AUTHOR: M. DATE: 7:24:00 AM ----- BODY:

I'm 30 today. It was bound to happen at some point. Why not today? I like birthdays. It's only in the last few years that they've started to be less exciting, but I admit I still wake up on my birthday having that I'm-a-special-kid-today feeling. Though 30 does feel like a big one, I have to say that, for the most part, I'm pretty damned happy with where my life is right now - so 30 is just a bigger number than 29 (albeit one that's sounding more and more like I'm supposed to be a real grown-up... but please don't tell anyone). Now I'm taking stock of 29. Here's what I've got, at least off the top of my head (in no particular order): Cities I visited, fell in love with, and decided I HAD to move to: 2 Chances that we'll actually move to either of them: 0 (but a girl can dream) Hours in a sea kayak: 60 Hours at the gym: 159 Cooking classes: 2 American Sign Language classes: 2 Wedding anniversaries celebrated: well, one, obviously, but the FIRST one! Weddings attended: 1 (finally slowing down, just in time for the baby shower rush) Wierd things my homeopath has taught me about my body: at least 16 Hours spent looking longingly at condo listings: 8 zillion Bank account balance that we'd like to use for a down payment on said condo: don't make me laugh... well, actually, go ahead, I could use it. Trips to the west coast: 4 Very important friendships ended (much to my chagrin): 1 Old friends re-discovered: 3 Important people in my life who birthed babies this year: 4 and two halves (if you count the two still cooking) New last names: 1 Really, really great books read: 3 Promotions: one, and a big fat one, at that Major life decisions: 2 (one short-term, one really, really long-term) Giant family arguments prompted by major life decisions: 1 (this is actually less than when we were planning our wedding, so, okay) Birthday-related panic: only two eensy, weensy episodes Things people have said to me recently, in re: turning 30: 1. "My 30's were my favorite." 2. "My twenties sucked." 3. "Hell, nothing beats high school." Number 1 I'll take. Number 2, weeeeellll... my twenties did NOT suck, but sure, if what you're telling me is that things only get better. I'm pretty pleased with all the things I accomplished, learned, checked off, etc. this decade (aside from all those grad school applications I kept sending away for, filing, and then recycling). Number 3, well, that's just sad, unless you went to high school on a different planet. You obviously did not go to MY high school. So, anyone out there reading this (all 20 or so of you): what year was your favorite (so far)? What do you know now that you wish you knew then? What do you hope you'll know by the time you get to your next round number?

-------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Away2me COMMENT-DATE:12:52 PM COMMENT-BODY:Happy Birthday!

My 20's kind of sucked! So far the 30's have been great. I married about 3 weeks before my 30th birthday so I think year 30 was my favorite. The past few years have been filled with infertility and adoption hassles so I hope next year is the best year yet!

Also, I've got you linked to the new site. I'll let you know when it goes up! -------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Anonymous COMMENT-DATE:7:45 PM COMMENT-BODY:HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I thought 29 was harder than 30 because I knew that 30 was coming.

My life was full of challenges in my 30's, so I can't tell how much of how I feel about that decade was related to my age or my challenges, over all though, I've got to say I'm liking my 40's better than my 30's. Because, life get's easier with experience.

I think life also improves with age so enjoy every minute of it, I think you'll find you enjoy it more each year you're alive, so don't get hung up on numbers.

My advice: use lots of good face creams, and sun screen on your face daily; get your teeth cleaned twice a year (to avoid root canal); make sure you're not the one taking all of the pictures in the family (have some taken of you); don't ever stop dating your spouse.

What I want to know is - what were those 3 really good books? -------- COMMENT-AUTHOR: Barb COMMENT-DATE:5:00 PM COMMENT-BODY:happy belated birthday. 23 was the best for me thus far. i was a GREAT 23... welcome to 30-hood! --------