Brunch with my blog readers.

It gives me such a buzz when people tell me they read my blog, even more of a buzz when people say they like it! (Last week at the gallery a reader said "I don't want to ruin your day but I LOVE YOUR BLOG" and gave me a hug. Could not stop giggling. So lovely. But when I meet readers in passing, there's never enough time for me to get to know them. I feel like saying "hey let's go for a drink so I can get to know you too!". And so I thought I should make this happen. For real. 

After being inspired by Fat Mum Slim's Olympus lunches (mentioned at Problogger Event) and always Josefa meeting her readers for her blog birthday, I decided to meet my blog readers this year. At the end of last year I ran a little competition - one of the prizes was to win a brunch with me, my shout!

I spent one recent Saturday morning meeting four lovely blog readers - they won the brunch in my 5th blogiversary competition. And they were the loveliest! I met Melissa, Kylie, Jess and Claire. Adam came along too.

I chose those ladies based on their entries - they wrote about what they enjoy about my blog. While that might seem narcissistic, such responses remind me why I blog. Words like “you make disability accessible” and " I start work as a doctor in the new year, and I hope to carry your understanding in with me” mean so much. It’s like the little space on the internet is creating change, bringing people together. 

When all the ladies arrived, they joked that it was like a big internet date! But it definitely wasn’t as awkward. We all talked straight away - laughing over tales of how we met our partners, talking about travel and day jobs. It was SO good to get to know them all - what interesting lives everyone leads. There was never a lull in conversation, and everyone made each other feel comfortable. Kylie even blogged about the meet here.

I was honoured that they wanted to have brunch with me - so lovely that they read here and want to get to know me off my blog. I hope that we will remain friends for a long time. 

I can’t believe I went out for brunch and didn’t take a photo of the food! (If you’re wondering, I had a salmon omelette, Melissa had lobster rolls, Clare had Philly cheese steak, Kylie had granola, Jess had crispy chicken and Adam had steak and chips.)

This is what a great blog community is about. 

Which blogger would you love to meet? Have you met a blog reader?

A trip to hospital in the ambulance. Pride of Australia nomination. Pretty treats.

What a strange fortnight - it's been a whirlwind of good and not so good events! I wanted a calmer week this past week, and for the most part it has been, except on Monday night when I had to go to hospital by ambulance because I had a reaction to my delicious seafood dinner. My lips swelled, face become heavy and itchy, then my body felt like it had a fright, and I had a temperature of 38.9 degrees.

By the time I got to hospital, I was feeling a little better - I think I reacted because I ate so close after having a shower and when I have a shower, my face is stripped of its top skin layer which probably acts as a protectant. When I finally saw the doctor (it was still a 3.5 hour wait after arrival in ambulance) she prescribed me anthisthamine. Fortunately it was not anaphylaxis. The reaction on my face settled, but I felt so tired the next day so I stayed home and slept. My skin is very sore now especially on my arms and hands, but I'll be ok with some rest. I'm booked into the immunologist soon - I just hope I can eat seafood again! I've been very lucky with not having any food allergies, but my dermatology team are always concerned I may develop them. Fingers crossed this was a once off!

The Ambos were amazing! I had four attend my house. The Mica paramedics arrived first - they're able to administer some high level drugs and intubate if required. Then the van arrived - and they took me to hospital. They told me they had been researching Ichthyosis on their way to me. When we arrived at hospital, the female officer sat with me for two hours, doing my obs, and just talking. She said she enjoys that part of her job the most - meeting people. I saw her in action, attending to a seizuring patient in the triage bay. She was so calm and yet so responsive.

Do you have ambulance cover? If you are not covered, a trip in a Victorian ambulance costs $1300. I highly recommend signing up - I pay $40.30 per year through Ambulance Victoria (it's a little over $80 for families, and it covers ambulance trips in other states). Each state's ambulance cover varies - view details here:

www.ambulance.qld.gov.au (Queensland)

www.saambulance.com.au (South Australia)

www.stjohnambulance.com.au (Western Australia)

www.stjohnnt.org.au (Northern Territory)

www.dhhs.tas.gov.au (Tasmania)

www.ambulance.vic.gov.au (Victoria)

www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au (New South Wales)

www.ambulance.act.gov.au (Australian Capital Territory)

No photos of my ambulance trip sorry!

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Last night I was looking forward to a night of rest on the couch, with no excitement. I was checking my emails as I was on the phone to Mum and Dad, and saw this!

I shrieked! I've been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal. Thank you to whoever nominated me. I am excited and proud, but I also feel like I'm just being myself. Thanks for believing in me. What a lovely surprise!

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And then, to celebrate everything this past fortnight. I thought I'd treat myself to some late night shopping at 11.30 pm (oh the comfort of online shopping!). I bought these two dresses from Joy, my favourite UK store. I bought a dress from the store on my last day in London (one year ago tomorrow, can you believe?!). They have a sale on right now - you should treat yourself too!

Also, a lovely reader, Eloise, saw me on the train, and left a comment here. I didn't speak to her on the train but admired her bag. I replied to her comment, asking if she was the lady with the amazing green bag that I admired. Yes she was! She linked it in another comment, I bought it (though it's sold out now, but may be restocked) and it arrived yesterday :) Thanks Eloise!

Have a great Saturday everyone! I'm staying home to rest, and will also sort my accommodation for the Problogger event on the Gold Coast in September (those dresses will make their debut there!). Bob Evans is playing when I'm on the Gold Coast - I am so there!

What are you doing today?

Ever been in an ambulance? Do you have ambulance cover?

What pretty things have you treated yourself to lately?