Transitioning at work and in all of my life

[Danya (imported)]

Programming or Gender studies? I think both are very interesting topics. I'm curious what you would do once you completed a course in gender?

This is a very good question. For now, I don't have the answer other than teach.

As to software what were you thinking? I've decided to get off my rear and take a few day classes (One day things) from some parts vendors to kind of update me to where things are. The problem is they have 5 different sub topics and I find that to do what I'm interested in would take 4 of me to do them all and sadly they don't have anyway for you to complete more then one. So, I'm mixing and matching and hope to get something out of it.

In part because some of the jobs I am looking at want these specific skills, I would consider C# and ASP.net. Maybe I would also look at VB.net. I am already pretty adept at writing complex SQL queries, another skill some of these places want.

If you did move back into chemistry etc maybe you could work on HRT type things? That would be of GREAT interest to many of your friends (cough - ME) who would like more science involved in the dose, half lives etc of the stuff being sold. I did a spread sheet program using the "official" and "reported" half lives of several Testosterone treatments to try to understand why what I've been taking seems to work (or not) and shared that with some UK friends using a (so called) longer lasting ester. Sheesh!!! Too much "art" not enough "Science" in my amateur opinion but??? I could easily be wrong.

The chemistry part is probably something I will not pursue, at least not to reenter the field as a lab scientist. My gender therapist came up with an interesting idea this afternoon that would use my science background. I'll write about that in another post.

Congrats on the new hormone program producing better results. Your picking an interesting time in your life to go through puberty!

I was already going through puberty. Now things may get even more interesting.

Memory and such I think are an indication that your wired fully female! So congrats on that and ahh (cough) good luck! *Finding your keys etc.

Although I have no reason to think your explanation is better that my other friends "you are getting older," I prefer yours.

[Danya (imported)]

I may very well have a second interview next week. While I was out for

an appointment with my gender therapist,

a recruiter called about a permanent position nearby that he thought I would be perfect for. Although I did not get back home until nearly 7 PM, I called him and left a message saying I am very interested.

After working until 1 AM last night on my job search, I needed to get out this morning. The wind convinced me the botanic garden was not a good option. Instead, I went to Brookfield Zoo choosing it because it is not too far from my therapist's office. I visited the zoo in the summer of 1973 and I do no think it has changed much since. I decided I have seen enough zoos to last me the rest of my life. There are a few I would go back to.

After speaking with my therapist for 30 minutes, I didn't have anything else to say. I had already told her of my plan to have GRS

within the next 12 - 18 months.

She was pleased with this. I asked "How much time do we have left?" She told me 30 minutes and asked if I had a reason to leave early. That would have been nice, with the heavy traffic on I-355 made even worse by construction and closed lanes. Instead, I started talking about all kinds of things in my life and what is important to me. She suggested that I become and advocate for the environment, speak to younger school children about this (who she thinks are not exposed to enough science) and possibly try something I decided not to do years ago. Get involved as director, or perhaps assistant director, of a non-profit group working on environmental issues. When I finished my masters degree, I was offered just such an opportunity.

This has a lot of appeal to me. On the drive home, I was in tears. Crying is usually a good thing with me and it was today. I felt my therapist had picked up on something important to me without my pointing it out to her. Of course, she is trained to do this. I was still a little surprised because today was the only time I have spoken in depth about science, the environment, what is happening to our planet, the need for more public knowledge of how science works and what it can and cannot do, and so on.

In an ideal world, not only would I be who I was always meant to be in a gender sense. I would also have the rest of my life in line with my values and passions. Although information technology work is something I can do well and enjoy to an extent, it most definitely is not a passion.

Over the weekend, I will do some preliminary investigation on the feasibility of my therapist's suggestion. There are so many things I would like to do with my life. I cannot possibly get to all of them.

I do not need a potential job as director of a non-profit to pay close to what I am used to making. If it lets me work on something I consider a critical issue and that I can address with knowledge and insight, I would be happy as long as I make enough to live off and have some fun.

I realize, too, that I like nice clothes although I do not need a large living space. Yesterday, I found a gorgeous dress at Lord & Taylor. I got so far as taking it off the rack. Then I put it back with no regrets. The price tag of $180 made this a very easy decision. I only very rarely buy any clothing now, but I am sure I will get some new things when I have a job. I have never had enough warm weather clothing.

Back to the IT area. I have expanded my list of acceptable cities for a move to include Los Angeles. I like parts of the LA area, but it is not one of my favorite cities. I also added San Diego to the list.

[Danya (imported)]

Earlier today, I started to feel uneasy about the contract job interview on Monday. I could not figure out why, but I did not sit around and mop about it. I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Some late season tulips, and even a few daffodils, are still in bloom. Every time I visit, there are new species and varieties of plants that have blossomed. Perhaps this is the reason I prefer a botanical garden over a zoo. Most zoos only occasionally have infant animals on view and it seems rare that they have a new species.

By the time I returned home, I realized what was bothering me about Monday's interview. I had put in over 24 hours preparing preliminary materials and getting ready for the interview I had downtown about a month ago. I was very well prepared and calm during my time with the hiring manager. I still did not get the job. I knew that I did not have 24 hours to prepare for my new interview, so in the back of my mind I felt there was no way I could succeed with the new hiring manager. I tend to set very high standards for myself that I cannot always meet.

Once I realized what was going on in my head, I was able to let go of my concerns. I do not need to prepare for more than a few hours. I fully expect that the interview will go well.

I am still hoping that

I will have an interview for a permanent

job on Tuesday.

[Danya (imported)]

Less than an hour ago, I returned home from my electrolysis appointment. My electrologist told me that, because of the intense work she has been doing, I am at about the point that others typically reach at 6 months. This is very good news. I need to keep ice on my face all evening so that swelling and red spots, already low, are not easily detectable at my interview in the morning.

I am feeling very upbeat about t

he interview. From what my Minnesota friend tells me, it is likely I will be offered this contract job. She has worked a number of contract jobs. By the time things get to the interview phase, the employer is likely to go with you. Should this not happen, I will be fine and know something else will work out soon.

After considering my life direction and where I want to be, I concluded that a contract job may be better than a permanent one right now. This could make it easy for me to fit in GRS in less than a year. Perhaps much less.

At this point, I do not know what will happen but I expect to soon.

Now I need to get back to preparing for tomorrow's interview.

[NaziNuts (imported)]

The Great Danya is destined to win all interviews and all outerviews.

Go Girl!

- NN

[Danya (imported)]

The Great Danya is destined to win all interviews and all outerviews.

Go Girl!

- NN

Hi NN,

So far, I feel I have always won at interviews. I have gone in and done what I needed to do to convince hiring managers that I am the right person for the job. This does not mean they always agree.

I appreciate your kind words. It's good to hear from you.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I am now very well prepared

for tomorrow morning's interview. I

'm also very psyched.

After the interview, I will call the recruiter for the permanent job opportunity that he says is a terrific fit. After looking at the job description, I agree. The company is interviewing now. In case I am asked to go to this second interview Monday afternoon, I have gotten my 'leave behind' package ready. This includes my resume, my portfolio, list of references and business card in a dark green, translucent folder.

I just got contacted, again, by Argonne National Laboratory, in suburban Chicago, for a post-doc position. They got my information from the State of Illinois job bank, so they know how many years of experience I have at the doctoral level in chemistry. They also know about my degree in Botany/Ecology. What they do not know is that it has been 11 years since I worked in this field. They also do not know that I worked at the lab decades ago during the summer after I graduated from college. Back then, I was studying the effects of radiation on the respiration of pine trees. A very unscientifically stated conclusion of this work is that pine trees do not like ionizing radiation, although they can adapt to some extent to survive.

The pay for this post-doc position is close to what I was making at my last IT job. Although I think it is very unlikely they will still be interested once they know I have been out of chemistry for so long, I figure 'What the heck.' I am going to apply anyway. If by some chance I get this, it would be a great way to get back into chemistry research.

I decided that the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, also in suburban Chicago, is too far outside my areas of expertise to investigate. Although I did take numerous physics courses in college for the fun of it. Including quantum mechanics and particle physics. That was many years ago, in an alternate universe.

More seriously, though, it will not hurt for me to try to get science related work at either of these national laboratories. It might not be at the doctoral level, at least for now, but it would be fascinating work.

I cannot wait for tomorrow. Whatever the outcome, it will be a good day.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

After considering my life direction and where I want to be, I concluded that a contract job may be better than a permanent one right now. This could make it easy for me to fit in GRS in less than a year. Perhaps much less.

Hi Danya,

If this is indeed your plan, you are going to need select and contact a GRS surgeon almost immediately.

This means that you're going to have to do your research, select a surgeon, contact them and make your monetary deposit with them in the next week or so.

They are typically very busy. For example, Dr. Bowers, is usually about a year out from the time your deposit money is received in her office.

[Danya (imported)]

Hi Danya,

If this is indeed your plan, you are going to need select and contact a GRS surgeon almost immediately.

This means that you're going to have to do your research, select a surgeon, contact them and make your monetary deposit with them in the next week or so.

They are typically very busy. For example, Dr. Bowers, is usually about a year out from the time your deposit money is received in her office.

Hi Erica Ann,

It is most definitely my plan. I will start contacting surgeons this week, after doing just a bit more research. The length of time needed to get surgery set up with Marci Bowers is one of the reasons I may not go with her. A question I will ask of all of them is what kind of time frame are we looking at. I know it will be months with any of them that I am considering.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

It is a little after 11 PM, and a recruiter just contacted me about another job opportunity. One of these will work out.

Please see, if you care to, my more informative first and second installments of tonight's posts.

Now I will get to bed to get a good night's rest for tomorrow's adventures.