I turned 30 years old 11 days ago, and it hasn't been too horrible. Since I haven't written here in awhile, I thought this would be the perfect time to write one of my infamous lists.
top 30 things about being 30 (no certain order. . .)
30. Young enough to lose a few pounds, old enough to not give a crap about a few extra pounds.
29. I am finally more than double my students ages and don't necessarily listen to the same music anymore. . .well, some of it.
28. I enjoy sitting in our awesome West Stadium seats at Husker games instead of sneaking over to the student section where I can only see about half the game.
27. New hair for my new decade
26. It seems like people take you more seriously at 30. Something about with age comes experience.
25. Cool co-workers that know how to embarrass the hell out of you but still make you laugh by posting facebook profile photos of you and cute sayings about being 30 all over the school.
24. Stephenie Meyer was 29 when she wrote her first book, Twilight, so I am not that far off.
23. Being able to afford to take awesome trips like going to Jamaica or traveling to watch your alma mater play in a basketball tournament
22. Planning for children
21. Being able to remember Michael Jackson when he was considered sexy and an icon beyond media madness and craziness
20. Developing a tougher skin when people disappoint you (over and over again)
19. Being able to reconnect with friends you haven't seen in years and not recall why you lost touch (and not care)
18. Waking up every day with my best friend. . .
17. . . .and man's best friends, my doggies
16. Getting invited to more kid bday parties than adults', and enjoying them
15. Being able to retire in 25 years ;)
14. Not working a second job so we can leave town occasionally when the cold weather gets to be too much
13. To go with #14, not starting Christmas in Oct. this year
12. Having friends younger than you that you can help through 30
11. Having friends older than you that let you know how awesome it would be
10. Being young enough to enjoy YA literature but also sit down and read the newspaper cover to cover
9. Creighton basketball with my husband. . .and not missing a home game this year (goal)
8. Sharing a milestone birthday with Sesame Street
7. Having my family be healthy and safe
6. Having fun without drinking all night. . .and being hungover the next morning
5. Not going to the laundromat
4. Old pictures that remind you of your youth
3. Thinking this could be the start of the best year of your life
2. Vacations that I will be taking. . .when school is not in session, but still. . .
1. Being married to my best friend who will always be older than me. :)
Honestly, if I were Bella, I would have gone for the werewolf.
Rob Pattinson (AKA Edward Cullen of Twilight fame) was hit by a cab on Thursday while trying to escape a mob of fans. I immediately wondered if Rob channelled Edward, moving the with vampire-like strength as he read the minds of the teenage girls who were so attracted to his milky white skin.
I just don't see it. OK, he's got that mysterious, bedroom eyes thing going for him, but the pale skin thing isn't just for the movies. Maybe it's just that he's 23 years old, and my tastes have become more sophisticated.
This coming from the girl who puts Adam Sandler at the top of her list. You know the list, made ever-popular by Friends. You put five famous people that you could enjoy the company of without it being considered cheating. This is all in good fun, of course, because the chance of me ever meeting let alone having a chance with Sandler, Dave Matthews, Ed Norton, Ewan McGregor, or Barack Obama (I had to add him. He is the most powerful man in the free world) is slim to none. Not to mention that I think all of these men are married, and I am 100% certain I am not on their lists.
Adam Sandler, however, is my number one. He is absolutely hilarious and has that cute boy next door thing going on. Of course, Billy Madison is my all-time favorite mindless movie. I must have watched it 900 times in college. I still keep it in my Netflix Queue. I believe that Billy really saw the penguins and that the battle between shampoo and conditioner will rage on.
But, back to Ed (Cullen, not Norton). Reading about Rob (not Ed) cheating death by cab, reminded me of the moment I became an Ed (not Rob) fan in the Twilight series. I have to admit, I was not always certain of Edward's motives. Even through Breaking Dawn, I was skeptical of what he was doing with a girl like Bella. Then, I read the draft of Midnight Sun, Twilight from Edward's point of view. I now can see what makes at least Edward's character so attractive. Being able to read Edward's mind is a power that Meyer so graciously gives us in her fifth novel of the series. Stephenie Meyer, (if you are reading this), finish that book! Please! Just because some jerk leaked the novel doesn't mean you should deprive yourself and your fans from publishing your best book yet. I, as a fan who has paid good money for all of the books, appreciated her allowing me to legally read the book on her website after all was said and done, but I would loved to have a finished bound copy on my shelf!
In other Stephenie Meyer related news, I am working on a novel. How does this relate to the famous author of Twilight? She was 29 when she published her first novel, Twilight. I am 29, and although my novel has nothing to do with vampires, she has given me hope that life does not, in fact, end at 30. My thirties are on the horizon as a beginning of something fascinating and wonderful. No longer working two jobs to make ends meet, I can rediscover my passion for words beyond my classroom walls. Even if I don't make a living from it, my goal is to have a rough draft (at least) completed by the time I hit the big 3-0. It's getting closer and closer, but my first book for young adults will at least be on my own personal book shelf by 2010.
My motto in life has always been "test drive it". I figure why not, right? Easier said than done. With age comes caution, and more often than not lately I have been perhaps a little too weary of taking risks.
Thirty has become this huge looming number for me.
30: Living in an apartment
30: Childless
30: Virtually unpublished
30: Pounds overweight
You get the picture. Honestly, I am not scared to turn 30. I am scared that if I keep proceeding with too much trepidation, that I could become one of those "Smug Married" half-whits Bridget Jones writes about in her diary.
I could be my mother, (but, really, is that such a bad thing)?
Life is risky though. Posting your thoughts on the internet for anyone to read (potential agents, publishers, hint-hint, nudge-nudge), thinking about bringing kids into this crazy, screwed-up world, teaching other people's children, traveling across the country or the world. Is it worth it? Hell, yes. I am ready to embrace 30 with all its ups and downs. I am ready to shut the hell up and hit the gas.
