Incredible opportunity...!

[Chaunte]

Hi!

Last night, I caught up with a friend of mine and her bo.  She knows all about me and my ... home situation.  They have graciously invited me to spend a week with them as ME!  For 24/7.   

I know that for my brothers & sisters here who are living the RLT, this may not seem like very much.  For me, this is an incredible opportunity.  No hiding in the closet.  No hour here & hour there, then returning to boy-mode.  Church.  Shopping.  Lunch.  Dinner.  Whatever.  For a week, and whenever I visit, I would be me.

I am thrilled to no end at the opportunity to explore who I am in a safe and supportive environment.

I am worried that I may find that I can't do this. Or I am so much at peace that I can't go back!

And I am panicked because I don't know what to wear and pack! 

Chaunte

Thank you, Lord, for Friends like this!

[Kate Thomas]

Well dont pack any boy things!
Wow you will have a great time!
Enjoy

Hugs Kate

[stephanie_craxford]

Hi!

Last night, I caught up with a friend of mine and her bo.  She knows all about me and my ... home situation.  They have graciously invited me to spend a week with them as ME!  For 24/7.   

I know that for my brothers & sisters here who are living the RLT, this may not seem like very much.  For me, this is an incredible opportunity.  No hiding in the closet.  No hour here & hour there, then returning to boy-mode.  Church.  Shopping.  Lunch.  Dinner.  Whatever.  For a week, and whenever I visit, I would be me.

I am thrilled to no end at the opportunity to explore who I am in a safe and supportive environment.

I am worried that I may find that I can't do this. Or I am so much at peace that I can't go back!

And I am panicked because I don't know what to wear and pack! 

Chaunte

Thank you, Lord, for Friends like this!

That is soooooooooo cool, I can feel your excitement all the way up here in Canada   These must be very dear friends to have made such an offer.  They are definitely keepers.  What to wear and what to pack... that's easy.  As KateAlice mentioned, don't pack any male cloths except for one set of jeans and a top for emergencies.  Then pack everything you've got   I always end up doing that when I'm off out of town.  I make sure that I have a different outfit for each day and then throw in some spares just in case my mood changes or something   Gillian will often say "The way you are going, you might as well pack everything that you own"

So get yourself a couple of big bags and pack away

Chat later,

Steph

[HelenW]

Good for you, Chaunte!

I am worried that I may find that I can't do this. Or I am so much at peace that I can't go back!

Aye, there's the rub (to borrow a cliche)!  But, you won't ever know unless you try it. 

I'm so happy for you.  You'll probably experience a mix of joy and terror but in the end, no matter the result, you'll be a wiser person for it.  And never, ever, loose friends like that, they are truly golden.

I'll be waiting with bated breath (methinks not alone - golly where's this prose coming from?) for a full report on how it's going (or went, if you choose to tell us after).  And, I think Stephanie's advise is the best, ".  .  .  one set of jeans and a top for emergencies.  Then pack everything you've got."  That way you could change four times a day if you felt like it!

damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!
helen

[Sara]

Hi Chaunte, Here's my take on your situation. Like Steph said take a T and a pair of Jeans and some shoes but why dont you make a plan to buy some new stuff while on hols. This is your chance to get out in public with the security of your friends so take advantage of that, pack light buy big. Oh dont forget your lippy and other makeup items.

Good luck and you will enjoy every minute of it.

Sara.

[Peggiann]

OH Chaunte I smiled all the way through your post and the replies! What great News! What fantastic friends!

OK Let me say this If you chose from Stephanies advice to pack one set of male mode attire...pack it seperate and leave it in the trunk. Don't let your seeing it rain on your parade!

Now as for what to pack. There is no way I could imagine getting to have this opportunity and not having all out fun with it! Sooooo pack 2 or 3 outfits for each day if you have that many, so you can change each day as often as you like as the mood strikes you! Don't hold back. I'm sure your friends are going to be right there cheering you on and enjoying your new you with you. Be sure to pack dressy evening, Sporty evening, Girly hanging out, girly sleep wear, be sure you can layer for cool and layer off for to hot. Ask ahead if there are shows to go out to, Malls to go shopping in and bowling alleys and such for entertainment, restaruants for dinning out dressed to kill. Just so it gives you and idea. Take your accessories for hair and belts and hats and scarves, As many pairs of shoes and purses as goes with all your out fits, and jewelry and let's not forget the make up and perfume and Plussssssss? Oh yes comfy shoes for shopping hours at the mall that's a must!

Oh and if your shopping take an empty suit case to bring all you bought home in!

Gillian will often say "The way you are going, you might as well pack everything that you own" I can relate to this comment can you tell?

Big Smiles,
Peggiann

[Jillieann Rose]

Wow! Oh Wow!
I wish I had friends like yours.
Go girl go. You need to know if you can do it and if it's what you want.
Just pack what you think you need for a week. I'd pack 2 pair of jeans, dozen tops, 1 or 2 nice outfits, shoes to go with them, and night gowns/ PJ's.
Then underthings, purses, makeup, shaver, toothbrush, jewlery, a good book, ect, ect.
And yes as has already been said plan on going shopping and buy some new stuff while your there.
I'd leave the male thing at home. Comfortable pair of jeans and a top, will if you want to be more manly without a bra or makeup. Yuck!
I wish you the best Chaunte. You lucky girl.

Jillieann

[Sheila]

Way to go Chaunte!!!! You are going to have so much fun. I pack to mix and match. That way I don't have so much clothes to pack. Of course I do fill a whole suit case for two days. I wouldn't bring any male things, you can make do if in a pinch with some of your things. I always bring jeans along. Don't worry and go out and have fun. Want to hear from you when you get back. You have some amazing friends.
Sheila

[Cassandra]

Wow Chaunte,

That is so great. What can I add that hasn't already been said. Just enjoy. Best thing to pack. Shopping cloths of course. Things you can slip on and off easy so your can save time in the dressing room. Have fun and go nuts.

Cassie

[Chaunte]

I was absolutely stunned and amazed when my friends made this offer.  THank you all for being excited with and for me! 

While I am there in April (Vermont - only a few hours away), I will be offline.  I know that I will have LOTS of stuff to share when I get back - both with all of you and with my therapist.

I AM excited!

Chaunte

^{From Helen: "I'll be waiting with bated breath (methinks not alone - golly where's this prose coming from?) "
Why anyone would want to have their breath smell like bait is beyond me....} 

[Kimberly]

...
From Helen: "I'll be waiting with bated breath (methinks not alone - golly where's this prose coming from?) "
Why anyone would want to have their breath smell like bait is beyond me.... 

That depends entirely upon the bait dear lady. (I.e. what you are trying to catch!) ...peppermint comes to mind...

Have a blast and have fun Chaunte

[Valerie]

Happy for you, Chaunte, live it up girl! 

[Joseph]

Be sure to pack dressy evening, Sporty evening, Girly hanging out, girly sleep wear, be sure you can layer for cool and layer off for to hot. Take your accessories for hair and belts and hats and scarves, As many pairs of shoes and purses as goes with all your out fits, and jewelry and let's not forget the make up and perfume and Plussssssss? Oh yes comfy shoes for shopping hours at the mall that's a must!

hahhahahh    Reading this and totally not understanding why anyone would want to go to all that trouble just goes to underscore the fact that I am NOT a woman.  But more power to those who are and can enjoy these things.  Hope you have an awesome time, Chaunte!!!! 

Joseph

[Sophie]

This definitely sounds like a great opportunity! Have fun letting your true self be free.

[HelenW]

I knew I was taking a risk with that old fashioned prose!

Of course, shrimp and lobster (YUM!) are used as bait also!  So, I wouldn't really mind that too much ^{***especially since I always carry peppermints with me!***}

Knock ya self out, Chaunte.  We'll want a full report on your return!

h

[Northern Jane]

How wonderful! GO! Have a GREAT time, and forget about all the crap!

It reminds me of my teens when I would slip away from my oppressive (abusive) home and take the train to Toronto. I'd change from androgenous to femme on the train, put on a little makeup (have you ever tried that on a moving train? ) and arrive in Toronto "wild and free". I'd stay with friends and we'd all go out on the town. It was WONDERFUL - it was the only thing that kept me sane (Sane? Well, you know . . .) for those years.

Going back at the end of my visit was the most depressing thing ever - I just wanted to live like that the rest of my life. (A few years later, I DID!)