FT at work

[Guest JennaR]

So I started my new job with Capital One today, as Jenna. Therefore, it is officially my first day ever working as a woman! And I am aware that my voice desperately needs work, as does my makeup, but nobody said a word today. All I got was friendliness, and "normal" treatment, if you know what I mean. Which was probably the best part! :-)

Jenna

[Guest]

yeah, great

Keep it up

[Guest Mickey]

That's great!

[Guest JennaR]

Oh, and for those who read about my recent misadventures, my problems have definitely been chalked up as a horrible reaction to Effexor. After a couple days off it and on Zoloft, the urge to die pretty well went away overnight, and everything is back to being fantastic!

Jenna

[Carolyn Marie]

That's an awesome post to read, Jenna. Congratulations!! You have really started this new life, and I'm so glad its all going so well. I'm equally glad to hear that you're feeling so much better. All those warnings I hear on T.V. on the drug commercials seem to have a basis in reality. I still can't get over some of them that say, "if you have thoughts of suicide, call your doctor," especially when its an allergy medication or something similar. And yet these are drugs that the FDA has approved.

Take care of yourself, and keep those positive cards and letters coming, Jenna.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

That's double wonderful news, Jenna! Go get 'em!

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Hi Jenna,

That is great! I am relieved to hear that you are off Effexor. The things that the FDA approves are simply dreadful nowadays (money speaks, and the revolving door from corporate America to federal oversight keep revolving with the same folks that keep going back and forth between the two). Oh, well. I am just relieved that you are back to being okay. It is really groovy that you are working as yourself. I will be doing that soon I hope, I haven't led a tour in weeks though (off season, and raining). I will also need to keep working on my voice, since I will need to project it (and keep it feminine) when leading tour groups. In any case, I am very glad things are going well for you. It is just plain groovy! Keep us informed on how things progress at work, thanks.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Charlize]

What wonderful news all around! Keep it up girl.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

Congratulations on a new life, Jenna.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest KerryUK]

I'm so pleased for you Jenna, well done - onwards and upwards as they say.

Kerry x.

[tracy_j]

Fantastic news Jenna

Your experiences also show how dangerous drugs can be without professional guidance!

Tracy x

[Guest JennaR]

Thank you all! I have officially finished the first week and it was awesome. Nobody has been anything but polite and friendly (or at least they haven't shown anything else in my presence, which I will gladly take). It's kind of amazing how normal and uneventful it feels, like I haven't changed at all. I am still getting a happy feeling everytime someone says "she" and "Jenna" though, like you'd think I haven't heard these things before.

Jenna

[Charlize]

Such great news. Enjoy.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

That is so great to hear Jenna! Being full time has been so much fun. I can't remember the last time I was sir'ed (even in jeans, tee and no makeup and nasty hair).

As for the drugs, I had a friend who took heart medication that gave him depression. After a week, he was back in his doctor's office begging for something else because it was an apparent side effect. Said it was the darkest thing he had ever seen in his life. I said, "welcome to my past". All of a sudden he could relate to why I was transitioning.

God bless

Ashley

[Guest]

That's wonderful news, Jenna.

Life is indeed good when we live as our identified selves.

@Ashley,

I am saddened by your friends reaction to their prescribed pharmaceuticals. However I am happy to hear that it will be an eyeopener for them to a similarity to a Trans* persons life.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest LizMarie]

Thank you all! I have officially finished the first week and it was awesome. Nobody has been anything but polite and friendly (or at least they haven't shown anything else in my presence, which I will gladly take). It's kind of amazing how normal and uneventful it feels, like I haven't changed at all. I am still getting a happy feeling everytime someone says "she" and "Jenna" though, like you'd think I haven't heard these things before.

Jenna

Isn't it wonderful? I'm approaching three months full time and it's still amazing, joyful, and worthy of thanks when I experience this!

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Hi Jenna,

Congrats on your first week of work as yourself. Full time is great! It was nine days ago when my boss Rob asked me when he should started calling me Stephanie, and I said "how about now?, and he said "sure, no problem". I checked in to work a couple of days ago, and he said the tour on the 28th has not canceled, but it is still only two guests. So starting a week from now, I will be introduced to the tour guests as Stephanie, and I hope my voice is okay. Rob has said not to worry, but I do. His answer to my question "what if I don't pass with my voice?" was "well I guess then they will just chalk it up to more of the California experience, <chuckle, grin>", and I had to laugh openly when he said that. It sure is great that you, and I on the opposite coasts of this huge country can both be accepted in the work place, what a change in the last few years! And Cara in Texas, of all places as well! Wow, I never thought that I would see the day! Sure, we need the economy to recover more, but darn these recent changes in U.S. culture regarding employment acceptance is certainly nice. I am under-employed during the "off season", so I am going to check winejobs dot com to see if I can pick up another position in the wine industry (preferably in a tasting room) to supplement my tours, and from now on I will apply as Stephanie since I know that they can ask about me at work for my reference with no name problems (I am the only Stephanie at work ). Not my legal name yet, but I am working on that, and I figure that I will just let them know about that during the interview process (if I get an interview). Sorry about hijacking the thread to talk about myself, I get so chatty, sorry.

hugs,

Stephanie