Thirty

So, today I turn 30.

Some time ago (when I was much closer to 20), I decided I had two goals that I wanted to achieve before I turned 30.

1. Gain european citizenship.
2. Get a PhD.

I sneakily added a third one a few years later.

3. Speak a second language.

Sneakily, because by that time I was living in Barcelona and it seemed pretty much a sure thing. Although I always wanted to speak another language, so if I’d thought of it earlier it certainly would have been in the original list.

So, today I turn 30 and the only item from the list that I’ve managed is the last one.

I am in the process of getting a PhD, I’m three years in and should finish by the middle of next year.

As for the european citizenship… I have to live with a working visa (or something that allows me to work) for 10 years before being able to apply for citizenship. So far I have zero years, my student visa doesn’t count.

While this post may seem a little moros given that it’s my birthday, it’s not. The truth is, I don’t really mind at all.

I’ve spent the past eight and a bit years living overseas.

I’ve been studying things that I really enjoy for the last five years (plus the three years of university in Australia before that).

I’m living with a girl I love more every day.

I’ve lived in London, Barcelona, as well as four months in Paderborn.

I speak pretty much fluent (Castilian) Spanish, and my German and Catalan aren’t bad (I’ve taken maths classes in both those languages and can get by in a conversation).

So, the truth is, I’m absolutely thrilled with the way that everything has turned out.

P.S. I was going to come up with a clever title for this post, then decided against it.