Hi everyone! 
I’m Anne, known as “Anne P” in the food blog world.
Here’s my story
I graduated from Dickinson College in 2004 with a BA in Sociology (interesting? yes. marketable?? …probably not.) and moved to the Washington D.C. area afterward, ready to begin what was sure to be a fast track to career success, money, and happiness. Right? Isn’t that how it works?? Hmm… apparently not. A couple internships (newspaper writer and environmental org. press intern), three random jobs (office manager, PR minion, and government contractor), a really evil boss, and lots of long, boring hours in cubicles later…
I decided it was time I cash in on my dreams of teaching English abroad. It was now or never, and I didn’t know if I’d ever forgive myself if I didn’t have the guts to go. So I went! I left D.C. last fall and spent an amazing 9 months in Prague, Czech Republic teaching at a primary school, traveling, and meeting lots of awesome people.
It was the experience of a lifetime and I’m so glad I did it!
I returned from Europe in June after some amazing travels in Italy, Ireland, Germany, and more, ready to move forward and embark on a bigger dream: becoming an RD. This was something I’d been mulling over for a long time, as I had literally zero science classes from undergrad and would basically need to start from scratch. But I figured… why not? Why waste more time in cubes when I could be working towards something I might actually find interesting?
So I spent the summer living in Tampa, FL with my parents (definitely spent too much money traveling in Europe to pay rent again that fast!), taking Chemistry 1 and 2, and studying for and taking the GRE. Whew! I was on my way.
This fall, I returned to D.C., happy to be back among all my friends again. I’m taking classes part time and working part time (20 hours a week) doing marketing writing and editing for a company here in Virginia. I’m applying to schools to start a Masters in Dietetics/Nutrition program next fall 2010, and will be traveling around some this winter to check out some of my top choices (and hoping I actually get in to some of them!).
In my free time, I love being active. Nothing makes me happier than being outside on a nice day. I love hiking, pilates, yoga, biking, swimming, and, especially, running. This fall, I trained for and ran the Army Ten Miler here in D.C. with a friend, which is my longest race to date. I’m now training up for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in April, and mulling over the idea of a half marathon
I hope you enjoy the blog. I plan for it to be a compilation of recipes, exercise moves, pictures, and musings, and I hope you’ll find it a fun place to come and be entertained and, hopefully, inspired. I think I will just see where the blog – and life – take me, and I hope you enjoy the ride.
Want to know more? Click here for some totally random fun facts about me!
37 Comments Created by Anne P
Welcome to blogging! I’ve seen you hanging out with all of the fabulous bloggers and then saw on Twitter that you started a blog (via Meghann). Congrats and I can’t wait to keep reading!
I love your image at the top of the blog- GELATO!!!! Italy was AMAZING!
Welcome! I found you through a Twitter post, and I’m so excited to keep reading! Becoming an RD is something I’m thinking about as well, so it will be especially cool to read your posts as you work towards that yourself!
love the blog! I go to school in DC, and was in Prague this summer …. lovedlovedloved it! i look forward to reading!
Hi Anne! Can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up! You’re a smart woman for going back to school to pursue something you’re passionate about.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I figured it was just a matter of time the way you were talking about it in Boston
Unfortunately my blogging has come to a halt
because my life is CRAZY right now but we shall see where that leads me!
P.S. I’ll keep you posted on my upcoming DC trip but I may not be able to see you
Our schedule is jam packed with stuff!!
Where in DC do you live? I’m originally from Bethesda, MD and my parents still live there.
What an amazing journey! I DREAM of becoming an RD, too! Can’t wait to read more
What a great story, and I can’t wait to read more! I am also becoming an RD, and started from scratch with Bio back in 2006…it’s a long road, but I believe it will be worth it. Best of luck…
Welcome to blogging.
Can’t wait to read along!
welcome to the blog world!! you’re story is so inspiring, and i’m also returning back to school to become an RD! Can’t wait to read more
I just jumped over from Kath’s blog. So excited to read more.
I love Europe and always wanted to teach english. But I ended up teaching spanish in HS instead.
Welcome, Anne!! I love your story–esp. the fact that you went abroad to teach because I constantly think about finding a way to live in Spain again!! Congrats on taking the leap to become an RD; I’m sure it will prove rewarding
Sarah
Just found you via Kath! I’m going back to school to be an RD too
(Haven’t announced that yet! I can’t believe I just typed it out for real.)
Wecome! I am new to this world as well; glad to have you!
Good luck on your schooling adventures!
It’s like you’re already a celebrity!
Hey, I can relate to much of your bio, including lurking around the food blog world for years now but just recently starting my own, and living in DC! I thought food bloggers only lived in Florida, Boston, NC, or NYC!
Looking forward to following along as I get my own blog up and running.
Hi Anne!
I really enjoy reading your blog and “hearing” your sense of humor, so funny!
Emily:)
Hi Anne! Thought I would pop over and check out your blog. Welcome back to DC! I love meeting other foodies in the area. Your post-grad adventures sound amazing!!
- Beth
I am so glad I can finally go on and read your blog! Damn internet censors in China. Anyway, you look great and I love your recipes and pics! Too bad it’s so hard to find the ingredients here to make everything. Well I will try my best.
Love you and miss you!
Jackie
Hi Anne! So glad to find your blog! I’m an RD…since 2001, so I love re-living my school days through RDs-to-be…can’t wait to read more!
Your blog is so cute. I love it! Glad you joined the bloggie world.
Anne P! I just read this…[don't ask] and you say you want to run a half mary this spring? Why don’t you trek down to Charlotte and run one with us? huh? Or not. Just an idea. A fabulous one. But just an idea.
I love your blog and those pancakes you made look so good, I have the same flour in my pantry, I think i will make some pancakes xmas morning!!
So glad to find another blogger in the area!! I just moved to Alexandria, VA in June, love it here, very beautiful, and DC is just amazing!!
Happy Holidays!!!
Isn’t it great how living overseas changes you and makes you aware that the U.S. isn’t the only country in the world? haha I ran the Prague half marathon last March, and I loved it! Beautiful!! Great blog! Can’t wait to read more!!
Hi Anne! As someone who lived in D.C. for three months this year (in a school program at AU) and someone who wants to teach English abroad (in South Korea) I am really interested in your blog! Seen ya all over the blog world and would love to see more! great addition to my Google Reader!
Anne –
Very cool bio! I’m jealous of your time abroad. I’m actually from Carlisle, so I know Dickinson VERY well. I live in Baltimore now (obv close to DC) and work in marketing/PR/writing (and often feel like a minion). After finding you through Jenna’s blog (OMG jealous of her LIFE now!), I’m excited to start reading!
Renee
I just found your blog through Carrots N Cake..but recognize your name from Eat Live Run’s blog! So far, I really love your blog! Also, I am from Pennsylvania..a little north of Carlisle and am graduating this year with a Sociology degree. So it seems we have a little bit in common!
Just found your blog from ELR and looks great. Another one to add to the reader
I am also in DC and have a BA in Sociology. Like you said, interesting but not marketable so went on for a Master’s degree after college. Good luck with the RD school.
Great Bio Anne – we are the same age and I’m studying to become a nutritionist so we’re on similar paths! Really enjoying reading your blog!
Just found your blog and absolutely adore it!! I was scrolling through older posts and was basically droooooling over that kidney bean pita pizza, stuffed portabella mushrooms and the PINKBERRY!!
Just added you to my googlereader, and am excited to read more! Plus, i’m taking nutrition as a general education requirement right now…and well, you’re pursuing that career! So that’s always fun
I just put a comment on your chobani giveaway, I found your blog through chobani’s facebook page…but SMALL WORLD, I grew up in Carlisle, PA (Dickinson!) crazy!
I moved to Virginia with my husband in 2006 thanks to the Marine Corps…and now it’s home.
Your blog is awesome — wonderful photographs, great activities, funny narratives, and inspirational observations. Well done!
It is very nice to meet you! If you head over to my blog… you may notice a very familiar sight! Hint… I can’t wait to read more about your past as a teacher abroad!
I love your blog! I have heard of “Anne P” around the blog world for awhile, but this is the first time that I’ve come across it. Your story is very interesting – can’t wait to keep reading!
What an interesting story- so great you followed your heart to Europe like that! I clicked over from Meganerdruns blog and I’m excited to keep following along as you start school!