Hello World!

That's what the nerds say when they write their first computer program, right? Welp, considering this is a bunch of HTML code anyway (I tried reading it... it didn't go well), I'll go ahead and say "Hello World!"

My Name is Alicia (Pronounced Ah-Lee-See-Uh), and I am a Happily Married College Professor in my Late 30's. I love Weather, Craft Beer, Train Travel, YouTube documentaries, and Fashion. 

Oh, and I am a PROUD Transgender Woman! 

I emphasize the "Proud" because, to be honest, my transgender identity was something that I've known about for over two decades, but repressed because it was either socially unacceptable, would ostracize me from family, or was a sin. Yeah, the presence and acceptance of Transgender people has come a long way in a short amount of time (though I know not everyone agrees... if you're one of those people from an online hate group here to harass me, I'll have an upcoming section for you). I spent so long hating myself for ever wanting to express this side of me, and tried everything to "fix myself." It hasn't been until the last five or six years that I began to realize that not everything I was told to hate/repress was actually bad, and in fact, there is a lot of beauty in the world if you step outside of your tiny box to see it. I'll regale you over many blog posts about my journey and how I got to where I am now. It's honestly something I love talking about so much (probably too much, hence this blog), so you won't be at a loss for opportunities to learn about me. But I'm finally at a point in my life where I love who I see in the mirror, I love the difference I am able to make in the lives of others, and I feel a purpose deeper than any cookie-cutter vision of my life that used to be sold to me. And in a world where there are still people who don't believe my existence is valid or worthy of being welcomed into the larger fold of society, I need to stand up proudly and take up space! 

So this is just a brief introduction to this blog. My hope, long term is that this blog will replace how I've used my Facebook page (mostly like a blog where I post a ton of long status updates that get personal and philosophical), but we'll see how that goes. I hope that, as you search around here, that you'll find inspiration, challenge, and positivity from my musings and constant talking.I hope that, if nothing else, this blog will give you a better insight into who I am, and why I am where I am. So... let's jump in! 

Hugs, 

Alicia