30 for 30 and 30 more before 30

In 1997, Glamour magazine published a story titled "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30." Since then, I have seen it in e-mails, posted in bathrooms, and spread all over places that women gather. I always enjoy reading it and usually move on..until now. I am now 29+19 days and coming in hot towards 30. Aging isn't a huge stressor for me but I do feel like 30 is an important mile marker so it is time I consider this list more seriously (and with a few laughs at myself..).

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. CHECK and CHECK
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. CHECK
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
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it. CHECK and WORKIN ON IT
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
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. CHECK, sore subject, CHECK
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. CHECK
13. The belief that you deserve it. CHECK
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. CHECK
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better. CHECK, ?, CHECK

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
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. CHECK
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. COULD BE BETTER
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. HMM
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. CHECK
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
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. CHECK
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. CHECK
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. CHECK
15. Why they say life begins at 30...LOOKING FORWARD TO FIGURING IT OUT

Now that I am confident that I have almost mastered this list, realizing I am still learning, always learning, I feel it is time to move forward and accomplish a few more things before I turn 30. 30 to be exact. This list is slowly building with recommendations/advice from others, inspiration from my reading, and overall growth that never seems to stop.