Heyy!

[kaLeY]

Hey Everyone!

My name is Kaley (pronounced kaylee) and I just wanted to give a brief intro about myself to all of the forum members out there.  I've been a lurker of the forum for quite some time and just became a registered user so here goes.

I'm a 23 year old biological male and am also a recent college graduate.  I've had pretty strong transgender feelings from a pretty early age (6 or 7) and have never felt comfortable with my body.  I tried pretty hard to repress those feelings; mostly out of fear about not being accepted by others...especially my family, but the feelings are always there and somehow keep coming back stronger and stronger each time.  I've always felt like I've had to set the bar pretty high because I am the eldest of 3 children and I have always felt like my parents, grandparents, and everyone else expected perfection from me.  I have certainly tried my best, but I am definitely tired of living a lie and living my life to impress everyone else!

Anyways, I want to keep this brief, so I will just say that I came out to my gf almost 2 months ago and she has been really, really, really supportive.  I also sent a pretty lengthy email to my mom this past Sunday, but haven't heard back (not sure if this is a bad sign or if she just hasn't checked her email in a while).  So far everything has been going awesome and I have been "seeing" a Gender Therapist online, getting some laser hair removal, and pretty much just getting ready to begin the journey towards my new life!

[Naari]

Hi Kaley. Congratulations on coming out. I think it is great that your girlfriend is supportive, that you are talking about it, and that you are moving forward with what you want to do! Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story.

[caitlin_adams]

That's awesome! It's kinda cool how far advanced you are given that you have only just 'delurked'.

[kaLeY]

Thanks for the really warm welcome Naari!

@caitlin:  yea, I have done lots of research for a long, long time and I finally had the courage to just put it all out there and try not to think about the negatives because I'm really excited and am just thinking about all of the positive things that will eventually come after my transition is finally completed!

[Janet_Girl]

Hi kaLeY,

Welcome to our little family. Over 5000 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 be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

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

Hugs and Love,
Janet
   

[Jillieann Rose]

Hello Kaley,
It good to meet you.

I am the eldest of 3 children and I have always felt like my parents, grandparents, and everyone else expected perfection from me.  I have certainly tried my best, but I am definitely tired of living a lie and living my life to impress everyone  else!

That sounds allot like me. I'm the oldest of 3 the only one born with male parts.
I am the oldest of my cousins on both sides of the family.
So I'm the role model for my generation.
So I was to be the perfect role model. The man.
Perfection no way could I be that but I really tried hard.
Sorry just got carried away.
I so love to chatter away now that I'm on HRT.
Welcome to Susan's
Jillieann

[kaLeY]

Hey Jillieann, thanks for the welcome!
And yes, I am the oldest in my immediate family and also most of my extended family...so pretty much all of my cousins are younger than me and I think everyone expected me to set an example for all of them.  I hope they are all ok, after I start breaking the news to my family members.  I guess I can only hope that they will be accepting of me.

[Jacquelyn]

Welcome to Susan's Kaley!

I am glad to hear that you are able to count on your girlfriend for support. 

Best of luck with your journey, I look forward to reading the rest of your posts.

Hugs,

Jackie

[kaLeY]

Hey Jacquelyn!

Nice to meet you!  Thanks for the warm welcome!
And yes, I am very grateful that my gf understands and is being super supportive!  It will be a sad day when she leaves because she is planning on moving back home after graduating from college and taking her board exams =(

[ClaireA]

Wow - we're very similar! I'm 21, (4 months till being a) college graduate, and the oldest of three kids!

I think we all know how it's like, spending years trying to repress who we are - you're in good company.

Best of luck with your mom!

[kaLeY]

Hey Claire, nice to meet you!

Thanks, I haven't heard back from my mom yet and its been a whole week already....I'm beginning to think thats a bad sign, but I could be wrong...Oh, and if you dont mind me asking, what are you going to be majoring in??  Awww, I sooo miss school already...and being unemployed sucks...I've seriously been looking for a job for months, but no one is really calling me for an interview..gahhh =(..I guess patience is a virtue!
Anyways, I hope your last semester goes awesome!  Cherish the time you have and don't study TOO hard!  Have some fun, you're 21!!

[ClaireA]

I'm majoring in Management Info Systems, but I'm already looking ahead to pursing either a MBA or MOL after I secure a job (which may be any day now!).

I hope you have some luck finding a job - the economy is brutal right now.

Anyways, I hope your last semester goes awesome!  Cherish the time you have and don't study TOO hard!  Have some fun, you're 21!!

Haha - have some fun *Check*  I'm only doing 10 credits this last semester - plenty of time to party! 

[kaLeY]

MIS, sweet!  I personally graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering and had the opportunity to go to Grad school, but I turned it down because I really wanted to get a job ASAP in order to start saving up money for my transition.
Oh and pretty cool coincidence, but I too am hoping I hear back from this one company that I just had a very long follow up interview and tour of their office and facilities with!  I hope the news will be good for the both of us!!

PS. I think I took 9 units my final semester and it was freakin awesome! Haha