checkpoints

There is an article that made the rounds about 15 years ago in 1997, and it's making the rounds again. It's about turning 30 for women. And, even though I'm 3-1-derful these days, I thought it was interesting, if a little contrived.

By 30 you should have...
1.) One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you how far you've come.
check on the second one, check-ish on the first, but really most fall into the second category
2.) A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
check. however, i would like to change this to "a decent piece of furniture not previously part of your dorm/apartment living." and still, check. i hope my house doesn't look like the back-to-school/college sale at bed, bath, and beyond, although i still have some stuff from those days.
3.) Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
check, although i am always open to shopping.
4.) A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
check.
5.) A youth you’re content to move beyond.
check. working at a college makes me realize that, no, i don't want to go back to college, and, yes, even though i still feel like i'm that age, i'm really not.
6.) A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
check. although there are some things i don't want EVERYONE knowing.
7.) The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.
check and check. i have sadly realized that, although i save for retirement, it's in proportion to what i currently make. please, compounding interest, do your thang...or else i may need a better job.
8.) An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.
of course. beginning with my first email address, voice mailbox, and bank account. i've got this stuff on lockdown (who doesn't?)
9.) A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
check. it may not get me anywhere, but i have some 'xperience.
10.) One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
yes. and it's okay if that's sometimes the same person.
11.) A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
check, check, and well, isn't THAT a personal question.
12.) Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
hmm...i don't know about ridiculously expensive. i splurge sometimes, but my definition of splurge is not ridiculously expensive. maybe my alaskan cruise was a splurge, but it was fully funded and budgeted for.
13.) The belief that you deserve it.
i kind of hate the word "deserve," but at the same time, i don't feel guilty for the choices i make, even the splurge of the alaskan cruise.
14.) A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
this could use improvement in all areas. but, yes, i'm grossly aware of the effects of gravity, time, the sun, and lack of a plan.
15.) A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.
yes. a start at least.

By 30, you should know ...
1.) How to fall in love without losing yourself.
check. never really had this problem, more like how to allow yourself to fall in love.
2.) How you feel about having kids.
i think so. i'm more open to kids than i ever have been. i just want to be married and be able to afford it.
3.) How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
yes. these things are all difficult. but, it is a two-way street. you can do everything you can to maintain things and the other person can still burn the bridge.
4.) When to try harder and when to walk away.
so hard. this is a case-by-case sitution. but i think i'm learning, and i think my tolerance for BS is getting smaller as i get older.
5.) How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
check. :-)
6.) The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
yes, um...not really, and YES.
7.) How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
yes, have lived alone for years.
8.) Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
not always. i wish my friends lived closer or that i had better friends in town. i rely on the phone sometimes for moments like these, or i hang out with my family.
9.) That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
check. i have learned more acceptance.
10.) That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
check
11.) What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
check-ish...i think this is ever-revolving
12.) That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
ha ha. check.
13.) Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
check-ish. i think i have a good radar for people and knowing who to trust, but it's hard not to take some things personally.
14.) Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
CHECK. this is one of my pet peeves in other women. however, i probably need to learn to apologize when it IS my fault.
15.) Why they say life begins at 30
check