Just got home from 3 days/nights in a row of social engagements from Christmas. There was the one other gathering earlier that I already wrote about as well. Everything went very well. And I’ve been living 24/7 as me for those 3 days as well.
Christmas Eve:
An open house at my cousin’s place. This was going to be interesting, as there would be a lot of people that I’d never met before. It’s one thing to be out in public, hoping to pass, and being confident enough even if I don’t. It’s a completely different thing to actually be introduced to people, and converse with them. I did have fun at her place, but I wasn’t as chatty as I was hoping to be. I met her Dad for the first time as Jessica. Hadn’t seen him in several years, so I was expecting it to be a bit awkward. His reaction was perfectly fine though, in that there really wasn’t a ‘reaction’. Just and introduction, and that was it. As the place filled up with more and more people, we kind of got ‘wall flowerish’. Everyone else kind of knew each other, so we just stuck near to family and each other. I never felt out of place though, and had a good night.
Christmas:
Dinner at Mom’s house. There’d be at least a couple new introductions to go through this night, which I was looking forward to. My sisters’ significant others for one thing, as well as niece and nephew. So, we walk in the front door, and as I go to take my boots off, I notice my Mom’s Ex on the couch. Was NOT expecting that. ‘Don’t freak out,’ I yelled at myself inside my head. I think I managed to stay calm. I was reasonably sure someone would have told him if he was sitting there. Got all our goodies in to the house, and proceeded to the living room where presents were being unwrapped.
My niece would not come near me all night, but then she rarely came anywhere near uncle James either. She’s 3. My nephew is just under 2. He was a bit less apprehensive. But was more preoccupied with his new toys. The significant others were fine. One I’d never met before at all, seems like a good guy.
There was one pronoun slip up that I heard the whole night. Teresa says she heard 3, one of which was hers. 🙂 I can’t complain about that at all. I’m still making a mental note of introducing myself as Jess. Going back to work is going to be frustrating, as I’ll be back to being ‘James’.
Boxing Day:
Open house at my Grandpa’s. A few more introductions. Including my Grandpa and his wife (whom I will call GrandmaG). My Grandpa got my name correct (I’d heard later from GrandmaG that he’d been calling me Geraldine) LoL. GrandmaG was simply awesome to me. Made me feel so accepted and supported. I didn’t get to talk to everyone, but that usually happens at family events like this. Not everyone can stay long, and not everyone shows up at the same time.
We stayed until almost 10pm. I may not have talked to everyone, but at least I was more chatty. 🙂 Food was great. I had too much sugar, so will need to repent tomorrow. My niece finally came up to me tonight, and while my voice seemed to make her shy away, she eventually had a small conversation with me. I even got a great hug when she had to leave! My 8 year old nephew, that had been told about me earlier by his Mom, seemed perfectly at ease around me. Felt great.
My Grandpa, who had only given a handshake when I arrived, actually gave me a hug when we were leaving. That made my night. 🙂
Conclusions:
Overall I feel great. My voice is an annoyance currently. It’s not overly deep, but it’s still male sounding in my mind. I’m working on a slight variation that takes the tonality out of the chest and into the head. It’s subtle, but Teresa says it’s not bad. It fluctuates a lot currently though, because I don’t really have a reference point for it.
I don’t feel at any point, that I was unaccepted. It’s been phenomenal in that regard. I get the impression some people have more questions they want to ask, but are afraid to. I do not mind being asked questions. Any questions. Seriously. I don’t care if they’re personal questions. If I don’t want to answer them, I retain that right. 🙂 You’re likely to get more information that way, as I’m not as likely to provide personal information in casual conversation without being asked. So, if I haven’t covered it in my blog, and you want to know – ASK!!!! 🙂
I’m thinking I’m going to go beyond my 7 days of 24/7. I thought the shaving would be an issue, but so far my skin is holding up. It’s not in excellent shape, as there were a few ingrowns that I’ve had to keep shaving over, but it’s not painful. I’m happy enough with how the makeup looks around upper lip and chin, so I’m not having to use a beard cover.
Sorry this wasn’t the most ‘flowy’ entry. I’ll do better next time. 🙂
– Jess