I have had an amazing couple of weeks.

In my usual fashion - there was i worrying how I was going to get through the appointments racked up in my diary - not realising that I was about to embark on two cracking weeks.

Last Saturday i went to Derby Univeristy - to their gobsmacking Buxton Campus  - to recieve an Honourary Doctorate. There was I  - the naughty girl from school surrounded by very smart people - being held up as an example of good stuff. Fantastic.

The best bit was sitting on the stage as the graduates walked by to collect their degrees and seeing their faces. Lit up - eyes high and so looking ahead to how they are going to make a difference in the world.

Then - as if it couldn't get any better - I was invited to the Everwoman lunch at the Dorchester as a finalist in the NatWest Everywoman Awards. Well... After watching some amazing women win awards - I thought the event was over - felt very inspired by their stories and was thinking how big the queue for the loo might be.

The lights dimmed a bit (my imagination) - music played and someone began telling a story of the overall winner -  through my tears i began to realise that it was my story.

Next thing I know I am on the stage in front of hundreds of my peers receiving the NatWest Everywoman Award 2007.

I was overwhelmed and for a few moments i struggled to be coherant - and in my head was thinking - quick Emma tell them one of your funny anecdotes - make myself laugh!

It was a precious moment - there was the naughty girl from school getting recognition and praise.

There are so many routes to get to where you want to go - so many unconventional paths, so many non-traditional journeys - i think I am finally convinced that all these different journeys of the people who don't always 'fit' will be recognised and valued by the wider world.