Before I die... or turn 30

In a little less than four months from now, I will become a 30 year old and my life will be over.

four months. THIRTY. life = over.

I'm not looking forward to this event at all and have been kicking and screaming throughout my last year of 20's. However, I've recently come to realize that kicking and screaming isn't going to stop time and I ought to do something else to keep me occupied for these last four months of youngness. My plan... make a plan!

I don't feel as if I've done enough important things... or at least I haven't been as proactive as I could have been in making a difference in the world in my 20's. A difference that matters to other people than myself... something I can teach my children... something I can write about. So, I'm making a plan to live by. A list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 30 and a helluva list to live by during these inevitable dark ages so that maybe it won't be so dark.

#1 - be more green. I try to be aware of my ecological footprint now, but I can (and should) do more to reduce the amount of waste we as a family produce and consume. This will become a new hobby of mine and forever a way to live.

#2 - travel. and not to Canada or Mexico! Ok - so traveling may not reduce my ecological footprint but this is for my own sanity. I have insisted that we go on a childless vacation around July - October 2009 and I have insisted it be Europe. I'm not sure where exactly we will go but as of now, Prague is definitely on the list. I'm also shooting for Italy (since I could prob get by with the language) and one other stop. time to do some research! Or maybe we'll just let the Czech wind take us where it may... that sounds more fun.

#3 - go back to work. I've been very fortunate to stay home with Kaitlyn and Audrey but am looking forward to returning to the adult world in the next two years or so. I'll play this by ear as to when I feel Audrey is ready... in the meantime, I need to figure out what I want to do! I have no idea.

#4 - be fabulous. (before I turn 30 and shrivel up into an old woman) I'm going to be in the best shape of my life and be as fabulous as possible before October 2nd as I'm sure on October 3rd my bones will become brittle, my hair gray and my face lined with wrinkles no cosmetic could cover. This is my last chance.

#5 - no regrets. I will try to get in touch with old friends who have vanished and ones I have a) pissed off and/or b) have pissed me off. luckily, this is a short list!

#6 - live in the moment. For the most part, I spent my twenties working. I was the first of my friends to own a home, first to get married, first to have kids... being first is overrated. I want to slow things down and live in the moment for a while. We're always looking forward to and working for tomorrow, but guess what - tomorrow is never here. Now is here NOW and I don't want to miss it.

#7 - be first. this first isn't overrated and is infact, very important. I will allow myself more time to be first. Being a parent automatically sends you to the bottom of the totem pole but one should climb up to the top every now and then. Making myself a priority has become a new priority.

#8 - write more and read more. period.


I'm sure my plan will change once the Alzheimers and dementia kick in - my reason for writting all of this out. But I think this is a healthy start.