Hello Everyone

[Jamie Xu]

Hello Everyone,

Long time viewer of this site, thought I might join up today. Long story short. I'm trans, but I still have a very long way to go in my transition. I don't know anyone in real life who is trans so it's nice that we can communicate in here. I have been working on my social anxiety and depression for some time and have them under control. I'm currently seeing a well known transgender psychiatrist in Australia and the plan is to have SRS/GCS/GRS in about 12 months.

Thanks for all your posts I have been reading over the last two or more years and thanks for reading my first one.


Edit: I deleted a post I posted before Kendra replied. I said I was a misfit because no one had replied to me yet. But she did

[Kendra]

Hi Jamie, I'm here.  And you're here!  I am also a misfit in my own way, great to have company.   

If you are working with a good transgender psychiatrist, you have already taken a very important step - and I want to congratulate you.  Some of our most difficult challenges are invisible and come from within.  I have found the physical changes I've made so far definitely help but are not as important as my frame of mind and understanding who I am.  I have learned to be a bit more patient with my own changes after realizing this isn't a short term goal. 

One of the other things I have figured out is - I have probably met and known several transgender people and never realized it.  Some people aim for the middle of the spectrum or are gender-fluid, but some manage to transform appearance and mannerisms so completely you would never guess.  And most importantly, each individual has their own way of expressing gender identity.  Some people take charge of this definition and get it to match who they are, and some don't.

We have some guidelines to help keep this all running smoothly, I'll paste them here for you.  We always provide this to new members. 

A Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.

We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.

If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.


I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site.  It is important for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Jamie I am glad you decided to join.  Welcome to Susan's!

Kendra

[Jamie Xu]

Hi Jamie, I'm here.  And you're here!  I am also a misfit in my own way, great to have company.   

If you are working with a good transgender psychiatrist, you have already taken a very important step - and I want to congratulate you.  Some of our most difficult challenges are invisible and come from within.  I have found the physical changes I've made so far definitely help but are not as important as my frame of mind and understanding who I am.  I have learned to be a bit more patient with my own changes after realizing this isn't a short term goal. 

One of the other things I have figured out is - I have probably met and known several transgender people and never knew it.  Some people aim for the middle of the spectrum or are gender-fluid, but some manage to transform appearance and mannerisms so completely you would never guess.  And most importantly, each individual has their own way of expressing gender identity.  Some people take charge of this definition and get it to match who they are, and some don't.

We have some guidelines to help keep this all running smoothly, I'll paste them here for you.  We always provide this to new members. 

A Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.

We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.

If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.


I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site.  It is important for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Jamie I am glad you decided to join.  Welcome to Susan's!

Kendra

Thanks Kendra. I was getting a little upset everyone else had replies and I had none.

[Kendra]

Sometimes it's a time zone thing.  Susan's could easily set up an auto-reply for new members but I'm glad we insist on a personal approach instead.  I think it's best if people can take the time to read and think and then reply. 

Also sometimes I can't reply quickly.  People frown at me if I use my PC while driving on the freeway.   

[beeshellaknees]

Hi Jamie,

I also posted my introduction thread a couple of days ago. I fully agree that the wait for the first reply is nerve-wracking... but every response people get seems very kind and thoughtful. Personally, I'm guessing some people who view threads and don't respond are just worried they don't have something special to say-- the frequent posters here have set the bar very high Not that I agree, even a short "hello" or "welcome" can do a lot to brighten a person's experience on here! Just offering another way to look at it, if you will!.

Welcome to the forum nonetheless, and I'm looking forward to seeing you around!

[Jacqueline]

Hi Jamie,

Yup, lots of time zones for people to be set in.  Welcome.

With warmth,

Jacqueline

[Laurie]

Hi Jamie,

I'm Laurie and I am sorry that I helped let you down by not greeting you when you created this post. You see Jamie I fancy myself as a self appointed unofficial greeter here at the site. Therefore I feel I've been remiss in my duties by not being there for you. I've been a bit preoccupied of late with myself. So what do you say, shall we begin anew?

  Hi Jamie I'm Laurie. Welcome to Susan's place ((Hug)) come on in and join us girl. Get yourself in her and help us get to know you better. Sit down, sit down yeah that's a good chair it's Cindy's she off sleeping right now as I imagine you probably are since you both are in the land of OZ. (some good people there) I'm glad you have decided to join us. I want to say I'm new too but I guess that would be pushing it since I joined back in November I think and started my HRT journey in December. So I've been here nearly 8 months now. But it is still new and exciting for me as I open the dark doors and step out into the like discovering who I am and what I was meant to be. I am sure your own journey will be as exciting as mine has been and I am looking forward to hearing more about as time goes on.
  Know that you are wanted and needed here Jamie. Once again welcome to Susan's.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. Our staff is unpaid and primally located in the United States and Australia so there is sometimes a coverage gap between when you posted and about now. On top of that, we are a bit short handed and often I will let introductions slip a little if I have more serious issues with another member. Last but not least, I have coined a new abbreviation, aatk -asleep at the keyboard.  More than once my boss in Australia has wondered what was going on with me as midnight for me is about 6PM for her. I will pay attention to you if you are dealing with an issue that I can help you with and if I miss your post, feel free to contact me directly.

[V M]

Hi Jamie 

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

A misfit huh? ...Well welcome to the club 

Hugs

V M

[Jamie Xu]

Susan's could easily set up an auto-reply for new members but I'm glad we insist on a personal approach instead.

Yes, I prefer your personal approach too. Thanks for being here Kendra.

Hi Jamie,

Hi beeshellaknees, thanks for welcoming me too. Nice to meet you. Yes think you might be onto something.

Hi Jamie,

Hi Jacqueline, thank you.

Hi Jamie,

I'm Laurie and I am sorry that I helped let you down by not greeting you when you created this post. You see Jamie I fancy myself as a self appointed unofficial greeter here at the site.

Hi Laurie, no need to be sorry at all. Thanks for welcoming me so kindly, very much appreciated. *Hugs*

Welcome to Susan's Place.

Hi Dena, no problem at all. I was a little moody and tired and I should be more patient. Thanks for the welcome and all work you do here.

Hi Jamie 

Welcome to Susan's Place 

Hi V M, thanks. Yes I do feel like a misfit in our strictly male or female western society. *Hugs*

[Dan]

Welcome, Jamie, a fellow Aussie!

I'm in Qld by the way.

I have to say I don't really know anybody else in real life who is trans either. I have met one person many years ago, but then I was pretty naive and had no real idea. Other than that, I do know the daughter of a friend who is transitioning, but I do not know anyone in real life who don't live thousands of km's away.

It does feel a lot less isolating knowing that Susan's Place exists, where people share their experiences and provide support for each other. Until recently, I didn't know the term transgender, and I kept my 'weird' thoughts to myself.

Anyway, good to have you here.

[Jamie Xu]

Welcome, Jamie, a fellow Aussie!

I'm in Qld by the way.

I have to say I don't really know anybody else in real life who is trans either. I have met one person many years ago, but then I was pretty naive and had no real idea. Other than that, I do know the daughter of a friend who is transitioning, but I do not know anyone in real life who don't live thousands of km's away.

It does feel a lot less isolating knowing that Susan's Place exists, where people share their experiences and provide support for each other. Until recently, I didn't know the term transgender, and I kept my 'weird' thoughts to myself.

Anyway, good to have you here.

Hi Dan, thanks for the welcome:). I'm in Victoria, about two hours out of Melbourne. I have to travel into Melbourne for my transgender related needs. I may have found an endocrinologist in my home city though. I see you just stated T, that is awesome. I hope it goes well for you. T is kind of my enemy, but I think you will like it.