Sydney Watson

Hi love bugs,

Hope everyone is doing well!

Just wanted to say - videos coming this weekend and beyond!

I usually spend the first 10 days of the month doing *life* stuff and *tea* stuff. (getting caught up on orders, doing inventory, doctor appointments, you get the idea)

But, I DO have to share with you all how INSANE my experience with the medical system here has been. Ya girl is totally astounded.

So, obviously, you nerds know my dumb ovary decided to be dumb recently and I ended up in hospital.

I'm going to give you a moment to guess how much my hospital bill was from that experience (remember, I was in for 3 - 5 hours, I had a CT scan and a sonogram).

Ready?

Are you READY?

$13,500.

For 3 - 5 hours, my ducklings.

Now, because mama Syd is not being charged as an insured person, they gave me a 5,400ish discount for BEING UNINSURED - which brought the total down to $8,100 and some change.

I phoned and asked them to do a review of this because, lmaoooo???? They dropped it by $20. Then, in the mail, I get ANOTHER bill for $985 for the doctor's time.

This doctor spoke to me for MAYBE 30 seconds. MAYBE. I wish I could charge people $985 for 30 seconds!

So, we're over $10k a this stage for my hospital visit (some other miscellaneous bills have come through, apparently everyone bills independently of each other).

Going through these bills really made me very irate because the charges were absolutely insane - $400 for a pregnancy test, $900 for iodine, $7,500 for a CT scan. And then, I couldn't help but think, god, what would this have been had I actually needed surgery?

Anyway, totally eye-opening experience. And you know, it makes me so sad for anyone who has to have anything to do with the medical system, because not only do they nickel and dime you for everything, but they know they've got you in a vice no matter what.

Uninsured? Slightly better rate, still insane. No way out.

Insured? Ridiculous premiums and out of pocket expenses. Insurance can decide *not* to cover you, if they so desire.

I freely admit I'm a commie on this issue, but medicine shouldn't cost this much, insurance shouldn't cost this much, and medical bills shouldn't BANKRUPT you. Not to mention, this is so much harder when you're self-employed.

A friend of mine also told me he gets a shot ever 8 weeks for a medical condition, and each shot is $25,000, thus, he is terrified of losing his job and the insurance associated with it. I couldn't believe it. Perhaps I'm one naive turnip, but, good GRIEF.

Anyhow, that's the ovary update. I appreciate how many folks care about the lil ovary, but, I'm doing alright. I'm definitely PISSED about the hospital bill, but c'est la vie!

I'm so empathetic to anyone currently going through anything medical and being stressed tf out by the bills. I relate so hard, and I feel for you so much. I'm serious when I say, hang in there!

That's my big complain haha. Thank you for listening to my rant.

I'm editing at the moment, so, I'll see you chickens this weekend.

In the meantime, here is a photo where I'm sure I edited my hair (full disclosure, you guys know I am a frizz queen). But, I like it, and now you shall see it!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 19,809

Sydney Watson

Hi kids,

Hope you're all doing well!

I was going to post a video for TODAY, but you see, my night last night got a bit derailed with an ER visit. :')

This is probably TMI, but I'ma tell you noodleheads anyway:

I was going about my business, randomly got hit with excruciating abdominal pain. I'm talking 10/10 possibly the worst pain I've experienced (and I had an appendicitis some years back, which was also completely horrific, this pain was on par with that)

Anyway, I couldn't sit, stand, lay down. After throwing up, shaking etc I basically said, I need to go to the ER. I admit, I was extremely scared and definitely crying at this point.

Get to the ER, explain my symptoms. Nurse gave me some drugs so I could calm down a bit. Doctor thought it was either my ovary twisting, which would require immediate surgery, or, I had an ovarian cyst rupture.

It was the latter (thankfully?). So, a large ovarian cyst exploded (woohoo), and I apparently had more blood in my abdomen than they're used to seeing, so they sent me for a CT just in case something else weird was going on. Doctor told me the blood in the area is also why I'm experiencing so much ongoing pain because it is "irritating my intestines".

I ended up feeling a bit silly for insisting we go to the ER after finding out what was happening. But, I'd never experienced anything like this. It was so sudden, and so horrendously painful that I thought I was going to die. Bit of a traumatizing experience, honestly.

And now, I'm mostly angry that 1. by the time I was discharged, it was too late to pick up the pain medication they'd prescribed. So, I'm still hurting a lot today haha.

And, 2. I can't wait for my 4 billion dollar medical bill lmao

So, my take away here is I feel so, so bad for women who experience PCOS. I can't imagine going through this regularly. This also apparently just *happens* to women, and can happen to any of us. So, be mindful about that, ladies.

And, lads - if your woman (or a woman in your life) ever comes to you and says, "this pain is super fking serious, take me to the ER NOW", do it. Do not argue with her. Just go. This pain is no joke, even now.

Anyway! That's my fun new story haha!! 0/10 experience. I don't recommend.

(I had a pretty funny experience in the ER that I'll tell you guys about at another time. You'll get a kick out of it.)

Please enjoy my hospital photo. This was after they'd given me some pain medication, so I was feeling a bit better.

1 month ago | [YT] | 34,097

Sydney Watson

Hi pork chops,

Happy new year! Hope you're all being well behaved bwaha.

I am starting to build out my tea plans for 2026, and I could really use some input on the direction I'm going to take. It's hard making all the decisions all the time, so I value everyone's input.

I've popped together a Google form with some questions about which tea flavours you like, what you like to drink, if you want loose leaf, and some blends I'm working on right now with my blender and if any of them sound good etc.

One of my friends, who has kindly started helping me with this business, suggested we do a S'More flavour - which my blender seemed excited about. I was also kinda thinking maybe a blood orange vibe? I don't know. I'm open to ideas!

Anyway - the form is here: forms.gle/CF24BzRNrTWwt39K9

Just answer the questions as best you can.

After receiving 900 million emails about it, I promise I'm working on loose leaf - I've started trying to source some tins for it (to avoid plastic, which I know is everyone's concern!)

I'm also working on getting our Raspberry back in stock - everything just moves at a glacial pace this time of year haha.

Thanks so much in advance!! I sincerely appreciate all the love, support, patience and kind words about the tea so far. I know YouTubers lie all the time about being the people actually behind their brands, but it really is just me doing all the packing and shipping and sourcing and blah blah blah lmao. So, when you send me nice emails, it makes my heart happy.

I'll be back on the video grind next week too. I just needed to take a moment to myself because December kinda destroyed me :P

in the meantime, here is a photo where I'm making the exact same face I've made in the last two photos because apparently I don't have another facial expression.

4 months ago | [YT] | 13,570

Sydney Watson

Hi babies,

Happy post-Turkey day, and happy almost weekend/weekend to everyone outside of America!

A few of the videos I have coming are... really something baha.

I'm sorry for posting so close together. Basically, I write these videos, then don't do anything with them because I get busy, then I miss the "news" window. But now I'm just making them and posting them instead so my efforts don't go to waste haha!

I'd love some new ideas - I'm a bit bored with hard news, and "cultural" news is somewhat repetitive. So, any topics you see that are cool, let a sister know. I am updating my little list.

Also having a fun Black Friday sale for Lyons Tea Exchange. Up to 50% off site-wide. :)

Link is here: lyonsteaexchange.com/

Wanted to thank everyone for their orders over the last few months. You all helped move so much "expiring" product, which has been super cool. Thank you to all the churches, shelters etc who have taken tea donations too. Hopefully everyone enjoys!

Have a fab weekend kids. I'll see you in tomorrow's video.

Few people liked my Stars jumper from a recent video, so, in the meantime, here is a photo of said jumper hah :).

6 months ago | [YT] | 10,483

Sydney Watson

Hello, lovebugs.

Hope you're all doing fantastically well.

Sorry I uploaded a bunch of videos in a row and then disappeared into the void. When I do that these days, I'm either sick, or, in this case - I was packing all your tea orders!!

I loved all the little notes people left me and I hope everyone who does that enjoys the notes I write back :)

But, now, I am aggressively editing a video that I will hopefully post tonight! But, have a bunch of others coming down the pipeline.

So, big sorry for disappearing for 2 weeks hehe.

I was slightly worried you'd all hate me uploading a day or two apart, but nobody seemed to care? So, I'm actually keen to punch out more videos when I have something to say. I have always tried to space them to not drown you all in my dumb face haha.

Anyway - sale on Earl Grey, New York Breakfast and Emerald Green is still on over at lyonsteaexchange.com/! You all blessed me with a tonne of orders, we've moved soo much tea. I'm hoping y'all will bless me with some more orders, so I can make sure I move all of this hopefully before the end of the month!

For 50% off use WEDONTWASTE!

Link here: lyonsteaexchange.com/

(to the Churches and cafes that reached out, offering to take some tea, thank you!! I haven't forgotten you all. I'm just working through shipments right now, and I will be sending out emails when yours is all ready to go!)

My WINTER FLAVOURS are also back!! Bourbon Barrel Chai, Peppermint White Choc and Apple Cider! They're on the site, ready to go <3

I'd love some video ideas right now if y'all have any - I'm trying not to repeat myself too much by doing the same content over and over. I'd love to branch out, so let me know.

Love you all bigly. See you all tonight in the newest vid (or tomorrow, if I'm not done in time!)

In the meantime, here is a make-up-less photo. :D

7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 9,507

Sydney Watson

Hi chicken noodles,

Hope you're all doing well and had a terrific weekend!

I wanted to address the tour cancellation (I wasn't sure if I should make a full video about it, but thought I could post here in the interim).

I wanted to wait a couple days to make sure everyone was refunded, and if you haven't been, you should see it in 1 - 3 days.

Of course, I am so sorry for having to cancel in the first place, but also to anyone who feels somewhat blindsided.

There are a few reasons for the cancellation, but the biggest for me revolves around (you guessed it) the vertigo I've been experiencing and other motion issues.

I took a flight very recently for the first time in two years (for a family trip, hadn't seen Papa Watson in two years!) and I had motion problems for the first time in the air. I've had them a tonne before in cars/buses/etc, but never before on a plane. So, that was pretty upsetting.

With this fun, new symptom, knowing I had 9 flights coming up wasn't great.

Beyond that, part of the reason I told everyone about my vertigo/hearing loss was actually because I WANTED to do a tour, and I wanted to make sure nobody thought I was being a freak if I asked them to repeat themselves 100 times or lost balance or something in person. So, giving everyone a heads up about these issues felt necessary.

I should have instead actually fixed the issue, fully figured it out, THEN did a tour. So, that's on me for not navigating that better. Vertigo sucks so bad. Since I initially told you all about it, it's gotten more frequent. My episodes aren't very long thankfully, but they do make me feel immediately nauseous and usually take me out for the rest of the day.

I've got a lot of fear around the whole thing now, and I won't lie, I don't really want that playing out in front of anyone in person.

Anyway, communicating this is weird because I don't want to be a crybaby about it, but the truth is also... a bit that way haha.

I just wanted to let you all know, if you bought tickets, I am so sorry. I do hope it makes a bit of sense why we cancelled. And I wanted to do that as soon as possible so nobody is put out at all.

Not sure how to finish this little note off other than to say again I am sorry. I'm disappointed as hell. I take responsibility for this 100%, because I should have had some foresight here navigating a medical issue.

But, I'll be here to mumma bird you with videos, and hopefully in the future, when I figure some of this out, we can do some fun meet ups!

Love you bigly, little chickens. I'm so sorry again.

In the interim, enjoy an edited thirst trap, and swipe if you'd like to see me being Lord of the Sunburn. (I cooked myself day one of this trip, and I have not recovered haha)

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8 months ago | [YT] | 10,193

Sydney Watson

Hello flower children,

I hope you're all doing well!

I've been making an attempt to upload every Sundee, but I have a giant head cold right now and sound like a prepubescent teenage boy. As such, new video tomorrow!

I've taken a lot of medication in an effort to sound like a human being, but don't bully me if I still sound insanely congested haha.

To quote basically everyone around me right now, "wow, you sound terrible" 😂

Being sick also means I'm probably gonna post a few videos that I've been working on in quick succession, so, enjoy a Sydney-filled week. :')

To my tea babies:
Biggest thank you for all your patience on the new blends. I know pre-sales are a pain because of the open-ended waiting time. In truth, I've had a handful of issues pop up with this batch that had to be fixed, and that added more time to the manufacturing process. I promise, from here, I won't do any more pre-sales. I'll just pop everything straight on the site once I get it.

So, that's some good news! The three winter flavours I ran last year - Bourbon Barrel Chai, Peppermint White Choc and Apple Cider - will be back in a few months and they'll be immediately available to buy.

I spoke to my tea man this morning, and we're basically on track now. I'm trying to nail down when he's shipping to me, so I can start shipping to all of you - it looks like about 10 days. I'm going to bully him a bit to see if I can shorten that (sorry tea man!). I am so sorry for how long this has taken. I always think things will be fine, and then something stupid happens and pushes everything out. As is the way of manufacturing!

Also - I beg of you to check your spam folders when you email me at LTE!! I do not ignore you lot, I email back as soon as I can! If it seems like I didn't email back, please check spam/promo folders. :)

Nothing else to report, kids. Once again, I'm SO SORRY for the delay in these tea orders. No more pre-sales from here. Lesson learned. :P

In the meantime, here is a photo where I definitely didn't feel as gross and sick as I do right now lmao.

11 months ago | [YT] | 11,046

Sydney Watson

Hi wonderful people,

Hope everyone's feeling happier now that the election is over (I know most of you probably feel like I do about it, the fallout has been VERY weird to watch over the last few days).

Anyway, I'm sorry to keep harping on about this, but I wanted to remind you all that today and tomorrow (Nov 10th) will be the "Christmas cut off" dates for my ugly knitted Christmas sweaters. If you'd like one to traumatise everyone around you this holiday season, best to get your orders in today and tomorrow. :-)

They will still be available on my site, of course, you can still get them AFTER Nov 10th, but I can't guarantee delivery before Christmas. You can still get all the Hell Gondola items + the ugly Christmas sweater SCREEN PRINTS on my site. The shipping cut-off for those is late Nov!

Knitted sweaters here: www.sydneywatson.com/merch

Lastly - to my tea babies - ALL THE WINTER TEA IS IN STOCK FINALLY! I spent yesterday unloading pallets and even got a few orders out the door too. My entire packing room smells so good right now. So, to all my pre-order children: I'm so sorry that this wait has gotten so long. All the original "delivery" dates I was given went out the window with the hurricanes.

However, I'm packing orders this weekend. And will be dropping them to the post office on Tuesday (Monday is Veteran's Day). As much as I love the smell of tea, I would really like my house back, so consider buying a box, or gifting someone one of my Keepsake Gift boxes for Christmas. Help a sister out aha.

Tea and gift boxes: lyonsteaexchange.com/

Aussies/Canadians/Brits/to my other international dwelling creatures: I've finally nailed down some personalized shipping rates through FedEx. I'm actually curious what kind of shipping rates you all expect to your countries? Give me a vibe of what's normal. For example, Aussies, is $25 - 35 normal to you? Canadians, is $16 - $20?

Pls weigh in for me. I promise there's a good reason I ask.

Okay, I'm shutting up now. In the meantime, here's a photo I took the other night at dinner. Because we don't smile in the thirst traps, ever.

1 year ago | [YT] | 11,465

Sydney Watson

Hello all,

Hope everyone is doing well, especially all my Americans who are probably nervously waiting to vote in the election on Tuesday!

I wanted to drop a little note here (I'll probably say so again next week) that if you're looking to get one of my knitted Christmas sweaters, the Christmas delivery cutoff is November 10th - which I know is SO CLOSE and SO EARLY.

You're welcome to continue purchasing them after the 10th, but we just can't say for absolute certainty that they'll arrive before Christmas if so. (so, regular Christmas uncertainty :P)

The normal screenprints and embroidered items will be available throughout November - the cutoff for those is a lot later.

I just wanted to say something here to make sure nobody who wants one misses out. :')

Get your knitted sweaters here: www.sydneywatson.com/merch

New video coming tomorrow. I'm suffering from allergies right now and my eyeballs look like I'm in the final stages of transforming into an actual vampire. (anyone else get insanely itchy eyes around this time of year?!)

In the meantime, here is yet another photo of the "Drink Eggnog, Fight Commies" knitted jumper because I haven't yet taken any photos in the other two.

1 year ago | [YT] | 8,976

Sydney Watson

Hi all,

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend (or Monday, for my Aussies/Kiwis/anyone on the other side of the planet).

I've been doing my best to upload once a week, or as regularly as possible, but the last two weeks have been busy, so I kinda fell off the map.

Putting a video together now for tomorrow that is a bit of a personal one, but something I've been noodling on saying for a while. So, looking forward to everyone's feedback.

Wanted to also let y'all know that I *finally* made some Hell Gondola tees/hoodies etc (picture attached ;D). You guys know how much I hate screen printing, so these little guys are EMBROIDERED, and I added some embroidered text on the sleeves that say, "all aboard the hell gondola".

I also made hoodies, baseball caps, beanies and I'll add some stickers this week!

EVERYTHING IS EMBROIDERED! I hope they last FOREVER.

I ALSO went ahead and put together KNITTED ugly Christmas sweaters (I told y'all I was gon' do it. Here we are). We turned three best-sellers from previous years into knitted options. And, I'll tell you now, I was genuinely surprised by the quality and how nice/soft they feel.

The ugly sweaters are:
"Drink Eggnog, Fight Commies"
"Shooty Sticks, the only gift I need"
and "It's beginning to look a lot like f*ck this"

I love them all. They turned out so cute. AND, they'll be adorable for Christmas. But, please be mindful: if you order one of these and you want it BEFORE Christmas, the cut-off shipping dates are November 10th, for regular post!

LASTLY - to my tea babies: the wooden gift boxes are FINALLY here. I will begin sending them out starting Monday. The winter flavours had a minor delay due to Hurricane Helene, as one of my suppliers is in NC. But, I'm expecting them within the next week or so. Very exciting :)

Sorry this is one big post about new items to buy, but I genuinely love putting together fun merch and what not for you. I'm trying hard to pursue quality with the tops/hoodies etc, because I care a lot about things lasting and I realize how bloody expensive everything is right now.

Anyway, you can find new merch here: www.sydneywatson.com/merch
You can, of course, find my tea here (please buy the wooden gift boxes so I can have my dining room back lmao): lyonsteaexchange.com/

In the meantime, like I said, here is a photo of the new Hell Gondola tee!! (mine is missing the text on the arm)
The third image is the knitted "Drink Eggnog, Fight Commies" ugly sweater :)

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1 year ago | [YT] | 8,250