On Turning 30...

**This post was written in advance so I could take the day off (officially) from blogging.

A few weeks ago, Lauren was talking to me about this list she saw in a recent copy of Glamour about the "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30".  She sent me the online version, and I figured since today I turn 30, it's relevant.

Here is what they list:

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. HALF DONE.  I'm not sure I believe the whole "boyfriend you can imagine going back to".  If they are a PAST boyfriend, aren't they that way for a reason??  So I have 1/2 of this.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family. DONE.  My dining room table was my first major purchase (from Crate & Barrel) and I love it!
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. HALF DONE.  The work appropriate attire, done.  Easy.  The man of my dreams wants to see me in an hour??  Right now, I would struggle with that one.  I could pull something together, but I don't know if I would consider it perfect.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. DONE.  Really?  This is important?  An umbrella???
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond. DONE, DONE, DONE.  See ya later 20s.  You sucked.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age. Um... sort of?  I have plenty of stories to tell when I am older (much older) - but juicy?  That's subjective.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it. DONE.  Trying to get better at the funding it part.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. Ha, DONE.  It's things like this that makes me think Glamour is stretching it for this article.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded. DONE
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. DONE.  I have amazing friends.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra. DONE, well, almost.  The drill is on my list for the new place - Not sure how the bra related to the others, but whatever.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. What defines "ridiculously expensive"?  I'm going to say no to this one.  I have not bought anything really expensive for myself just because.
13. The belief that you deserve it. MOSTLY DONE.  Yeah.... mostly.  Getting better.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few facets of life that don’t get better after 30. MOSTLY DONE.  Let's just say... the exercise routine is on the "need to do asap" list.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better. HALF DONE.  So far, I'm pretty proud of what I am accomplishing with my career.  Obviously the relationship part needs work... but it will come at it's own time.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. DONE
2. How you feel about having kids. DONE
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend with-out ruining the friendship. DONE. The last one is probably the hardest.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. Getting there.  Knowing when to walk away is easier said than done - for everyone.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next. What?  I'm not even sure I know how to define this one.
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town. MOSTLY DONE.  I need a tailor.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. DONE.  (And I do like to.)
8. Where to go—be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat—when your soul needs soothing. DONE
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents. Ugh.... I'm getting there.  That exercise routine will help that realization.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. DONE.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. DONE. Sort of.  I don't think there is really ever a point where this is done and decided... you should always be learning, right?
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long. DONE.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally. DONE - and getting better at it.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. Eh, this is a hard one.  Can I take a pass?
15. Why they say life begins at 30! DONE!

These quizzes/lists are mostly stupid, but there are a few good points mixed in there.

I'm excited to be 30 and start a new chapter.