Pre-blog before the France weekend blog!

I want to write a nice blog that I hope will do some justice to the weekend and lovely company that Caroline, her family and Lisa provided

I have a PowerPoint presentation to finish for next week’s workshops and also an opening introduction to plan out.

However I wanted to make some sort of comment so that Caroline and Lisa know that I really enjoyed the weekend away with new lifelong friends.

Where did it all start?

As Caroline has written in one of her blogs, that one evening the 3 of us were chatting via yahoo chat and as she mention her exhibition in France, a trip started to emerge and next thing that I knew Lisa had booked a flight up

For me things had started a little bit earlier, since I have been ill and blogging 3 people have been very supportive with their comments, Caroline, Lisa & Melissa so a friendship was emerging.

Before the trip I had meet Lisa twice and she had met Caroline, and I had spoken to Caroline by phone, so I knew that we would not be stuck for conversation.

Although some people think there could be a gamble for 3 relative strangers to meet up abroad, my instincts said “go for it”

We hear so much negative news about people on the internet, yet it can also offer a connection for lonely or ill people, to express your inner feelings and even make and meet new friends.

So an Essex girl, a Midlands girl and a Scottish girl (sounding like the beginning of a joke) can randomly connect online and meet up in real life.

Caroline had asked me what my expectations of the trip would be, and I can honestly say that I had kept an open mind and totally went with the flow.

What I did get out of the trip was more than I expected, not only do I feel I cemented a good friendship with Lisa; I also made other new friends in Caroline’s partner and her family.

Her family knew our gender history and I can honestly say we were treated with respect (apart from me leaving my napkin on my plate!)

Another bonus was something from a chat with Lisa.

We were speaking about her possible work options and she spoke about her current salary and how this could change, and it helped me make my mind up about my work situation, so thank you Lisa.

I am also planning a trip to Leister to meet Lisa and her family.

I also feel that Caroline’s partner and family got something from meeting us, perhaps seeing other Trans people living an open and normal life opened some mental doors for them, and I felt that the lines of communication and understanding opened up between Caroline and her family.

I am feeling a little sad as I miss the company that I had, I was glad to sleep in my own bed and cuddle smudge! But am happily reflecting on this past weekend.

I will write a more detailed blog next week, roll on August and Edinburgh and the October Whitby Goth Weekend (WGW)