I Started Work! (I got a job)

[monicawyer]

Hi Girls,

Well Saturday came - the alarm woke me at 7am. Serious butterflies! Oh well, up and into the bathroom. Bathed the night before so just a good close shave (getting easier with the electrolysis) and a hair wash. Then hair and make up - nice and light with a little mascara and chocolate lipstick to match my outfit. Time to get dresssed!

I spent several evenings last week trying to decide what to wear - first day at a new job and I really wanted to blend in with the others. I'd come to the decision to go with a denim knee length skirt, a black top and black boots. So I had them out, ready for me. COMPLETELY changed my mind on the day! My latest purchase, a slightly below the knee A line skirt with chocolate vertical line detail, chocolate cami-top with matching cardigan and kitten heel courts. Contrasting jewelry and a really cute belt from Dune. A little perfume (Contradiction by Calvin Clein, my favourite) and I'm ready.

The shop is in a part of London where you have to pay for parking your car and since i'm doing voluentary work that didn't appeal. It's only a mile or so from my home and it was a really sunny, but really cold winter morning. So I decided to walk.

Arrived at 8.55am to find the shutters up but the door locked. i couldn't find a bell so knocked on the door and waited. My heart was racing! Anyway, Emma, the shop manager appeared with a big smile and opened the door. "Monica, lovely to see you again, come in". I felt at ease immediately. Emma proceeded to show me around the shop, explaining how she likes things to be organised and displayed. She showed me around the back area, where to make tea and coffee, where to hang my coat, gave me a locker etc. She talks A LOT! Which is good as I'm quite a quiet person, so that suits me well! Then the other member of staff arrived, a guy called Mem (think it must be short for something?!). "Mem, this is Monica, it's her first day". Mem shook my hand and said hello and asked if it was my first time in a shop etc. Very friendly guy. I was nervous about meeting new people as Monica but in the event it was easy. And I'm sure it will get easier every time. Then the best bit, Emma gave me my shop voluenteer badge! I pinned it to my cardigan, just above my left breast. Now I really feel like an employee!

By this time the shop was open and already very busy with people browsing for bargains. And so many people coming in with donations! I've never seen anything like it. Emma asked me to walk the shop floor for a while, keeping the clothes racks tidy and helping customers where required. A guy came through the door with a big sack of clothes and siad he had more in the car. I offered to help so followed him outside to the car and carried some bags in.

The rest of my morning was spent going back and forth from the shop to the back area, sorting and pricing new donations and then putting them out on the shop floor. Emma explained that it's company policy not to put new helpers on the till for the first three months as there needs to be a base of trust. All the sales are cash and it would be very easy for someone less honest to steal with very little chance of getting caught. She went on to say that she was a very good judge of character and would train me on the till after a few weeks - that will be fun!

I was only supposed to work 9 till 1 and when 1pm came the afternoon helpers arrived. Alice, in her 70's, who introduced herself to me and proceeded to tell me all about her recent knee replacement! She then went to the loo, leaving the door wide open ha ha! Bless! And Raman, a young guy from Afghanistan. Tall, silent type. Mumbled a lot. As I had no plans for the rest of the day I stayed till 2.30pm, walking the floor and looking after customers. All in all a really good day. The shop quietened down and the four of us stood around the shop for a while with teas and coffees discussing what we would do with the money when we won the lottery (there was a £50 million robbery in London last week, the biggest in history).

I left at 2.30, saying goodbye to everyone. Emma expressed her thanks to me for coming and said she looked forward to seeing me next week. What a brilliant day! I had to pinch myself a few times. I've dreamt of getting to this stage in my life for so long and now I'm here, working as Monica, working as a woman. It's such good experience for the future. If Emma knew, she certainly didn't show it. If the others knew, they didn't show it either. Ultimately it doesn't matter if they know or not, they simply accepted me as female, end of story. Fantastic. The day was full of "Monica" or "she" or "her" - quite overwhelming for me. If any of you are contemplating voluenteer work in your female guise, I cannot recommend it strongly enough. I've broken new boundaries (for me, anyway!) made new friends and given something back to the community. Next Saturday cannot come quickly enough. the only problem is, what to wear next week.............

Love Monica x

[TracyDeluxe]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[SherriePall]

Monica --
You don't know how thrilled I was for you as I read your story. Congratulations on finding that job and on your acceptance as a woman there. Keep us up to date, please.

[Dian]

Way to Go Monica!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Your story was great, I was nervous right along with you at the start of it all! I'm so glad it turned out g reat for you!

[Helen MC]

Monica, this is marvellous and I wish you every success and hapiness in your job and with your new colleagues.

[Laurie Ann]

Monica good for you. The day appeared to fly by and I am sure you had a marvelous time. What to wear the eternal question all girls have.

[Noel Chimes]

What a wonderful first day. To be accepted,treated with respect, and dignity is all we have ever asked or dreamed for. And now you have realized our dreams.:yrtw:

[Sonia_cd]

Congratulations girl! :)

That must have been a serious case of butterflies, but 3 cheers on landing the job and not just succeeding at the job but importantly being accepted as a woman.

Really really hope that it gets better everyday and you have an awesome time!
As for wardrobe troubles though......you're on your own on that one ;)

Hugz,
Sonia

[RuthChambers]

Brilliant, and all in a good cause :)

Ruth

[mskilmer]

Monica -

First ... congratulations!

Second ... thank you so much for sharing your story and feelings with us all. We're with you vicariouisly. You're experiences are a boon to us all. I wish you ALL the best. Thank you again.

[Rachel Morley]

Absolutely awesome! I love happy endings :D

[Kathleengurl]

that is just so fantastic! i'm so happy for you Monica!
happy... and quite envious. you go girl!

-k-

[BeckyAnderson]

Congratulations Monica! What a fabulous day! I wish you all the best girl!

[monicawyer]

Hi Girls - thanks for all your kind words. I didn't realise it would be of so much interest to others! I'll keep you all updated as things progress and once I've been there a few weeks I'll take a photo or two and post them on the forum :cheeky:

Love Monica xx

[Shelly Preston]

Brilliant, and all in a good cause :)

Ruth

I agree, but two its good causes the one above and the boosting of your confidence.

Well Done Monica

[sara_also]

You make us all very proud. We will want to hear all about it in the future.

[Jasmine Ellis]

congratuletions dear, on your job well done. You have all week dear to think what to wear for this saturday. Keep us infromed each week how it's going hun. :happy: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[TGMarla]

Very cool! I'm glad it's working out so well for you. So....onward and forward, eh? Congratulations.

[Paige]

Monica,

Oh you sweet adventurous girl!! I just loved your story so far and you have piqued my curiosity. I think that is a great idea. Volunteering might make some more tolerant of "different" people. I am going to investigate that.

Keep us informed girl.. I for one can't wait until next Monday when I read your next installment!!

Hugs, Paige

[Mia001]

Hi Monica,

Well done. I'm glad your day went so well. It sounds like you had a really positive experience.

Good luck for next week.

Mark.

[melissacd]

Monica, awesome, way to go gurl. You give us all something to aspire to. :happy:

[rachel_jean]

Congrats Monica,

Sounds like things should work out pretty well.

Did you find any good bargains for yourself?

Rachel Jean

[Tgirl74]

It's only a mile or so from my home and it was a really sunny, but really cold winter morning. So I decided to walk.


I thought we only used "miles" in the states, hmmm? makes me wonder

[Dragster]

Nope Tgirg74, we got "miles" in the UK too, in fact we've had them since the Romans gave them to us in biblical times, then we gave them to you about 500 years ago. So you've got a bit of catcing up to do, about 15 centuries worth!

There is a conspiracy to take them away from us (along with pints, gallons, pounds, Farenheit etc.), and get us to use those much more user friendly and co-ordinated "Metric" measures. Strictly speaking, they're SI units, but no one here will know what I'm talking about if I call them SI. You'll be using them too, in about a million years time, when you eventually realise that there is a parallel world outside the borders of the USA (Canadians already know that, they got kilometers before us) and that they have all agreed on the benefits of SI, and have been using them for all that time.

To stop being catty for a minute, it won't seem the same to be talking of 100, 125 and 150 heel heights, 750 waist sizes, or 450 miniskirt lengths will it, so maybe you have the right idea anyway! Time will tell.

Tony

[Tgirl74]

wow I had major brain freeze! I totally forgot we have the english system left over from before big bad George Washington and the boys beat some MAJOR british ass back in 1776 ! wearing RED coats was a bright idea !!

[Julie York]

Good for you.:thumbsup:

And you get to steal all the good stuff before the trannies get to it!




:D :D

[monicawyer]

Good for you.:thumbsup:

And you get to steal all the good stuff before the trannies get to it!




:D :D
Ha ha! It's funny - all the years I used to go shopping for Monica in drab, wondering what the shop assistants thought of me - now I see it from their point of view. I worked again this morning (to be elaborated on at a later stage, after dinner at least) and there was a very suspicious gentleman checking out the skirt rack! Of course I left him to it but he didn't buy anything. Cancer research now has at least one VERY CD/TS friendly shop! :D

[Anne Charlotte]

Hi Monica,

I wanted to be the first to ask how it had all gone on your first day, but I wasn't able to get onto the computer all weekend !!!

And now there's nothing left to say except that I admire your bravery, resolve, dedication, good looks, confidence, dress sense, and just wish I had just a sprinkling of what you've obviously been dipped in.

RESPECT !!!:p

[Sierra Evon]

Awesome , I'm happy for you 2 , Im still looking havent had any job
offers yet myself, put in a good word for me , I'll fill out an app.
Best wishes, best of luck to you all that .......your girl Sierra;)

[jjjjohanne]

Any new updates? Do they know??

[christine55]

I admire your courage to go out and actually get a job. If I ever need an attorney maybe I'll give you a call.
Hugs, Christine

[susancheerleader]

As I am unemployed at theis time. I'd be happy with a job.... period!

[Holly]

Monica, you have discovered and absolutely brilliant way to explore your true self and halp others by doing it. I applaud your creative solution in getting yourself out into the world.

[monicawyer]

Good evening girls!

Firstly, an apology! I mean't to put up an update last week but the day job is starting to pick up and time has just zoomed by.

Last week was day two for me at the shop. Roll neck top, denim skirt, criss cross tights and black boots. I was expecting something similar to the previous week, sorting and pricing the donations and keeping the shop floor tidy etc. When I arrived Emma, the manager, virtually dragged me to the till and started showing me how to do sales! I think she really likes me and she obviously trusts me too (I shouldn't be on the till for three months apparently), which is very flattering. Within ten minutes I was serving customers - I was SOOOOOOOOOO nervous! No hiding out the back, skulking in the corner when the teenage girls come in! I tell you, there's nothing like working in a shop to progress yourself! Absolutely no problems at all. No looks, comments etc. Then Emma asks if I mind her going and meeting her son for lunch. Fine I said, and had charge of the shop for an hour, alone! And the more I relaxed and enjoyed my task, the better it was. A fab day and I did over £500 in sales! A brilliant day!!

Today was day four (I went in for a couple of hours on Thursday to cover while Emma went to a meeting) and another great day. It was quite quiet today, only did £150 sales:sigh: Dressed up a bit today, knee length black skirt, purple roll neck top, black tights and heels. One little girl was taking quite a bit of interest in me today and I started to fret a little. How do I deal with this? I cannot just walk away and ignore her, I'm serving her mum! Her litle brother was there as well. So I gave her a big smile and just started talking to her, asking her name, was that her brother etc. She was really sweet and just opened up to me. Then she asked my name. Then her brother wanted to show me his new watch - I asked him the time and he couldn't read it! So I showed him how to and told his sister to teach him and come back and show me next week. Then their mum wanted to see something in the jewellry cabinet and started addressing me as Monica. They we so nice. Three new friends! It's amazing how positive, warm behaviour can affect people who otherwise may view you with suspision. Wow! Next week I am working in the big TK Max store in Ealing, handing out Cancer Research info and bags as part of a promotion. I have to talk to their customers, to raise awarness of Cancer Research etc. I suddenly feel very nervous again.......:shocked: :silly: :shocked:

The realist in me says the girls in the shop must know - I'm simply not that passable! I pass with the customers 90% of the time, but surely not with Emma and the other girls. But no one has said anything, I'm treated completely normally. Emma talks to me about womens issues, has asked me if I want children, if I want to marry! They really have accepted me for who I am and that's all I could ever ask of anyone.

Thanks to all of you for your messages of support - I'll continue to update this thread as long as any of you want to read it! And I will try and post a pic or two soon. I just haven't found a suitable opportunity to take any at work yet, but I will soon.

Lots of love,

Monica xx

[Julie York]

Yeah that's all very well. But did you get any good stuff?



:D

[SherriePall]

Monica -- I'm so happy for you. I know I wouldn't be able to do what you are doing. We all wish you the best in everything you are undertaking. Take care.

[monicawyer]

Yeah that's all very well. But did you get any good stuff?



:D

Not yet! Gorgeous Karen Millen dress but too small! M x

[Sally24]

What a great idea for entering the community at large! I had never thought of volunteering somewhere. It must be great for your confidence to see the same people over and over again and have them accept you. I have never talked to someone more than once that wasn't from "our community" or at least knew who I was. Good luck with your adventure!

[sherri]

Like all the other respondents, I am intrigued by your idea and thrilled with the way things are going for you. It is such fun following along!

At first, I was bemused, perhaps even a teeny bit disappointed that your gender thing wasn't addressed. I mean, like you said, surely they must know and it would be cool to have acknowledgement and acceptance. Then I got to thinking, what if they're so cool that in their minds it doesn't even need to be discussed, the acceptance is a given? To me, that speaks volumes about you and your coworkers. I am truly inspired - and I'm scheming how I might duplicate your brilliant experience!


Edit: I just reread my post and it dawned on me - don't take my "surely they must know" the wrong way. You look marvelous, genuinely feminine.

[Joy Carter]

Like I have been saying if you conduct yourself as a lady and with grace you advance our cause tremendously, Thank you Monaca

[Seven]

I pinned it to my cardigan, just above my left breast. Now I really feel like an employee!


Remember Sis, looking down at your breasts, you always pin items on the right, men pin items on the left. I am so, so happy for you and the new job I have not read all the sisters notes, good luck Sis.

Sister 7

[RuthChambers]

Well done, let us know how you got on at TK Max.....

Ruth

[monicawyer]

I pinned it to my cardigan, just above my left breast. Now I really feel like an employee!


Remember Sis, looking down at your breasts, you always pin items on the right, men pin items on the left. I am so, so happy for you and the new job I have not read all the sisters notes, good luck Sis.

Sister 7

I never knew that! Damn Damn Damn! Will make ammends next week. Now, as for the TK Max thing, I'm so sorry, I let you all down. Yes..... I chickened out. As the week leading up to it went on, I just got more and more nervous and eventually crumbled. I called Emma and told her I had to work (day job) that I could come to the shop in the morning for a couple of hours but would have to miss out on TK Max. She was fine and understood, so I just worked in the shop till midday. I guess I just wasn't quite ready for the much bigger and busier shop. Maybe next time. Don't run before you can walk, my mum always told me:p

This week was good, feeling more and more relaxed, less self conscious. Starting to get to know some of the regular customers as well now, who stop and say hi when they come in. I managed to take a sneaky photo in the changing rooms before I left on Saturday - hope you like it!

M xx

http://crossdressers.com/forums/images/attach/gif.gif

[SoCalSuziCD]

Hi, read all your story and it was a great inspiration for me. You keep it up and you are beautiful hon...!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[carol ann]

Monica
Hove thoroughly enjoyed reading about your experiences - i think you are so courageous - My concern would be my voice most of all- How do you manage that?

[Lindahexi]

WOW! Good for you Monica, you are just so cool, I'm envious of your ability to carry it all off with such aplomb; well done girl.

[jjjjohanne]

You must be more passable than you think... Surely she would not ask you "women questions" otherwise. Congratulations on your passing! It is every CD's dream to dress without consequence!

[paulaN]

what you are doing is so cool. brilliant in fact. I think a lot of girls are looking at doing the same thing. I'd love to I know that but I'm in the closet and probley always will be.

[susiepaul]

good for you i have a couple of friends that work for scope in sutton in ashfiels and they love to go out to work they say they have great fun and no one is bothered how they dress also they get to go through all the new stuf first.


good luck with your job in the future:thumbsup:

[Patty]

Monica-the pic you took in the rear of the shop -you look sooo passable and if the women are asking you fem questions. What a dream fulfilled. Hope that you go the next step soon and let us gurls know.

[jjjjohanne]

Monica,
How's it going? Any new adventures? Any good or bad experiences?

Joe