EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:49 pm Hi Danya,

I'm so glad to hear about your new car. All the best of luck with it and BTW, welcome to the Ford family of fine cars. I'm a big fan of Ford Motors having driven Ford's for most of life and have always been well satisfied with their products.

I was particularly interested in the Ford Focus because of your recommendation. The dealership is loaning me a Chevy Malibu, until I pick up the Focus Saturday, and I hate it! The smaller Focus seems much sturdier and more solidly built. It also handles better. The sound system is higher quality, too.

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:49 pm I'm also very happy to hear of your pending employment opportunities. I happen to know a transgendered girl that works for Walgreens at their corporate headquarters and from what she tells me they are a very transgender friendly organization. Their insurance plan even covers GRS!

I have known for many months that Walgreens is very trans friendly. I'll have to tell you more about this sometime. Even if I don't get the contract job, I will network with a hiring manager for future opportunities.

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:49 pm I'm not too surprised at the difference in the responses you're finding to your job search in the Chicago area. Kind of what we discussed all along.

I am very pleased with the way my job search is going here. You are correct, this is just as we both thought it would be.

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:49 pm Stay the course girl and be strong. Things will work out for the best, even if it takes awhile.

You are such a sweetie, Erica Ann. I know t

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:49 pm hings will work out for the best

but

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:57 pm it's always nice to get some encourag

ement.

Hugs,

Danya

I finished a three hour electrolysis session this morning, completing my 23rd hour of treatment. I continue to be impressed by the effectiveness of my electrologist(s). Already, a fairly high percentage of what regrowth I am getting comes in a very fine, thin hairs.

As far as my job search goes, I came across another career path that fits my most recent work background. This is good, although these jobs would require a lot of travel. I don't mind that. All told, I've got 11 jobs to apply for today. There will certainly be more tomorrow.

Then I need to craft a creative response to respond to a corporate recruiter's request for additional information. She listed questions and added that I could respond to the email, use a Word document or 'even create a PowerPoint' presentation. I will create the PowerPoint show and tell. This is a young company that is rated one of the fastest growing in the US. So I want to demonstrate that I can make a compelling presentation that will, I hope , appeal to a younger crowd.

I agree with a friend here who sent me graphical, and bizarre, resumes that he said I would not want to submit. A PowerPoint demo is different, especially since the recruiter suggested it.

Perhaps I should include a 3-D animation I created for a business project about 7 years ago. It showed the sun rising, through mostly cloudy skies, over a tropical isle. The old business structure was in flames on the shore as a volcano erupted above. By the time the sun started to set in a clear sky, the flames were gone, the volcano was dormant and I depicted the new method as an airy shoreline bungalow. With a tall coconut palm by its side. The sunlight glinted off a calm sea as a sailboat slid into view.

It helps me to write out this irrelevant stuff! I'm trying to get my creative juices flowing. There is no way, however, that I will include my animation in the PowerPoint thingy.

This company's web site notes that they give all employees the Strengthfinders (TM) assessment. I took that over a year ago and my results fit in well with this position. I'm debating whether to include them in my response.

No matter how much work I have, I will go to the Morton Arboretum tomorrow. The weather should be sunny and mild and there a lot of flowers and trees in bloom. I won't leave my camera behind.

I notified my college class newsletter editor about some changes in my life.

Including my gender transition and other news. It will be interesting to see how he or she handles this in the next newsletter!

I made the drive to the Morton Arboretum this morning, taking my camera along. After two hours walking the trails and getting many photos, I still wasn't feeling rejuvenated. I needed more fun and relaxation to fully regain my energy for job hunting.

So I decided to drive downtown, with the thought of possibly visiting the aquarium. Even though I have been to downtown Chicago many times over the years, I still get excited as I start to approach the core city. Once I parked, I spent at least 90 minutes walking between the planetarium, aquarium and the Field Museum taking pictures of the skyline. From the vantage point of the museums, the spires are striking with the parks along Lake Michigan in the forefront. I also took some people shots and some local color type of photos.

When I got home and started downloading the pictures, I saw I had taken 155 at the arboretum and downtown. This was a typical type of total from my outings in Minnesota. It was also the first time since I was laid off that I felt like really getting into photography again. Therefore, this was one more indication that my spirits are generally high. When the cold weather returns, I want to get into winter photography.

I was ma'amed twice at interstate toll booths, and one attendant also said "Thank you, dear." This is part of the reason for my strange delight in paying tolls!

When I decided to move to the Chicago area and until today, I always kept in mind that I could return to Minnesota if things do not work out. Today, I realized I cannot leave. I simply love everything about this area. I feel more alive here than I ever did in the Twin Cities. This is not a put down to that area, which was good for me in many ways, but more a testament to my longing to live in a much larger metropolitan area. Like the one I grew up in and have missed many times. I love the energetic pulse of a very large city.

I'm toying with the idea of buying roller blades. I was skating regularly through the summer of 2008. It's great exercise and provides the weight bearing stimulus to help my osteoporosis improve. It also gives me a way to be outdoors and it is very relaxing. Especially after skating 25 miles on a pleasant afternoon. Unfortunately, when I moved I left my skates behind.

I love to skate fast, particularly so I can keep up with cute men that pass by.

The new therapist I am seeing, who will be able to provide corroboration that I am continuing to successfully live as me when the time for GRS comes along, asked last week if I were seeing anyone. I answered 'no.' I'm beginning to think that I would like to date. That depends on finding an understanding man who also interests me.

I stopped by the Illinois drivers license place, which is run by the Secretary of State's office. I had intended to get an Illinois license today.

The licensing web site lists documentation of various types in four categories required from out of state drivers. I had my Minnesota license to satisfy the first category (A), Social Security card (B) and (D) Illinois auto registration to prove my address. Category C demands your birth certificate or a transcript from your elementary or high school, among other possibilities. I did not want to use my birth certificate since it states I am 'male.' So I thought surely if they'd accept a high school transcript they would accept a college transcript. That has my female name. Silly me! There was no way they were going to accept an official college transcript.

I wound up showing them my birth certificate and the court order changing my name. I was also hoping that since my Minnesota license indicates 'F' for my sex, Illinois would simply accept this designation. Wrong!

After going through two supervisors, I was told that I would have to bring in a doctor's letter stating that I am female. When I left the licensing office, I felt some panic. I simply do not want my license to show 'M' for sex.

I was so upset that I considered going for an orchiectomy now, even though I really can't afford it. Or perhaps opting for cosmetic GRS, which doesn't require the long recovery time of full GRS. I concluded that, if at all possible, I wanted to avoid either of these alternatives for now. I really want complete GRS and will wait for it.

I called my hormone doctor and spoke with his office assistant. I explained the license situation. They will send me a letter in a day or so stating that I am female. I'm not sure how they will word this, but as long as it works that's all I care about.

Sounds like everything should work out with the license once I get the doctor's letter. I am relieved!

On another subject, I stayed up until 4 AM Monday mornings preparing the PowerPoint presentation for a potential employer. They were impressed with it and I will have a phone interview tomorrow afternoon.

A contract work recruiter contacted me yesterday. She thinks she can help me land a contract job. I'll meet with her Thursday afternoon. If I take a contract offer, I will continue to very actively search for a permanent position.

Chicago is really beautiful at this time of year, until the heat kicks in sometime in late June. Either way, welcome, from a former resident.

Don't let the small minded folks at the DMV get to you, ma'am.

graylayer02 (imported) wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:58 am Chicago is really beautiful at this time of year, until the heat kicks in sometime in late June. Either way, welcome, from a former resident.

Don't let the small minded folks at the DMV get to you, ma'am.

Thank you for the welcome, kind sir!

A long time ago, the summer after I finished my undergraduate education, I worked at Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago 'burbs. I went downtown many times and, even when it was hot a humid, I still enjoyed it.

I am determined that things will work out the way I want with the DMV folks!

Hugs,

Danya

Because I spend so many hours on my job search, and I've also wised up, I do not feel it is unreasonable to take an occasional afternoon off to unwind. Today, I went downtown yet again, paying $1.50 at a parking meter. I wanted to scout out photo opportunities for a weekend shoot. Saturday, I hope to take the train downtown and spend hours just walking around. Not only will this be great exercise, but I love the architecture and hope to get some good photos.

My electrolysis appointment this weekend isn't until late Sunday afternoon. This will give me the change to attend church. I miss playing the piano and organ. I've dropped in on churches before and when they've heard me play, they sometimes offer me the key to practice any time I want. This is what I'm looking for, a church with a pipe organ that I can play. Of course, I am always very willing to substitute.

Many months ago, I wondered in a post here if whistling were an 'appropriate' thing for a woman. Of course, I am entirely free to whistle if I wish. Today, I found myself snapping my fingers at certain sections of a Mahler symphony. I briefly pondered how many woman might snap their fingers. Whatever the answer, I was really grooving to the music.

I am feeling very upbeat about tomorrow afternoon's phone interview. By the time it arrives at 2 PM, I will be very well prepared.

Late this afternoon, a recruiter who saw my resume on the web left a message about an opportunity she thought was good for me. I'll check in with her tomorrow.

I am considering changing my avatar to my own photo for a very limited engagement. With a coupon for a free photo, I had my picture taken in 'blonde' mode. I went with this hair color because I might at some point post the photo on a dating sit

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:19 pm e. I am very pleased with the result.

I look very different as a blonde than in my usual dark auburn hair. I'm not at all sure an employer and colleagues who might see the photo would make the connection. Not that this necessarily matters. I need to give it some more thought.

Perhaps because my new HRT doctor halved my testosterone blocking drug, I am feeling some resurgence in sexual interest. Now, I just need to find the right guy to date! . I'm not quite sure how to go about this, but I'll figure it out.

Earlier in the week, I had stayed up until 4 AM creating a PowerPoint presentation for a corporate HR recruiter. Today's phone interview with this recruiter went very well, although I thought I might have been too assertive. Then I remembered I am in Chicagoland where this is just fine.

The recruiter asked if I knew the location of the job. Duh! I always thoroughly investigate everything about a company before the first phone interview. So I knew it was downtown. The recruiter thought this might be too far to be desirable. Not all all. In fact, I would love to work downtown. Seriously, folks, I am totally into downtown Chicago. Besides, there is a train station 8 miles away. I can always move closer to the job, too.

I thought I might have gone too far when I gave a clue to my age. This is something I have never done before. My intuition told me that hinting at my age, for once, might help. Apparently everything was fine, because the recruiter notified me late this afternoon that the hiring manager wants me to come in for an in person interview on Tuesday. I was a little surprised by this, since the recruiter said there would probably be a phone interview with the manager first.

This company is doing extremely well even in the current economy. The role I would have is challenging, but I love to be challenged. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Of course, I will also be very thoroughly prepared come Tuesday. I will wear a very nice pant suit that, not coincidentally, I am having altered on Friday. The pants are too long. Unfortunately(?), I may have to buy a new pair of shoes to go with this suit.

I will not go in blonde mode! A number of women have told me that men, at least in the work place, take them less seriously when they have their hair dyed blonde.

Even though it sometimes goes against my desire to work nearly constantly on my job search, I will likely take much of the weekend off for fun. That will put me in a great frame of mind for Tuesday's interview.

Meanwhile, I had a second phone interview with an agency recruiter for a contract to hire position with a very good, trans friendly company. Unlike many agencies, the people I have worked with here really know what they are doing! The downside to this 'opportunity' is that it is in the Milwaukee area. It is entirely possible that this company will want me in for an interview next week, too. I'm not sure how I will handle things if I am waiting for a decision from the downtown Chicago company and the Milwaukee company offers me the position.

Then there is tomorrow when I meet with another recruiter.

Of course, it is entirely possible that none of these places will offer me a job. I am encouraged, however, that I have people interested. There could be several dry weeks after this if nothing works out.

The corporate recruiter for the downtown job opening called to move the interview to Wednesday morning. Perhaps this is a test to see how I like commuting in rush hour traffic! I continue to feel very confident about this interview. Hey, I might as well be whether I get an offer or not.

Monday, I will have a phone interview with the hiring manager for the Wisconsin company. I'll spend part of the weekend preparing for that.

A new technical recruiter told me I have excellent qualifications. That's all fine and dandy, but I want a job.

I applied for several jobs late last night and have already heard back from the recruiter for one. This is another permanent position.

I figure I have put in at least 60 hours of work since Saturday. So I took part of the day off to go downtown. I took my camera along and took 233 photos.

The lilacs are blooming now, as are many crab apples and mid-season tulips. It was a gorgeous day.