Dinner with Stella, and more food and clothes too. What's new?

Firstly a huge thank you for all of your kind words and support in response to my previous entry about the teens on the train taking photos of me. I was saddened to read that similar things have happened to some of you, but am glad we can empathise with each other. Your messages on this blog, Facebook and Twitter mean a lot, and make me feel so valued. Thank you!

A funny thing happened on the way to dinner tonight. Well, it's another one of those 'sunburn' moments, but funny in light of what happened last night.

I crossed the road near Federation Square in Melbourne while the man was red. No, he was not sunburnt. (Hahah that wasn't the funny bit.)

Suddenly there was a rush of oncoming traffic coming from around the corner. I quickly ran back across the road to avoid getting hit by a mass of cars.

When I reached the median section of the road, a lady looked at me and said 'what happened to you?'

'Nothing', I replied.

She 'mmm-ed' and then I added 'well, I was just nearly hit by a lot of cars'.

She wasn't impressed with my joking way of not explaining why I am red.

She looked at me disapprovingly then took a step away from me and told me to be careful!

Stella Young, editor of Ramp Up and former host of No Limits, thought this was hilarious! So did I.

I had dinner with Stella tonight at Chocolate Budda in Fed Square.

This is what we ate:

Grilled eggplant skewers (my favourite of the night)

Gyoza dumplings

Inside out pumpkin and tempura nori rolls

We also had tempura vegetables which I failed to photograph as Stella and I were talking enough to generate energy to power a small country. I am surprised we actually had time to eat given our level of conversation. I am so glad we became friends - we have a lot in common - not just disability but our love of music, fashion and writing. She is awesome. And great hair and make up.

I ordered a drink - lychee liquer with lemonade - delicious. The bottle was so tiny, Stella called it 'Stella sized'. See.

I loved the bottle so much I kept it. I couldn't keep Stella though but I will see her again.

This is what I wore to work and dinner today. A colleague asked me whether I feel pressure to wear something cool to work every day. I said no, but photographing outfits for my blog does make me become more creative.

Today I epitomise chainstore chic. Or chainstore Carly. I am wearing a cardi by Cotton On, skirt by Valley Girl, leggings by Kmart, shoes by Diana Ferrari (I have three pairs of the same style in different colours - I love them! All $15 from the outlet!), necklace by Wiyomu at Etsy, headband by Witchery and top by Target. Carrying an Olga Berg purse.

This was my main meal yesterday. Breakfast at 2.00 pm.

Pancakes filled with blueberries and topped with icecream, strawberries and maple syrup. It was sort of delicious if it the pancakes didn't taste like scrambled eggs. Looks much better in the picture.

I also ate a slice of citrus tart and had a glass of wine. Some chocolate mousse topped yoghurt by Yalla - my favourite brand of dairy. And that's about it. I'm definitely not weight conscious on a Sunday.

Oh yeah, this is what I wore on Friday. You can't really see the detail of the dress, but it is very pretty - floral and lace, pink and purple. I am such a girl.

Just in case you want to rush off to the shops to mimic my outfit - I was wearing a dress by Temt, top by Sussan, shoes by Diana Ferrari (as above but in a different colour), headband by Mimco and bangle by Diva. I also had stockings on. I never get around in bare legs. Ever.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

ABC online's Ramp Up launch + International Day of People with Disability

It is quite fitting on this International Day of People with Disability that my own chronic illness has somewhat disabled me. I am writing this from under the covers (even if you imagine really hard, it's not a sexy situation I am in). I am sore, finding it hard and very painful to walk, a little bit miserable, and unable to go to work. The chemist gave me a doctor's certificate, and suggested home-based treatments. I am now on a second dose of antibiotics and nauseating pain killers. If I am not better by Sunday I will take myself to the emergency ward for a consult with the dermatologist, to receive IV antibiotics rather than a hospital stay. And I'm concerned that I'll be too unwell to go to my own birthday party tomorrow night. It sucks.

I had a shower at my friend's house this morning. As I mentioned, I never look my best first thing in the morning, so to have kisses blown to me and smiles from her beautiful one year old daughter made me feel good about myself. There's nothing like the unconditional love from a baby to cheer you up when you're feeling your worst.

Something else that's put a smile on my face today, and made me very proud is the launch of the ABC's disability portal, Ramp Up.

Ramp Up is a website dedicated to news, opinion, broadcasts and discussion about disability.

My introductory article has been published.

You can read it here.

My online friend Todd has also written an article which I recommend reading. And check out my real-life friend Pauline's article too.

I've not had a lot to do with International Day of People with Disability until very recently. I never thought it applied to me. But it does, and even if I didn't have a chronic illness, it should apply to me. This day is very important to raise awareness about disabilities and chronic illnesses, and to celebrate ability.

For the past three years I've had greater involvement in International Day of People with Disability. I coordinate events for it in my workplace. I've spoken at some of these events in 2008 and 2009. This week I have coordinated and assisted with two events at work - giving the opportunity to young staff and friends to share their stories about their disabilities. Hearing their stories - some struggles but mostly triumphs - moves me to tears.

In her editorial welcome on Ramp Up, Stella Young writes 'In a lot of ways, International Day still doesn't mean a great deal to me. It's just a day. I'm proud of who I am every day, and I know dozens of other disabled people who feel exactly the same way.'

I feel a bit the same. But this year International Day of People with Disability feels more special for me because I am now a contributor to Ramp Up, in the company of many other talented writers.

I am going to rest up now, under the covers. Read the newspaper and sleep. And hope that my infection heals soon.