Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Big 3-0

How does the big 3-0 feel? Pretty unsure actually since I imagined that I'd wake up immediately feeling more mature, more adult and possibly sexier ala Brad Pitt.

Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Not only did I find that I might have some graying hairs ( horrors! To pull or not to pull! ), I realized that I didn't miraculously mature overnight apart from the inevitable hint of middle-aged love handles. Rather than scream the building down as I was wont to do, I kept my cool, meditated a little and went into deep denial. Not to mention, I also counted my savings in my head - hoping that it would be enough to cover the cost of some radical reconstruction and liposuction. Not forgetting a heavy dye job to turn the grays back to black.

Deep thoughts
Solemn ponderings

Sadly however it also turns out that I'm practically impoverished and only a smidgen better off financially than the proverbial illegal immigrant worker begging by the wayside. While your ex-classmates are whizzing by in their foreign imported cars, you'll gazing enviously from the backseat of the struggling trishaw while desperately holding on to your worldly possessions strapped together in a plastic bag. At this rate of inflation, I'll soon be rendered destitute bartering medical examinations for food and drink in the seedy backlanes of Chow Kit. Aspiring doctors-to-be, if you're hoping for a prosperous life of wealth and luxury, I suggest you find easier alternative means such as plumbing, car mechanics or frying kuay teow. Compared to the miserable pittance that the majority of doctors earn ( apart from the few high-flyers who practically mint their own gold coins ), that's all certainly far more lucrative, I assure you.

And you'd be far less prone to getting lawsuits - apart from the occasional unfortunate bloke choking on a barely cooked cockle. :)

Don't worry, ye young whippersnappers. It's not all doom, gloom and gray hairs. There are good things ( not many! ) about turning 30. Despite being close to being a pitiful pauper, I won't be outrunning the arm-breaking creditors anytime soon. Finally have my own house and car - which is quite a relief since hobbling around on public transpo sucked big time when I was younger. And I don't get as stressed out over the little things these days - won't wail and weep a river of tears over my boyfriend missing a date for instance, nor will I get all shook up from exam pressures since hell, there are bigger things in this life. And hopefully, youthful follies and silly indiscretions will remain a thing of the past.

Still. I would trade all that for a youthful six-pack :)

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would happily switch with you. Being in the big 3-0s is better than sitting right here in the pathetic 2-0. A whole decade in between.

In fact...

Am I the only one who thinks being older is cool? In fact, I find most men sexier with age. =)

No need to go into denial lar. =P

P/S: Happy Birthday again!

ikanbilis said...

now we know how unattractive doctor's pay are. well at least its good enough to earn something!

Annie said...

but..but..but.. hospitals are where we can meet McSteamy and McDreamy! We're there to gawk at the near naked good looking patients and blink a lot at the ugly ones; but hey! no pain, no gain! Can't have the ying without the yang or the king without the kong or whatever. Oh dear Paul, it is a wonder why doctors and teachers are pretty much the lowest paid workers in the world. I WOULD seriously consider standing at the exit of a freeway with your doctor's coat on and everything with a sign that says, "Food Donation to your doctor would be appreciated. You never know when you might need me again."

Anonymous said...

awww .... *hugs*

it's not such a bad thing turning 3-0

*denial denial denial*

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Paul! I think I have a ribbon lying around somewhere that would be just right for the occasion :P

Well, now you know being 30 is barely different from being 29. You'll have to think back to 20 to see the changes. Me, I can't remember that far...

nyonyapenang said...

i suppose being in the public sector does not earn too well but you may be already in the process of building your own mint. ;)

Curtis said...

Just wait until you hit 40.

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

i'm sure doctors are paid better than spentrive student.... :( like me...

Anonymous said...

Age ain't nothing but a number. But wisdom is developed through experience, reflection, and exercise of good judgment. You are wise beyond your years. Cheers to your good health and many happy returns. Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Sam is crazy. 30 better than 20; no way. See how youth is wasted on the young?

Happy Birthday Paul! Not older, better and wiser. Your thirties can be very fun. Now you know who you are in life and how to get what you want. Best of luck and good wishes!

Anonymous said...

Under paid and over worked. I can't believe I am wasting so much money and my youth pursuing a job that will suck my blood dry with little monetary compensation.

PS The unfortunate truth is McDreamy and McSteamy only exist in TV. Most surgeons who get to that position are old, haggard and have a pot belly.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Paul!

Being 30 ain't that bad. Take it from someone who is over 30.

I seriously doubt you can put all your books in a plastic bag. Doesn't it get irritating when your ex-classmates are doing so well while you are still struggling as a government doctor.

And Sam is crazy!

Btw, you know you can have that youthful six-pack though I doubt you would want to put in the effort. :P

Dave said...

Once remembered this line from a old Cantonese movie made in the 80's. It says:

'Men in their 40 is just like a stalk of flower. Women in the 40 is just like used tea leaves.' (No offence ladies, but pls go strangle that script writer if this line makes your blood boil.

And you just hit the 3-0, not 4-0. Why do you have to feel so old?? Come come. Men in 3-0 should enjoy their life. =)

clear skies said...

I agree with Curtis 3-0 is well better than 4-0 ain't it. Have fun with the dye and try and have a nice day.

Happy Birthday ♥

hrugaar said...

Um yes, owning your own house and car is a bit more than a smidgen better off than your average indigent immigrant. :oD More than most guys manage on our rock, actually (where real estate prices are seriously challenging).

Anonymous said...

i promised myself that 30 will be my "grown up" year, the year when i'll finally have it all together. but from what you're telling us, thirty doesn't magically turn you into a wise old sage. i think the point that you are making, and what i think (i hope) the wisdom that you're trying to pass us is that the only we have to be at thirty, or at any age for that matter, is ourselves.

MrBunnyBan said...

Having your own car and house is impoverished?

Hmmm, youthful follies and indescretion.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Paul!

Wait till you hit the big 4-0 - then you'll fell different :P

BTW, did you know your bedtime stories site on geocities hasn't been working for a while? :(

Anonymous said...

I want six-pack too

savante said...

You'd rather be in your 30s, sam?! Why! Even sue agrees!

Thought it was common knowledge, ikanbilis :)

Love that food donation sign idea, anniiieeee... Must try it sometime.

Major denial for sure, ethnwg :)

True enough. It's onlya year in between, ws.

Hardly a mint. There's nothing there, nyonya :)

Ah, you're scaring me curtis.

Seriously doubt that, xavier.

Thanks, jl!

Anon, you're in medical!? :O

aod, I know.. it does get irritating to be so poorly paid at times.

Stalk of flower. dave? Hmm...

Definitely trying the dye. And a haircut of course, goddess.

The rock must be a damned expensive place, ru.

You've got that right, c!

Thanks, kyle.

It is impoverished, daniel :)

Eep. 40 again!

Anonymous said...

paul,

belated happy 30th! i've been so busy with raya that i didn't manage to visit your blog on a regular basis. i wish you luck in everything you do...career, love, life and what not. keep churning out those fantastic posts of yours and yeah, 3-0 is just numbers!

shah

Single Guy said...

Happy birthday mate! I turned the big 3-0 last month. Not that scary!

Anonymous said...

happy belated birthday paul...

anyway i always think man at 30 is HOT!

RRP said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
RRP said...

geez mate, over that particular hill already? you'll need a walker now. :P

happy birthday, paul!

hope it was a blast.

Las montaƱas said...

forever 30!

damn, I'm past this number already.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Paul! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Paul!

You're still younger than me! :-)

An always will be.

Karen said...

happy belated birthday, paul! *sends over 30 cupcakes*