Just had my first couple of "outings" in public over the last few days. I work at Starbucks around the Houston area, and due to company policy we aren't allowed to paint our nails, but I had 3 days off so I decided to take advantage of that and paint mine. I went out of town to go visit a close  friend of mine from high school that lives 3 hours away a little north of Austin (this friend knows and is very supporting), and rather than packing a small bag, I just threw what I needed in a purse. Not once the whole weekend did I get any weird looks or anything. Then again today I had to go to CVS and get some polish remover and cotton pads before I go to work, and the woman at the register didn't even give me a weird look or anything purse and all. Slowly I am chipping away at my insecurities about going out in girl mode and it feels amazing! 

congrats

....and that just goes to show how important attitude is!  People mistakenly think that, because you want to be a girl, you can simpy turn her on.  Far from it for most of us... you need to become that girl, little by little.   And you're doing great Katie.  Just wait until the waiters are giving you complements, even though you're out with some pretty girlfriends.... it will come!   

Hugs
Julia

Congratulations, Katie!  I'll never forget my first time out.  Absolutely blew my mind.  I never realized that such joy was possible.  I hope you have many more happy outings, and maybe some day you'll make it full-time.  That's when life really becomes beautiful.