Danya- I am so happy you have found a place of acceptance and hence, happiness during and after your transition. I too, have found a place of happiness 7 years post transition and there is nothing like it. I wake up every day and am so excited to be out in the world as a trans-woman (I identify that way) and to see what adventures I will have today.

I think some parts of the way we are accepted have to do with our attitude, so kudos to you and congratulations.

John (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:08 am Hi my Friend!

Whatever you decide to do, give a speach or not I will pray for your success!

Greetings

John

Hi John,

I will absolutely give a speech if I am asked or go talk with a group and offer support. I am open for whatever they would like me to do.

I appreciate the prayers.

Hugs,

Danya

Priscilla (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:14 pm Danya- I am so happy you have found a place of acceptance and hence, happiness during and after your transition. I too, have found a place of happiness 7 years post transition and there is nothing like it. I wake up every day and am so excited to be out in the world as a trans-woman (I identify that way) and to see what adventures I will have today.

I think some parts of the way we are accepted have to do with our attitude, so kudos to you and congratulations.

Hi Priscilla,

I hadn't intended to log on the Archive tonight but when I saw your note, and that of John before you, I wanted to respond.

Welcome to the Archive.

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon May 19, 2008 11:16 am I really appreciate your writing and

I am glad to hear your own experience has been so positive.

I, too, am excited to face the world and see what new things will come my way. I agree that our attitudes are critical to our success in transitioning. It is very difficult for others to be comfortable with us if we are not confident in who we are.

Congratulations on 7 years of success with your adventure!

Hugs,

Danya

This is at least the second time I have violated my on newly formulated policy of restricting my posts to weekends. Part of the reason is that I do not yet have my own web site up and running. So I can't write there. I am having moderate success in keeping my posts shorter.

The reason I am posting this evening is to report that my undergraduate college (the one with ties to a fairly liberal church) has changed not only my name but my gender in their records. That is very exciting.

I am delighted by the news. Anyone who calls the college now seeking information under my new legal name will find it. I will now be listed in the alumni directory by my new name. No one will know who the hell I am! Anyone from the college calling here will address me properly, etc. , etc....

This does not mean my official transcript now has my new name. The school administrator who told me about my name change in the records is looking into having the transcript name change made, too. He stated this is much more difficult. To my knowledge, no former student has ever succeeded at this. I let him know that many things are very difficult but still quite possible. I also stated that I was confident he would be able to get my transcript changed -[er, ah... transitioned or whatever! ] I wrote a follow-up note telling him that by not changing the name on my transcript, the college would be forcing me to reveal to employers something they are prohibited from asking.

If he does not succeed, I will thank him for his efforts and immediately contact someone higher in the school adminstration.

Kristoff wrote here awhile ago, perhaps around the time I transitioned, that there would be some difficult times ahead. This is, after all, the way of life. The last week has definitely been one of the low points for me. Much of the week was very stressful. Today I am really emotionally down. Exercise temporarily improved things.

There are a number of reasons for all this but one ties all the others together. That is, I cannot see a path forward in my journey. Certainly I can continue as I have and do well, I think.

I sent an e-mail I to a friend, here on the Archive, earlier this week. In part, I wrote of how I seemed to have reached a peak in my life but, as with all of life's peaks, one must eventually return to a more ordinary life. I could not see a path forward, a way to continue my journey that would lead to more complete fulfillment of what has become the reality of who I am.

This friend's response was very caring. I agree with his basic conclusion that I have not reached a peak but a plateau. Life changes, and improvements, have progressed rapidly for me since I transitioned. It's time to sit back and enjoy where I am right now. The journey will continue. It's just at this moment, I cannot see the path. Things will become more clear again.

Few of us see exactly how we are going to get to a long term goal and follow that path directly. I know some of the issues and share a few (funds etc) but I think that all of this is a problem that has many possible solutions. Don't fret! I know your like me and wish things could just get taken care of quickly.

So its easy to say and hard to do myself. Savor the trip. The destination is just part of the fun.

Hugs - MrT

I am doing much better today. It's like I'm a different person. The solution for me is always to take action and that is what I have been doing today.

I agree, MrT, few of us can easily see the means by which we will eventually reach our goals. The important thing is to keep moving forward.

I know I sound like a broken record on this topic but factor in hormonal changes which you can say are extraordinary! Some of this is no doubt like a roller coaster but that IS part of being a woman.

Embrace the change its part of who you are but keep your eye on the prize. That is often my problem. You forget why your in the place you are because you loose site of the big picture.

Yes, progress on the transition road is sometimes slow, and it can build frustration. It took me 4 years to finally transition at work after knowing that I would. Getting my children settled in their lives seemed a necessary reason to take it slow.

The fact that I started hormones several years before I transitioned really helped me to feel like I was transitioning, even tho' I still appeared as a guy.

mrt (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:02 am I know I sound like a broken record on this topic but factor in hormonal changes which you can say are extraordinary! Some of this is no doubt like a roller coaster but that IS part of being a woman.

Hi MrT,

The hormonal changes are profound and I'll post another observation on that later. This one is from my dentist, of all people!

Although I have tended to cry easily throughout my life (even watching comedy movies, no less), I am crying more often now. Each crying spell tends to last longer than ever, besides. I will write more about this later, too.

mrt (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:02 am Embrace the change its part of who you are but keep your eye on the prize. That is often my problem. You forget why your in the place you are because you loose site of the big picture.

I very definitely like the changes, very much so!

Of course, I already have 'the prize' in a very real sense. I know who I am and feel it every day in my body, thoughts and emotions.

OTOH, I am starting to get realistic about what I need to do to finally obtain GRS. From November of last year until very recently, it has been critical for me to post a lot on the Archive and get feedback. This has been invaluable. Now, I 'think' I have reached a point where I can spend less time posting and more time concentra

Priscilla (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:54 am ting on increasing my income. As I have said before, though, this place will always be home for me.

Yes, progress on the transition road is sometimes slow, and it can build frustration. It took me 4 years to finally transition at work after knowing that I would. Getting my children settled in their lives seemed a necessary reason to take it slow.

The fact that I started hormones several years before

I transitioned really helped me to feel like I was transitioning, even tho' I still appeared as a guy.

Hi Priscilla,

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon May 19, 2008 11:16 am I really appreciate your writing and s

haring your experience. I have read a lot about the difficulties trans folks with children can have. There are so many issues to deal with that I, with no children or spouse, cannot fully appreciate. It is commendable that you and others I know have taken care of the needs of your children before transitioning.

I did not start estrogen until almost three weeks after I transitioned at work.

Hugs,

Danya