I was very pleased with the way my morning interview went. The hiring manager told me that, out of all the people he has interviewed, I was the first to be able to list and explain the steps in a certain development methodology. Despite the fact that others listed this on their resumes.

When I showed him my portfolio, he said 'Wow!' He also commented that he was surprised how many people could not use the software I used to create it. Thanks to Kristoff for passing along the advice to put this together.

I felt very comfortable with the parts of the office environment I saw, and with the much younger hiring manager.

The company is supposed to check references this afternoon and let me know if they want me by Friday. I spoke with the recruiter after the interview and she said this company typically moves slowly.

While I was out, the recruiter for the urgent permanent job opening left a message. I returned his call but got his voicemail. So it is still very possible that I will interview for this opportunity.

Tonight, I feel like I am at the end of my rope. I have been dealing with recruiters much of the day and applying for a number of jobs until late this evening. The thing is, even if there is a very promising possibility of a job you cannot rest. I have to keep up my job search until I am offered a position. And if it is contract work, I will still have to keep up this search.

I am willing to do whatever is necessary to land a job, including options such as moving again and taking a job that requires a lot of travel. But I am worn out right now.

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:21 pm I have too many things on my mind and

not enough answers.

A nearby therapist that I occasionally see is married. Her husband has been unemployed for over a year. She says that if someone could tell her that her husband would be working again in eight months, for instance, she could handle things much better. At least the uncertainty of endless applications, financial stress and so on would have a known end. She and her husband would be able to plan their life again. It is this uncertainty that is bugging me tonight.

Nonetheless, and in a way I did not expect, the many kind member posts on this thread give me added strength. I am more thankful for these than I can express - at least tonight!

I debated awhile before writing this. Because I have always been very open here, I wanted to share a little bit of this down time, too. Life is, at times, extremely difficult. But I never give up. I did not give up during chemotherapy or when I was assaulted and nearly killed. I am not about to give up now.

My attitude is almost always upbeat and I am sure I will get back to that good place soon. I know that I will get everything to work. I just wish I had some clue as to the 'when' of all these things.

Tuesday morning, I have an interview with a recruiter about the permanent position I have written about. He has other opportunities coming up more frequently as the months go by, and the recession that remains (at least for those without work) becomes less severe.

The recruiter asked me if I know where Schaumburg is, his office location. I responded "Certainly, I have been to Woodfield Mall and several other establishments there." He jokingly replied that I could go shopping after our appointment.

Interacting with recruiters and hiring managers is refreshing. I feel like, once again, I am part of the working world of business. At least some people are interested in what I can do to help companies succeed, even if only in a

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:16 pm small way.

Instead of shoppin

g tomorrow, I will get my Illinois drivers license. I have five facilities that have been recommended to me as being friendly to TG persons. I want that 'F' on my license. Letters from my hormone doctor and gender therapist will likely do the trick.

I now have one of those Bluetooth gizmos for my cell phone. This way, if I am not at home, recruiters can call me and I can answer easily even while driving.

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue May 18, 2010 9:22 pm Tonight, I feel like I am at the end of my rope. I have been dealing with recruiters much of the day and applying for a number of jobs until late this evening. The thing is, even if there is a very promising possibility of a job you cannot rest. I have to keep up my job search until I am offered a position. And if it is contract work, I will still have to keep up this search.

I am willing to do whatever is necessary to land a job, including options such as moving again and taking a job that requires a lot of travel. But I am worn out right now.

Danya (imported) wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:21 pm I have too many things on my mind and

not enough answers.

Hang in there girl and keep trying. It's about all you can do. Pers

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue May 18, 2010 9:22 pm everance will eventual

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:16 pm ly pay off.

Instead of shoppin

g tomorrow, I will get my Illinois drivers license. I have five facilities that have been recommended to me as being friendly to TG persons. I want

that 'F' on my license. Letters from my hormone doctor and gender therapist will likely do the trick.

It sounds like you have all the documentation you'll need to get this accomplished today. Just smile pretty for that new photo on your license!

BTW, I did pass along your name and phone number to the individual we spoke about on Sunday via e-mail last night. I did receive an e-mail back from him thanking me for the information and stating that he was going to call you. He would appear to be interested in you, so good luck.

I was also wondering if you stopped by Mr. Beef on Sunday and if you did, did you enjoy it?

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Wed May 19, 2010 7:51 am Hang in there girl and keep trying. It's about all you can do. Pers

everance will eventually pay off.

Hi Erica Ann,

You are such a sweetie and I am fortunate to have met you. Even better, we have spent many fun times together and I have gotten to know more about you.

I'm doing better today. As I got in bed last night, I realized much of what was bothering me was the possibility of running all over the metro region for my drivers license. And then not succeeding in the end. More below

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Wed May 19, 2010 7:51 am It sounds like you have all the documentation you'll need to get this accomplished today. Just smile pretty for that new photo on your license!

After my morning interveiw, which I will discuss in another post, I drove to the state office building downtown. I have not been inside this sleek, ultramodern wonder in years. On the lower level concourse, they have a drivers license bureau. A friend said this office is 'friendly' to folks like 'us.'

I stepped up to the woman at the check in counter, presented my documents and gave a brief explanation of my situation. She said I would have to see a supervisor. I managed to stay calm. At least I would get a chance to speak with him or her. This was very unlike my experience in the north suburban licensing office.

One of the supervisor's first questions was "who sent you here?" I gave him what must have looked like a blank stare. For a moment, I thought he might have meant my physician or a friend had recommended their office. Or a secret agent type trans friend. I finally said "The woman at the front desk."

I had all my documentation to show him. Including l

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Wed May 19, 2010 7:51 am

Danya (imported) wrote: Tue May 18, 2010 9:22 pm etters

from my hormone doctor and gender therapist.

I also took along the court order for my legal name change. He took a lot of notes and checked some things in his computer.

At one point he said "So you are in the process of becoming Danya." I answered "I am Danya."

The end result is that I got my gender listed as "Female" on my new I

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Wed May 19, 2010 7:51 am llinois Drivers License. This makes me very happy.

BTW, I did pass along your name and phone number to the individual we spoke about on Sunday via e-mail last night. I did receive an e-mail back from him thanking me for the information and stating that he was going to call you. He

would appear to be interested in you, so good luck.

Mr. 'X' left a message while I was out today. He sounds very nice and would like to take me to dinner or spend time some place just talking. He said that he found me interesting and fascinating. I'm glad someone doe

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Wed May 19, 2010 7:51 am s! This is exactly the type of thing I like to hear.

I was also wondering if you stopped by

Mr. Beef on Sunday and if you did, did you enjoy it?

There are so many stores along that street, Erica Ann, that I did not find it. I wasn't really trying very hard, though. I will try it sometime soon.

My next electrolysis appointment is Friday morning at 8 AM. Yikes! Is Mr. Beef open for breakfast?? 'C' assured me that my face will be presentable by Friday evening.

Hugs,

Danya

I returned Mr. 'X''s phone call and he suggested going to dinner tomorrow evening. He wanted to come up my way and, possibly, 'pick me up' literally to drive me to the restaurant. I told him I would be glad to meet him some place.

Then I mentioned that I planned on going to a movie tonight. I need to unwind in a bad way. I am burned out. He will meet me at the movie theater later this evening.

He told me that the sleek, ultramodern state government building that I like so much is almost universally hated by the locals. Oh well.

My morning interview with the new recruiter went very well. He is the most professional recruiter I have worked with so far. He really seems to know what he is doing and is knowledgeable in the basics of my career background.

He will submit my resume to a large bank downtown that has its IT offices in the Sears Tower. I think this job is a long shot for me, but it is worth a try. This is a permanent position and I would get four weeks of vacation my first year. The bank also covers GRS.

As we discussed this opportunity, he agreed with some ideas I have about the direction of my career. I also got an idea for how to improve my skills for similar IT jobs in the financial industry. The position description sounds interesting and challenging, two things I look for.

A corporate recruiter wants to set up a phone

Danya (imported) wrote: Fri May 07, 2010 2:08 pm interview for a permanent position

I applied for at around 11 PM last night. Cool!

Instead of seeing a movie, 'X' and I had dinner at a small Italian restaurant. I drove so we left his car parked at the theater. Although I offered to pay my own way, he insisted on picking up the tab.

I had a terrific time. 'X' opened doors for me, he took off my light coat when we were taken to our table. He is charming and I enjoyed our conversation. We spoke, very briefly, about Planck's constant and its part in an energy equation less well known than Einstein's. We talked about all kinds of interesting things. He, at least half jokingly, said he was trying to seduce me with interesting conversation. Yup. That just might do it. Or play a part.

I asked him to tell me all kinds of things about himself, his life and interests. He shared quite a bit, including his love of Frank Sinatra's songs. As we drove back to his car, he sang one of Sinatra's songs to me.

He told me how sweet I am. I responded that he must tell that to all the girls. He replied "This time I mean it." Maybe. I am not convinced at this point. We both had an enjoyable time and I felt very safe with him. I am content with that much. I am also keeping in mind that, for now, I am in an emotionally vulnerable position.

I will see him tomorrow afternoon when we will spend time at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm putting in time on my job search tonight and will continue tomorrow morning and tomorrow night.

Tonight's date with 'X' was a very nice break and I feel less stressed.

I had a terrific time with 'X' today, a very special day for me under any circumstances. We had intended to go to the Chicago Botanic Garden but, as I was driving to his place I realized what a long trek it would be back to the Garden. Instead, we went downtown. The day was perfect, with totally clear skies and warm temperatures.

We both had our cameras. He asked someone to take our picture in front of Buckingham Fountain. We walked a long way and saw some things most tourists would not know about.

He treated me to dinner at an inexpensive downtown restaurant. Toward the end of the meal, he asked me to sit next to him. He showed me pictures of his family. Then things heated up a bit, as they did several times later in the evening. I felt like I was a teen again, only this time it was a wonderful experience. That's all the detail I will give. Whether or not things develop any further, I enjoy the time we share.

I have been keeping up with job applications, applying for eight this morning and I will complete several more this evening.

Hi my Friend!

I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for you in both cases!

Greetings

John

Hi Danya...I must commend you on your stick-to-itiveness (if that's a word).

I'm glad I don't have to go through what you are... It's so good to see you have attracted a man who obviously wants to be with you...You left a fill in the blank space in your last message...It would be interesting to know what that was? smooches dragonfly

John (imported) wrote: Fri May 21, 2010 8:09 am Hi my Friend!

I will continue to keep my fingers crossed for you in both cases!

Greetings

John

Hi John,

[quote="Da

Danya (imported) wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:31 pm nya (imported)" time=1215557400]
It's

always good to hear from you.
[/quote]
I appreciate all help, including your crossed fingers.

Hugs,

Danya