I also asked my group members if they could give me there phone numbers in case I got lost, but they didn’t give it too me. They didn’t really pay much attention to me, only talking to me every now and then on the trip. The teacher who took the roll call on the bus to the city only had a list of the names of students. I did email him when I got lost, but he didn’t read his email until Monday. I’m glad I’m okay though. Also ever since I came out as transgender male, I’ve had people who adamantly don’t accept my gender identity and purposefully tell me that I have to prove to them that I’m transgender. Some say I’m not masculine enough and that I’m not a man yet because I haven’t had the medical transition. But the medical transition is quite expensive and I’m working my way to it by getting a good education so I can become a genetic engineer and work on saving up for it. I find it irritating that I sometimes meet people who invalidate me for who I am and it makes me feel frustrated and depressed at times. But I have become stronger and more knowledgeable and have started to stick up for myself. I have started to get rid of the people in my life who only take up by time and focus on what matters to me and to not care about people who will never accept me. I don’t want to waste my energy on convincing them when my efforts could be applied elsewhere. Also, today on campus a guy spit on me and called me a “Tranny faggot” which is a derogatory term for a transgender male. I wasn’t doing anything just walking along and he was an acquaintance from college. He didn’t look back and I just walked away. I have decided that no matter what happens, I won’t let anyone define who I am as a person and that I will fight to be myself and achieve my dreams. It won’t be easy, but I don’t want to give up. I face invalidation a lot from people and also my parents, but I realize there are also people who care about me. I spoke with my counselor today on campus and have been meeting with her every few Tuesdays of the weeks. She helps me organize my thoughts and also understand myself better. I enjoy talking with her because it’s great having someone to listen. It is great talking on tinybuddha with you Anita. I am grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for being here for me and for helping me feel more confident about myself. Thank you for helping me figure out who I am and for encouraging me and guiding me when I feel lost. I am grateful to have you in my life.