July 11, 2003

30

This is the year I turn 30.
This sentence goes through my head several times a day. By several, I mean anywhere from two to 100. Sometimes I spice it up a little, and the sentence is, I'm turning 30 this year.

I don't know why I'm devoting all of 2003 to this thought. It's not something that I've done in previous years of my life. Sure, there was some anticipation of birthdays, especially in the years tied with new privileges -
15... for the age of spiritual maturity and getting my driver's license
18... for being considered an adult and legally being able to do things like getting my ear pierced without taking my mom along
21... for being able to vote in Baha'i elections

But nothing nearing this obsession with my 30th birthday. And what comes with 30? There's nothing I'm presently deprived of that will suddenly be mine in a few months. There's no Tuesday discount at the grocery store for people entering their fourth decade in this world. There's no AAPT - American Association for People in their Thirties - fighting for my interests.

There's also nothing I suddenly lose with turning 30. I've still got a few years before I'm too old to become an FBI agent. And despite my youthful appearance, it's been some years since I was able to buy a kid's ticket at the movie theater.

But even with the lack of sound reasons, I look toward 30 as a turning point. Some days I fear it. Some days I look forward to it. Some days I use it as a rationale - This is the year I turn 30, so I should start using eye cream at night. Some days, it's just a sentence running through my head. But every day, it's there.

Posted by Shokufeh at July 11, 2003 11:50 AM
Comments

i feel you on this, shok! you'll be joining the club soon - "those fabulous women who are 30" - along with me and mahsa and several other fabulous women. mashalah! let me tell you first hand though, turning 30 is cool. especially when people think you are 19 - which happened to me on friday. way cool. but really, turning 30 is indeed momentous, although i'm really not quite sure why either. something about factors of 10...

Posted by: delara at July 13, 2003 06:37 PM

At least I'll be in good company.

I was thinking more about this and decided part of why it feels momentous is that when you're in your 20s, you can flit more easily into the world of immaturity and irresponsibility - you're not necessarily supposed to be "an adult" (said in deep, stern voice). But once you're in your 30s, there's really no argument from society about whether you qualify as an adult. It doesn't mean I'll act the way society expects, but that's another story.

Posted by: shokufeh at July 14, 2003 11:48 AM

I know just how you feel - I've only got another 3 weeks or so. My 20s were so insanely busy that I feel I'm due a quiet, serene decade.

I really need to work on the sunscreen, though.

Posted by: Julia at July 17, 2003 07:22 PM

I invested in eye cream the other day. But I just can't seem to bring myself to put on an SPF-containing moisturizer every morning. Maybe that will come. Or, I'll come to terms with preferring the sun's rays on my face. I'm going to the dermatologist (something I'm often confused for, but that's an aside), and fear getting holy heck for not regularly wearing sunscreen - only when I'm in a swimsuit.

Posted by: shokufeh at July 18, 2003 09:02 AM

Oh, and Julia, not to burst your bubble, but I'm guessing that serene decade that you're due may have to wait until the kids are a little older. I giggled when I read that.

Posted by: shokufeh at July 18, 2003 09:03 AM

Sure, be a party pooper...

Posted by: Julia at July 18, 2003 01:35 PM