NEDA Conference

I spent this past weekend in Minneapolis at the Annual NEDA Conference.

It was such an incredible experience.

Highlights:

• Being reunited with Tallie.
  

Tallie and Ally

• The amazing Hilton Hotel beds that allowed me to get the best sleep of my life.
• The fantastic food. It was so good. I don't think I've ever eaten more. (Anyone else think this is funny considering it was an eating disorder conference?)
• Meeting this adorable girl, Lauren Brown. She's from the Miss America Organization and is so much fun. BFF.

Lauren and I

• Attending lectures on the newest information in the field and learning so much.
  
• Getting super excited/motivated to increase eating disorder awareness at BYU. (National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is in February. It's going to be huge. Let me know if you want to help.)
• Going to the Mall of America, only for a half hour though. We obviously didn't make it to many of the 520+ stores in only 30 minutes.

At the MOA. Don't ask why we posed next to Sponge-Bob, I don't think there's an explanation.

• Getting to see the wonderful NEDA staff again.
  
• Meeting all the famous eating disorder experts whose books and research I've been reading forever. It was nice to put a face to the name. They somehow knew who I was, too. Cool, huh?
• Meeting Jenni Schaefer and getting a copy of her new book, Goodbye Ed, Hello Me. (Have you read her book Life Without Ed? It'll change your life, even if you don't have an eating disorder. Seriously. Get it. Read it. Now. You won't be disappointed.)

Tallie, Jenni Schaefer and Me.

• Hanging out in the airport for 2 1/2 hours with Lauren and her mom. Doesn't sound like much fun, but it was a blast.

This store reminded us of Tallie. For obvious reasons.

• Getting to be such a huge part in a cause that is going to help so many people.

The NEDA Conference was more than I could have ever hoped for and am so glad I got to go. I'm definitely going again next year, maybe as a member of the Junior Board.

It'll be in New York, I can't wait!