Thursday, October 04, 2007

Thirty.

Today is my thirtieth birthday. When I was little, whenever it was my birthday, my mom would ask me "How does it feel?" to be eight or whatever age I was turning. I would concentrate to see if I felt different in any way...older, wiser. But I never noticed any changes.

So, how does it feel to be thirty? Well, it's all a matter of perspective. On the one hand, I'm broke, single, and still in grad school (five years and counting). I drive a used minivan and most of my clothes still come from Old Navy. And now I'm thirty. So according to most societal parameters, I'm basically a Y chromosome away from being played by Paul Giamatti in the movie version.

Despite all this, I like my life. I am fortunate to have such great friends and family. I have a lot of fun and still feel like every day is an adventure. I'm healthy, and for the most part, pretty happy.

I still don't feel any different, though.

27 comments:

jay said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! don't worry, 30 isn't so bad.. then again, i've been drunk most of the past year, so I don't remember much..

Rob said...

Happy birthday, Eileen!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Teresa said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEEN! Thirty isn't so bad once you get used to it...and you'll always be a year younger than me :)

PS You are the coolest thirty year old I know!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Eileen. Hope something GREAT happens in lab today. hehe.

Anonymous said...

I love you just the way you are.

brigita said...

Happy Birthday, woman! FWIW, 31 was a little more of a shock to the system for me than 30. It was very "wow, so I'm really in my 30s, eh...?"

eileen said...

Thanks, all!
Especially you, Colin.

I have heard the same thing about #31...so I'll be sure to enjoy this one.

Anonymous said...

I can understand what brigita is saying about 31 being more of a shock. 30 is at least at milestone year, with parties and presents. Next year, we'll just be another year older, sans parties and presents.

Anonymous said...

Happy B'Day Eileen! I am proud of you and love you very much. Enjoy!
Miss you!

P.S. Every day is an adventure in science, that's why you have a shower in your office.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Eileen!

S said...

Happy Birthday to you!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Eileen!!! you are not alone...I'm 34, still single, no PHD, GAP and old navy, live with roomates.....need more to feel better?

Kris said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROOMATER!

I still think you're awesome. You're a scientist! Scientists are cool! And do not underestimate Mr. Paul Giamatti. There are worse people to play you in a movie. :)

eileen said...

Thanks, everyone!

I didn't mean for my post to sound depressing...you all should have seen my Northern blot today. It was CRAZY.

Anonymous said...

HaPPY Happy Birthday Eileen! Today was a good day. I had a fantastic time watching the Yanks TANK hard on the heels of Beckett's orgasmic performance last night. Hope your b-day's been fun on top of all this good juju.

Here is a quote for you from Sox Nation. Made me laugh- "Perhaps it's time to come up with a new handle for Ortiz, who tied Varitek for most postseason home runs in club history and has the franchise record for RBIs (30). Ortiz has at least one hit in 19 of his last 21 postseason games, including five home runs.

"Huge Papi?" Lowell said, going along with an outsider's suggestion."

Mrs. V said...

Happy Birthday, Eileen,
I always thought 32 was "middle age" so when I turned 32 I was totally depressed....for one day. When I turned 32 and 1 day I was fine. I'm 58 this year on the 24th of October and I shop at either Old Navy or the Harley Davidson boutique. You'll only be old when you feel old, maybe when you're in your 80's.....I imagine.

Anonymous said...

At least you have a car! Happy Birthday Eileen!

Anonymous said...

Sorry I am late, but happy birthday!

Stacey said...

Happy Birthday, Eileen! Sorry I'm a day late.

Mine is Monday, so I'm in the reassessing stage myself. I'm broke, single, and in grad school, too, so we're not too far off. ;)

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm a day late but happy birthday to the baby of Nica 20. I hope you get to party all weekend!!

Miss ya,
Kara

alicia said...

Happy Birthday Eileen!

30 is not too bad.. Welcome to the other side.. They say that with 30 you get more clarity.. (i am waiting for my clarity to kick in)
have a wonderful day!

Alicia

KcM said...

Happy (belated) 30th B'day. :)

And, don't feel bad. It could be worse: You could be broke, single, in grad school, and pushing 33... (And, yes, Paul Giamatti and I are in negotiations.)

Kevin said...

Hey Eileen, at least maybe in your 30s the wisdom that comes with old age will now allow you to tell the difference between used olive pits and nuts at a party!

And there ain't nothing wrong with Paul Giamatti - he went to a fantastic college (of course it helped that his dad was a president of said college) and his dad was also commissioner of baseball (and a lifelong Red Sox fan).

And speaking of baseball, at least the Sox and the Yankees are giving you fantastic birthday presents so far.

eileen said...

hey, thanks again for all the birthday wishes, everybody!

Anonymous said...

Happy b-day!!!!!