Dangerous to Know and Love written by Jane Harvey-Berrick

A little while ago I was asked to review a manuscript for a book in the mature adult genre. Why me? Well, I am a mature adult (although many would argue the mature part) but the book is about a character who is so appealing how could I not read it? It was one of those "can't put it down" story lines and it is about to be published.
Guess what? I'm being acknowledged in the book for my review so my name is finally being published! My dream of being an author is getting closer and closer. OK, not that close, but, you should read the book anyway. It has a great twist that you won't see coming .....

Blurb: Nineteen year old Daniel Colton is the guy all the girls want to date, and the man all the guys want to be. Moody, with an explosive temper, closed off and sullen, he’s also beautiful, tatted in delicious ways, with a pierced eyebrow and spiky black hair. It’s rumoured he has piercings in other places, too. Is he really mad, bad and dangerous to know?
Daniel lives with his older brother, Zef, and their home is party central. You want drugs, a good time, liquor, no questions asked? Colton’s is the place to go.
When Daniel and good girl Lisanne Maclaine have to work together on an assignment, Lisanne finds there’s a lot more to the college’s bad boy than his reputation. He’s intelligent and funny and good company. And then she discovers his secret, why he’s so closed off to everyone, and determined to keep people at arms’ length. But being his secret-keeper is harder than she ever dreamed.

Ear Science Institute of Australia Charity Night Speech

What an awesome night! Last night I attended and gave a speech for the Ear Science Institute of Australia in Western Australia who raised over half a million dollars (AUS) - amazing! I was one of the guest speakers and told my story of going deaf and getting a cochlear implant. Both my parents were there, as was Steve, and I managed to get through my speech without too many stumbles.

Attending the event (not just to hear me speak but let's go with that anyway......), was the Chief Scientist of WA Professor Lyn Beazley, the Governor of WA Malcolm McCusker and his gorgeous wife Tonya, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Australian Parliament) Julie Bishop and of course the lovely Professor Marcus Atlas who "created" the Ear Science Institute. I sat next to the very entertaining Shaun Hand who is the General Manager of Cochlear Limited Australia/New Zealand who donated $100,000 (AUS) to the charity night  :)

The beautiful setting just before everyone was seated

Walking the Red Carpet

Awards Night at West Coast Institute - my workplace.

Guess who is using a normal home phone???????

Notes to a doctor

I went to see my local doctor this morning for a referral to see my implant surgeon. When I told him I already had one cochlear implant and wanted another he smiled, leaned back in his chair and asked if he could question me a bit first. I thought he wanted to ask medical related questions about the second surgery but he actually asked loads of questions about how the CI works, what it sounds like, where were the microphones, how does the magnet work etc etc.  I even found myself drawing him a little picture showing how the whole implant fits together and connects to the brain. He then wanted to see how it attached to my head and feel the bump where the magnet is. He was in awe of the technology and the fact that he would never have guessed I was deaf and hearing through a single CI if I hadn't have told him. He was so interested in the whole CI thing. It isn't often in life when you get the chance to teach a doctor something!!!

Decisions, decisions ...

I'm still thinking about getting a second cochlear implant ............. or not. I'm getting really tired of listening lately. I've kept up the "everything is fine" thing for nearly two years now but really, every day is dominated by my hearing status. I'm just exhausted and I'm wondering if it would all be easier, and less effort if I had another implant to balance it all out.
I've had a look at the pros and cons and honestly, there doesn't seem to be many cons. If it doesn't work then I haven't lost anything have I? My "other" ear has 0% hearing so even if the second implant only gives me 5% more hearing on that side I've gained something.
Medically speaking, I only need a month off work to recover etc and then of course I have to see my audi on a regular basis for tune-ups, but that's fine. I'm a fit healthy person so there are limited risks on the operating table, I have an excellent surgeon who is well respected in his field, I have a great family who will make sure I have everything I need to recover quickly and a wonderful audi with years of experience.
I'm thinking about it as a second baby. The first time was hard but I know what to expect the second time around!

Another social outing

Last night was an awards night for staff and students at West Coast Institute where I teach. I was there supporting an amazing student of mine, Penny, and my gorgeous colleague, Carolyn who won her category award (pictured).

The night was lovely especially as I was sitting next to a lady who had a plastic ear drum. We spent the night saying "what?" and "huh?" and "pardon?" to each other. Only the type of conversation that deaf people have (those who don't sign), the hearing people got bored quickly. No matter, we knew what we were talking about!!!