I guess this is hello... :P

[runngirl84]

Well, I just stumbled on this site this morning, and figured, 'what the heck, i haven't got anything to lose', so here I am! hehe. I guess you could call me an 'up and coming mtf' .... I'm a 25 year old grad student (going for my PhD), still living as Mike, and living in Southern California. I'm just beginning the exploration of all of my options with transitioning (we've all got to start somewhere), and a way forward with all of this, and I guess stumbling on this site is just one step on the path toward resolving all of these issues...

So, hello! Like most other mtfs I knew from a very young age that I was supposed to be female. Would go to bed at night praying I'd wake up as a girl. Then when I was about 18 I came out as 'gay', and pushed all of the 'girl' feelings to the back of my brain. Now I'm 25 and those thoughts have gradually made their way back to the front of my brain, and every year I get older, the more I realize I've got to figure something out.

What I'm looking for now are people to talk to. People who are going through this, about to go through this, went through this a long time ago. Anyone. It sometimes feels like we are all alone in this, so it would just be nice to know that there are a bunch of you out there!

So, I'm not sure if this is the right place to Introduce myself and get involved, but hopefully one or more of you could point me in the right direction! I'm pretty easy to talk with, and I'm happy to talk about other stuff besides trans issues. Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!!

xox Mika/Mike

[cynthialee]

welcome to the group. I am a new to transition MTF (last 4 months). I have found this place to be a good resourse. I am sure you will find alot of information. Hit the referance library and start reading. Helps when you know what you are up against.
I dealt with this gender issue for my entire life. Like you I tried to push everything female to the back of the mind. Doesn't work well at all. It comes back stronger and stronger until it can break a person.
Deal with this at a young age. I kept pushing the issue away until at 41 I was faced with death or transition. That is a horible place to be in. Obviously I have chosen transition and to be honest it is rather liberating and no where near as scary as I thopught it would be.

[K8]

Welcome to Susan's, Mika. 

There's a lot of good information and good people here.  Each of our stories is unique but we have a lot in common.  Settle in, pull up a keyboard, and explore.

Be sure to look under the Announcements heading.  There you will find the rules we live by in this little world of ours: "Site Terms of Service and Rules to Live By", "Standard Terms and Definitions", and "Post Ranks".  Look through the other stuff there, too.

When I was little I figured I would just turn into a girl since I was one, but of course it didn't happen.  I also tried being gay but was never attracted to men, so that didn't work out too well.   I found Susan's early in my transition and it has helped me a lot.  I hope you find the information and support and friendship here to help you on your way - whatever your path.

Happy exploring.

- Kate

[Jillieann Rose]

Hi Mika,
Good to meet you.
We all feel along at times going through this.
Susan's really helps.
Jillieann

[Ms Jessica]

Hi Mika and welcome!  I'm also in So Cal, (Orange County) so if you're not out of county and need some info on doctors, therapists, etc, I've got quite a collection of phone numbers.  ;-)  I think there's a few other people here in the San Diego area, and then a few more up in LA. 

[Janet_Girl]

Hi Mika,

Welcome to our little family. Over 4200 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

And as Kate said check out the links below,

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar)
  

Hugs and Love,
Janet

[vrony]

Hi Mika, I'm from Liverpool in the UK so as i'm writing this you are probably fast asleep, I'm at the same stage as you and i'm quite new to Susans too and what a great place to visit. You'll find some very nice people on this site and its nice to know you are not alone and when you have a good look around there are many stories of other peoples journeys but its weired when you start reading them how familiar it all is. You tend to think to yourself on many occation "i thought it was only me who did this or that".
You will have to keep us all informed on how your journey goes as i am myself, i think it becomes a form of therapy to be able to talk to like minded people like ourselves. I have a doctors appointment today to see what he can do for me so i'm at the first step in my journey like yourself.

Hopefully speak again PM me at any time (us sisters need to stick together)

vrony 

[runngirl84]

Jessica - I'm in Orange County also!! Would be great to have some referrals, and some local contacts Plus, it's nice to chat with girls in the area. message me if you are interested!

vrony - would love to chat more. I'm on yahoo: runngirl84 if you are interested

[gennee]

Welcome to the site, Mika.

Gennee

[vrony]

Hi Mika,
Sorry that i've not replied back from yesterday but i've been a bit busy doing the family thing so not had much chance to look in except in work times like now, I would love to chat more on Yahoo later if i can get the chance to have the laptop, my yahoo is vrony04.

Since my last post on your topic i went to the doctors and he has advised me that i will recieve a letter to go to counsiling and he said that in the UK women who need corrective surgery for things like breasts etc normally get a NO when they are looking for help (restrictions due to funding etc) so just the fact that they have said yes to me is a very good sign so i'm absolutly chuffed about it. I still cant believe that i am actually doing something about it after all these years. I just need to have patience. We'll have to compare notes LOL.

Maybe catch up later

vrony 

[lizbeth]

HI Mika!

another SoCal girl here. I'm just north of San Diego and over the Ortegas from you.

[sarahb]

Hey, nice to meet you. I'm also in Orange County. It's nice to see some more younger TSs down here. When I was starting out all there ever were was older transgirls - not anything against that - it's just that it's hard to find much in common besides being TS, the other issues usually being vastly different. If you want resources I'd be happy to give you what info I have.

This place is great, you'll enjoy it here.

~Sarah