The title says it! Yes, I'd been out as Julie numerous times, so much so it was becoming second nature, but that was also over 20 years ago...so a bit rusty maybe. I'm going to see my gender counsellor do I figured it was time to get some practice. This involved walking to the train station via a very busy shopping mall, waiting at a major station, catching a train changing to catch another train at an ever busier interchange and then walking ten minutes to the Gender Center. So far... I'm not aware of any weird looks...

To be honest I don't feel freaked or nervous at all. What surprises me is HOW AWESOME AND NATURAL IT FEELS. Even with the wig on I'm not sweating buckets on this hot summer day (whew, that was my greatest fear to be honest).

...to be continued...

Well good for you!

And I know what you mean by the 'it feels so natural' thing.

It's just above freezing here, so I envy you the heat.

Have a good day, Grace!

Awesome!!!!  I am so very happy for you, way to go!!! is the pic in your avatar you? if so you look fantastic, you don't have a thing to worry about.   

congrats

congratulations.

Proud of you Hun!

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 15, 2014, 05:23:14 PMSo far... I'm not aware of any weird looks...

Same here baby! I was kind of let down by the publics lack of attention myself. Anticipating some kind of issue's I had practiced a few comebacks to people's comments, but I didn't get a single one. I was going part time, but started full time instead. I wish those here worrying about passing could have our experiences. They would be able to relax a lot! Most people are oblivious!

Thanks everyone! Wow, what a great "first" experience - the worst thing that happened is that I now have blisters on four of my toes from all that walking in shoes I'm not used to walking in...no heels but a bit pointy in the toe area. My counsellor said he felt the "real me" was shining through, that he'd never seen me look so happy, relaxed and "natural" - that nothing in my presentation or demeanour gave me away and that I "looked great"...all very positive. The receptionist complimented on my summer dress and the other counsellor I've met with in male mode (once, two months ago) didn't even recognise me, she was visibly stunned when I reminded her. I then decided to stay en femme until I got to work, I phoned my supervisor who knows about my transition and asked if she wanted to come downstairs and meet me as Grace before I changed - she did, and was equally positive. So yeah, a great experience.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 15, 2014, 10:14:47 PM
Same here baby! I was kind of let down by the publics lack of attention myself. Anticipating some kind of issue's I had practiced a few comebacks to people's comments, but I didn't get a single one. I was going part time, but started full time instead. I wish those here worrying about passing could have our experiences. They would be able to relax a lot! Most people are oblivious!

Totally agree, Jessica!

Quote from: calico on January 15, 2014, 05:33:21 PM
Awesome!!!!  I am so very happy for you, way to go!!! is the pic in your avatar you? if so you look fantastic, you don't have a thing to worry about.   

Yep, that's me!

Thats really awesome Grace !!

congratz

I am sorry for this, I am, yet I must type in all caps from here on in.

IF YOU DO IT RIGHT, IT IS BORING!!!

Transition IS boring... It can happen so slowly even the changes feel normal.

The End

Congrazzles, Grace.

Quote from: Jessica Merriman on January 15, 2014, 10:14:47 PM
Same here baby! I was kind of let down by the publics lack of attention myself. Anticipating some kind of issue's I had practiced a few comebacks to people's comments, but I didn't get a single one. I was going part time, but started full time instead. I wish those here worrying about passing could have our experiences. They would be able to relax a lot! Most people are oblivious!

Yeah, I'm pretty much part-time now and uhh.. nothin', lol. Sometimes I get sir'd, sometimes ma'am'd. Not that I'm really trying when I go out though, like little-to-no makeup, and nothing elaborate. Still, enough to expect some looks. But aside from the occasional gendering-confusion with some people, nobody has given me weird looks or unkind remarks. Nobody seemed uncomfortable or anything. *shrugs* Good thing I suppose. xD

So proud of you ladies, well done.

And Grace the when are you going to work FT?

When you are comfy but it sounds pretty settled!

Simply awesome Grace!

I also agree with the boring point - I haven't yet had a chance to use one of my finely crafted comebacks that i've prepared 

Quote from: Cindy on January 16, 2014, 01:07:19 AM
So proud of you ladies, well done.

And Grace when are you going to work FT?

When you are comfy but it sounds pretty settled!

Thanks Cindy

If it wasn't for my hair and beard needing to be dealt with I would definitely go full time. Believe me, I was so ready to just bowl into work in my dress and wig and sit down at my desk but because of the beard more than anything it just wouldn't be practical. As it is I feel utterly exhausted this afternoon - it would seem I use different muscles walking in those shoes, plus the tops of four if my toes now have very painful friction blisters. I was going to go to the Sydney RSL thing Catherine mentioned in another thread but am going home to collapse instead.  oh well!

I think I'll have to build up my experiences first before going full time. Today was awesome but other than my counsellor and a few people at the gender centre I didn't talk to anyone in public (counsellor said my voice was good too). Anyway, I'm planning on late May as the likeliest time to go full time.

You are a huge inspiration. Thank you.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 16, 2014, 01:54:53 AM
Thanks Cindy

If it wasn't for my hair and beard needing to be dealt with I would definitely go full time. Believe me, I was so ready to just bowl into work in my dress and wig and sit down at my desk but because of the beard more than anything it just wouldn't be practical. As it is I feel utterly exhausted this afternoon - it would seem I use different muscles walking in those shoes, plus the tops of four if my toes now have very painful friction blisters. I was going to go to the Sydney RSL thing Catherine mentioned in another thread but am going home to collapse instead.  oh well!

I think I'll have to build up my experiences first before going full time. Today was awesome but other than my counsellor and a few people at the gender centre I didn't talk to anyone in public (counsellor said my voice was good too). Anyway, I'm planning on late May as the likeliest time to go full time.

No one ever mentions it but the hardest part of transitioning is ......finding comfy shoes!!!

Big hugs Ms Grace, it's a huge step and I can relate to the apprehensiveness before going out (my first day today too)

And the blisters! Ouch ouch now I understand why us girls need so many foot soaks and massages! God the shoes are torture devices. But so pretty ...

Move to Hawaii...

We have two seasons, Hot and Rainy.

Flip flops. Pink or purple.

I do like boots...

Quote from: oh hai! on January 16, 2014, 02:02:27 AM
Big hugs Ms Grace, it's a huge step and I can relate to the apprehensiveness before going out (my first day today too)

And the blisters! Ouch ouch now I understand why us girls need so many foot soaks and massages! God the shoes are torture devices. But so pretty ...

Congrats Doll!

You did that without telling us!!

Hope it went well
Hugs

Quote from: Cindy on January 16, 2014, 01:58:00 AM
No one ever mentions it but the hardest part of transitioning is ......finding comfy shoes!!!

How right you are!

I've long been very envious of some of the footwear women have (boots in particular) but could never quite understand the near fervour so many women would work themselves up into when shopping for or discussing shoes. But now... I totally get it! Shame 90% of the really lovely ones are definitely not comfortable.

Quote from: Tori on January 16, 2014, 01:57:33 AM
You are a huge inspiration. Thank you.

My pleasure, Tori.

Quote from: oh hai! on January 16, 2014, 02:02:27 AM
Big hugs Ms Grace, it's a huge step and I can relate to the apprehensiveness before going out (my first day today too)

And the blisters! Ouch ouch now I understand why us girls need so many foot soaks and massages! God the shoes are torture devices. But so pretty ...

Congrats to you as well!