Birthday blues!

I turn 30 in a week. 

I was always terrified of turning thirty. I don’t know why but it was my scary age. I  wanted to make sure that by the time I turn 30, I should have done enough as a big chunk of my life would have passed by.

I can’t remember when I actually came up with this list but in the last few years, I’ve added to the list and its always been there at the back of my mind and I kept working on it for as far as I can remember.

Now that D-day is a week to go, I thought I’d see how I fared.

1) I should own my own motorbike.

This was the first one to come true. I owned my first bike, my pulsar 180 about 6 years ago. Though she’s not mine anymore, she’ll be my favorite one always. I own one now, which I am fond of too. So yes, that one’s done.

2) I should have run a marathon.

I ran my first and (I think) my last marathon last year. That was one of the most difficult things I did in my life and I’m proud of myself for that.

3) I should be able to cook a decent meal for myself.

Oh, yes, I can do more than a decent meal. I can cook a mean gourmet meal. Even at the risk of sounding immodest, I am a good cook.

4) I should have a blog and should write regularly.

My Blog. Here it is and I am actually putting up the rest of the list on it. About doing it regularly, I’m getting there. I’m trying. Aren’t I?

5) I should know what I want to do with my life, career wise.

I was confused for the longest time. But finally, I think this is what I want to do. I enrolled into a graduate program this year, one of the best things I did for myself. Hopefully, I should end up with a PhD in 4-5 years, but I am getting there.

6) I should have visited at least 2 foreign countries.

Counting Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, I’ve visited 4 countries. Not bad eh?

7) I should have learnt to play a musical instrument.

I started learning to play the guitar 3 years ago. Though I’m not extremely good at it, I can play a decent tune.

8) I should learn to swim.

I can swim all right, maybe not as well as I’d like to, but I cannot drown in a swimming pool. How I’d fare in deeper waters is a different question altogether.

9) I should be fit and in the best shape of my life. X

Well, I am fit but I am not exactly in the best shape. I got my gym membership a couple of months ago. I should get there in another year or so.

10) I should have a tattoo.

After thinking about it for soooooo long, I finally got myself a tattoo last night.

Yes, it did hurt a little bit and yes, it feels great!! With that I did indeed complete my list of things to do before I turn 30 and I still have a week to go. :)

Looking back, I think I’ve done reasonably well. 8.5/10 is not that bad. I thought it would be scary. But turns out, its not anything like I imagined it would be.

When I was younger, I looked forward to my tomorrows and I couldn’t wait to be older. When I am older, I know I will look back at my yesterdays, wishing I could go back.

For today, I’m content. Being just me and being 30 !!!