Bring on the next decade

Since my 30th birthday in November, I have been trying to pick out a watch as a present from my grandparents. 6 weeks of hunting and nothing. Then on the day I got back from my Christmas holiday, I finally spotted it. I just knew straight away that it was "The One" (the fact that it was half price in the sale helped). If only finding a man was that easy (maybe from now on my watch is The One. It's a really nice watch)...I made a slightly unwise choice at a Christmas party (though that's almost obligatory, isn't it?) and while it was nice to be back in the land of kissing young men, ones that are attached to other people are never going to really work out. Oops.

So...2010. 2009 wasn't a bad year: running a marathon, quite a bit of travelling, finally getting over the Sod and getting to December a stone a half lighter (On New Year's Eve we all had to say our highlight of the last 10 years...one couple said "getting a mortgage". I felt so smug: mine was moving to New Zealand). My only resolutions are to walk home from work more often (it's pretty much all downhill so there is no excuse) and to force myself to go on more dates...A watch might look pretty but conversation is limited.

Could the man shortage be over?

D-day -4 and all is well.

I had a little wobble earlier this week when I couldn't do a step in tap class and I told the tutor that "I will be probably be able to do it when I'm in my thirties" (hope springs eternal and all that). "Thirties".....urgh.

Then I remembered that I have a lot to be thankful for: good job (most of the time), nice flat, no cat yet and plenty of life experience. And thanks to the recent purchase of a personal trainer, I am in pretty good shape.

Things got even better last night at a black-tie event when I got chatted up by a very nice man who insisted on taking my number. Maybe this turning 30 malarky ain't so bad after all.

The Big 3.0.

So, the joys of summer (or our excuse for one) are over and now all I have to "look forward" to is turning 30 next month.

I have no idea how this great age crept up on me. I am already starting to sound like some elderly lady, tweeting to anyone who will listen that "I still feel 21 inside" and that "age is just a number".

I guess what is hard about turning 30 is that my life is not quite where I expected it to be right now. I still feel that I am just pottering along with no real direction. I have a good job that I enjoy but will have to move on soon if I don't want to be here forever, I don't own a house, a car or even have more than 5 tv channels. I have been single for what feels like forever and spend aproximately a third of my wages on wedding travel, outfits and gifts, anniversary and engagement cards as well as baby gifts for other people.

Seeing as I have not yet got to any of these milsetones (not even close), I am starting to feel a bit indignant about the lack of fuss made about my birthday. You would think that some of those girls in Northern Ireland (where I went to Uni) whose big days I have made an effort to get to might have thought to do the same for me....but no, married life seems to prevent them doing anything that doesn't involve their husbands.

I am thinking of doing a Carrie Bradshaw and having a "I'm not getting married" party. Though maybe I should hang on for 40 before I go to such extremes...

The Great Escape

Just when I think that I will go insane from lack of sun, there is some light on the horizon. Mainly in the form of a trip to San Francisco next week (that I can't really afford). It seems turning 30 soon has made me feel that I simply MUST see most of the world before the 17 November, as surely life as I know it will end on that day. I have also pencilled in another few days in Vegas, as I didn't lose enough money on the slot machines last time.

So, my intinerary includes Alcatraz, whale watching, Yosemite and Napa Valley. As I stare out my office window at the incessant grey clouds and listen to my colleagues talk about the Big Brother final, never has an escape plan been so needed. Though of course the main plan still remains to meet a rich American while I'm there and never come back.

Watch this space.

Odd or fussy?

Email from non-gay male friend yesterday who I have actually never met before:

"I don't get it, You're quite hot, funny and you're loaded, yet you can't find yourself a man? I definitely stick by my previous judgement- you're just fussy. Really fussy. Or you're really odd and it doesn't show through electronically? Maybe you smell of cat food? I dont know."

I don't know either Mr B...I promise I don't eat cat food.

PS I am only loaded compared to him.

Meeting the "stars"

Having an in-depth chat with Marie Osmond in Vegas. As you do.

I hope it's like the movies...

I have done my research by watching The Hangover on Saturday night.

I have no dollars yet but some tickets to see Penn & Teller, Bette Midler (how deliciously camp) and the obligatory helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Another thing to tick off the "To do before I'm 30" list.

I fly out on Thursday...I really hope that one of the following happens:

A rich man takes a liking to me and lets me use his money to gamble.
I get married to someone random in the Little White Chapel.
I get offered a job in the US and never have to come back.

Here's hoping!