On Turning 30

When I created this blog the intention was to somewhat combine all my other blogs into one blog to rule them all.  For whatever reason, I had at one time thought it best to separate my life into compartments.  I had a faith blog, a politics blog, a PA themed blog, and a baseball/sports blog (that might have been updated once).  While 30 was quickly approaching, I realized that compartmentalizing my life isn't what I want.  I am who I am, and that includes my love of God, my fascination with politics, my obsession with baseball, my pride in Pennsylvania, and all sorts of other topics.  Thus, this blog.

Well last month I actually turned 30.  It was somewhat uneventful until my wife pulled off an incredible surprise birthday party the Sunday after my birthday.  Seriously, it was incredible.  Pretty much all the people I would want in one room were in one room.  In addition, I had basically asked for a surprise party and she still managed to surprise me!

When I was 25 I came up with a list of things I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 30.  I don't know where that list is, but it generally read like this:

• Earn a Master's degree
• Publish a book
• Run a marathon if I was diagnosed diabetic (which was something about to happen)

 Unofficially, I had also wanted to be married by the time I turned 30, but I figured I shouldn't make that a goal, rather something I desired and allow for God to develop it (He did, and, as hinted above, I am, in fact, married).

I think there were some other things on that list, but those three are the only ones I remember.  The only one I accomplished was the Master's degree (M.A. Counseling in Higher Education, University of Delaware, 2011).  I'm okay without running a marathon, though I really do want to publish a book.

But what have I accomplished since 25?  Well, the marriage thing is probably the most important.  It's the beginning of my family.  In addition, I have a full-time "big person's" job that pays pretty well and provides health insurance for me and my wife.  We also have an amazing church in Bloomsburg where I serve as a deacon.  Things are good at 30.

So what next?  Do I make a list of things I want to accomplish by 35?  By 40?  I don't particularly want to have a checklist of things to mark off by the time I turn a certain age, but here are a few things I want to work towards:

• Children.  My wife and I are thinking around three of them.
• A terminal degree (D.Ed., Ed.D., Ph.D., and J.D. are all on the table, but more likely one of the first two).
• PUBLISH.  If not an actual book, definitely scholarly articles.
• Run with bulls.
• Visit two of the following for the first time: Denver, Portland (OR), San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Montreal, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and Acadia National Park.
• Visit two of the following for the second time: Nashville, Austin, Seattle, and Glacier National Park.
• Read the Bible cover to cover (I've read all of it, but not from cover to cover.  I always get stuck in Leviticus or Numbers).
• Visit at least one of the following countries: Italy (have been once before), Israel, Ireland (what's up with all the "I" countries?), England, Finland, Brazil, or Germany.
• Purchase a home with least a couple acres (enough for a dog to run around, play football, and set up an archery range).
• Pick up archery.
• Get a dang buck.  Seriously!  
• See ball game at Fenway Park.
• Go to a NASCAR race.
• Meet Rand Paul.
• Present at a higher ed. conference.

Maybe I'll add a few as I think more about it.  Again, not things to be accomplished by a certain time, but things I want to accomplish.

I'm okay being 30.  It was less traumatic than I thought.  I think that's mostly do to God's grace in providing for me an amazing wife, incredible friends, and wonderful parents.