About Me — Agnes Groonwald
Travel/Humor Blogger. Content Creator. Survivor of Polish Upbringing. Teller of Tales.
You’ve likely stumbled here by accident, or perhaps I posted this on social media somewhere under the guise of, “If you like me, you’ll click on this,” emotional blackmail at its finest.
All I’m really trying to do here is introduce you to me, so that you know what kind of content to expect around here and anywhere else you may see my name in print, er…online.
In any case, I’m a somewhere-in-my-30s San Diego-based writer with a husband and a dog named Kimmy Kibbler.
Originally from Chicago, San Diego was the life upgrade I needed years ago following one too many Snowmageddons. It truly doesn’t go deeper than that. We moved for the weather.
I’m fluent in Polish, and was raised Polish-Catholic in case that strikes the expected guilt for anyone else out there. The indoctrination went as far as high school, when I attended a Catholic all-girls school that mandated skorts for a uniform because the gals would hike their skirts up short enough to offend baby Jesus and the nuns who ran the show there.
Outside of fine cheeses and wine, I suppose you could say my true passion is travel. I run a travel blog to that effect, Travel on the Reg, with a focus on “real” content for “real” people, or, put more simply, people like me. When it comes to travel, I’m a planner, somewhat awkward, and always thinking about how to scam another trip somewhere, anywhere. By “scam” I don’t mean anything dramatic or illegal; I mean convincing my husband, who enjoys time at home, as well.
My favorite travel destinations don’t fit any one type, but I’m all about places that offer delicious food — Thailand, France, Japan — cultural offerings and opportunities to commune with nature — Norway, Poland and Spain — and bucket list adventures — Iceland, Easter Island, South Africa.
Outside of travel blogging, the “real” cash has been coming in from my work in content writing and copywriting. I’d like to say I’m an expert in such-and-such niche, but truly, I prefer things done the hard way, crafting content on everything from Botox to dog fleas to sports cars. I’m still not an expert in any of those areas, particularly sports cars, but I do give good words on all manner of topics.
On Medium, my offerings tend to be less flea-focused and more on the humor/politics/personal essay side. I fancy myself quite opinionated, particularly when it comes to calling out my fellow whites, which has led to some uncomfortable truth-telling from time to time.
Basically, it’s content that won’t go anywhere else, essentially, which is fun for the readers I’m sure.
Before writing, I spent eight years in the teaching profession as a special educator. I left not because I don’t find the field valuable, but because I was dying slowly in the profession. I wrote a Medium story about it if you want to check it out:
I Quit Teaching After 8 Years. Here’s Why.
Before teaching, I worked as what some would consider a “real” journalist, although any publications I worked for back then have since gone under.
This all happened well after I left, so there’s no reason to point fingers here.
In any case, I’m sure this was as illuminating to read as it was to write. I look forward to sharing more with you all, in as honest a fashion I can muster having grown up Catholic.
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