Monday, December 3, 2007

Thirty Two Things

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all the birfday wishes. A couple people asked how old I was turning. And now that I have finally come to terms with it, I will share. Thirty two.

Many women freak out when they are approaching the big Three-Oh. If you are drawing near to that age, I recommend a funny booked called Twenty Nine and Counting...

I did not freak out on my 30th. I went wine tasting with a bunch of really good friends and had a great time. I was looking forward to being 30 - finally a real adult. With that, I had a real sense of freedom to be who I want to be and not what other people want me to be. Sounds weird out loud, but maybe you understand.

HOWEVER, when I turned 31, it wasn't quite as easy. For some reason it really hit me then. Holy shit - I'm in my 30's! What the hell am I going to do with my life? I freaked. I balled my eyes out in a restaurant and had to leave. It was not a pretty site.

This year, I'm just fine. Had a wonderful weekend. Drank way too much. But I did actually attempt to run. I went two pain-free miles! I was very excited.

Anyway, in celebration of being thirty two, I thought I would come up with 32 cool things about being 32.
  1. I can rent a car with no problem
  2. I am confident in my career
  3. I’ve travelled to 18 countries and adding a few more next year
  4. Car insurance is less expensive
  5. I can use curse words in front of adults
  6. I get to sit at the grown up table at Christmas
  7. Older people can tell dirty jokes around me
  8. People finally stopped asking me when I am going to get married (I think they’ve given up)
  9. I’ve paid off my debt and know how to use a credit card wisely
  10. I don’t have to live on pizza anymore (I actually don’t really like pizza)
  11. I don’t enjoy sleep-over’s anymore (except with The Captain – wink wink)
  12. I would never even think of crashing on someone’s couch
  13. I’m happy to stay home and watch a movie on a Friday night
  14. Girls night out doesn’t elicit the same response in me that it used to
  15. I prefer to drink good wine over crappy stuff
  16. Don’t even think of pouring me a cheap vodka drink
  17. I can say “no” to invitations and not feel guilty
  18. I can slightly hold my tongue more than I used to (well, sometimes)
  19. I can enjoy spending quiet time with my grandparents and want to hear their stories
  20. I can leave when I want to
  21. I have a savings account and it actually has money in it.
  22. I have a 401K AND an IRA
  23. I don’t think Top Ramen is a “staple” item
  24. I think fresh vegetables, cottage cheese and eggs are “staple” items now
  25. The wild oats have been planted. No need to dig them up again.
  26. I highly value the skill of Multi-Tasking
  27. Quality is better than quantity in most everything- food, drinks, clothing, relationships, etc.
  28. I can still have a baby, if I chose to
  29. I know how to get things done
  30. I can get along with my mother – this was no easy feat
  31. A good nights sleep and exercise are way better than closing down the bar
  32. A delicious cup of tea could instantly change my mood

Song of The Day: Inside of Love by Nada Surf

30 comments:

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

I just turned 30 and I found it to be a relief - but now you have me freaked out for 31 :-) But I guess there is 32 to look forward to!

Amy said...

You're way ahead of me. I really don't know what a 401k or IRA is. I'll be really jealous of you when we're in our 60s...that's all know about it.

Laura N said...

Happy Birthday! Nice list.

I felt the same way about 30--finally an adult.

I will be 40 in 2 years, 5 months. I'm already freaking out so I'm guessing 4-0 is not going to be easy.

Unknown said...

Haha, way to go! I wish I could say the same for myself regarding #9! I have no qualms about turning 30 - I know far too many women at the top of their game who are 30+ and beyond. Glad you had such a lovely birthday!

Tri+Umph said...

Wait, you lost me.

Theres people who don't live off pizza?

Tigerlilly said...

Happy Birthday!

I turn 30 next April... I used to be terrified of being that old, but then I had 2 kids and now I look older then 30 anyway.. so , what the heck.. might as well keep going.

Glad you had such a wanderful time!

Marcy said...

I'm really looking forward to my 30's for some reason. I guess because I've felt like a "grown up" ever since I was 24 with my first kid in tow.

Here's to the 3-0's!!

SoberMommie said...

Love your list and I can relate to all of them! Amazing what your list is this year -- think back to your list of 5 or 10 years ago. We are older (yes) but much, much wiser!

RunnerGirl said...

I'm turning 30 this year so I may need your moral support come March! Glad to hear you had a happy birhtday!

Maddy said...

Like you I had no problem with turning 30. And like you, 31 was a problem. I turned 35 in September and I thought, Damn, I'm old. But I can run farther than any of my kids' friends' moms. And I love that!

I'm glad you had a great birthday!

And the list is awesome! My favorite is #20. I can leave when I want to.

Indeed!

Jen said...

Late birthday wishes for you. I will be 33 next year. I still get carded.

Viv said...

I fruck out at my 32nd birthday.
I loved the list. Made me laugh and made me appreciate being 33.

miss petite america said...

i feel younger at 29 than i did at 21...is this a problem?

kate said...

Happy belated birthday! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I feel better the closer I get to 30, far better than I ever felt at 21. Unfortunately for me, I'll always be stuck at the kids table, despite the grey hairs and wrinkles that are starting to appear.

Amy said...

Hope you had a great birthday! I love your list. There are many things on that list I hope to be able to say very soon, i.e. Ramen noodles and people asking me when I'm getting married! (ugh)

teacherwoman said...

I LOVE your idea of this list! There are a lot I agree with, but I really like the one about "a good nights sleep and exercise are way better than closing down the bar" ... so true. Some of my friends still have a hard time understanding this...

I might "steal/borrow" this idea for my birthday list... just around the corner! Big 2-7! Bring it baby!

Amy@RunnersLounge said...

Happy Birthday! Love the list - it is so good to hear someone talk about all the things they are grateful for on their special day.

Unknown said...

Happy Happy Happy Birthday!! Love your list.

Just think about doing the list in 10yrs when you're 42 like me. Actually, doing the list every 5yrs or so would be very cool...interesting how things change. :)

Unknown said...

my favorite post of yours. ever. when i turned 30 i had just found out i was pregnant... so needless to say, the world as i knew it had changed drastically. and now as a 32.5 year old, i am right with you with ALL your 32 year old pieces of wisdom.

Reluctant Runner said...

You get to sit at the adult table at Christmas? Luckeee. I'm 44 and still don't quite feel like I belong there.

I love your list, POM, and hope you had a wonderful birthday. You are wise beyond your years.

Jess said...

I love your list! Glad you had a good b-day.

Midwest said...

Happy birthday! I feel much the same way about being in my 30's. One thing on my list is that I no longer feel compelled to do shots just because somebody bought a round. Looks like you just wasted your money, 'cause I don't feel like vomiting later.

Ian said...

I just turned 32 in September. It's no big deal.

Lori said...

I'll be 31 in April, so I will let you know if that is more traumatic than 30 was, which wasn't. I love your list, too, and feel the same about most all of it. I have spent a lot of time over this past year thinking about the difference that 10 years makes and it is just incredible.

Heather said...

Happy Birthday! I loved this one on your list: I can say “no” to invitations and not feel guilty.

It's a great one -- especially this time of year. In years past I'd bend over backwards to get to parties to have a semi-crappy time. Now I'm choosy. Choosy = good!

J~Mom said...

I looove your list. I am 36 and this year I am starting to dread the 40 already.

katieo said...

What an awesome list! I love finally sitting at the "grownup" table.

You'd think having a child would qualify me...but no...

Brooke said...

Great list.

Database Diva said...

Thank you for this post! I've been moping all day because I'm rolling up another digit on my odometer tomorrow. The idea of thinking up 47 good things about being 47 made me laugh. There are days when I could do it, but I've been in such a crappy mood lately I'm not sure I could think of 7! I do enjoy a good cup of tea (I'm enjoying one right now), and I rarely freak out about anything so I guess there are at least 2! Congratulations on the 2 pain-free miles and the wonderful weekend. Belated best wishes for your birthday!

Laurel said...

You don't like pizza? That is nuts, lady.

Welcome to 32! It's not so bad, actually, it is a pretty relaxed age to be. I love my thirties!