What Glamour magazine thinks I should have figured out by my 36th birthday...

Today's my birthday!

I am feeling a bit older, but apparently I should also be feeling wiser too...

I found this on the Huffington Post website:

"In 1997, Glamour magazine published a story titled "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30." The list, written by Pamela Redmond Satran, was so popular that women started emailing it around, misattributing it to various female luminaries including Maya Angelou and Hillary Clinton."

 I hadn't seen this list before now, so I couldn't do it when I actually turned 30, but I thought it would be fun to see how I "stack up" against the list now that I'm on passing 2nd base on my way to the big 4-0!

By 30, every woman should have...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

I have to say that I definitely have no old boyfriend I'd want to go back to--that is why I married Paul.  Best boyfriend I'd ever had!  I do have an old boyfriend or two that don't even measure up to my husband.  I pretty much lucked out on living next door to a tall, red-headed golfer my senior year at BYU.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

Yep-I do have a couple of pieces that I love and will never get rid of!

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

This is something Paul attributes to himself, since he is my "employer" and the man of my dreams.  He funds my wardrobe!

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

Purse, check.  Umbrella, check.  Suitcase, uh no.  Maybe I'll put that on my Christmas list

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

Yes--although I loved growing up.  Lots of good memories!

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

No--nothing juicy.  I was a good girl. Always was, always will be.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.

Yes--I keep asking Paul what he thinks our future will look like.  Where will we live, will we go on a mission, where we would want to retire...

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.

Email, yes.  Voicemail, yes.  Bank accounts are all joint, but since I'm the CFO, I could probably move money around without Paul even knowing :)

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

No resume padding here, although I did enjoy my teaching career of 4 1/2 years!

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

So lucky to have wonderful friends--many who fill this role

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

Yes on the screwdrivers.  I bought Paul the drill. No black lacy bra (good girl, remember)

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

I've never bought myself something expensive.  I put in my wish list to Paul.  It would be fun to get something entirely on my own, though.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

All women deserve something just for them!

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.

Exercise--very good.  My skin-care routine needs some work.  I don't know if I have any other plan for aging.  I probably should--40 is right around the corner.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

I think I have a very solid start on the parts of my life that matter most.

By 30, you should know ...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

No--good thing Paul was/is a good man!

2. How you feel about having kids.
I should, right?! 

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

Nope--I try to avoid confrontation at all costs.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
No--I think I am stubborn and dig in when I shouldn't

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

Not sure--I'll have to ask Paul

6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

Secretary of State Clinton.  Great Grandmas, two that I can off the top of my head:  Clara, Miranda. Best tailor--my mom.  I just wait till she comes to town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

Not so good at this

8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.

Yes

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

Still learning this one

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

Yes, but I still love to reminisce

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

Yes

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

Yes

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

Still trying to figure this out.  I definitely tend to trust when I shouldn't have and it's bitten me before

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

Not learned this yet

15. Why they say life begins at 30

I don't think so, I still want to be 28!  

Wow--I've got a lot to learn about being 30 in the next 4 years before I'm no longer in my 30s!