Hello from New Zealand

[lemon_ice]

Well it's very nice to meet you all, and I very much looking forward to getting to know some of you much better. Please put your hand up if any of you are also in NZ too! 

So a bit about me, I was born "cis male" and like most/all on here, I've been questioning my gender identity for a very long time, more from about age 10 or 11 for me, so maybe a little later than many, although puberty (which when I saw what it was doing to me, was very disturbing) didn't start for me until kind of late, I was often mistaken for a girl around this age due to my, looks and quiet, passive nature, although there was also fiery temper and low tolerance of fools lurking in there too lol.

Well I'm 30 now, although I look much younger thank god (I'm very lucky considering how much time outdoors I've spent, and the ozone hole we have down here lol), but more importantly I am finally in a place where I finally accept and mostly like who I am, gender aside. I've just finished a BSc in geology (I love rocks!!!), as well having a successful technical trade background, and I am just trying to get some geology work experience now before starting an MSc, so life is going pretty well all things considered, aside from a few minor niggles
So I'm probably not sounding too feminine right now I guess lol. I haven't really cross dressed much, and I did not play with dolls as child very much, I was more of a quiet reading type (mostly science, both fiction and non fiction), I enjoyed lego and nature too, and being a country kid I liked being outside. Now as an adult I definitely do not care for soap operas or women's magazines (well I can't help myself when I'm bored at the hairdresser I must admit lol, but I don't buy them.), however I love quality arthouse romance films and I can't help but cry when I read some of my favourite beautifully tragic books. I actually find the popular pigeon holing of what is feminine and what is not often rather offensive and a great disservice to many of the wonderful intelligent and capable women I know, things are changing though and I think NZ has often been ahead of the curve in that respect.
To me my gender is a much more subtle thing and so much deeper than nail polish and shoes, it's a certain gentleness of nature, an indefinable (by me at least after two wines this evening lol) difference in "energy" to the more overtly competitive and direct male spirit. I just react to and process things differently to my male friends, I seem to have much more in common to my female friends in that regard. When I can think of a better way explaining it I'll edit this lol.

As for the practical considerations, I have no children or partner to worry about, in fact I've been happily single and generally celibate for many years, but I do not wish to be so forever, I would prefer to only ever get into a relationship in my true internally identified gender. Physically, I'm relatively tall unfortunately; 6'0" but it is mostly leg, however through some quirk of genetics I have a slim toned upper body, thin waist and wider hips, with a lush feminine booty and very smooth feminine skin with little body hair. I've had GG's comment on the skin and hips/waist a couple times, which I had feigned embarrassment about at the time while feeling like the cat who got the cream lol. Oh and very thick wavy hair with no sign of male pattern baldness, so things aren't too bad on thr practical side of things apart from my honker of a nose lol, I plan on getting facial feminisation surgery in Thailand fairly early on though.

Anyway I'm really just starting out now, so any advice would be great. I'm currently just looking for a trans friendly local GP to get my psych referral so I start on HRT. I've done a lot of research so have been aware of the process for about 8 years, but I'm still finding out about specific hormone and anti androgen meds. I'm definitely planning on going all the way with this at this stage, it has been a long wait to get to this positive space and I don't want to waste any more years.

Anyway, its great to be here any advice etc would be great!! 

Philippa

[V M]

Hi Philippa 

Welcome to Susan's    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

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Hugs

V M

[Ms Grace]

Hi Philippa, welcome to Susan's. I'm one of many Aussies, but there are few Kiwis about too.

[Cindy]

Hi Philippa,

Welcome from another Aussie.

You will find lots of information in the wiki to help you, and of course ask away. I have a friend (an ex mod here) in Wellington who transitioned very successfully several years ago and the NZ system seemed to be quite friendly to TG people, so I hope you have a smooth ride.

Hugs and welcome

Cindy

[lemon_ice]

Aww thanks for warm welcome gals, its great to be here   

V M, thanks for the hug and I will be sure to study up

Wow Grace, that's a lovely photo of you in your avatar, very nice, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only kiwi lurking 

And thank you Cindy, any contacts in NZ would be most appreciated, I'm in a small, fairly conservative town by NZ standards and don't know any other trans people yet.. so thank you    Yes NZ does seem to be quite friendly, getting onto funded hrt does not seem to be to terribly difficult, and general policy seems to be quite accommodating, but unfortunately to get much further one must look overseas as we are only little country and do not have the easy access or much choice when it comes to surgery. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for the hug, really looking forward to getting to know you better

Philippa

Ps, my apologies for the novel of a first post, I didn't realise until I saw it posted.. thank you all for taking the time to read through it  It was rather therapeutic putting it all out there, I'm feeling wonderful right now, so thanks again 

[WeeRobyn]

Hi Phillipa,

glad to see another Kiwi on here 

I know what you mean about the small town thing and being a six footer as well but what I wouldnt give to be 29 again!  (40 now!)

I also wrote a novel then thinned it down but yours was good reading and yes it does make you feel better to just get out.

Im glad you are looking at this now as I have just written a 10 page letter to my wife trying to explain it all, thats the trouble with denial is it lets you get married and have kids. Its probably not the place for it but I told her I was a coward and a liar for not fronting when we started going out, she called me selfish when I fronted about my crossdressing but I am still working through telling her I am transgender. I am hoping that because I am keeping all my bits and pieces that she may adjust to having a lesbian husband - just a couple of extra breasts to contend with!!

Anyway hope to chat later.

[Windy]

Hi Philippa.
There are a few of us kiwis lurking here under the ferns, although we don't seem to be particularly noticeable at times.  I guess its that nocturnal thing or maybe just the time zones.

Anyway its nice to see you and WeeRobyn here.  I was beginning to feel a bit lonely as well.  Its great that you are thinking transition now.  The sooner the better I think.   Whilst I am a lady of a certain age, and to some eyes I may have started late, but no matter your age a new life begins nonetheless.  Don't be to impatient because things do take time, especially electrolysis! 

Hope to chat again
Hugs

[Jessica Merriman]

A big warm welcome Philippa! Sounds like you have met the Aussie contingent and what a group they are! You can add a new sister from The U.S. (Oklahoma) to your list now! I hope you enjoy it here, learn a lot and make tons of new friends!

[lemon_ice]

Thank you all for your kind replies I'm sorry I did not realise anyone had posted on here since last week, its great to hear from some fellow Kiwis

Thanks Robyn, I really hope things get easier for you and your family, I can't imagine how hard that must be.. Thanks for the advice, I do really have to sort this out now.. I can't stand the thought of hurting someone with this. This is one of my big reasons for finally admitting to what is really going on with a whole heart

Thanks Windy, LOL about the lurking Kiwi!! that is so true! That made me laugh a lot thanks. Thanks for the kind words too, I always feel better after coming to this site, and its people like you that make it that way I think thanks again.

Hi Jessica, yes there a re a lot of Aussies now that you mention it! I'll try to be careful and not leave anything too valuable lying around Well its great to have a sister in the USA, thanks I've actually done a lot of travelling around the US and had an amazing time, despite the current global reputation, I encountered an amazing level of hospitality and friendliness in my time on the states. I hitch hiked around 10 thousand miles through about 20 states, but I never made it to Oklahoma unfortunately, about the closest I got was probably Austin TX. I would love to check it out sometime though I'm a little worried I'll be arrested if I try to go back to the US unfortunately though lol..

Philippa