It was such a wonderful weekend. My brother-in-law and his wife and my partners mom came for a visit and I could't have asked or wished for anything better. I just can't believe how accepting and caring everyone was. J even kissed me. It feel so natural.
The whole week was great really. I was in good spirits the whole timeand drivers booking off sick didn't even bother me. I conducted four safety workshops for the drivers one each day, and they went off with out any problems and I think that the drivers liked the way I conducted myself and the lectures. Life is becoming so much easier now, it seems we can make plans to do things without fear of consequence, and maybe start living a normal life. Who knows. I know that I am very happy right now.
The rest of the weekend will be spent with the usual mundane things. I have to do my laundry, and tidy up a little, but that's about it really. I'll do some work on Susan's Wiki, which looks as though it is going to be a major undertaking. I was recently promoted to Administrator at Susan's and I hope that I can live up to the expectations.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
...some fun for a change
Yesterday wasn't the greatest one that I've experienced, that's for sure. We had to have the car towed as the front struts broke. So it's more money into the pile of junk. Hopefully the darn thing will last us another year and a half or so, by then we will be able to afford a new one. Who knows...
Anyway, Gillian came out to more people at work and it seems to have gone very well. Now if only I could get my family onside life would be so much easier. Oh well it's their problem not mine.
We went out for supper last night as a way of making up for the day and to end it on a good note. We both had the salmon, which was very good. I had red wine, and Gillian had a large draft. We chatted for quite a while about our families, and all in all we had a good time, and we vowed that we should do more of this and start having some fun for a change. A great way to end the day...
Anyway, Gillian came out to more people at work and it seems to have gone very well. Now if only I could get my family onside life would be so much easier. Oh well it's their problem not mine.
We went out for supper last night as a way of making up for the day and to end it on a good note. We both had the salmon, which was very good. I had red wine, and Gillian had a large draft. We chatted for quite a while about our families, and all in all we had a good time, and we vowed that we should do more of this and start having some fun for a change. A great way to end the day...
Sunday, November 13, 2005
...to Ottawa with another couple
My partner and I went to Ottawa with another couple for the weekend on Saturday November 12th. We had tickets to see Chris Deburgh in concert, and we wanted to do a little shopping as well. It was a great weekend. We arrived about noon and went to a couple of stores shopping before checking in to the hotel. I brought some tools and my partner brought some items for the house. That done it was off to the hotel, where we checked in and got settled in our rooms before supper. Supper was at 5 PM and it was quite good. The resurant wasn't busy, and the service was great, and I had the salmon, one of my favourite foods.
At 6:30 PM we set off for the concert. We had great seats in the second row, just to the left of centre. While I'm not a fan, the show was very good. He sang for about 2.5 hours straight to a sellout crowd, who obviously enjoyed the show by the number encores he received. After the show it was back to the hotel where we sat in our friends room drinking wine and chatting back and forth till about 1:00 AM.
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and found this great dinner where we all had huge breakfasts before we set off back home. It trully was a wonderful weekend. It was great to be with true friends. We are starting to get quite close, which is nice as they want us to pick the next concert we should go to.
At 6:30 PM we set off for the concert. We had great seats in the second row, just to the left of centre. While I'm not a fan, the show was very good. He sang for about 2.5 hours straight to a sellout crowd, who obviously enjoyed the show by the number encores he received. After the show it was back to the hotel where we sat in our friends room drinking wine and chatting back and forth till about 1:00 AM.
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and found this great dinner where we all had huge breakfasts before we set off back home. It trully was a wonderful weekend. It was great to be with true friends. We are starting to get quite close, which is nice as they want us to pick the next concert we should go to.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Children are wonderful...
Yesterday, November 9th, a driver phoned in sick at the last minute so I jumped in and took the school route. It was a public school with children from K to 8. Half way through the run a couple of children at the back of the bus asked me if my name was Phil. Ooooops, I thought...
(A bit of history... last year I gave these same children school bus safety lessons as my former self who shall be forever nameless) Back to the present...
It flashed through my mind that they recognised my voice, but I told them "No, my name is Stephanie". Nothing more was said, however and couple of the children gave me a good look when they got of the bus at their stop.
Today the driver who was off sick yesterday came into the office after her run and gave me an envelope with 48 hand written apologies in it from the children on the bus for the way they treated yesterday. I asked her what this was all about as I had no clue what went on yesterday. Apparently one of the children was very upset about what some of the other children were saying about me and told her neighbor, who also drives for us, and she in turn told the driver who was sick (Still with me).
Today when she arrived at the school with her bus, the driver who I replaced gave the children a talking to about me, what I was going through and what I was facing, and then she marched them into the principles office and told the principle what had happened on the bus the previous day. At the lunch break the principle had all the children who ride on the bus report to the gym where she lectured and explained to them about my situation, and how they should be supportive and caring of me. Then had each of them write me an apology for the way they behaved.
I've got to tell you I had tears well up in my eye's as I read them. They are definitely treasures to be kept. Now there are arguments for and against what the sick driver and the principle did, but I will side with them on this one. It's nice to know that there are a lot of good supportive people out there.
Just one of the letters:
-------------------------------------------------
Dear: Stepanie
I am sorry for being disrespectful
and I'm sorry for asking you if your
name was Phil now I understand what
you went through and it was a brave
thing to do personaly I couldn't
do it
From: Jordan
-------------------------------------------------
And another:
Quote
Dear bus driver
I am sorry that your differents were brought up and that _______ School
was that diripecful to you. So please come back I liked your driving and you
were cool. You were respeful and that is what matters.
By Brandon
-------------------------------------------------
Children are wonderful...
(A bit of history... last year I gave these same children school bus safety lessons as my former self who shall be forever nameless) Back to the present...
It flashed through my mind that they recognised my voice, but I told them "No, my name is Stephanie". Nothing more was said, however and couple of the children gave me a good look when they got of the bus at their stop.
Today the driver who was off sick yesterday came into the office after her run and gave me an envelope with 48 hand written apologies in it from the children on the bus for the way they treated yesterday. I asked her what this was all about as I had no clue what went on yesterday. Apparently one of the children was very upset about what some of the other children were saying about me and told her neighbor, who also drives for us, and she in turn told the driver who was sick (Still with me).
Today when she arrived at the school with her bus, the driver who I replaced gave the children a talking to about me, what I was going through and what I was facing, and then she marched them into the principles office and told the principle what had happened on the bus the previous day. At the lunch break the principle had all the children who ride on the bus report to the gym where she lectured and explained to them about my situation, and how they should be supportive and caring of me. Then had each of them write me an apology for the way they behaved.
I've got to tell you I had tears well up in my eye's as I read them. They are definitely treasures to be kept. Now there are arguments for and against what the sick driver and the principle did, but I will side with them on this one. It's nice to know that there are a lot of good supportive people out there.
Just one of the letters:
-------------------------------------------------
Dear: Stepanie
I am sorry for being disrespectful
and I'm sorry for asking you if your
name was Phil now I understand what
you went through and it was a brave
thing to do personaly I couldn't
do it
From: Jordan
-------------------------------------------------
And another:
Quote
Dear bus driver
I am sorry that your differents were brought up and that _______ School
was that diripecful to you. So please come back I liked your driving and you
were cool. You were respeful and that is what matters.
By Brandon
-------------------------------------------------
Children are wonderful...
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Nothing more than a memory.
Why is it that guys can get away with just throwing on a shirt and a pair of pants, fly out the door, and no one cares what they look like. But wow, let a woman do that, and look out, nothing but smart remarks and snickers. Not fair, not fair at all.
I have such a hard time deciding what to wear. There is no way that I would have time to pick something out in the morning before work, I would be late every day. So I try and pick out my cloths the night before. And what a chore that is. I guess I just haven't found a style that suits me yet. I love skirts and light weight blouses, but with the cold weather here, I need sweaters and pants, but I just don't look that great in pants unless they are jeans. What a dilemma. Poor me I guess I'll have to do more shopping.
The day was pretty hectic at work and it seems I went from crisis to crisis all morning. Still everything worked out and the morning passed pretty fast, as did the whole day. As each day comes and goes I find that I'm truly comfortable, and happy with who I am. The person who used to occupy this space is nothing more than a memory.
I have such a hard time deciding what to wear. There is no way that I would have time to pick something out in the morning before work, I would be late every day. So I try and pick out my cloths the night before. And what a chore that is. I guess I just haven't found a style that suits me yet. I love skirts and light weight blouses, but with the cold weather here, I need sweaters and pants, but I just don't look that great in pants unless they are jeans. What a dilemma. Poor me I guess I'll have to do more shopping.
The day was pretty hectic at work and it seems I went from crisis to crisis all morning. Still everything worked out and the morning passed pretty fast, as did the whole day. As each day comes and goes I find that I'm truly comfortable, and happy with who I am. The person who used to occupy this space is nothing more than a memory.
Monday, November 07, 2005
I don't quite know what to do...
This is the second time at work that this has happened to me, and by the same person. In the first instance I was out at one of the schools checking up on how the drivers were doing, did they have any concerns, or problems that needed addressing etc... and this driver turned his back on me and completely ignored me. It was quite obvious what he was doing, and in the second instance it was more of the same. This time at the same school, same drivers, I was going from bus to bus chatting with the drivers. When I got to his bus, we exchanged hellos, and then he made an excuse to leave and talk to the driver behind him. Again it was fairly obvious. I don't quite know what to do about it as I'm pretty sure it's to do with who I am.
Other than that today went pretty good. I was taking part in a Defensive Driving Course, observing the procedures as I will be taking the Instructors Course in December. I'm looking forward to that as it will be a new experience for me. I'm a little nervous, but that understandable given that I will be interacting with a lot of complete strangers for a whole week.
I did a re-evaluation on one of the drivers in the afternoon and that went very well. The children were great. I'm starting to get very comfortable with who I am and many of the anxieties that I once had have gone.
Other than that today went pretty good. I was taking part in a Defensive Driving Course, observing the procedures as I will be taking the Instructors Course in December. I'm looking forward to that as it will be a new experience for me. I'm a little nervous, but that understandable given that I will be interacting with a lot of complete strangers for a whole week.
I did a re-evaluation on one of the drivers in the afternoon and that went very well. The children were great. I'm starting to get very comfortable with who I am and many of the anxieties that I once had have gone.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Oh I live a boring life...
So Sunday was pretty good. I slept in a little which was a treat, as I usually get up at 4:00 AM during the week. I sort of lazed away the morning in front of the computer setting up some final touches to the upgrade to the Linux SuSE 10.0 operating system I did yesterday. It took me most of October to download and burn the the 5 CD images, (I'm on dial-up) but it was worth it. I'm very pleased with the way it's running, no Micro$oft for this girl. Since I was on a roll I decided to spruce up my web site as well. Nothing major, just tiddied things up a little. It's funny that I call it a web site, as it only has four pages to it, and it really only contains stuff that would be of no concern to anyone really. I guess I'm being a little vain by enjoying looking at myself on the web. If you are desperately bored you can view it here
I had planned to drive to town in the afternoon to get a few items, and it would give me a chance to wear the new jean jacket I brought yesterday from Sears. The trip was pretty uneventful, I brought a new wire brush for the BBQ, and two bags of bird seed. Oh I live a boring life...
Later in the evening we had a terific thunderstorm, but it left a wonderful sunset, a nice way to end the day.
I had planned to drive to town in the afternoon to get a few items, and it would give me a chance to wear the new jean jacket I brought yesterday from Sears. The trip was pretty uneventful, I brought a new wire brush for the BBQ, and two bags of bird seed. Oh I live a boring life...
Later in the evening we had a terific thunderstorm, but it left a wonderful sunset, a nice way to end the day.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Oh well, you win some and you loose some
My transition is going so well. So well that I'm a little nervous that it is just a dream and that my whole world may come crashing around my ears. Of course there have been a few problems along the way, but nothing too serious.
Just as an update; Since August 8th, 2005 I have been full time and out to everyone. Therapy continues, as does HRT, and I am now seeing a new Doctor. On Halloween friends invited us to a Halloween Dance which was a hoot. I was thinking of going dressed as a man ha, ha, but decided against that. We had a great time even though I couldn't get up the courage to dance, maybe next time. Upcoming events for me include touching base with the voice therapy clinic at KGH, and then my appointment with my new endo in March 2006 (Yep it's off in the future). More significantly, both of which are firsts for Stephanie, I have a School Bus Safety Awareness class to teach to approximately 100 kindergarten and grade 1 children on November 10th, and then it's off to a Chris Deburgh concert on November 12th with our friends. Yep I'm a little nervous...
Work couldn't be better and I'm off on another course in December. No rest for the wicked as they say. Life at home has been very good, however I have yet to get a reply to the letter I mailed to mom over three weeks ago. Oh well, you win some and you loose some.
I spent the morning in town shopping and wandering around. It was a wonderful day given that it is November. The air was fresh and clean and the weather was glorious. Remembrance Day is approaching and I noticed that the vets are out in force selling poppies to raise money for the various institutions they represent. I have several now as I can't resist buying, we owe them so much.
I was thinking that I really don't have that many friends compared to some who I know. I have three people who I would call close friends and that is about it. If my partner and I ever split up I would have no one to turn to, not even family, kind of sad really, and I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Got to get that thought out of my mind.
Just as an update; Since August 8th, 2005 I have been full time and out to everyone. Therapy continues, as does HRT, and I am now seeing a new Doctor. On Halloween friends invited us to a Halloween Dance which was a hoot. I was thinking of going dressed as a man ha, ha, but decided against that. We had a great time even though I couldn't get up the courage to dance, maybe next time. Upcoming events for me include touching base with the voice therapy clinic at KGH, and then my appointment with my new endo in March 2006 (Yep it's off in the future). More significantly, both of which are firsts for Stephanie, I have a School Bus Safety Awareness class to teach to approximately 100 kindergarten and grade 1 children on November 10th, and then it's off to a Chris Deburgh concert on November 12th with our friends. Yep I'm a little nervous...
Work couldn't be better and I'm off on another course in December. No rest for the wicked as they say. Life at home has been very good, however I have yet to get a reply to the letter I mailed to mom over three weeks ago. Oh well, you win some and you loose some.
I spent the morning in town shopping and wandering around. It was a wonderful day given that it is November. The air was fresh and clean and the weather was glorious. Remembrance Day is approaching and I noticed that the vets are out in force selling poppies to raise money for the various institutions they represent. I have several now as I can't resist buying, we owe them so much.
I was thinking that I really don't have that many friends compared to some who I know. I have three people who I would call close friends and that is about it. If my partner and I ever split up I would have no one to turn to, not even family, kind of sad really, and I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Got to get that thought out of my mind.
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