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So today I almost got kept out from going back to work from lunch!!! Ok not really. But! We have ID cards to get into the building - mine hasn't been updated yet re my name and picture (for no apparent reason I was waiting until my legal name change went through, but HR confirmed I don't need to). When we scan into the building our pic comes up on a computer monitor at the security post near the entrance. Usually this doesn't matter as I know all of the security people so I doubt they even look at the screen. Today after lunch I entered through a side door where there was just one, new security guard. AS I waited fot the nearby elevator I saw that he kept looking between the screen and me, looking confused I don't know what he would have done, a maintenance person I know happened along right then and stared chatting with me, confirming I work there. (Pretty sure I could have convinced him if I had to) Anyhow, tomorrow morning i'm going to get a new card with corrected name and picture

I have recently purchased some new outdoors / country boots, because they are so much more stylish than my old walking boots which although are pretty unisex looking were none-the-less bloke boots - ughh. So these new boots are Dublin River Boots, they're almost knee length to within an inch (25mm aprx), they were advertised as waterproof and breathable with other desireable qualities too, I think they were originally for horse riding but are also advertised as leisure / country boots. So Sunday's forecast was for heavy downpours of rain, what an ideal day to test out my new boots! So with my friend Sharon, we set off for the small and picturesque town of Bewdley on the River Severn which is about 25 miles west of where I live. I parked my car in the station carpark and walked off north along the East bank of the river which parallels the preserved steam railway. the begining of the walk is along a delightful country lanewhich after a mile and a half or so finishes and becomes a narrow footpath. Now one of the reasons for buying the new boots was because they'd be so much better than ankle boots in tall wet grass, so i soon had an opportunity to try them out in such grass near a couple of reservoirs, they were great and totally waterproof. Continuing our walk under the railway / river bridge we were in very muddy conditions and brown puddles - no worries for my boots. We reached Arley which is the next riverside village north from Bewdley soaked through, our outdoors coats were found very wanting! so we looked like a couple of drowned rats. We had decided to cross the pedestrian only bridge & pop into the pub on the opposite bank for a pint or so of cider, it was truly delicious (Thatchers Gold from Somerset), I gave up trying to dry my hair with the hand dryer in the toilets, and sat with hair dripping whilst drinking my pint. We had decided to catch the train back to Bewdley so we set off for Arley Station a hundred yards or so uphill from the pub. If the walk took nearly 2 hours, the train journey seemed ro take only 5-6 minutes. Before transitioning I used to go to this railway a lot, because Steam engines have been an interest to me since childhood, and I don't see why my transitioning should alter that, I'm highly unlikely to start liking dolls houses etc. Anyway I always used to visit the 2nd hand bookstall on the station that specialises with railway books, and the old guy that runs it used to recognise me. I was always sort of wary about marching in as Eve, but I thought that I'd had such a bvrilliant day so far, this was really the last test for me to go in search for a suitable book, and pay the old guy for it. He had seen me at a local pub in December when I first became full-time Eve and had stared at me making me feel very uncomfortable, so this was a last test of my self confidence, I just had to do it or otherwise I'd never be truly Eve. Well I did it just marched in nonchalently found a book, walked up to the counter stared him straight in the face and he served me politely, charging only £2 for a book marked at £4, I didn't really give him a chance to make me fell anything other than a customer. When we got to the car sharon said that he did look at me with a puzzled face when I walked past the counter, you know what I couldn't care less whatever or whoever he thinks I am, & yes I will return to buy more books in the future, I know now that there isn't anywhere much that I wouldn't go to. We both felt pleased with our walk along the picturesque river and beautiful countryside, the poor weather just added to a sense of adventure, I was in awe of my boots and the bookshop was like the cherry on top of the cake.........Eve can do whatever Steve used to do! Cheers, Eve

Lots of people don't open their eyes when taking pictures, I was one a while back but learned to open my eyes, the smile came naturally where it did not in the past because I was a misplaced girl in a boys body.

Congratulations Christie!!!

Monica, The boots are made in Ireland, they're very fashionable over here, I think you must have assumed english riding boots because of my nationality LoL, I don't do horse riding either, but I do love the Northern European outdoors and countryside. Christie, Well actually the pub that we went into was a first too, Eve hadn't been in a country pub before, but I hadn't even realised it at the time, I was just being myself, doing what I'd have done pre-transition, I didn't get treated any differently than a cis woman so it was fine, I 'spose i passed, but I didn't think about it at the time. What can I say about being authentic, just relax, be yourself and you'll present as being your true self, oh and it get's easier day after day. I find on the rare occassions that people read me they just don't know what tro do or say, they just seem to freeze, which is why they stare, they mostly don't seem to do it intentionally. I think my next test is to stop staring back as this probably seems hostile, and to walk over to them and say something like "Yes I'm transgendered, hello, and don't be afraid to ask in a freindly manner, but please, most transgender people do hate being stared at". I hope I can remember all that for when I need it! Cheers, Eve

Eve, It's so nice to pass another "test"! I feel like i'm still hitting then on a daily basis - today it was a shopping mall near me. Every day going out as authentic me still feels hard, but every day also seems to have new rewards for doing just that xoxo Christie

Dear Eve, Your boots look very cute, and do not look like the English riding boots you refer to. My nieces (in their 30's) absolutely love their English riding boots, and find them fashionable, even though they have no interest in riding! Think it is great when ladies go out and enjoy the outdoors, even when it is raining! Your friend, Monica

Just steer clear of the rampant ones for a year or so dear !

Stephanie, You're thinking of Reminder Rabbit! :-) (great, now I want to get a stuffed rabbit) Christie

Hiya Christie. Motivation Monkey, Can also be a Reminder, that You are doing Fantastically, with Your Transitioning ! Christie You Enjoy The Rest The Day. Take Care, With Very Best Wishes, Stephanie. xoxo

My furry friend is "motivation monkey" :-) She's a visual reminder to keep doing the things I know I want/need to do (I really just bought her at a time when I thought that would be helpful, so I figured I'd give her the job)

Perhaps I'll open my eyes the next time I take a selfie!

Hiya Christie. Your ID Photograph, on Your ID Pass is Terrific, Very Pretty, and Very Feminine. Your Furry Friend in the Main Photograph, is Great As Well, and as Eve said, it does make it " A Furry Occurence " ! Christie, You ARE Doing so well Love, and You CAN Be Very PROUD Of Yourself. Well Done. Christie, Give Your Furry Friend a Big Hug for Me as Well Please ! Take Care, Speak Soon, and Very Best Wishes, Stephanie. xoxo

Shit Christie, I said funny occurrence, not furry occurrence ! LoL well done !

Hiya Christie. Another Hurdle, You are Crossing ! Well Done Love. At Least You are proving to everyone, that You are You. Good On You Christie Love. You are making Excellent Progress Young Lady. Take Care, And Very Best Wishes, Steph. xoxo

Hiya Monica. It would be Wonderful, if All 4 of Us, could Meet Up, and Even Eat Ice Cream as well ! It would be great to just spend some time with You Monica. Take Care, and don't Eat too Much Ice Cream, Oh Go On, Do Eat too much Ice Cream ! L.O.L. With Very Best Wishes, Steph. xoxo

Hiyya Eve. Firstly, Lovely Photograph's, of You, and You with Sharon. ( Two Lovely Ladies, enjoying a Day Out ! ) Nice Boots, as Well. Eve, I Love Steam Trains. I don't know if You have ever been to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, at Quainton, or The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. ( I have Not been on the Chinnor Line, Yet ! ). Going Out Does get easier. I saw an Old Friend, on Saturday, called Matt. It was the first time I had seen him to really speak with, since Coming-Out as TS. He was completely cool about it, and told Me that He will support Me as well. I was very Happy with that. Long Tall Sally is a Brilliant Ladies Fashion and Footwear Shop. Have a Look on-line. That is where I get My Shoes from Now ! I Am Glad You enjoyed Your Walk and Steam Train Journey. I Hope to see Annette Later this Morning, if Not, I will try and see Her Tomorrow. ( Will tell Her You send Her and Miranda A Big Hello ! ) Eve, Take Care, Have a Good Day. Best Wishes, Steph. xoxo

Well Christie, soon enough you'll look back at this as a funny occurrence, but my advice is, no doubt the same as you probably have now decided, change all you can as soon as you can with regard to identification documents. How are you getting on with other staff and pupils generally? I hope that you're getting on well with your hormones, noticed anything different yet? Cheers, Eve oxo

Dear Christie, First, you look GREAT and PASS PERFECTLY on your new I.D.! Second, because of the recent terrorist acts, security guards and police officers are being VERY CAREFUL. Can't blame the new guy, because he doesn't want to mess up early in his career with your school. Some institutions test security guards by sending in non-employees to see if security guards are on the alert. Am glad your maintenance friend helped you out, probably without even realizing it! Your friend, Monica

Hiya Christie. You Certainly Put A Smile On My Face. Reminder Rabbit. That Sounds Lovely Too. You Really are A Sweetie. A Real Feminine Female. Christie, You will have to get a soft Toy Rabbit Now. Especially as You Have Said it L.O.L. Have A Really Lovely Evening Christie Love. Take Care, With Very Best Wishes, Stephanie. xoxo

Dear Roxanne, Steph and Eve, Absolutely LOVE ice cream and chocolate. Never heard of different kinds of chocolate toppings! Am so glad you ladies are getting out and about. Would love to spend time with all three of you! Your friend, Monica

Dear Steph, I love you for that sentiment, but I am afraid my doctor does not! LOL! Miss having face to face friendships! Your friend, Monica