My 30th birthday is just around the corner 10/8. Whether its self-inflicted or imposed by peers or parents, I believe there's an underlying expectation that you're supposed to have it all figured out by the time you're 30. I would be lying if I would say that I haven't given this birthday a lot of thought. I am almost glad it is finally here so it can be over and I can just be 30 already. I am ready and i dont think anything is going to change.

My 20s were great. I was in college where I just had a good time. I laughed the hardest, and learned the most. At 23, I got my first real job working for Credit Suisse and that was the same year I met my finance. At 26 I bought my very first apartment on my own, and was promoted to VP. I had money for the first time, so I was able to travel and buy things for myself. At 28, I got a dog named Taka. At age of 29 I was engaged. It was a great decade of change. A great decade of fun. A great decade of learning. I am sad to see it go because I liked myself very much in my 20s.

I think my 30s hold great things for me. Hopefully having a great time with my family and friends. Hopefully being the best version of myself. I am excited about this new stage of my life, this stage called my 30s. If you don't have hope and excitement, what do you have? You have to look forward with wonder. If you just look back with sadness and what ifs, then that's not much of a life. I can't be 26 again (the perfect age), but hopefully I will be 36, 46, 56,etc. I will continue to look forward.

No one has all of the answers or realistic view of every goal, but the important thing is to keep striving toward one. I think everyone's plan changes course at some point. What matters is that we make the most of the journey , because life is not always neatly packaged like the gift you get on your birthday.

This Saturday is my last day as a youthful person in the 20's. How will I spend it?