Voices from Beyond...? Maybe just outstanding voices!

I can't tell you how I have opened up of late, there is always so much going on. Sometimes you get lost. Sometimes you just never know what will happen.

So today I got an unexpected treat, my dear friend Felicity wanted to call me all the way around from New Zealand. It was a real treat (yes, I babbled a bit, it was just great to talk to a sister). It was wonderful to hear her voice and talked about being out and about. It made me really proud.

I really need to use the blog to be a journal, it seems every day something new and wonderful happens and I can't stand not feeling like it's worth that extra special time to write about it.

We talked about what a wonderful time I had going to SCC and taking the train and relaxing. Going down was a real treat, going out as me was even more so. Twice! In addition I got into a really wonderful chat with a girl who loves writing music, we connected so well that we shared contact information. She is a real beauty with a lovely smile. And great knowledge of music.

So much happens nowadays and with the Internet and cell phones we are a global sisterhood really. You have no idea unless you join up, but joining up is so much fun. I had a terrific time with my friends out at SCC and then coming home and I have even more friends to converse with. This is just surreal.

So despite the depression that my friend in New Zealand was facing a Monday early AM (it was about 1:30 PM on Sunday here) I can't say enough about how wonderful it was to share voices and reality. Reality is often overrated and sometimes scary. I was a little afraid to pick up the phone and reveal me, but I did and I was so glad I did. My dear friend Felicity is a great person and so warm and her voice is so special. She is a really good friend of mine, no matter what the mileage is between us! Here's her blog: http://flicdoesusa2011.blogspot.com/

So hugs for all of you that reach out and welcome new sisters or just reach out and share time with someone new. It's a special treat, and for one this girl really appreciates it.

HUGS to all who share their lives and are open about it. You make the world go round and you are all very special!!

♥Samantha♥

SCC... One Incredible Journey

No one can tell the way things will go, but going to SCC surely changed a lot of ideas I had for a long time.

First, let me bring up the incredible friends I shared time with: Christen and Joanne, Jamie, Sarah Nicole, Marsha, Ar'lene, Erica Fields, Arjay, Kristy Dantes, Cranberry Kris, Vicki LaSalle, Gina, oh the list goes on and on!

I got an incredible makeover at Sephora in the Perimeter Mall, my first time 'out' as Samantha and Shaunda was an incredible artist. She got so many hugs and thanks from me. What a sweetheart! She even wrote makeup ideas down and gave them to me, something I never expected. OMG a total ally and friend. Look Shaunda up and get a makeover from her, she is AMAZING.

We also dined out with Jamie and Erica at Seasons 52 and had a great time and good food. We shared a lot of laughs (nothing beats Joanne and I in hysterical giggles as we'd look at one another and think 'is it live or is it Memorex') and cracking up. Joanne is such a sweetheart.

Spending time with Marsha was terrific. She pointed out to me how I needed to walk tall and be proud... I wasn't conscious of it, but there it was and I took her words to heart. I was glad to extend the offer to let her have a place to stay and be able to attend. Truly a wonderful friend.

I went out not once, not twice, but three times as me and that meant a lot. Other than the dude who said I had beautiful eyes and a pointy nose. I turned off on him immediately, but it was nice to be acknowledged. I also remember the laughter shared on the bus ride back and giggling over what happened. It was great.

Jamie was most generous and helpful as was Joanne and Christen. They helped me learn a lot and be more confident in my presentation, it certainly helped me hold my head up higher and be proud of who I am and what I have grown towards. Journeys are often muddled, but this one trip will be a bright spot in my life.

Thanks also to Kristy and CK for spending time with me. The forms are AWESOME ladies and they fit so wonderfully!!

We went to the mall on Saturday and I got a couple of looks, I looked people back in the eye, something I never do in 'guy' mode. I felt a mysterious mystique and walked taller, prouder, thanks to my lovely friends Christen and Joanne. We even spent time at Lush (oh the shopping list I have to acquire!) educating them on TG issues. I told Gina if you have a frame of reference and you try, you can open up to new possibilities. We were classy and dressed respectfully, something I VERY firmly believe in! We were ambassadors of TG class and pride. We were your women on the spot and we did not disappoint. I was so scared to go out in real life, but I did it and I am proud I did.

SCC was eye-opening and relaxing as well, we enjoyed great meals and hospitality on the train and nice touristy things on the side.

There are so many wonderful memories I will cherish but I think the truth is that the most cherished memory is me, out and about, interacting and learning, loving life and feeling pretty. For that is the most blessed memory of all.

I journaled about my days there and I will condense it into a blog at some point, but I have to say that I loved being OUT at SCC, and my closest and most dear friends helped me in immeasurable ways. I am glad I went, I am happy to have been out and I learned so much about who Samantha is and what she is capable of.

Joanne is an incredible makeup artist and such a sweet friend. She and Christen are terrific friends and such wonderful support for us all. I am proud to have spent so much time with them and I DEFINITELY learned a LOT!!!

Look out world!!!

HUGS to all!!