I put my first payment down on my student loan - that is, the first payment I've ever made on purpose, without the NSLSC taking it out of my account. At the monthly payment rate I'm set at (almost $400 a month) my loan will be paid off in just over nine years. I can make payments whenever I want, of course.

Original Repayment Amount: $32,449.36
Amount Owing at the NSLSC: $32,133.84

Only nine years to go. I'll make it a thing to do before I'm 40.

It strikes me that most of the things I've always wanted/planned to do were things that I saw myself doing in my twenties. When I was a teenager, I always had an idea of what my twenties would be like. But I have no idea what life will be like in my thirties. No clue. It's grand.

Not ANOTHER new blog:

Things To Do Before I'm 30.

It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. My first post is a video blog, which I've never done before, but which I've now done before I turned 30.

Christine called me today and offered me the job at the House of Commons. She said I tested the highest out of every applicant, and offered me a spot with the Hansard Association, the group that edits and researches chamber debates and speeches. I'll be working 33-35 hours a week, so it looks like I'll be leaving the Senate job behind shortly.

Don't forget to check out the blog. If you have any suggestions about things for me to do before I turn 30, I'm more than open to them.

I'm a big fan of Reese Puffs cereal. I eat it for breakfast almost everyday. Today I was buying Reese Puffs at the grocery store and I noticed a quiz written on the back of the box.

Reese Puffs 18 Things To Do Before You're 18

01. Ride the world's biggest rollercoaster.
02. Bungee jump!
03. Score the winning goal/basket.
04. Win an award, trophy or prize.
05. Learn an instrument.
06. Go backstage at a gig.
07. Meet your idol.
08. Play a part in your favorite TV show.
09. Meet someone with your own name.
10. Make a discovery.
11. Get away with the perfect practical joke.
12. Own a pointless collection.
13. Invent a word that makes it into the dictionary. (Ambitious.)
14. Conquer your biggest fear.
15. Raise money for charity.
16. Pass your driving test the first time.
17. Complete a road trip coast to coast.
18. Reach 18 years of age.

That's not a bad list. I'm turning 29 years old tomorrow. For a little while I've been building a list of things I'd like to do before I'm 30. Here's what I've got so far:

Things To Do Before I'm 30

01. Record an album of at least 10 songs.
02. Play a show in support of the album.
03. Write the first draft of a novel.
04. Make a music video.
05. Share a kiss while overlooking Paris.
06. Drink a beer in an authentic Irish pub.
07. Appear in a film.

I have a head start on a couple of those. I'd really like to go into my 30's thinking that I've done all I could to have some amazing experiences. I think I'll ask my younger friends what they'd like to accomplish before they turn 30, and try to come up with some more.