Saturday morning, slept till 7!  Ugh.  Got to jump up and fly getting ready in time to help at The Closet clothing boutique. Need to go to breakfast first, too, Always meet somebody new there and really look forward to it and enjoy it.  Forgot to mention, yesterday, met Erin at breakfast.  She seemed kind of shy , so I asked her to join me. (I hate to sit alone...most of the time).  From northern Maine, not a place where she can be out easily.  An hour talking over breakfast and yet another friend!  We hooked up to talk several times more the rest of the Event.  Made it to the Closet, and had fun, rehanging garments, helping people find their sizes and also helped a few find outfits that really looked great on them!  ☺️.  Went to lunch, met Greg who was holding a workshop, not transitioning, just likes to be himself? Herself? Also my age, from Connecticut;  just published a book and when I find his/her card I'll let you all know. (no worries if I mis-gendered...he/she wont care!).  

Afternoon wanted to do more workshops, so I scheduled 3, from 1pm-5pm.  The first, "There is VALUE in Financial awareness" was a very good presentation, by a young accountant, but not too relevant to me being in business my whole life.  The second, "The Power of Voice" was well worth it!  The biggest thing I took away from was just speak from your heart, not your chest or your head as many suggest.  The heart is the center of your soul and your best sound will emanate from there. Did some exercises speaking from the heart,  that's what I do out in public now all the time. I don't really Try to reach a pitch anymore, it just seems to be getting better naturally.  I feel comfortable with it in public and everyone I talk to seems to be, too. The Last, " MTF Surgical options",  I found I already knew quite a bit about.

Now, rush, rush, to get ready for the banquet and the cocktail hour 6-7.  Dressed in my gown for the first time, really worked hard on getting dolled up just right,💇‍♀️ LOL  Down there at 6:45, and mingled a bit   The banquet tables sat 8 and found one in the center not right up front, but real close center.  Four people were already seated that I didn't know so I decided, hey, I could always use more friends, right?  By the time dinner started 3 others I already met joined us.  The food was excellent, and the service impeccable. The keynote speaker,  CeCe Mcdonald was very good, too, and, after getting past the activist, political aspects her message, I felt it was very relevant!   Don't back down, stand your ground, insist on your right to be who you are, get out there and  be seen.

After the banquet,  my friend Linda, tried to teach me how to pose for photos, taking a few dozen pics from my cell phone.  Sorry girls, need more lessons yet before I post any here, HAHA. Never thought of it,  but I should of gotten photos with everyone I met; it would have helped me to remember their names better. The rest of the night more dancing. 😎 

Jessica