Hi all, my name is Angela and I am in Massachusetts. I transitioned in the late 90's and had my SRS surgery with Dr Brassard in 2003. I also had facial surgery and breast augmentation done as well and did dermabrasion to help bring out the healthy skin after I was done with electrolysis. Like a lot of others I disappeared after I felt I was done and just began to live my life (woodworking was the term back then). I sort of lost contact with the T community and dropped out for quite a few years while I was figuring out what sort of woman I was. I couldn't escape from my past so I settled on a fusion of past and present. Now I know, I'm an outdoor model who can go girly when needed but prefers sweat pants when the girly bit is not needed. Now I just hop around like the happy little woman I've always wanted to be and my life is very enjoyable.
I enjoy a lot of things including playing the guitar (I have 5 of them) and I also love working out and keeping fit. I chose Zumba in my screen name since that is something I am really into. My current Zumba teacher actually is a dancer by profession not a fitness guru, so she has been very helpful in my staying lean and mean
Also I found that working out with dancing was good for working on my feminine movement and making my motions more fluid and graceful.
When I started off on my journey, many years ago it all seemed so daunting and impossible. I ended up going through the standards of care as they were in those days (3 months of therapy before I could see an endo, 1 year full time and 2 letters before I could get SRS). Now looking back I think what all the fuss was about, it was nothing
The big joy for me was living 24/7 with my new name, holding down a job and being a contributor to society. I faced obstacles such as being fired from a job because I was transitioning (there were zero protections back then). Looking back it was the best thing that could happen to me. I got a fresh start at a new job and earned my right to be productive. If anyone out there is feeling depressed due to work circumstances don't despair. I got plenty of doors slammed in my face, mistreated at interviews, but I persevered (although I did question my sanity a few times). Now I have a substantial portion of my career as a female engineer, oftentimes the only one and have done quite well in recovering from the transition.
I admit I lurked a little and was a bit skittish to say anything, but then I figured what the heck am I afraid of anyways? This forum seems like a nice place and there are a few others (old timers) like me around who lived to make it out the other end of the gender changing sausage machine. I guess that's enough for now. Nice to say hi to you all!
