One Year!

On Saturday, August 25th, I was officially one year into my recovery!

It's hard to believe how far I've really come in just one year. At this time last year, I was a complete mess: I depended on Adderall just to shower, and I spent 95% of the day lying down or sitting. I was much sicker than I think even I realized.

For those of you who don't know, I suffer(ed) from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia (my doctors consider them the same illness) and complications from a severe gluten intolerance (like a form of Celiac disease). In addition, I was essentially poisoning myself with Adderall, which severely damaged my central nervous system (sort-of like what hardcore drugs might do).

As of now, I'm doing amazingly well. I'm really happy, and I truly feel like me again; I haven't felt this good in at least five years. I'm off all of my pain meds and my sleeping pills, I'm doing yoga almost every day, and I'm taking classes again.

In other words, I'm back!


Side note to Carol: Congratulations on finishing your movie!
I'm so proud of you!!

NYC

My sister, Chrissy, and I traveled to New York City a few weeks ago.

We had a fabulous time visiting with Erica, Molly, and Cody (as well as Amber, Loren, and Brian!).

Chrissy and I arrived on Thursday afternoon, and since everybody was still at work, we happily wandered around the Upper East Side for awhile.



On Friday, Chrissy and I ventured down to the SoHo area for some of the oh-so-delicious (and award-winning!) Babycakes gluten-free cupcakes. We bought a few (or twelve) to take back to the apartment so that we could share the deliciousness with everybody.

The fabulous Babycakes bakery
(babycakesnyc.com)


On Friday night, Chrissy and I met Molly, Erica, and Amber at Sambuca restaurant on the Upper West Side (at 72nd and Central Park West). We thought about walking, but it was too rainy and cold (58 degrees! In August!). We did, however, wear our new matching shoes. We bought these shoes thinking that they were just cute black and white flats...
But once we got home, Chrissy noticed an unusual pattern: skulls and crossbones. It's very me, I know.


Saturday was a beautiful day, and we took a walk through Central Park since Chrissy had never been there before. Loren was in town, and he was nice enough to take our picture whilst dodging annoyed runners.

Erica, Molly, Chrissy, and me at the Jackie O. Reservoir.
Yes, I realize you can barely see us, but it's the best picture we could get.


Unfortunately, Chrissy had to leave early (it was her last weekend to visit with her friends before she had to leave for school), so we all escorted her to Penn Station Saturday afternoon.


Saturday night, Amber and Brian came over for dinner and an intense Monopoly game. I never played much Monopoly as a child, so it was the perfect time for "Team Body" (Beth + Cody) to reunite.

Fun was had by all.


Amber and Brian (showing off his newly-discovered moneybag game piece).


Erica and me.

"Team Body" is not doing so well.


The whole crew (minus Erica).

Sunday was another beautiful day, so we walked the two blocks to Central Park and spent the afternoon people-watching and eating fruit with chopsticks. It was the perfect way to spend my last day in NYC: relaxing outside with my friends, watching two over-grown frat guys attempting to play frisbee.

No, this is not actually them.

I had a wonderful time visiting NYC, and I know Chrissy did too. It was the perfect way to cap off a great summer.

The three girls, so happy together (cue cheesy music).

25 Years

Tomorrow is my parent's 25th wedding anniversary.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!

My parents today...

and on their wedding day.

My parents actually met when they were 17 at science camp.

Yes, I come from a family of geeks (and I love it!).

In honor of their anniversary, we held a big party (a BBQ and crab feast) at our house in July.

Dad grilling away.

The lone crabbers.
Even though we live in Maryland, this was our first foray into the art of the crab feast. Needless to say, the smell was overwhelming, so we banished the crab table to the edge of the yard.

The party gets under way.
It was really interesting to see the Andrews and the Wagners together, which hasn't happened since the wedding.

Part of the Andrews clan.

Grandma Wagner boozing it up.
Some of you may know her as Aggie, mistress of amazing care packages.

Grandpa and Grammy Andrews (George and Clare).

The whole family.
And yes, I am extra-smiley.

It was a great party--something the entire family will always remember. It was wonderful to be healthy and able to enjoy the party as much as everyone else. I even had some wine!

Fun Fact

According to Newsweek's "Top 25 Hottest Colleges", Fordham University is considered the "Hottest Catholic School".

Taking the Plunge

Starting September 4th, I am officially a student again! For a long time, I wasn't sure if I would ever get to go back to school, so I can't even describe how happy I am to be going back only a year into my recovery.

I am taking two classes (yes, two!) online through a branch of University of Maryland: "Introduction to Psychology" and "Accounting for Non-accounting Managers".

I was hesitant at first to even sign up for one class because my last semester at Fordham was such a disaster. After thinking about it for awhile, however, I decided to just go for it. Psychology seemed like a good fit since it is part practical applications and part theory.

I'm a little nervous about writing papers since that seemed to be my biggest challenge at the end of my run at Fordham. I'm sure it'll be rough at first, but I'm excited to use that part of my brain again.

I actually decided on the other class today--I've been feeling a lot stronger, and I'm definitely up for the challenge of taking two classes.

I thought accounting would be a good choice since it uses a totally different side of the brain. I needed a class that would be more logical (i.e. a class that I can't overthink) and maybe even a little boring. I've never taken any type of business or financial class, and I'm really looking forward to trying something new.

Now it's time to go to Staples to get some school supplies!

Beth, the Blogger

While up in New York this past weekend, Molly suggested I think about starting my own blog. I had thought about it several months ago, but I was still too sick to really do what I wanted with it.

There are several reasons I wanted to start this blog. First and foremost, I wanted a way to keep in touch with all the people I love. I want to share all of my exciting new adventures with the people that stood by me during the hardest time of my life. Without all of your support over the past five years, there is no way I could have made it through.

This blog will also be a personal journal of my progress. The recovery process takes a lot of hard work, and I'm sure over the next several months (and years!), I will encounter many ups and downs. I get better every day, and with so many new things on the horizon, this blog will be a record of both what I achieve and what continues to challenge me.

I'm also very excited about this blog because it is a great forum for me to really get back into writing. For too long I was unable to express myself the way I always had in my life.

Finally, this blog will, quite simply, be a way to truly give thanks for all of my blessings. I have so much to be thankful for: a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends, and now my health. It's so important to remember why I fought so hard to get better.

I love you all.