On Turning 29…
I finished this post at 36,000 feet on an American Airlines flight…the joys of in-flight wireless internet.
On Monday, November 30th, I turned 29. I spent some time reflecting on turning 29 by mapping out where I am in life, steps I am taking going forward, and some of my plans for 2010. My thoughts are captured below…
I think I’ve learned a lot between 28 and turning 29. I’ve thought about how I might have done things differently right after graduating from college and how I can give myself a chance to have a “do-over”. I know some things I absolutely want to get done like doing some longer term traveling and living overseas. I’m working on pursuing those goals, but the first thing I must complete is paying off the remainder of my student loans. The good news is that by the end of April 2010 , if everything goes according to plan, I will have paid off my final student loans. I see completing this step as the beginning of opening myself to some opportunities and things I have held off on doing because I have been so focused on having no loans.
I guess I could call myself pretty lucky. For one, I have some really great friends who want me to be successful and pursue my goals. I’m learning a foreign language and I’m also aggressively paying off my remaining student loans. In the last year, I’ve been to India and China which has allowed me to see some amazing things like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. I do hope that I can be forgiven for not pursuing a MBA at this time, although I’d be open to obtaining a MBA in another country.
I’ve got some interesting things in the works for 2010. For starters, I am thinking of buying a couple of major items in 2010 including a new bicycle, new laptop, and new camping gear. Hopefully I can get the bike and camping gear before summer so I can get a chance to use these items.
I also have a number of trips planned. In February, I’ll be headed to Taipei,Taiwan for Chinese New Years. My summer will be filled with attending 3 weddings and 1 camping trip. In May, I’ll be off to New Jersey, for wedding #1 of 3 this summer. In June, I’ll head down to Iowa for wedding #2 of 3. August will bring wedding #3 of 3 in Ann Arbor, MI. In July, I also plan on spending a week camping in the Black Hills.
I am happy for those friends who have made the decision to take that next step in their lives and get married. I am looking forward to celebrating their special occasion with them in person.
I want to continue improving on things like staying active at the gym, speaking Chinese, trying new things, meeting new people, staying connected to my friends, and learning new knowledge.
Turning 29 is not really different than it was for 28, 27, or 26. I do see this year as an important turning point. I don’t plan to stop pursuing goals or having fun just because I am almost 30. I think maybe it’s a moment for pause because one is so close to leaving the “20’s”. Some people say that you are supposed to spend your 20’s having fun and your 30’s acting like a grown up. I have decided that I am going to enjoy this year more than in the past mainly because it is my last year of being a 20-something.
Wherever you are in your own life, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on it as well. As for me and the next 363 days, I’m going to enjoy being 29 and bring on 30 soon enough!
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