Summer Lovin'

This is not a romantic blog post, or anything of that sort. I am using "Summer Lovin'" as the title, simply because I am getting so many positive news and energy, even before summer started. I feel so loved and blessed. I am super optimistic of what is to come within the next few months, and I am really excited this summer because I am going to change my name and gender legally.

Many of you may never feel the happiness within me, but it feels like being born again (oh, maybe not the best description, because I've never been born again... but if I did, this is how I would feel).

Perhaps better descriptions would include:
1. My student loans are paid off! Oh, if only it were that easy!
2. I lost 40 lbs. and I am back to 125, 5'6", 36-25-34. Of course, this is not true. I wish it were, and I would feel so happy. I am self-conscious of my body and would like to be healthy for myself,.
3. I won a trip around the world, all expenses paid. I could only dream. If I had the money, I would really like to travel around the world, even go on one of my favorite TV shows, AMAZING RACE!
4. I graduated from MA in Women's Studies and secured a teaching gig at a local community college, while working a leadership position at a nonprofit organization.
5. I am confident with where I am both professionally and personally. I own a house and other properties.

I could include a few more... but nothing can describe how I feel more vividly than "OMG! I finally get to be myself. I finally get to be Jasmine legally, without any doubts or worries." I am truly blessed because I know how first-hand how difficult it is to navigate through different systems. I am lucky to have a supportive network, my boyfriend, friends, family and colleagues. Without them, I would have given up on my first attempt. Thank you for keeping me sane, for being there for me, and for trying to understand something completely alien to  many. OMG! I did not mean for this blog to be a THANK YOU blog, it just kinda went there! Here I am, redirecting back to "Summer Lovin'."

Recently, I have been exchanging emails with my endocrinologist, Dr. Wu, who will ultimately make the decision whether or not I get to legally change my name and gender. So far, it sounds like he is going to write the letter confirming that I have undergone "clinically appropriate treatment." I am really happy that this term was changed from something specific "surgical treatment" to something really vague "clinically appropriate treatment," which is defined under the penal code. I don't really follow policy changes, but I am really glad to have found this information. Now, I am taking advantage of it, because I am not sure if conservative opponents will argue otherwise. Anyway, I am not going to get into that.

By June 1st, I should have all the documents and I should be able to file with the court's clerk by the 2nd week of June. Crossed fingers. Depending on the workload of the court, it may take them 3-4 months to schedule a hearing. I am applying for the fee waiver, which is worth $398 and they will provide copies of the document if approved. While waiting for the hearing, I need to publish my name change through an approved newspaper, and I have canvassed. The lowest price for it is $75 for all four consecutive weeks, which is the required number of publications. This is to make sure that I am not changing my name to commit fraud or any other criminal offenses. Of course, I am a good girl! I am really excited because I am only paying $75 for what could be $500 or more. by August, I should be changing my name and I cannot wait for people to finally refer to me as Jasmine! There's going to be legal documentation that proves my name change is valid.

Now to the other positive news! I am applying for a grant that will hopefully pay for my breast augmentation (normally $7000 from a reliable surgeon) through the Jim Collins Foundation. Of course, I cannot keep my hopes up because they only awarded 2 out of more than 300 applicants. I read on the biographies of the awardees, and they are both incredibly amazing. Despite the slim chances, I am still going to apply because I know that I need it and I am deserving. Let's just hope they see it! I am working hard to be deserving of the grant.

One of the requirements of the grant is that I must have done creative fundraising activities. One of them is this blog. So far, I have made $130 from this blog. Please continue to support and share it with your friends. Please read my most recent status update on my Facebook page to see how you can help! If you have any other fundraising ideas, please feel free to send them my way. I would greatly appreciate it.

xoxo,

Jas