Random Thought Thursday

   With my sister’s 21st birthday creeping up on me in less than a week (and I still have no clue what to buy her) the topic of conversation has been milestones that you hit with age.

• 16 - you get your driver’s license 
• 18 - you’re finally “legal” and considered an adult, although no one is really an “adult” at this age
• 21 - legal drinking age
• 25 - made it to a quarter of a century (this may not be a milestone for most, but it was for me)
• 30 - every woman freaks out when it comes time to turn the big 3-0, I guess it’s because you’re no longer in your 20’s and you’re slowly losing your youth? haha I still haven’t quite figured this one out. 
• 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and so on…

  Sooo since I have already graced some of these milestones with my presence, (some with grace, some without) I figured that I would do some research since I’m creeping up on 30 and see if there was some kind of list of where I am “supposed” to be by that time. On huffpost.com there is a list reprinted from Glamour magazine titled: 

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30

Here it is…

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. 1/2 - only because I don’t believe in going backward in relationships. For the most part...
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family. Check
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. Check 
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. 2/3
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond. Check
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age. Check, check, and check. 
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it. Negative. Still learning how to budget my money...
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. Check
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded. Check
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. Check - so thankful for these people!! 
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. Hmmm…of course, just the bra. 
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. Check
13. The belief that you deserve it. ???...
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. 2/3
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better. Check and check. 

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. Check - took quite a while to learn how to do this
2. How you feel about having kids. Check
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship. Nope. Needs major work. I SUCK at confrontation...
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. Nope. Usually just cut my losses and walk away. 
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-grandmother and the best tailor in town. Definitely know the name of my great-grandmothers, but not into politics, and pretty sure there’s not even a “real” tailor around here...
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. Check - learned it. Loved it. 
8. How to take control of your own birthday. Check. 
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents. Check - recently accepted the last on this list. 
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. Check - mine was pretty awesome.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. Check - no matter how much money he has.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long. Check.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally. Check
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. Negative. Don’t think I’ll ever learn this. 
15. Why they say life begins at 30. Learning…..

   I guess like 19/30 isn’t too bad? And yes, I understand that this list is completely aimed at the female population…It did come from Glamour magazine, so that’s a given right there. But, some of the things on this list I feel like I’ll never reach regardless of my age. And I really don’t feel like it’s going to make me a more “rounded” person if I have and know these particular things by the time I’m 30. So, my thought process right now is: Why do we create these lists and “guidelines” to what we are supposed to have or know or be able to do by a certain age? Everyone is different and is on their own path going at their own speed. Just like the one “Why they say life begins at 30”…What if you decide to get married and have children after graduating college at 22 and you feel that is when your life “begins”. Would you be wrong? Maybe, maybe not. I just feel like everyone should do things at their own pace, in their own time. Do what makes them happy and don’t try to live by so many standards or lists.

***Update on the giveaway*** Winner has been notified, and instructions delivered. Once everything is wrapped up with that, I will post more info about what exactly is happening :) 

Oh, and tomorrow is FRIDAY! This week has been insane sooo (insert happy dance here)