Telling it like it is?

Over the last few days, I've met several starry-eyed 20- and 30-somethings who want to tread down The Ph.D. road. Apparently, without any knowledge of why it happened, I seem to have become the poster-gal (okay at least one of them) amidst South Asian folk.

Earlier today, I was asked for the umpteenth time why I opted for a Ph.D. (I don't get why asking me about my experience PhDing might be helpful to anyone. An undergrad sure. Perhaps even a Masters degree. But doctoral work is a completely different animal....that's a long post that I plan to write one of these days.) And before you judge me, nopes I wasn't in a bad mood. Just trying to find the right answer somewhere between hilarious and brutally honest.

And my answer was - drum roll please: "I honestly can't put my finger on precisely why I did it but it's been pretty entertaining most of the time! And even when it's a bitch, give it some time and it'll be a funny story you tell the grandkids!"

Why I think the 30s are more fun than the 20s....

One of my very dear friends (yes M, I mean you :-)!) sent me a forward on being part of the 30+ club that got me thinking and I jotted down a teeny-tiny list of why I happen to like this decade a bit more than the one past. Hmm okay perhaps a bit premature considering I've only been nesting in my 30s for a year and the 20s had 10 whole years to do their thing but still.

Needless to say, you might disagree with what I've jotted down or have other things to add but here's what's on my list so far:

1. You know the difference between a mattress that's new and one that's been broken in so that it fits all the curves of your body? I think the 30s are kind of like that. You form an identity, test-drive it, make adjustments, and then end up with a 'you' that you like. Of course I've always liked myself but because I know who I am and what I want out of life - to use a cliche I'm more comfortable in my skin rather than simply performing roles to win applause - I like myself not just because I have to but because I truly do.

2. This might be overkill with the mattress metaphor but bear with me for just this point. You know how when you get a great night's sleep all is okay with the world? Well when you like yourself as I mentioned in #1 above then your relationships are so much better. Not that mine were crappy before but I think they're meaningful in a whole new way that render them more fulfilling....and hopefully vice versa for the individuals in that configuration.

3. I'm less afraid and more gracious when expressing my distaste for something or someone I don't like. I will admit I could do with more grace and patience but I've got another 9 years if I'm going to master that before entering The 40s.

4. There were things on my to-do list for "the 20s" that are still unchecked but I now have the maturity, as well as the benefit of hindsight, to be grateful as well as happy that it's probably better to carry them into my "30s" for a whole host of reasons.

I'm sure I'll add to the list as I make it beyond 31 but this is good enough for now. Curious to know how the other 30-somethings as well as those folks who are past their 30s but wouldn't mind walking down memory lane for a bit feel about this.

Why oh why?

Why oh why doth February hath only 28 days?

My (public) contemplation of this question ought to clarify the present relationship between my derriere and 'life'...yikes!

PS: I think I'd might have settled for 29 even but no such luck.