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thirty : i am so ready for this decade

10.13.2011



tomorrow is the big day...thirty! i've kind of been waiting for this birthday
because i've heard such lovely things about being in your thirties:
more confidence, no more messing around, slowing down, etc.
it's going to be a good year. i'm already feeling thirty,
and i usually don't feel any age. but i think thirty is my year.

this past year has been incredible. mostly because i've learned that i can
obtain the biggest most "out there" dreams i could ever dream:
i finally got to go to oxford...and i met with success there,
so much so that i'm going to work towards getting a phd there.
it's quite an incredible feeling once you've reached a big goal in your life,
it makes all the other "big" goals seem that much more possible.

i've also learned this past year that you're never too old:
at the age of 29 i started playing the violin...me and the 3-year-olds,
and i love love love it. it's lots of hard work and can get frustrating,
but i think i'm making some good progress now.

i've learned that i'm not too old to figure out what i want to do in life:
it took me nine years to get my undergrad degree;
it will take me four {maybe five} years to get my first master's degree;
another year or two for a second master's degree;
and finally three more years for a phd. 
i'm just going for it. no matter how old i am...
and if i change my mind later, it's never too late.

i let go of a lot this year. it feels good to let go.
i chose the things dearest to my heart and i'm giving those
things all of my attention...i'll let the rest of you be 
artists, seamstresses, crafter-extraordinaires, designers
and i'll enjoy everything you create and do.
i'm content with school, writing, music, and ceej.
i'm content with truly simple food, simple clothes, and a simple house.

oh, hooray for thirty! it's good to feel content & that dreams do come true.

ceej is taking me away tomorrow for a weekend in the mountains.
should be a good birthday indeed.



20 comments:

Lisa said...

Beautiful, beautiful thoughts on the coming decade! I turned 30 a couple of months ago and I mostly just feel old! :). Have a wonderful birthday weekend!

Shokoofeh said...

Happy birthday lovely sweet Ann Marie.
:)
Thanks for being so inspirational, so positive and so beautiful. xo

Mercedes said...

so i know i've only been thirty for like two weeks so i am by no means an expert....but so far so great.

i have this theory that my soul is a 40 year old woman and the closer i get to that age the more comfortable and happy i get with myself.

that sounds cray cray. i shouldn't share the stuff that goes on in my head. only for you ann.

much love

Caroline said...

It took me nine years too!!!!!!! You are inspiring, this post was inspiring and I know if we lived closer we would be goood friends. Happy soon to be 30th keep dreaming big and achieving those dreams!!! CHEERS! xo.

Netti said...

Ohhh, have SUCH a happy happy birthday and a fun weekend!! And I, at 27, am still trying to figure out what I want to "do"...so thanks for the inspiration!:) You're right - it's never too late!

PS. Have I told you how much I love your hair?

amy said...

I get to turn 30 next month and I can't wait. Make every decade better than the last--it's all in our hands. Lots of love on your happy birthday, Ann! xoxo

bigBANG studio said...

Happy birthday, you talented, beautiful, radiant human being.

You are so loved and cherished.

xoxo

Anita said...

Happy birthday to one of the most charming people I know!

ilwen said...

Happy happy birthday!
I'll turn 30 next February and I've got to admit I'm not really looking forward to it even if I have achieved so much during the past few years. I feel I'm just afraid because I'm so different from the average 30-year-olds that I know so I don't want to be regarded as "someone in her 30s" :)
Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Tonia said...

Happy birthday! And being in the 30's really is awesome beyond what I'd imagined - hope you enjoy yours too!

mel said...

Happy birthday,Ann, your words are inspiring every and each day to me; you,talented soul.

Natalie said...

All the best dear Ann Marie. Have a wonderful birthday! :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, so inspiring :)
Happy Birthday Ann Marie!
I wish you all the very best for the coming decade :)

Akvilina said...

O wow. Really! This post really talks loud about you, your attitude and take on life (I think). And it's such nice story. So much positivity and hope. To take such thing as aging and make it sound so energetic, uplifting, promising. I am in a very similar stage and just love to hear your ideology on life. Makes me feel good because, i guess i am not the only one with the similar system.
Happy birthday and best of luck with your future choices, goals and pursuits!
You rock!

tinyparticlesoflight said...

It was exactly ten years and lots of fooling around from when I graduated high school to the time that I finally recieved my BA in studio art. And now I'm a 35 year old mother of twin boys who isn't exactly using her degree BUT has slowly learned how to create art in everyday life. Crazy how life can take unexpected twists and turns. I know I don't know you in "real" life but I'm proud of you nonetheless for going after such a fantastic dream! I think you're going to make a wonderful thirty year old.

Happy Happy Birthday!

xo
cortnie

Dulce said...

We both have the same birthday and we are both turning 30, and it's wonderful. I am finally coming to terms with who I am and haven't quite figured out what I want to be when I "grow up" but what you said about never being too old to learn inspires me a lot.
Happy birthday to both of us

GailO said...

Happy Birthday Anne Marie! I do remember my thirties fondly...but the later years aren't bad either:)

mariel said...

A very happy birthday to you! I've really been enjoying reading your blog. At 32, I've been tempted to try learning the violin, though with a neck injury and an unruly middle digit (long story..) I think it might be difficult! Good luck with it and your studies!

OLČA said...

all the best fresh thirties:) we are just as old:) I will celebrate for 14 days and looking forward to it very much, likes to say that life begins at 30, so hooray!
Ann and what your children? plan with Ceej? enjoy! Olča

Shelby said...

First of all, happy birthday!
I also wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for introducing me to "A Walk to Beautiful". I just watched it and it is one of the most moving things I have ever seen. I felt so connected to those women, just by being a one myself, and so proud of them. I consider myself lucky to be counted among them as a woman.