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38? Bring it

By Catherine Toth Fox • March 27, 2013 • Musings, The Daily Dish

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Yes, it’s my birthday.

Thirty-eight years ago, I came into this world, likely kicking and screaming and very hungry.

I’ll admit, I’ve had some apprehension about turning 38, for some reason. Age hasn’t really bothered me — I didn’t do anything on my 30th birthday, though that was largely due to the stomach flu — and I’ve never felt that age really mattered.

But for some reason, this year’s birthday has been a little bit of a downer.

Maybe it’s because, at 38, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished all of my professional goals. Or maybe I’m finally feeling that much closer to 40. Whatever the reason, I haven’t been looking forward to this day for awhile.

Then last night I found an article online that made me feel a little better about my age.

According to a story in the New York Times, when people over 65 were asked which age they’d most like to relive, they pointed to their 40s — not their 20s.

See, when you’re in your 40s — and I’m not there just yet! — you should have a good idea what you want out of life. Essentially, you’ve been there, done that, not going to do it again. When you’re in your 20s, you don’t know anything, though you think you know it all. You’ve haven’t figured out your life direction, you don’t know what you want in a relationship, you’re still watching MTV.

I’d have to agree.

I was an idiot in my 20s. I made bad choices in relationships, I ate too much, I turned down jobs that conflicted with my surf schedule. Instead of just doing something productive — like finishing writing a book — I was spending my afternoons at the beach and my evenings honing my guitar skills. While I don’t regret anything I’ve done — you can’t — I do wish I could go back and make smarter decisions.

I guess that’s what my 40s are for.

So 38 today? I’m still two years away from the best years of my life. So bring it. 🙂

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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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27 Comments

  • Reply David Jackson March 27, 2013 at 12:46 am

    Happy Birthday Cat! What a fun life you’ve led 🙂 Bad relationships? Nah, just practicing. At least you weren’t a chicken and hid from whatever feelings you were having. Bending work schedules around a surf calendar??? So many look back and think that they worried about their careers too much. Trust yourself more… sounds like to me you got it going on in oh so many ways. In the immortal words of Bob Marley, ‘Don’t worry…. bout a ting… every little ting gonna be alright…’ Now if you can just figure out what a ‘ting’ is.

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      So true, so true. I mean, you can’t live with regrets, right? And I honestly don’t have many (if any). Still, I wish I wrote books earlier — when people actually bought them!

      • Reply David Jackson March 28, 2013 at 3:29 pm

        Me too! Wonder if I will bother to finish the second one… No regrets, can’t change the past, only influence the future.

        • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 5:13 pm

          At least you did the first one!

  • Reply kat March 27, 2013 at 2:11 am

    happy happy birthday!

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:11 pm

      Thank thank you! 🙂

  • Reply M March 27, 2013 at 6:24 am

    Hello Cat!
    Your are still young! You look 28!
    Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Too bad I don’t FEEL 28! Thanks for the birthday wishes!

  • Reply Annoddah Dave March 27, 2013 at 6:24 am

    CAT: Happy Birthday. It gets better after this…just that your body will tell you that you are getting older.

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Man, my body has been telling me that for YEARS!

  • Reply rayboyjr March 27, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Hey Cat … ♪ Happy Birthday to You!!! ♪ …

    … yay!!! … I suppose you already had your morning birthday breakfast … with birthday breakfast dessert … yum!!! …

    … one thing I can say about getting older is … thank goodness smart phones screens are getting larger!!! … the eyes are the first to go …

    … no joke … I’ll soon need a phone the size of a mini tablet … ha! …

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Uh, breakfast = dessert! LOL

  • Reply eddyo March 27, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Happy Birthday Cat!

    Wow! You Some Old!!! (nah, only joke)

    Coming from a guy turning 55 later this year & looking forward to retirement, I can tell you the best years are ahead of you. Ask yourself in the overall scheme of life are you at a better place now than ten years ago, twenty or whatever increment you look at.

    Within the past years, I kept up with your blog you traveled, ate, hiked, surf & of course got married–not bad i’d say.

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      I AM OLD! LOL

      I know, I’ve done a lot and I have a lot to be grateful for, that’s for sure! I won’t complain! 🙂

  • Reply Caroline March 27, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Happy Birthday Cat!!! Enjoy your special day!! BTW, cute dress!! Where is that from??

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks! It’s made by a designer named Tiare who lives on the North Shore. I bought it at the Fighting Eel boutique in downtown. I wear it ALL THE TIME!

  • Reply Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn March 27, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Happy Birthday! My birthday is today too. Unfortunately, I am older. 38 is great age. Live it and love it!!!

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a fellow Arian!!!

  • Reply Leah March 27, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    I totally agree! I turned 40 almost 7 years ago and it’s been the best decade of my life, so far! I started my second career, getting into the best shape of my life, eating healthier than ever, and I’m moving to Hawaii soon, gonna learn how to surf! Happy birthday!

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      That sounds so promising! Now I can’t wait until I turn 40! Maybe I’ll be writing books and living in Paris! (Wait, there’s no surf there…)

  • Reply Danny March 27, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I don’t know about dissing them 20s, surfing and playing guitar everyday sound pretty good. Isn’t that the big joke, that we’ll work like crazy and be all ambitious so that we can retire and… do the things we were doing without all the work like surfing and playing guitar?

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Yep, that’s very true. I mean, grass is already greener, right?

  • Reply Bill March 27, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    Thank you for your Fbook posts and blog. Your food and travel journalism are wonderful and your contribution to the Hawaii food scene is beyond compare. Keep up the good work, enjoy the rest of your 30s and beyond. You are pretty amazing!

    A fan!

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      Aw, that wat so sweet! Thanks for your message! Best birthday gift right there!

  • Reply Keiko March 28, 2013 at 5:12 am

    Hmmph! I got on a surfboard for the very first time at age 38, missy. And it’s true, 40s were the best — like a second childhood, this time without the parents 🙂

    • Reply Catherine Toth March 28, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      Let’s hope so! I’m sorta counting on that!

  • Reply Pomai April 7, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Hey, my Birthday’s in March as well! Happy belated to you, Cat! You don’t look a day over 60. Just kidding! Lucky you have that Asian blood… you’ll stay youthful looking for a very long time. Me, I got too much caucasion blood, so I’ll just make the best of my personality, not looks. lol

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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