I’m an unmarried woman over 30, sometimes happy, sometimes not so happy, just like many of my married friends, but I am always over 30.

Magazines periodically interview rich and famous women over 30 who revel in being over 30.  Actually, they are mostly reveling in being rich and famous.

A few years ago, having been over 30 for a while, I realized, with a shrug, “Hey, I’m over 30! I don’t have to do that!”  This new viewpoint gave me a freedom that 18, 21 and 27 had never known.

I was teaching in America when I applied and was offered this overseas opportunity.  Iraq and Iran were still warring.  My six sisters took a family vote without my knowledge.  One told me they had unanimously decided that I shouldn’t take the job. 

Hey, I’m over 30! I can do as I please!

Over 30 meant I didn’t have to explain myself to myself or to others.  “Halas!”  (Arabic for finished, the end) as everyone here says.  Halas! No more explanations, justifications, self-doubt or fear!

Halas! I’m over 30. I even have a pension plan! I finally, accidentally, was issued an American Express Credit Card. No problems renting a car or borrowing money. I no longer look young, wild, untrustworthy or poor.  I fly airplanes and now know that the food, like the cola drinks, is free.  And liquor costs. In more ways than one, and not just on airplanes.

Over 30 means living the present and not dreaming the future. However, I’ve been over 30 for a while and already I’ve gotten hit with the, “So, you’re almost 40, huh? Never married? Not rich? Never bought a new car?  Never had a mortgage?  Still frequently changing jobs?  Mmmm?”

The problem is complex because I look younger than I am.  When the over-40 scares hit me, my friends console me, “But you’re still young!”  Secretly, however, the bravado of “I’m over 40” doesn’t sing with the same charm as “I’m over 30.”

I have some time yet to find a new age slogan. Maybe this one will work until I hit 50?  Maybe my 40th birthday will bring a sigh and a new magic formula, something like, “Hey! I’ve made it!”  Until then, “Halas!  I’m over-30 and love it!”