My Lists

Thirty is right around the corner. I have been anticipating 30 for a few years now. I have never dreaded turning 30, like so many women do. I've actually looked forward to it. Call it, a new beginning, the next chapter, or just embracing growing older - but I am really excited. I feel that our thirties are, by far, the best years of our lives. For me, my twenties were a time of just not knowing. Not knowing what I wanted, who I was, why I was here, who my friends were, what to do with my life. My twenties were a time of figuring all of that out. I cannot remember all of the times I questioned my beliefs, my ideals, my decisions, and mostly myself. I feel like, finally, after everything that I have done, gone through and perservered through, I am at a stage in my life where (almost) everything feels right. *Almost* just because I still haven't figured out what I want to do - career wise. But I digress...

Found this list on a girly website and thought it was pretty great.
30 things women should know how to do by the time they're 30:

1) Hard boil an egg - Um, who doesn't know how to hard boil an egg?
2) Diplomatically tell Mom to butt out - Got this one when I was about 21
3) Ace a job interview - Thankfully I have...a few times.
4) Ask a man out - It's not as hard as it seems.
5) Send a thoughtful thank you note - Or...thank you email.
6) Listen to a friend in need - I like to think that I have a time or two.
7) Ask for help - Still working on this one, getting better though.
8) Effectively end an unhealthy relationship (romantic or platonic in nature) - Check!
9) Beautifully wrap a gift - Err, my gifts look like a 5 year old with no hands wrapped them.
10) Say "no" gracefully - Sure have.
11) Whip up a great dinner with the 5 items in her fridge - Definitely.
12) Forget pleasing him, by 30 a woman should be able to tell a man exactly how to please her - Check.
13) Sew a button - Not very well, but I have sewn a button a few times.
14) Mix a kick-ass cocktail - Hellz yeah, I used to be a "mixologist", yo.
15) Take off her bra without removing her shirt - Perfected in my teens.
16) Apply lip gloss in the dark - Again, perfected in my teens.
17) Balance her checkbook - YES.
18) Create a budget -For sure.
19) Find the best deal - Always.
20) Negotiate a salary and/or raise - Still needs some work, but I think I can do it.
21) Read a map - I'm a fantastic navigator.
22) Hail a cab - Successfully. Although, never in NY or anything.
23) Say something in French just for the hell of it - "ou sont les ouefs"
24) Apologize when she's wrong - I'm wrong a lot, so this was checked off in the early 20's.
25) Dress for her body type - Could still use a little guidance, but for the most part, yes.
26) Change a flat (or know whom to call to come change it) - OnStar is the best.
27) Spot a fake (handbag, diamond, potential friend...) - Oh yeah.
28) Feign interest - Gracefully.
29) Know what to tip on a $25 dinner bill - I can thank my waitressing experience for this one.
30) Hold a baby - Um yeah, got this one.


Now here is my list for things I hope to accomplish by my 40th: (Thinking ahead a little? Maybe.)

1) Buy a house
2) Go on a vacation out of the country
3) Watch Lola dance/sing/act on a stage
4) Save $10,000 just because
5) Complete my credit repair and have impeccable credit once again
6) Run a full marathon
7) Go scuba diving
8) Go rock climbing
9) MS150
10) Teach Lola to ride a bike
11) Find a career/job where I am happy and fulfilled*
12) Have a research article published in a Historical journal
13) Join a historical society
14) Join Lola's PTA
15) See the Steelers play at Heinz Field
16) See the Red Sox play at Fenway
17) Take Lola to Disney World
18) Kayak
19) Go to Sea World
20) Go to the Opera
21) Go on a road-trip with the girls
22) See my besties get married
23) See my my besties have babies!
*This is actually more like #1 on my list right now*

This is just starting point. I am sure as I get older, things will be added to that list. All I know is that I am ready to start this new chapter in my life. I have accomplished some major things in my 29 years on this planet and I am looking forward to the next 10 years to be rewarding and fulfilling. BRING IT 30, BRING IT!