Awesome day today (story and pics) :)

[Andrea85]

I know from PM's that some of you look up to me for whatever personal reason since I'm so far along. Well, I'm not as far along as some may think. I live full time, but my anxiety keeps me from doing a lot, like going to the grocery store, or going many places alone. Not that I care what others think, just my anxiety that rears its ugly head from nowhere. Anyway though.

Today I and my dog Ariel (whose my baby, lol) decided to go to the Maryville Greenway. Seemed like a nice day to do something like that. I figured going around 2-ish, wouldn't be too many people there and it could be rather relaxing. So we left, drove the 15 minutes it takes, and soon as we got there, it started piss pouring. So we sat there for a minute, and went and rode around for a few. Found roads I'd never been down there in Maryville. I then noticed it had stopped raining, so I figured we would try the greenway again.

When we got there, sun was shining and the pavement was already drying. So we went and walked close to 2 miles. What the whole point of this post is that while we were walking, I found an inner peace and felt so relaxed down there. There were ducks and birds everywhere making sounds that were almost like music to me.

During the walk back to the car, I ended up stopping and talking to several couples that were out walking their dogs too. Met a lot of really nice people today, when they would get my attention, it always started with ma'am, and one woman even said that she had a lot of respect for someone like me doing this in such a bigot filled redneck Bible thumper area.

That put a huge smile on my face. Such an awesome day I plan on it more often now, and maybe I could lose the last few pounds I need to, lol. Well, here's the pics.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5916416107_b0a0657f3b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416107/)
Ariel ready to go home (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416107/) by Tubes2Transistors (http://www.flickr.com/people/tubes2transistors/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5916416103_6c18a8964a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416103/)
Ducks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416103/) by Tubes2Transistors (http://www.flickr.com/people/tubes2transistors/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5916416099_921c127ca7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416099/)
Ducks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416099/) by Tubes2Transistors (http://www.flickr.com/people/tubes2transistors/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5916416097_932e15b029_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416097/)
My new phone background lol (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416097/) by Tubes2Transistors (http://www.flickr.com/people/tubes2transistors/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5916416093_1b83b32ebd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416093/)
Fountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tubes2transistors/5916416093/) by Tubes2Transistors (http://www.flickr.com/people/tubes2transistors/), on Flickr

Not too bad a pics for using my Blackberry Curve 8530, lol. Sad thing was I had my $300 digital camera in the car. :tongueout

[Eryn]

Great pics, but doesn't that Blackberry have a front-facing camera? :)

Glad you had fun on your outing!

[Aprilrain]

yeah Andrea we want to see your smiling face. : )

[Marjorie Anne]

Andy,

I'm a brand newbie, but i can see how people look up to you--how wonderful to venture out on that beautiful greenway!! And how inspiring that you encountered accepting people--I'm from the Upstate of South Carolina and understand the sorts of folks one can encounter. Ariel is beautiful too and looks like she was having a great time!

The greenway is beautiful--the next time in the K'ville area i may have to take a side trip to Maryville :)

MJ

[Stephenie S]

Yes indeed. I agree. What a pretty place.

S

[Andrea85]

Well, I guess I'll have to get some pics of myself next time, lol. I'll have to remember to grab my camera so I can take better pics. Was talking to my ex fiance and she and I are making plans to go back to the greenway together. I'll make sure she snaps a few of me.


On another note, something else awesome happened earlier. Was going to go riding down to the south Knoxville Walmart to get some Sprite, but for some reason decided not to since I already had enough to last till tomorrow. So I figured I'd ride around for a little bit. Started up Chapman Hwy. towards Sevierville, and hopped onto a back road. Ended up in Pigeon Forge. So went back towards Sevierville, and realized I was out of ciggs and I needed something to drink. So... I stopped at the Walgreens on the corner of Chapman and Hwy 66. There were several people in there, but not enough to trigger any anxiety attacks. So I meandered in, and went to grab a Sprite.

THen it hit me. I felt like I was gonna pee on myself.:eek: Now, I've tried to keep myself around places that had unisex restrooms or 1 person restrooms so I wouldn't get myself in a situation. It's been forever since I've even seen a Walgreens restroom, and I was thinking they were 1 person restrooms since the doors had locks. So I went in, and it was a multi person one. I saw a woman was already in there, and I didn't wanna freeze up standing there, so I went and used the restroom. When I finished, there was a young, pretty woman standing at the mirror. She said hi, and I was just going to get out of there, but she started talking. Ended up talking for a few and she asked where I'd gotten my jeans, and other things. All standing in the womens restroom.

That was a first for me. Using a multi person restroom when others were in it not having an anxiety attack, let alone talking to someone.

I'm finally starting to feel like I'm fitting in. :D

[Longing2be-Trisha]

You definitely had a great day. It is always nice when you can just have a nice visit with people when you are out enjoying the day and not feel judged for being yourself. Great to hear from you about your adventurous day!

Hugs

[Melody Moore]

yeah Andrea we want to see your smiling face. : )
Yes, I have to agree, photos like this we can see anywhere & don't mean anything, but photos
with Andrea in them are special because there is someone in them we know & can all relate to.

:hugs:

[Rianna Humble]

I've tried to keep myself around places that had unisex restrooms or 1 person restrooms so I wouldn't get myself in a situation. It's been forever since I've even seen a Walgreens restroom, and I was thinking they were 1 person restrooms since the doors had locks. So I went in, and it was a multi person one. I saw a woman was already in there, and I didn't wanna freeze up standing there, so I went and used the restroom. When I finished, there was a young, pretty woman standing at the mirror. She said hi, and I was just going to get out of there, but she started talking. Ended up talking for a few and she asked where I'd gotten my jeans, and other things. All standing in the womens restroom.

It's great that you were able to overcome your fear of using the women's restroom :hugs:

You have also learned something very important - unlike men, women aren't afraid to socialise in the restrooms. I'm glad that you stopped to talk with her, because apart from the breakthrough for you personally, it was proof that you belong. We already know that you are pretty enough.

[Andrea85]

Thanks Rianna. I'll more than likely still be nervous as Hell going, but at least I know I can now.

[Diane Smith]

Love your pup! Every girl dog should have a pink leash.

- Diane

[Victoria Anne]

Andy I think it is great you had such a good day . I have been full time now for 10 months , does not seem like it , I travel for a living and deal with people every day and I can tell you it will get easier and before you know it you wont ever think about it because you are living your true life and you belong !

I can also tell you at least with me I have talked with more people in the last 10 months than I have in the last 10 years ! I have had people flirt with me and have gone out to breakfast with a couple of men I met on the job . Life is going to become so wonderful for you Andy , enjoy it .

[Aprilrain]

Well, I guess I'll have to get some pics of myself next time, lol. I'll have to remember to grab my camera so I can take better pics. Was talking to my ex fiance and she and I are making plans to go back to the greenway together. I'll make sure she snaps a few of me.


On another note, something else awesome happened earlier. Was going to go riding down to the south Knoxville Walmart to get some Sprite, but for some reason decided not to since I already had enough to last till tomorrow. So I figured I'd ride around for a little bit. Started up Chapman Hwy. towards Sevierville, and hopped onto a back road. Ended up in Pigeon Forge. So went back towards Sevierville, and realized I was out of ciggs and I needed something to drink. So... I stopped at the Walgreens on the corner of Chapman and Hwy 66. There were several people in there, but not enough to trigger any anxiety attacks. So I meandered in, and went to grab a Sprite.

THen it hit me. I felt like I was gonna pee on myself.:eek: Now, I've tried to keep myself around places that had unisex restrooms or 1 person restrooms so I wouldn't get myself in a situation. It's been forever since I've even seen a Walgreens restroom, and I was thinking they were 1 person restrooms since the doors had locks. So I went in, and it was a multi person one. I saw a woman was already in there, and I didn't wanna freeze up standing there, so I went and used the restroom. When I finished, there was a young, pretty woman standing at the mirror. She said hi, and I was just going to get out of there, but she started talking. Ended up talking for a few and she asked where I'd gotten my jeans, and other things. All standing in the womens restroom.

That was a first for me. Using a multi person restroom when others were in it not having an anxiety attack, let alone talking to someone.

I'm finally starting to feel like I'm fitting in. :D

Andrea you got lucky this time! but next time the seemingly nice girl washing her hands could just be a cisgendered zombi freak looking for an easy tranny meal. WATCH OUT!