And I mean crazy in the best way possible...

For those of you outside my circle of family and friends, you may be wondering, "what's this chick's deal?" So here we go...


I live in Baltimore. And I hate it. I know that's a really negative attitude to have, and I apologize to my friends who are Bmore natives, but this city is sucky, and I'm trying to GET OUT. Which brings me to my next point...

I'm a young professional [insert bleak sarcasm here] working in the field of health education, specifically in tobacco control for the state of Maryland. After almost 2 years in the profession, a master's degree in health promotion, and 18+ months of Sallie Mae & Friends shaking me down for more money than I'm willing to admit....I've realized that I'm not exactly...er...satisfied [read... I hate my job and my profession] (I didn't say it!) with my job.
Well at least I have a Master's Degree, right?? (right? *nod, and tell me, "that's right!*)

[are you starting to understand my crazy?]

Actually it's not all THAT bad. I like matters of health, but what I have finally come to clearly articulate in my mind is that I'm really into matters of health policy, which is a wee bit more hard science than health promotion and definitely more my speed. So I've decided, I'm going to switch career tracks. I am DETERMINED to move inside the beltway (that's Washington, D.C. for you non-DMV folk) and get a job as a health policy professional. The only thing holding me back from having already made this dream a reality is the fact that I have minimal formal training in health policy research and analysis, DC is a kill or be killed town, and the country is the middle of THE WORST RECESSION SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION. But I'm not letting such tiny, insignificant details curtail my drive, or make me lose my marbles....(if I believe it, I CAN achieve it!)

yeah...can't deny this truth

At least I didn't spend 6 years in college and realize that I want to be a chef instead...
oh wait...about that....

I like food. Correction. I LOVE food. I have a very unconventional foodie/food snob relationship with food, which I'll address in more detail in the future. But, in my heart of hearts, I want to be a chef. I love to cook, I love to cater, and I could certainly see myself owning my own catering business one day, say 10-15 years from now.

steak, Gruyere, and roasted red pepper crostinis.

(for my girl circle's first and only book club meeting last year)

YUM.

Oh yeah, about my "crazy" I have a tendency to RANT about a lot of things. But in this blog, I'll keep the ranting mostly focused on matter of health policy, hence that catchy tag line.

The purpose of this blog is :

• To share the food I love to eat [recipes, restaurant critiques, etc]
• To comment on, educate/advocate about, and analyze the issues & events in health policy that matter to me (and should matter to you too)
• To share the occasional [often] rantings of a crazy woman about either of the above topics, or absolute randomness

This is my journey. Please secure your safety belts, keep your arms inside at all times, and enjoy the ride.