An update on my life

[Sharon S L]

Hi to all out there,

Thought it was about time I did a bit of an update, as I have been a little busy lately

Not sure if this is the correct area or not.

Well, lets see,

On July 3rd I will have been living in my unit for 7 months, time sure has gone fast

Have worked out that, it has been around 12 months since I made the final decision to transition and accept that I am a woman and I have never looked back, the last twelve months have been some of the best of my life although there has been some up's and down's but that is natural, and my friends, and other people I know, think it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made  , I still can not believe how much support I have had, like the other day I ran into a friend of mine, who I had not seen for  a while, over 12 months at least, she gave me a great big hug and said "Welcome to the other side", she thinks it is great that I have done this, even her daughter, who I went to school with, thinks it is great too, her name is Samantha and reckons I choose it because of her, although I didn't, just liked it although I didn't like it being shortened to Sam, so that is why it is my middle name, plus I think Sharon Samantha sounds better. It has also been around 5 months since starting HRT, and things are definitely changing, like my skin is defiantly softer, my breasts are developing, and my fat distribution is shifting, and my friends and co-workers have noticed, which brings me to...

For those that don't know, I started a 3 month temp job, in the Medical Records Department of the Alice Springs Hospital, as a Culling/Filing Clerk, on the 27th of April, and I am due to finish on the 27th of July, although it could go longer. I attended the interview in a skirt and top, and as I am now living as a woman, I have been wearing dresses, and skirts to work, as well as pants. I am treated and accepted as one of the girl's, even being invited to a hen's night, which, unfortunately, I could not attend, even people I have worked with before are treating me like a woman. One of these, is Nifty, can't remember his real name but that is how I know him, he is a ward clerk, and he told me yesterday that I must be doing something right as some of people at work, who don't know me, think I was born a woman, he said that a woman he is training as a ward clerk said "Isn't Sharon a nice woman", so he told me to keep doing what I am doing, I keep getting complemented on my skin, my clothes, jewellery, and the way I do my hair now, I use a ponytail, with the hair gathered more to the front, then brush out the front a bit, to make a nice shape, this also covers my thin patch.

So everything is going great.

Except Last Wednesday (20th June), it was a miserable day here in the Alice, and when I woke up and looked in the mirror, I just hated the way I looked, my body was too masculine, I felt yuk, and a bit of a heffer, so I curled up on my bed and had a bit of a cry, then I spilled my breakfast, had to make a second cup of coffee as the first was terrible, then I could not do anything with my hair, broke 3 hair ties, then I went outside and saw the sky, I really didn't want to go to work, when I was at work I was moody, and I nearly bit someone's head off, some of my co-workers said, "Welcome to our world", "You will have days like this" and "Those hormones are definitely working", then about 9 – 9:30, decided to get some chocolate, after eating it I felt a lot better, and the rest of the day went fairly well, with just the odd bit of moodiness, so PRAISE THE CHOCOLATE FOR IT IS MARVOULESS. So if ever you feel down just eat some chocolate.

hmm, I must get around to taking some new photos

Well that should do for now

Hugs and Kisses

Sharon

[Steph]

"Woke up looked in the mirror and hated the way..."

Ya been there, done that, far too many times.  Don't fret it as it won't be the last time that happens.  Sometimes we are far to hard on ourselves, far too critical, I guess it's just human nature.  But I really think that it's not the way we look that hurts but the fact that it's reality that is looking back at us and quite often reality hurts.

We need to see and recognize the positive changes and not let those negative days drag us down.  Transition is a difficult journey, one that is fraught with many pitfalls, and I can state with much certainty that the pitfalls don't end after transition.

It is funny how many women find that chocolate has many mysterious healing qualities

Thanks so much for the update Sharon, keep us posted.

Steph

[Sharon S L]

O.K. Well as a friend of mine said that I have been a bit lazy with updating my page, blog, and other sites, so here goes,

I am still working at the Alice Springs Hospital, after having my contract extended to the end of November, I have even been given more responsibilities, by being trained to do Discharge Assembly, (The assembly of a patient's file after the patient has been discharged from the hospital).

Some other things that have happened since my last update.

    A few weeks ago, A Male PSA told me I look gorgeous, and no he wasn't being sarcastic, I was wearing a nice Top and skirt, some nice earrings and a choker, Boy, did my heart start to flutter, and I felt elated, gee it is nice to here these comments instead of the odd derogative comment.

    I have ran into a few people, in the last, few weeks, that I haven't seen in a while, after saying hello, it took them a while to recognize me, when they did and I told them my new name they said, they didn't recognize me, and that I look a lot happier and seem more confident, and they wish me the best of luck in my life.

    My skin is getting softer, my body and facial hair is getting less and is also becoming lighter and finer, my body is changing more, and I am getting recognized as a woman more often.

    Bought a nice light pink doona cover set, that has a nice pattern on it, from K-Mart on special, was originally nearly $80 and was marked down to around $37

Well that's all I can think of for now.

Hugs and Kisses,

Sharon 

[tarasita]

Hi Sharon!

Wow, Alice!!??!! You really are a lil ol' country town girl, aren't you? Never been up that way myself but my visions of Alice are a few sheds and some dingos How has it been "coming out" in a fairly small community? I know Alice isn't that small but still it is very isolated. I would like to take the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin some time and spend some time in Alice, it stops there for some time doesn't it?

It's good to see that you are doing so well and that the level of acceptance is so high. Again this seems to be "typical Australian" in my opinion. Good for you!

[Sharon S L]

Hi Tarasita,
You asked

How has it been "coming out" in a fairly small community?

I think I have been lucky, as so far I haven't had many problems, of course I get the out derogative term, yelled at me but that seems to be getting less. generally I have found that people seem to be O.K. about it, and as I grew up here, 99% of the people who know me seem to be accepting and supportive, most have said that this has been the best thing I have ever done.

One of the problems when I first decided to transition, was that I didn't know who to contact locally as there really isn't any organized support or resources for transgender people in Alice, I would like to try and start something up but don't know how I go about doing it, or if there is enough TG people in town, (I know of at least two, one who is out to her wife, but is not out to her kids and is not yet that comfortable to go out in public, the other, who is a post-op, is, as far as I can remember the manager of a womans clothing shop), and the nearest  support group is in Adelaide, Approx 1500 kms south, however there is a support group for Gays and Lesbians, and they have said I can come and join in any time, which I am going to do this Saturday night (13/10/07), as they are having a get together at the Todd Tavern (A Local Pub), so we will see what happens.

I found out something nice today, whilst checking on my details and my leave balances with human resources, which we can do on-line via the "My HR" intra-net website, I have found that they have changed my gender ID from Male, which is what it has been set at, up-to at least last week (When I first applied for the job I asked if I could put female down and they said that at this time best to leave it a male for legal reasons), to Female, I just thought this was great, I showed one of my co-workers this, she was around my area at the time, she also knew me before my transition, She said it was about time, also I found out last month, that my gender ID for my medical records at the Hospital, had also been change from Male to Female.

Hugs,
Sharon

PS the Ghan does stop here for, I think, around 2 to 4 hours, not sure of the latest timetable.

[tarasita]

It's so good to see that you are so optimistic and that things are going your way. I wonder whether there is some truth in the "law of attractions"; positive thoughts generate positive happenings.

I can hardly think about Alice without Priscilla, Queen of the Desert coming to mind! What a fun movie hey?

When you told about your employee records being changed to F you reminded me of something. I don't know how dodgie or messing with history it may be but my auntie actually had the priest at the church where I was baptised change the parish records to show me as being baptized as the person I am today. So now I can legally order both a valid birth certificate and a baptism certificate.

Anyway, that was a side track.

If you are ever down my way (Adelaide), let me know!

[Lucy]

I am so proud, it sounds like ur havin such a great time, it sounds like u have a lot of support from friends. Please keep in touch, u give hope to those of us still to take the plunge into the deep end.

Luv Lucy

[Sharon S L]

Hi all, went out last night to the Todd Tavern, first time I have been out to a club at night for a long time, I don't normally go out, but this was going to be the first party held at the Todd Tavern, for the GLBT community in Alice, although mainly the gay and lesbian's, but Us girls and guys are welcome as well as other open minded people, and if successful, there was going to be more, I had a great time, and hopefully they will have more of these get together's, and if anyone would like to come, they are welcome.

Hugs Sharon

Posted on: 14 October 2007, 01:54:24 What a year 2007 has been for me

Just to recap some of the things that have happened this year

First I change my name

I started on hormones

Mum and dad barred me from their house and yard, but slowly came around, so now I am welcome, although they refuse to call me Sharon and acknowledge my new self.

I started going to interviews as a woman, well I am living and identify as a woman

Landed a temp job, which has now become permanent.

Have been going out more

And am accepted as a woman by majority of the population that I meet.

Hopefully 2008 will be a lot better, may be mum and dad will start calling me Sharon, I can only hope

Well that's it folks

All the best in '08

Hugs Sharon 

[samanthawhalen]

Sharon, I know it's been awhile since you updated this thread.  How are you doing with your transitioning?  You dress very nicely, by the way. 

Samantha

[roni]

Can you give me some first steps to my transitioning? I am struggling with knowing what to do first. Thanks for any advice!

roni

[samanthawhalen]

roni, honey, that is what I have been told to do by the other girls here and on other sites (won't mention them).  If you're going to do things the "right way", you need a therapist.

[roni]

What do I look for in a good therapist? I live in VA. and am not sure how to begin my search. Got any suggestions??

roni

[Sharon S L]

Hi All, I know I haven't posted anything lately but not much has happend, My transition is going well, work is great, just got a payrise, in general life is good, I have had no real problems, so nothing much to post, hope every one is fine.

Hugs and Kisses, Sharon

Posted on: 17 March 2008, 01:48:20Roni, a good way to start transitioning, is A) find a good doctor, who is willing to help and monitor you, and B) Find some one you are comfortable talking too, a therapist or councillor is a good start.

Hugs and kisses Sharon

[cindybc]

Hi Sharon
Nice to hear you are still doing well. Well tonight was the first time I came across this thread, which I believe id your Blog as well.

It is nice to hear that you have had a fairly smooth journey in your transition thus far. Much like the way it went with me as well, 8years full time and on the job with only minor  mishaps. I loved my job, Social Worker, it was my joy back then, I loved working with the people I was working with. I pray that yours keeps going as well for you.

Cindy

[Lucy]

Great News.  Well done, keep it up.

[Sharon S L]

Thankyou Cindy and Lucy

Hugs and Kisses Sharon

[Bethany]

What do I look for in a good therapist? I live in VA. and am not sure how to begin my search. Got any suggestions??

roni
There is a support group jrts (james river transgender society in the richmond area) we have a lot of information listed on our site and we also meet every month . Take the time and look us up.
good luck
Bethany Pahl

[Sharon S L]

Happy Easter Everyone, just thought I would give a little update for the last couple of days

The day before good Friday, as it was Easter, I decided to wear a pair of bunny ears, which brightened up my co-workers, and other hospital staff members, one of my supervisors, had me run an errand for her up to the exec office, and she made sure I wore my ears, they loved it up there, one of my co-workers, when she wanted me, would say "hey Miss Bunny", and one hospital staff member said "isn't she cute" when she saw me with my ears, so it was a great day



On Good Friday, I had a lovely Easter lunch at Oscars, a local restaurant with 10 of my co-workers, 9 other women and 1 guy, who felt quite left out especially in regards to some of our conversations, I had a lovely time, had a nice calamari salad, and a strawberry desert, which was just Divine, and I recommend Oscars to any one who comes to the Alice, and as far as I know, I was not read, which is so very satisfying.