Part Two~ "Girls and Women with Asperger's Syndrome" -A One-day Workshop

I can't believe that's it's a week ago since the talk.
After settling into my hotel and having a bit of a look around I decided to go up to my room and watch the last of "Deal Or No Deal" and also the news on Channel 7. I ended up having a snooze and at about 7:30pm went down to try to have some dinner.and that's when my friend rang me.
Yet when I was down there I ran into Carol, Max, Tony and Camilla having dinner and I joined them. It was good that all of us caught up with each-other before the day. The music was getting a lot louder downstairs so we all left one by one to prepare for the next day.

When I was up in my room I got ready for bed re-read through my notes and watched a bit more TV nearly falling asleep. Turning the TV off was a problem because the remote control wasn't working for some reason and I nearly rang room service. Finally I did turn it off then went to bed. I had the best sleep I could and awoke with my alarm and got ready as well as beginning to pack my bag. I went downstairs for breakfast and also got phone-calls from my my and my friend Caz. At about 8:30am I met Carol, her son and daughter downstairs who were helping me carry some items from the car. Walking over there i couldn't quite believe what was happening and that I was actually there after many months of planning and preparation.

It was like I was in a surreal dream watching what was going on around me. Sure I did have nerves yet I was quite excited at the same time to see what everything looked like. When I walked into the room I was a bit taken aback to see how big it actually was...Also seeing how many people were actually there at this time milling around doing their own thing. I saw Tony Attwood in the distance and then he started to walk towards me...me of all people. We exchanged our "Good mornings" and had a bit of a chat. He also said that he had to walk around the room a bit because of his nerves or something. When I heard that I felt a whole lot more comfortable that even he gets a bit nervous before the talks. I managed to get a cup of tea yet my hands were shaking quite a bit and I had my tea really quickly because I wasn't sure whether you were allowed to drink in the room.

Anyway a lot of thoughts were going through my mind and Carol came up to me and led me to my chair which was right down the front sitting next to Camilla. Walking down the front I felt really self conscious yet proud at the same time. Dr Tony Attwood started talking where I found myself taking a few notes also myself and absolutely fascinated by what he was saying. I was distracted a bit though because I was trying to keep an eye out for when my parents and Caz were coming. Soon it was morning tea where Carol was going to take us to a room for a cuppa. I saw my parents up the back and told Carol I was going to get my parents....then I saw Caz also. I gave my parents a big hug and also Caz. After a couple of minutes we managed to find Carol again then had morning tea.

Well soon Tony started talking again then Camilla had her talk which was fascinating. Hearing her speak was so amazing and to see her computer presentation was good also. She was totally inspiring and had a lot of energy up there on stage. I was really impressed with what she had to say. I also was moved by her because she spoke with such passion....Well done Camilla!!

Lunch came then I had to have lunch in the room quickly before I started selling and signing my books. I was talking to Caz trying to get my mind prepared for the signings and also my parents a bit as well. Mum and I quickly had something to eat then went to the table where all the action was happening with my book. I met a few people who had already bought my book and liked it as well as someone I knew on Facebook also. It was so great people were coming up and talking to me sharing all their different experiences with me. I could have kept going if it wasn't for Tony talking again soon. So I quickly got myself ready for my talk coming up in the next section. It felt so good to have Caz and my parents sitting down the front with me.

Countdown was progressing really fast and I had no idea when Tony was going to call me up. I managed to find where my place would be on the notes just a couple of minutes before calling me up. Next thing I knew I was up there fumbling with trying to put on the lapel microphone on yet luckily Tony helped me. Everything was a bit of a blur after that where I spoke for about 25 minutes in front of about 221 people all up. I felt very passionate to share my story and let them know that there is also hope as well. At the end they gave me a big clap which meant so much...
I walked back to my chair really happy that people understood and listened.

Afternoon tea came a bit late then I was signing books then and I felt so privileged just being there amongst all these amazing people. The last part of the afternoon came with more of Tony and then question time for all of us. That was really interesting with the questions also. Next thing we knew we were all got presents from the ASPIA team. I also have to say a big thank-you to Carol Grigg and all her team for everything that she had done that day to make it really memorable for everyone!!

After the conference had finished for the day I found myself following Caz in the rain with my car to her house. The next few days was a total break from Internet, technology, computers, camera's, mobile phones etc.... It was just a completely back down to basics of resting, going for a couple of nature walks and extremely good company as well as very nice food. I ended up getting home on late Tuesday afternoon after a very quiet few days. So that explains why I haven't done anything on my blog or Facebook for a while.

Oooh.....I nearly forgot...Here's some links to ASPIA who ran the day:

http://www.aspia.org.au/

Also to Camilla Connolly:

http://thegameofbreathing.blogspot.com/

As well as Tony Attwood:

http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

So please feel free to have a look at those links....

Part One~ "Girls and Women with Asperger's Syndrome" -A One-day Workshop

On this last weekend which was Saturday 2nd of October 2010 the most important day so far of my life had been slowly coming up after being planned for many months. It fell on the long weekend where there was an AFL Grand Final was on, Daylight saving coming in, the rugby league grand final, also the Commonwealth Games were starting, etc.... The much awaited event was "Girls and Women with Asperger's Syndrome" -A One-day Workshop where Professor or Doctor Tony Attwood, Camilla Connolly and I ~ Megan Hammond were all speaking that day. The talk was held at The Fitzroy Room at Campbelltown Catholic Club.

Before that time I had no idea that there was a Catholic Club in Campbelltown or what it looked like. Also I had no idea of where the hotel was I was staying at the night before or even how to get there properly by car by myself. It felt like it was on the other side of the country or earth nearly. Finding the hotel within itself was a huge task which I hoped I could overcome otherwise I'd be driving around all night still. I also had no-one coming with me because they had to pull out for a couple of reasons which couldn't be helped.

So on the Thursday night it felt like that it was going to be a lifetime before I could get everything organised by Saturday. Waking up Friday morning was all systems go to drive all the way across nearly all the city to get to the hotel. As I was getting ready and packing I was got a phone call from the publishers informing me of a few things which was interesting. Also that there were a few other little bits and bobs popping up also which I couldn't help. I finally packed my car and left to go on a mystery drive to my final destination. Dropping into the publishers I picked up a few things which I needed yet I had no idea what lay before me.

I thought that I was making great time until I drove through the other side of the tunnel and discovered A TRAFFIC JAM!! At about 2pm in the afternoon of all things. For the next hour or hour and a half to Campbelltown it hardly improved which was not good. It was a real test of patience for me looking at all the cars in front of me. I had my music turned up and was trying to distract myself from everything including my gurgling stomach. The Google directions were my guide and reading source through the journey trying to see if I was still on the right track. Yet as I turned off at the exit for me I realized that I should've opened my street directory to see a map also to pin point it. So I had no real idea where I was going yet I was following a road and managed to see the hotel sign. Then I turned as quickly as I could, found a parking spot, got my bags and walked in to check into the hotel. Once I was in the hotel I discovered that there were movies you could watch.....BUT you had to pay for them which I decided to go without instead. This is where I proceeded on the next part of my adventure which is to be continued very soon...................

My Birthday A Week Ago Today!!

This time a week ago on Wednesday the 8th of September it was my Birthday! At around this time I was relaxing after such a big day watching a bit of television with the programme "RPA". Yet with that I was so glad that I had something to eat before that.
With the morning of my birthday I didn't have much of a sleep~in because my honey called me to sing me "Happy Birthday!". I went up to beaches and caught up with a friend of mine who gave me a really nice card and also a really colourful mat. Then after we went to a really healthy cafe where I decided to have a chai tea latte and a rhubarb/pear crumble with some really fresh yoghurt. She had a bacon/eggs and bread which was all organic. When the chai latte came out it was in a small bowl which totally amazed me! My face said it all.....totally surprised!!
After lunch we went to Warriewood Cinema's and saw the movie "Salt" with Angelina Jolie in it. The movie was totally action packed and kept you guessing. Caz thought it was a bit far fetched yet I didn't mind because it got me thinking. Some parts of it were a bit jumpy yet at least I didn't cry in it...which was good.
After the movie we decided to have a bit of a quiet time because Caz wasn't feeling so good. I was hoping that she'd be well enough to come out for dinner with my parents for dinner. When the time came for dinner I went by myself to the Chinese restaurant to meet my parents. For dinner we had everything duck...duck pancakes and a couple of other dishes. Both my Dad and I had desert which was lychee's and ice-cream. I also gave my Mum a little present to her which I've been wanting to give to her. She saw it and loved it which was great and meant so much to me which was good to see.
I fare~welled my parents and went back to where I was staying. I quickly checked my emails and also my Facebook. I was amazed to find so many posts for me on my profile. All of them nearly brought me to tears with who remembered my birthday. Sure I didn't see or hear from my brother (I didn't hear from him until late Monday night.) That day I still found it an amazing and also very special day sharing it with people I cared most about. Because for me each birthday is a blessed day for me and an extra day at life and living in it...
So...A big Happy Birthday to me!!! Yay!!!

Celebration Of Caroline "Caz's" Birthday!

Happy Birthday Caroline!!!
"Happy birthday to you!...Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday dear Caz....etc......." (rest of the song).... My voice sang down to Caz who was on the other end of the phone to an amused smile more than likely on her face. A couple of day's ago on Monday the 30th August 2010 was Caz's or Caroline's birthday. She is my very best and most special friend that I have. She really does accept me for me and understands me and I do the same for her. For me having Asperger's I've found it hard to have friends relate to me and be there for me. With Caz we have a very important, special and unique connection which means so much to us both.

It is because of this connection that I decided to take her out for lunch on her birthday which was on Monday over where she lives. I managed to arrive on time with her presents under my arm and a smile on my face which she appreciated. The Birthday Girl chose where she wanted to have lunch and we went to a restaurant near the Parramatta river cat ferry terminal. We decided to sit outside and enjoy the day. The day was a warm day which felt like spring was on the way although it had a bit of wind to it.

After looking at the menu for a while we both ordered our food eagerly looking forward to seeing what it was like. The place we were at was called "Port" which was appropriate because it was near the ferry. A few times the sun went away yet it was so nice just to sit outside. I ordered a red wine and an appetiser of grilled baby octopus which came out first. And Caz didn't have a starter which was a prawn dish with seasonal vegetables. While I decided to just have a salad which was Roma tomato's, basil and boccocini which was beautiful. It felt like a feast and that I was spoiling Caz which she deserves.

Surprisingly after that food I still had room for more yet didn't want to push it. We looked at the dessert menu and saw so many nice foods yet we both decided only to have a chai tea latte to top it off. It was so great just to share some of her birthday with her. For that evening Caz was going over have dinner with her daughter and her own parents. So she had a pretty full day as well. I also let he know how much I appreciate her for who she is and how much she means to me. Having someone like Caz means so much to me because she accepts me unconditionally. I feel totally honoured to be her friend and I have learnt so much from her as a person. So my dear friend I wish you a Happy Birthday again!!!! Sending heaps of hugs to you.......

Australia Votes Today!!!!

Australia votes today!! Read All about it!!! Australia votes today!! Read all about it!! Who will win?! Who will win? Read all about it!!!!!!

After five weeks of feverish activity on both side of the two main parties Labour and Liberal who will win? Julia Gillard or 'Mr Rabbit' / Tony Abbott or someone mysterious other figure will win? Phrases and words like 'Pressing the flesh', 'Kissing babies', polls, electorates, promises, fake smiles, empty promises, Mr Rabbit, Redheads, budgie smuggler's, woman/female prime ministers, etc...

I have already voted at about 9:40 am this morning after waiting in line for about 15 minutes at the local public school. The school happens to be in the home electorate of Mr Tony Abbott/Rabbit the bustling budgie smuggler fitness fanatic....wannabe prime minister. Was said or seen to bee down at Manly beach this morning catching up with one of his daughters who he hadn't seen for the whole of the election campaign. She was in Indonesia for that time doing whatever she was doing over there. Good ol' Tony the man was at the local rugby oval yesterday rubbing shoulders with the press and doing Manly things.....Yes a little play on words i do admit yet isn't the time when all the wordsmiths have been hard at work following the trails or trials of the candidate's... Later that night having a light shandy beer at some establishment in Sydney.

Ms Julia Gillard, Atheist and first woman prime minister out in the western suburbs at a club having a schooner of the dark brew beer no less.....enough to put hairs on your chest even if your not a man. The 'liquid bread' meal good for the voters there. There was talk on the net with what Gillard would look like wearing a bikini compared to Abbott. Some of the comments were interesting to say the least....yet I will not repeat them. Who during an interview a few days ago said "Excuse me while I have a Slurp of my tea..."

So the two main people stand before the public today as we have our national right to vote. So now we seem to know just about everything about these people who have been networking their ways over this great country of ours criss-crossing all boundaries and states. Shall we go through the ultra Catholic Shandy swilling Tony 'Mr Rabbit' Abbott or the dark brew beer drinking woman prime minister Julia Gillard. There is so much more that I can say yet I choose not to yet it is said to be a very close and high tech election where history will be made whatever way the blade falls.

Myself personally I've been thinking instead of the Australian Sex Party...that I start one supporting the underdogs......the forgotten people which need to be remembered and a helping hand up to achieve their goals in life. Today as I voted I had a heavy heart because Australia seems to be dealing with some major issues with no easy answers in the soon to be future. I had to remind myself that I am lucky in Australia because I am able to have a free vote for who I want. That compared to other countries Australia is the lucky country where people are that desperate to come that they come in boats to our rugged shores. For me and having Asperger's election time is always puzzling for me as the signals to really read what people are saying is a thousand more times harder to read than in everyday life. My mind is overloaded by all this information which is cryptic with all the riddles of what is really being said....What is really going to be done etc.... My fellow Australian...my fellow voter (For those in the world old enough to vote) ....my fellow human being (for those outside of Australia)....as the votes are cast today I hope the right people will get in who will do the best job for this country. Foreseeable it is not yet but whatever tomorrow holds....we have to remember that we did the right thing within our hearts. I pray that whoever gets in that they will realize that "All power is a trust!"

Richmond Talk~Monday 9th August 2010

A couple of months ago I was invited by Chantelle Jary who's a Facebook friend of mine to talk to her group about my book. I'd seen her group and thought it was a great Aussie group supporting people which is great. So for the past couple of months I had been getting ready to go visit. Yet at the same time I felt rather nervous as well. But honestly I think most people get nervous talking in front of people.

So last Monday night I went to The Richmond Club to give a talk for some people. The group that I talked to was called The Autism and Aspergers Support Group with a membership of about 200 people in total. Throughout the year they have meetings and also different activities.

Upon arriving at the club my friend and I were warmly welcomed where we had something to eat and drink. We met a few people as well and I was told that there was a girl all the way over from
Finland "who was very keen to meet me". I was told that she was sitting in the meeting room waiting for it to start because she was so early. I couldn't stand the thought of her sitting there all by herself so I welcomed her for to join us. She was also a bit quiet yet warmed up with the talking. Over dinner it was interesting hearing her experiences and what it was like for her because she also was diagnosed at age 26. She also gave me a soft toy Reindeer which was so cute. I was speechless and blown away also was not expecting anything like this at all. I thanked her very much.

So at about 7:30pm the talk started where I was called up out the front. I introduced myself and started talking about my life also book. The time seemed to fly when I was up there yet in some ways it felt slow as well. It felt totally surreal that I was reading parts of my books to the audience...something that I had been working on for so long writing it. At the end there were quite a few questions about the book and my life. I was treated to a round of applause and felt really moved from it.

After that I signed books for everybody and was greatly humbled by everybody that I had met as well as giving a couple of people much needed hugs. I thought I was talking to around 50 to 55 people that night yet the figures I got a few days later were really interesting.... I spoke to 80 people and also sold quite a few copies of the book. When I was told 80 people it was an amazing feeling that my story really was worthwhile and gave hope to people.

That night both my friend and I came away feeling moved. In my heart of hearts I was so humbled by the response that I got from all these beautiful people of the group. I felt so honored and privileged that I could come visit. I thank you Chantelle Jary and The Autism and Aspergers Support Group for all your support!

Also for more information on the group here it is: http://www.autismsupport.org.au/

Reflective~~

Over the past couple of weeks I've been in a really reflective mood about my life. I've been thinking deeply about a few subjects. I've been remembering my past and where I've come from.

How far I have actually come in life. My present and everything that has happened in the last six months or so with my book being published as well as released for everyone to read. Also my future which I suppose no-one in their lives know what their lives hold.

The journey since my book has been released in February this year has been a colorful eye-opener bringing me to new experiences that I never would have thought I would be doing. It has been really surreal, new and very different!

I've been seeing things in a very different light and comparing how I've discovered new sides to me. Yet at the same times I still have some same old sides which can still give me the occaisonal surprise when I least expect it. It's been a time of transition and change that is hard for me having Asperger's where I prefer safe, secure routines and places.

Yet I still have to remind myself that I have actually achieved and am doing a lot of different things. Yes sure I still feel fear...yet doesn't every one?! The thing I'm understanding is that fear is a normal part of life yet it is how you deal with it that counts. Even with fear the main element is to be courageous and keep on going no matter what.

Here's a little food for thought for you. Farewell for now...