Busy week: Full time, divorce and turning 40

[Melody Maia]

Hey everyone, I've posted a new video blog where I go over what has happened over my last week. Lots has happened including my divorce, my decision to go full-time and other not quite as weighty things. I also thank you guys for being there for me in what has been a very trying week.

[KillBelle]

You look glowing, very passable and very pretty.

[Melody Maia]

Thank you so much KillBelle! That is very kind and heartening to hear. It makes me want to get out there more.

[KillBelle]

I don't see any reason as to why you shouldnt, i am brutally honest and i wouldnt have been able to guess that you were trans if i had seen you out and about. Also, you are very lucky to have such a feminine voice!! The only criticism i have is the hair, it doesnt bring out your true potential. You would look waaaaaay prettier with something longer and more flowing.

[Melody Maia]

Thanks for the honest assessment. I know you don't hold back about that stuff. I have been out and about a fair bit this week and no one, not adults, kids or teenagers have seemed to be the wiser. That has been surprising because these are my first attempts, but it has also given me courage.

I guess I am very lucky about my voice. I just hear a somewhat higher version of my own voice, but people seem to hear something else. I am still trying to refine the tone and intonation further. I think pitch is probably fine.

Totally agree about the hair. I am doing my best to grow it out and can't wait until it is longer. I suppose it is vanity, but I really like it and can't stand the thought of covering it with a wig. I will also say I might have been able to style it better tonight, but it wasn't quite laying right. I think it was much better in my video last week.

[Jacquelyn]

You forgot to mention that you will be taking NYC by storm in 2 weeks or so. You look and sound great, Melody! I can't wait to meet you when you get up this way!

*hugs*

~Jacquelyn

[Colleen Ireland]

OMG Melody you are such a cutie!!!  Truly!  Your voice, your face, your look... I would never guess in a million years.  I would not be able to "read" you if I met you on the street.  Truly, the ONLY way you will get outed is like you said in your video, if you have to give a phone number that is in "his" name or something.  Other than that, girl you are a sweetheart!!  I will admit, I came into this thread only to post "at least you're not turning 55" (yours truly), but when I watched that video, I just had to say what I've said instead...

[Melody Maia]

Awww, Colleen that was incredibly sweet! I'll admit I reread your comment, and all the others, several times because it is hard for me to see the female in myself that everyone else sees. It is my own mental transition. Thank you so much!

Jackie, lunch is on me! Although if we continue to talk as much as we did yesterday, we might just have nothing left to say and stare at each other as we eat! LOL!

[cynthialee]

You are looking very good. (have I mentioned you look like one of my x's?)
Your voice, the tone will work well enough but you are still using the male patern of speech. Women and men use diferant accents. Your accent is still in the male camp. This will fix in time with work.
sorry...
But you look great!

[Melody Maia]

You are looking very good. (have I mentioned you look like one of my x's?)
Your voice, the tone will work well enough but you are still using the male patern of speech. Women and men use diferant accents. Your accent is still in the male camp. This will fix in time with work.
sorry...
But you look great!

Thanks. I'll work on it.

[Janet_Girl]

Mel, Hon.  You are doing very well.  You look great, your voice in within the female range at the lower end.  So I would say it is time for the official name change.  Girl you are as full time as you can get.

[Melody Maia]

Mel, Hon.  You are doing very well.  You look great, your voice in within the female range at the lower end.  So I would say it is time for the official name change.  Girl you are as full time as you can get.

Thank you Janet. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am sooooo early on in this still. I only started HRT 3.5 months ago or so and I think I have made pretty good progress. Frankly, I've surprised myself. I just have unrealistically high standards because of my borderline OCD perfectionist tendencies. I know I'll get better and I appreciate the encouragement from yourself and the other ladies.

I am kicking up my move to NYC into high gear. I thought I would be here in Florida until April, maybe March at the earliest, but no, February now looks like it. I have looked at name change procedures and it turns out it is much easier to do in NYC than Florida, so full speed ahead!

Even though she would never read this because she isn't on this site, I owe so much to my youngest sister. She flew down to Texas and helped drive me to Florida. She calls me to encourage me all the time and when she saw my video she said "You are too ->-bleeped-<-ing cute!" and that put a big smile on my face.  She is putting me up in NYC and is going to introduce me to the single female life. I wish all of us were as blessed to have someone like that in their life. And yes, I WILL tell her that in person. Love you sis!

[Janet_Girl]

Oh and for the grey hairs.  Two words, Miss Clairol.   

[Stephanie.Izann]

You look fabulous honey!  I get more and more inspired when I see videos like yours. Very passable and I am very very happy that you have come out and are living the way you should.
As far as the facebook stuff, I love and hate FB.  It can sometimes feel like being in Junior High. I took down my profile because I hated it in the end.
Thanks for mentioning us on your vid!  That's what we are here for...for each other.
Maybe someday I 'll have the bravery to post my own video.  For now, I'm just a real camera shy girl.
Best to you and many HUGS!
Stephie

[Sean]

I am kicking up my move to NYC into high gear. I thought I would be here in Florida until April, maybe March at the earliest, but no, February now looks like it. I have looked at name change procedures and it turns out it is much easier to do in NYC than Florida, so full speed ahead!

Don't forget that to change your name in many places, you have to have established residency for some period of time (60 days is common). I don't know the situation with that in NYC, and I know that name changes aren't too complicated & are fairly affordable in NYC, but I'd double-check the residency thing before moving and expecting to get the name change done quickly.

[Rock_chick]

You look great hun...yay on full timeness

[Melody Maia]

@Janet: Hair coloring is definitely on the list! I've always really wanted highlights too. Just waiting for the hair to get past my ears a bit.

@Stephie: Glad I can inspire. I saw your thread today and changes due to HRT really is like putting pennies in a penny jar. I know when I look at pictures of myself from before I am pretty shocked. I used to hate pictures of myself too and, uh, I kinda like looking at myself now  It did take me a long time to get the courage to post even an avatar pic on Susan's. Oh, and your wife is right!

@Sean: Good suggestion, I'll look into the time requirements for residency. I also need to check to see if that is affected at all by the fact that I have an NYC birth certificate.

@Helena: Likewise! You look awesome and cute kitty!

[Sean]

@Sean: Good suggestion, I'll look into the time requirements for residency. I also need to check to see if that is affected at all by the fact that I have an NYC birth certificate.

Residency isn't affected by where you were born.

Also, FWIW, NYC birth certificate requires SRS/GRS to amend the marker.

[Tamaki]

Melody - Your look great and sound great! It's good to hear your sister is able to give you so much support.

Even though our paths are a bit different, I have to admit part of me is jealous. We've been on hormones about the same time and I'm just starting to step out the door and you're already full time. You go girl!

Your posts have been helpful and inspiring to me.

Keep up the good work!

[Melody Maia]

Residency isn't affected by where you were born.

Also, FWIW, NYC birth certificate requires SRS/GRS to amend the marker.

Yeah, the gender marker thing I know about. Better than Texas though where I was living. You basically have to luck into a sympathetic judge or pay the right attorney way too much money to get your gender marker changed there.