So, made it to my second group session, about 5 minutes late. I was early last time, so balances out I suppose. I hate being late.
I entered, and took a seat in between two new girls. There were 5 new girls. Unfortunately, this time around I’m not remembering the names of the 2 I sat between. There was Ry, Pa, and Sa.
So, got to do a new introduction, revised it from last time. Just basically said how long I’d been transitioning, how long on hormones, name changed, birth certificate changed, and oh yeah, transitioning at work on Monday.
Topics varied that night, everything from hair removal to gaffs. The coolest thing that happened though was Sa reciting one of her slam poems, in my opinion. I absolutely loved it. Not just the words and the message, but the delivery as well. The cadence, the facial expressions, the body language. It was so beautiful to watch.
I had coordinated going to Jenn’s after drinks/food with gals from group to talk about what’d been going on with me recently. Just feels more ‘right’ doing it in person with her. As I’m in group, I get a message (that I only noticed because I was writing something in a memo) that Rain wanted to go for a walk. I really needed a walk. So, at this point, I turned into please everyone person. I was going to make all this work. Told Rain, yes to walk. Continued on with group and would figure stuff out after.
Group ended a bit early because Dr. had to leave. So, we filed out, and said goodbye to the girls that weren’t going for drinks. Was disappointed that Sa wasn’t coming. So it was L, P, Sh, Ak and me. We went to a local pub that was strangely unpopulated for 5pm. Service seemed pretty good.
While at the pub I started coordinating things as best I could. I’d go walk with Rain, get back to car, driver her home, then head to Jenn’s. Figuring I could get to Jenn’s around 9pm. Told Rain I was going to have a snack and coffee, and then we could meet.
I really like the girls from support group. Especially the ones that went for drinks because I knew them from last session. I can easily see us all becoming good friends. After coffee and food, I headed towards meeting up for the walk. Finding each other nearly outside the parkade where my car was, we decided to just buy more time here, and start the walk.
I had half expected a short walk, or at least shorter. But I also half expected she’d still be all gung ho to do the entire sea wall. lol. And it was the latter. I was wearing better shoes this time, so I didn’t try and talk her out of it, even though she was wearing horrible shoes for doing this. Which she paid for.
We almost made it to the bridge, which is about half way through Stanley Park. We probably did 6 km one way, but then had to go all the way back to the car. So, 12 km total. The return trip was a bit slower as Rain’s feet were getting sore, and eventually I got sore as well. We stopped briefly at a bench, but didn’t stay seated too long.
I was trying to get to Jenn’s still. I was hoping she’d be able to stay up a bit late, and it looked like it might be working out. After dropping Rain at home and saying goodnight, I started towards Jenn’s. It looked like I was at least half an hour away, and it was already 9:30. It wasn’t going to happen. We need more time than that. So, we’re going to try a night this week.
I’m sad that Jenn’s didn’t happen, but I very much needed the walk with Rain. Conversation was good except a few times where I got awkwardly quiet because I still have trouble taking compliments (there’s more to it, but you all don’t need to know that).
I got home to Teresa, and we stayed up another few hours because my brain was wired about workplace transition. I finally got tired around 1am. Another hour after that I was finally asleep.
Then Full Time happened. 🙂