30 Good Things About Turning 30: #30

GOOD THING #30

I don't have to sweat turning 30 anymore because right now -at this very moment- I am officially 30 years old.  Time is marching on.

Also, I miraculously found 30 good things to say about turning 30.  AND, I actually posted something on this oft-neglected blog 30 days in a row.  I know, I can't believe it either.

I'm sure this little exercise didn't mean much to anyone else, but it certainly has helped me be more cheerful about the impending doom of my 20's.  Thanks to whoever took the time to read any of these posts.

Dear 30,
You're not so scary.  I have a feeling we'll get along just fine.
Love, Katie

The number one song of 2010 was "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum.  I'm not much of a country music fan, but I'll admit this song is alright.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #29

GOOD THING #29

Tomorrow I will be 30 years old and can dismiss any silly things I do today as, "Oh, that?  That was way back when I was in my 20's.  Silly me."

The number one song of 2009 was "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga.
I'm still not quite sure what to make of her.  Meh.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #28

GOOD THING #28

30 is divisible by 3, and 3 is a magic number.

I sing Blind Melon's version of this Schoolhouse Rock classic to Henry almost every day.  He loves it!

Then number one song of 2008 was 'Bleeding Love' by Leona Lewis.  This song totally flew under my radar, I'll blame it on 2008 being the year I got married and ran 6 marathons.  Um, BTW, who is Leona Lewis?  Dang.  I'm officially old.  That's a little sad.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #27

GOOD THING #27

By 30 a person has seen a few things from both sides.
For example:  I've now seen life from the side of a child and the side of a parent.
To further illustrate the point:
One of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs is 'Both Sides Now'.  Please do yourself a favor and check out how striking it is to watch younger Joni and older Joni singing the same song.

Joni in 1969 and Joni in 2000.

I wonder how I'll see things in another 30 years?

The number one song of 2007 was "Umbrella" by Rihanna and Jay-Z.  As I said in yesterday's post, the chart toppers don't make much sense to me anymore.  Also, this is another 'click at your own risk' song.  The chorus will be stuck in your head for days.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #26

GOOD THING #26

30 comes with a bit more confidence.

I recently had the pleasure/displeasure of reading a whole zip top bag full of notes my friend Sunny found in a box from high school.  After reading the last note I said to myself, "Self, we've come a long way baby!"  I feel like an entirely different person now than I did back in high school (and even part of college).  I guess what I mean to say is:
I actually LIKE myself now.  Awesome!  Hooray me!

The number one song of 2006 was "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira and Wyclef Jean.
Sure.  Why not.  I guess I'm officially old b/c the songs on my 'top songs' list have completely stopped making any sense to me.  frownsmile.  sigh.
Dear Wyclef and Shakira, I know you're capable of better.
Dear worldwide music charts, I don't understand you anymore.
Love, Katie

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #25

GOOD THING #25

By 30 one learns the importance of having a tidy house.
My living space is about a bazillion times more organized than it was when I was in high school/college.

Thank goodness for that!

The number one song of 2005 was 'Hung Up' by Madonna.  This makes hat trick for Madonna on the top songs list.  Go Madge!  Oddly enough, this is a great song to run to.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #24

GOOD THING #24

One can meet a LOT of people in 30 years.

photo found here

I've been lucky enough to meet a lot of really great people in my 3 decades of living.  Aw.

The number one song of 2004 was 'Yeah!' by Usher.  Remember all of the Lil' Jon parodies that came out because of this song?  Whhhat? Yeeeah!  Okay!  Let's go!

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #23

GOOD THING #23

As it is a 'milestone' birthday, 30 is a good excuse to celebrate BIG.
I am going to eat whatever I want on my birthday (or, let's be honest, this whole week).  Oh yes.  And it will be sweet.  And I will probably regret it terribly.  This baby weight isn't going to lose itself :$  Oh well, it'll be worth it.  The gluttony begins tonight!

hee hee hee.

The number one song of 2003 was 'Where is the Love?' by The Black Eyed Peas.  Does anyone else remember when Fergie was on Kids Incorporated as Stacy Ferguson?  Awesome.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #22

GOOD THING #22

Turning 30 means a lower target heart rate during exercise.
This goes along perfectly with my exercise philosophy:  Start slow, then taper off.

I found this chart here.

The number one song of 2002 was 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem.  This song won Eminem an Academy Award.  Yes, that's right.  Eminem and Martin Scorsese have the same quantity of Oscars.  One.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #21

GOOD THING #21

At 30, I have 10 whole years before I start freaking out about turning 40.

The number one song of 2001 was 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' by Kylie Minogue.  Click the link at your own risk... the repetitive hook of this song may actually get stuck in your head.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #20

GOOD THING #20

30 years is enough time to amass some really great traditions.

Just a few of my favorite traditions thus far:
Celebrating my birthday at the Mandarin
The Adams/Orton/Staples Christmas Eve party
A raclette feast for special occasions

The number one song of 2000 was 'Music' by Madonna.
So far Madge is the only artist to have the number one song more than once on my '30 songs for 30 years' posting.  She's good.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #19

GOOD THING #19

The '30's' seem to be the prime of one's life.
For example:  lately I've had quite a few women in their 70's and 80's say things like, "You're turning 30?  Oh!  To be in my 30's again.  Those were great years!"  These ladies have had enough experience to make statements like that legitimate.  I sure hope they're right.

I will be 30 in 11 days.  Time to get on board and be happy about it.

The number one song of 1999 was 'Baby One More Time' by Britney Spears.
You know, I've tried, but I just haven't ever been able to get on board with Britney.  The truth is, her 'music' makes my ears cry.  There, I said it.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #18

GOOD THING #18

30 years of life experience gives one a better appreciation for the hidden humor and pop culture references in TV shows and movies.

Did you know Sesame Street is actually hilarious!?!
FYI, they give some of the greatest 'hidden bonus parent humor' lines to the nearly unintelligible Cookie Monster:  "Today Me different.  Me have sea change."  Well done, Sesame Street.  Well done.

The number one song of 1998 was 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion.  I think 16 year old Katie and her friends watched Titanic at the Flood Street dollar theater at least 4 or 5 weekends in a row.  We thought Leo was SO dreamy!

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #17

GOOD THING #17

At 30 I no loger feel like I need to have something going on every single weekend.

It's liberating.

The number one song of 1997 was 'I'll Be Missing You' by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans.  R.I.P.,  B.I.G.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #16

GOOD THING #16

At 30, if you want something, you can just go get it.
I'm not saying turning 30 gives you permission to fulfill all of the wildest dreams of your inner Veruca Salt.  First and foremost you MUST stick to your budget.  What I mean to say is, little things need not wait for birthdays, Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc.
For example: the latest installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise is in stores today.  I'm a huge Harry Potter geek and I don't want to wait 2 whole weeks until it's officially my birthday to bask in the glow of wizardy greatness.  So, as soon as Henry wakes up from his nap, we are on our way to the store lickety split!  30th birthday WIN!

The number one song of 1996 was 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls.  No, really, it was.  I wish I were kidding.  I know, I have no words.  No words.  -sigh-

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #15

GOOD THING #15

One can learn how to do a lot of useful things in 30 years.
I googled '30 things you should know how to do before turning 30'... I found a few lists, but I didn't agree with all of the things listed.  Here is MY list of 30 things I think one should know how to do by 30 (which doesn't mean I know how to do all of these things, BTW):

ride a bike
change a tire
ski/snowboard/wakeboard
swim
parallel park
manage time
operate a computer/smartphone/MP3 player/etc.
set and follow a budget
host a party
cook
do laundry
keep your house clean
drive stick
catch, clean, and cook a fish
play an instrument
tie good knots
garden
build a fire
jumpstart a car
do basic household repairs
dance
take good pictures/video
remove a stain
use a compass
do the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR
give -and take- a complement
sew a button
change a diaper
get -and stay- fit
write an excellent letter/card/thank you note/love note

The number one song of 1995 was 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio.  14 year old Katie may or may not have known most of the words to this song.  What a great use of my spare time ;)

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #14

GOOD THING #14

In our 30 or so years of living my generation has seen an explosion of technology:  the internet, cell phones, video games, digital photography, personal computers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LEDs, LCDs, GPS, MP3 players, ATMs, CDs, DNA sequencing, bar codes, E-mail, online shopping, easily accessible solar and wind power, and on and on and on.  I wonder what kind of technological wonderment the next 30 years will bring?

I love technology
always and forever

The number one song of 1994 was 'Streets of Philadelphia" by Bruce Springsteen

The Boss!

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #13

GOOD THING #13

The cartoons and toys from the 80's have been repackaged and are now cool again, giving my generation the ability to vicariously enjoy a second childhood through the kids in our lives.  Yes... wink, wink... 'vicariously'...

My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -and several others I can't think of right now- have made a big comeback.  I wonder if Strawberry Shortcake still reeks of plasticy strawberries?

For the record: Legos (my favorite toy of all time) have never been unpopular and have therefore never needed a 'comeback'.  Just sayin'.
As mentioned a couple of posts ago, turning 30 means it really is time to be honest with oneself.  I'll unabashedly admit I'm STOKED that motherhood provides me with the opportunity to play with Legos, Crayola, Play Doh, and other cool toys again!


Continuing on with the song of the year:

The number one song of 1993 was 'I'd Do Anything For Love, But I Won't Do That' by Meatloaf.  Epic.  So so epic.

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #12

GOOD THING #12

In only 5 more years I could be the President of the United States...

if I were crazy enough to want that job.

It must be so lonely at the top.  No thanks.

The number one song of 1992 was 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston.
Yet another number one single from a Costner film.  Interesting.  BTW, I don't know how it's possible for the same actor to give the world pure gold like Field of Dreams, Robin Hood, The Bodyguard, Dances with Wolves, JFK, etc... then make pure lameness with films like Waterworld, the Postman, and almost everything else he's done since the mid-90's.  It's not too late Mr. Costner, you can still turn it around.  I believe in you!

30 Good Things About Turning 30: #11

GOOD THING #11

By 30 it becomes apparent how important it is to be honest with oneself.

This gem is from the first Mormon ad campaign.  Love it!  Found it here.

One of my favorite quotes from the Great Gatsby comes from the character Nick Carraway when he says,   'I'm thirty.  I'm five years too old to lie to myself and call it honor.'
I'll be honest with myself, I need to reread 'Gatsby' and a lot of the other classic books I read in high school.  Thank goodness for audio books!

The number one song of 1991 was '(Everything I Do) I Do it For You' by Bryan Adams.  10 year old Katie LOVED this song in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.  To quote Lisa Simpson, "Poor Mr. Costner, he tries so hard."