzles. Most of my family were athletic and sports loving but not me. I got the reputation for being clumsy and thus no good at physical activities. I learnt to read early, excelled in school and was the “brains” of the family.

At 14 I had appendicitis which had drastic consequences for my life in many ways. I had my appendix removed but there were complications and probably peritonitis although we were not told so at the time. Damage to my fallopian tubes and ovaries was to result in infertility and much heartache over the years. My mother took me to a private doctor as she was not satisfied with the NHS and I slowly recovered.

At school I obtained A levels in mathematics and chemistry. I then went to The University of East Anglia to study Chemistry.

last updated 15 July 2007