I Really Need to Blog More

I have been intending to write something new and cool and informative for weeks now, but have been swamped by homework, work, wedding celebrations, and the like, and also plagued by writer's block to take the cake.
I guess I'll start with the briefest of updates on my transition, and then move on to the more emotional stuff that is also part of my changing life. I have now officially hit the 6 months on T mark. That happened on October 15. I feel really good about all the things that have changed. I've lost inches on my hips and thighs as they have become much more muscular and the 'soft protective layer' has migrated up to my waist. This means my jeans have gone from being very loose around the waist and tight over the hips and thighs to fitting comfortably around the waist and being baggy on the hips and thighs. I need new jeans, but currently can't afford them. I think I only have 3 pair of 36x32's so donations to the jeans fund would be most helpful! Aside from that, my voice seems to have settled at a nice low tone and I'm relearning how to sing with the community choir. I'm really enjoying that aspect of things, although I never EVER imagined that my voice would end up this low. I figured I'd be a tenor, which would mean I could sing all the cool songs on the radio just fine. Instead I'm a second bass and my range is much more narrow that I had hoped. Songs on the radio are frequently not in my range, but I manage anyway, its only in the car (mostly) LOL I'm also starting to get a little bit of facial hair that is visible. The texture of the hair has changed and some of them are actually not blonde! Unfortunately, the acne is still about the same and has gotten a bit worse along my jawline. Oh well, maybe that will start to clear up soon, but who knows. I'm still pretty tired most of the time, but that might also be changing a little (keep your virtual fingers crossed for me!) And just over the last week my appetite has really picked up. I had always heard that T makes you hungry all the time. It really hadn't for me. I don't know if it was due to lack of food availability or excess of body fat that has now become a little depleted. I just don't know.
Anyway, in other news. My brother is now married! I'm so happy and excited for him and his new bride. Congrats you guys!
The wedding coincided with my 6 month anniversary on T. It was very nice to be able to go to the wedding in a tie and slacks and not the dress that would have been standard practice years ago. It would have been nicer to have been able to be Aaron to my family and friends, but I chose stay with my given name through the wedding, so as not to cause my change to overshadow the joy of the occasion. It was difficult to be daughter and sister throughout the day. But, it was still a lovely day. It was also difficult because I had hoped a year ago that I would have a date to the ceremony and that she and I would soon be celebrating a year together after the wedding. Obviously, that didn't happen. It was hard being there alone. I still miss her, I worry about the daughter that could have been part of my life. But, I'm moving on. I'm trying to move on. I even had a sort of date on Thursday night. It went well, I think. I'm hoping it will lead to another day, but, time will tell. She is awesome, she seems very sweet, she's really cute, very smart, amazingly caring, and fun to talk to. We seem to have lots in common, so I'm hopeful.
Well, that's about all for now. Classes are going okay, a couple of exams coming up in the next couple of weeks, but that should be okay. Time now to get ready for work.
Thanks for reading.

Birthday

Today I turned 41, or 1, depending on how you look at it. I've been in existence for 41 years, but this is my first birthday as Aaron. Although, there hasn't been a legal name change, its the first one where I'm in active transition. In just two weeks I'll have been on T for 6 months! It somehow doesn't seem like it could possibly have been that long, but it has. Most of the time I pass as Male at work, as long as the customer didn't know me before, or I can keep my nametag hidden. I'm finding that pretty cool.
In other news, classes are going fairly well. Not great, but not bad either. I'm still working on my application for Radford's MSW program for next Fall. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
I'm also still fighting a kidney stone, which hurts like hell. I have an appointment with the free clinic on Thursday to see if I am eligiblse for services there. Keep your fingers crossed on that one too, as I really need to get this stupid thing taken care of. It hurts, and I'm tired of urinating blood. (sorry, that was probably TMI)
The weather has taken a turn for the chilly today. I think our high was in the mid 50's and we could have frost tonight. Not happy about that at all as I still have tomatoes on the vine that I would like to eat, and they aren't even ripe yet! I'm also worried about my roses, but I think they will probably be fine. Its getting close to time to do some winterizing on them.
Well, one more day of work tomorrow and then school for the rest of the week. Not long now until my brother's wedding, I'm looking forward to dressing up. :)
Good night all.