Hello again. 4 years ago, when I turned 25, I wrote a list of things I’d like to accomplish before my 30th birthday… Well, I’m 29 now and have to get cracking if I plan to check most of these goals off of my list. It’s pretty funny reviewing these because some of them seem way off the mark — a lot has changed in 4 years I suppose.
Let’s review my list and see how I’m doing :)
Ten Things I’d Like To Do Before My 30th Birthday
1 ) Get my Masters Degree in Public Relations. I have a B.A. in Sociology and although I loved studying sociology I feel like I need to expand my skill set in order to get where I want to be career wise. Plus, going back to school is always a great option for folks like me who have no real direction in life.
Update – Hahahahaha. I am not sure I will ever be a student again and I still feel really directionless. I am still doing the same job I had when I wrote this original blog post, which is pretty terrifying actually. I may be getting promoted at work, so that’s good? I think my ultimate goal in life is to be at home, with my dogs, reading and watching movies.
2 ) Start a family with my husband. This is pretty self explanatory! I don’t see myself having a baybeh until I’m closer to 28 or 29 but it’s something we should start planning now because kids are hella expensive.
Update – To quote Bill Burr “Ohhhhhh Jesus.” I think 25 year old me was pretty adorable. No comment on the baby thing.
3 ) Volunteer more. I’ve recently started volunteering with Washtenaw Literacy and after only one lesson with my student I already feel like I’m making a difference. I’m going to try my darndest to make volunteering an even bigger part of my life in the years to come.
Update – Yeah, I suck. My volunteering with Washtenaw Literacy fizzled out quickly because unfortunately I was working a 50+ hours at work and my student had difficulty making our appointments. I still want to volunteer and really need to make it a priority.
4 ) Get a hot body. I’m happy with my body now but really want to start some sort of exercise program that gives me the body I know I can have if I put in the effort. Achieving this goal will mean I have to stop being a lazy arse, so it may take some time to accomplish.
Update – So I haven’t yet achieved the ‘hot body’ I have in mind. It’s hard to do when your husband says he loves you the way you are and cooks you dinner every night. I am starting a cross fit program though work this week, it’s 8 weeks, 2 classes per week. So maybe I will get that ‘hot body’
5 ) Start my career. After accomplishing Goal #1, naturally. I’m working full-time now but it’s only a job and not want I want to be doing in one year, let alone 5.
Update – Yikes. I feel like a total loser! I still have no idea what I want to do, so I guess I’ll keep showing up for work, getting paid, and writing blogs about how I have to figure my shit out.
6 ) Become a homeowner. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I am VERY close to achieving this goal :)
Update – I BOUGHT A HOUSE & STILL OWN IT! CHECK THIS OFF THE LIST!!!!
7 ) Travel to Asia. This may be hard to accomplish as my husband has an aversion to travelling to non-English speaking countries (Boo!) but I’d love to visit Thailand, Bali, Japan… You name it!
Update – We haven’t made it to Asia but we have gone to Mexico a couple times, and Colorado. Our next trip will be to Oregon to visit family, then maybe some travels around Michigan. I really don’t see us going to Asia anytime soon which is a bummer. I think if I asked Richard today to go to Asia he’d say, “Can’t you do that with Aparna?”
8 ) Adopt another dog. I’ve always been a dog person and at one point imagined myself having upwards of 5 dogs. Adopting another dog would bring our count to 2. I’m on my way, folks!
Update – Sweet Andy is 4 years old and Dexter is still kicking around at 6. After watching the Puppy Bowl yesterday I asked Richard if we should get another dog…. I think my family would kill me.
9 ) Spend a ridiculous amount of money on something. You may say buying a home is very expensive and that’s already on my list, but I’m talking about something totally frivolous. Like, a $1000 on a pair of shoes or purse. This goal may not seem realistic, but if I start my career and start making good money for myself – I think I deserve to splurge.
Update – Looks like I worded this goal as something to do only when I’ve met my career goal. Considering I might be getting promoted soon, maybe I can cross this off the list? I can’t see myself dropping $1000 on a pair of shoes because I have become obsessed with saving for retirement (THANK YOU ZACH ELLIS, UGH YOU RUINED ME), but maybe I’ll splurge on some wine…? Even that sounds lame. Stupid Zach. I don’t know. Leave a comment & help me spend my money.
10 ) Get a tattoo. I keep changing my mind on whether or not a tattoo is something I really want…but I think I could handle a small tattoo somewhere hidden. I have five years to get the courage to do this.
Update – I am still tattoo free and am still unsure what I would get. I have mulled over a few ideas but I think I’d get sick of them. Etsy now sells a bunch of hipster-y temporary tattoos so I think I’ll try some of those first before I get a real one. I feel like out of all of my siblings, I would be the one to get a tattoo, so it has to happen.
There you have it. I’ve completed two things from my list #6 Buy a house and #8 Adopt another dog. Those are pretty decent goals to have accomplished – especially when I crossed them off the list soon after my 25th birthday! I think Richard could argue I’ve also completed #9 because we have totally different opinions on what is considered splurging.
There are probably a couple left that I can actually achieve. #3 Volunteer more (just need to do it!!!) #4 Get a hot body (starts tomorrow night) and #9 Spend a ridiculous amount of money on something (BUT WHAT??)
I don’t even feel entirely bad about how little from this list I have accomplished. Colorado was a fantastic trip and cost way less than going to Asia, I haven’t gone back to school but I also haven’t opened any additional debt, I have been doing my best to advance my career given how hard it is to do in Southeast Michigan, especially in Ann Arbor where everyone and their mother has a Masters degree or knows a guy who knows a guy. So yeah, I feel ok.
