Hi folks,

Being new here, but lurkinng for a short while, I would like to take the ooportunity to introduce myself. Knowing something was amiss all my life, I've only recently discovered that I'm a trans woman - all thanks to a couple of years of soul searching (and some recent professional help to confirm what I already knew).

Although my user name here is "Christiane", Ive settled on using a name I'm more comfortable with, that of Melanie Jean, which has a nice ring - at least to me (and others I've spoken with).

I'll work it out with the admin on changing the user name later.

At 57, and somewhat older than many here, I discovered that there are quite a few in the same boat as I. It's nice to see others that I can directly relate to. I'm a former IT admin for a local hospital here in So California, but I've been running my own gig since October 2001, something that won't make me rich, but keeps me busy and much happier that I answer to no one.

I'm currently separated from my wife, but this has nothing to do with the discoveries about myself. I also have a grown child who teaches in So Korea that I'm incredibly proud of.

I live in a house that my great grandfather bought in 1926, owned by my grandfather, my dad, and finally me. Not a big place, but it does have a good deal of outdoor space - enough for a bunch of cats. I'm also frequented ny the local racoons, opossums and the occasional fox, which makes for intereting evenings keeping them from getting inside the cat door.

My hobbies include motorcycles, classic VW vans, RC planes and model railroading. I also love following historic and/or abandoned lumber railroads in the Sierra Nevada range, and I'm now saving my pennies to buy a bright yellow Jeep that I can use to explore with.

Ive been presenting full time since Jan 19 of this year, having finally decided that I could no longer exist as my old self. It was only after this date that I actually sought professional help, but this was mainly a formality - I knew and understood who I really am. FWIW, I start HRT next week and I feel like a kid at Christmas! I can hardly wait to see what Santa brings in the comming months and years!

Anyway, that's enough for now. I look forward to participating in the many active discussions here at Susan's Place!

Thanks for listening. Love to all.

~Melanie

Bienvenue

Merci beaucoup.

Amour a toutes.

~Melanie

Welcome Melanie.


Tony

Hi Melanie, it's nice to meet you! Though you've been lurking for a while, let me officially welcome to you the best place on the internet for folks like us. I see you've really jumped in with both feet, and that's wonderful!

I've got you by two years in age. I'm 59 now, and started transitioning last year. It's never too late. There's still a lot of living to be done!

You've been lurking for a while, so you may have seen the following before, but here are a list of guidelines that can help you get the hang of how things work here.














Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Again, welcome!

Stephanie

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Love to all.

~Melanie

Hello Melanie (aka Christiane) : 
I see that you already received an official welcome message from Steph2.0, but please allow me to also WELCOME you to Susan's Place.  You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others about your transition and to read about others transitions and their trials, tribulations, and successes in their transition journey. 

It is nice that you have signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other members.
When frustrated or if you have a successful moment in your journey you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....

Since you are new here and may have questions and concerns, this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances. 
Be aware that there are lots of members here that can identify with the issues that you brought up in your introduction posting.

***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

Please come in and get involved at your own pace.  Be sure to look at the Links that Steph2.0 posted below her welcome message to you, there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.
Again, Welcome.
Danielle

Hi Melanie 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

Thanks - will do.

Love to all.

~Melanie

Always loved the name Melaine, welcome!

Thank you, Danielle. Everything appears to be working well.

Love to all.

~Melanie