Thanks for being here.

 

In my many many drafts of this about section, I struggled to choose the right words to define myself. 

 

Mostly because I'm still learning and growing.  I am, in many ways, a work in progress.   The easy thing to say would be to start with what brought me here, to this website to the main topic of my writing:  I'm a woman in recovery.  My first draft of this section simply said:  Hi, I'm Amanda and I'm an alcoholic.

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And trust me, I am.

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But sobriety has allowed me to embrace my true self and there are many more things that I'd like to introduce myself as: 

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I’m a daughter, an aunt, a sister and a girlfriend.  A die-hard Patriots fan living the Eagles territory.   A survivor of childhood sexual assault, an Asian-American in an increasingly hostile world. 

 

I’m the former Government Affairs Coordinator of a broadcasting mega-corporation with an engrossing story all its own.  A recovering journalist, who is still grappling with the PTSD from covering ISIS during its peak when San Bernadino, Paris and Pulse all happened. White House Intern, a grant recipient, and SGA president are all titles that have graced my resume.

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I am and have been many, many, things but my proudest accomplishment remains the sobriety I fought so hard for to be here today. Before I got sober, I was lost and broken.  I didn't know who I was, but I knew I hated myself.  Sobriety has allowed me to discover my true self and embrace that woman for who she is.  It's been a journey and it's no where near over.

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So stay tuned...