Top 4 reasons why I didn't like The Back Up Plan

I'm not quite sure why I had medium expectations for this movie. I knew it wasn't going to be the best movie ever but for some very strange reason, I thought I'd like it more than I did. I think I was intrigued and charmed by the concept. Turns out, the plot is exactly what turned me off cold.

1. Predictably predictable
   This movie was so predictable it's unreal. No surprises, no twists, no nothing. It's like, when something is about to happen and you go "Oh, they're gonna do it!" ... *drum fingers* "Do it already so we can move the eff on so she can dump you so you can try to get her back ad nauseum.
    
2. He's not the dad. Get over it.
   So one of the big moments of the movie is when she gets mad at him for saying the babies aren't his. They are not. You got inseminated, you ninny. You can't be mad at him because he said something that's the absolute truth. There's a whole 3 hours (okay, probably more so like 15 minutes but it feels like 3 hours) of her being all depressed about it and all I wanted to do is shake the TV and scream.
   
   
3. Jennifer Lopez.
   
   
4. It makes me want to burn my bra.
   Oh look, finally a movie about a woman taking matters into her own hands and making it on her own! Wrong - she needs a man.
   Oh look, finally a movie about a single moms are not hippies but a reality? Wrong - they chant and hold hands.
   Oh look, finally a movie about a driven woman who sticks to her guns even when Mister Perfect comes along! Wrong - he's clearly more successful than her.

Ugh. Why does Hollywood still try to make movies starring Jennifer Lopez - do they not like money?

Changes - again.

I've finally decided to wear by big girl pants and make a move that is entirely for me and me alone. Part of me feels selfish but the other part feels pretty good about my decision.

I quit my job for something entirely different. It's almost the same salary but it's a bit less... just enough less that we'll have to tighten the purse strings a bit until Js' next promotion. It wasn't an easy choice, especially financially but considering the perks, it'll be worth it. I'll get time off during the Holidays if we decide to visit family back home. I'll also be working a lot less so I'll have more time to spend at home working on other projects like my baking and that kind of thing. I'll be able to take on orders without feeling pressured because I work so much. It's a part time job but considering the difference in hours worked, I'm getting much much more per hour so it's a win. I'll also be able to walk to work again - I think that's the one thing I missed from my old/evil job. I'm looking forward to doing something completely new, exciting and a bit more creative. There's also many more opportunities for growth so it's more to look for in the long run.

I guess I feel selfish because I'm not used to putting my needs and wants entirely first. I want to work less - I want a more stimulating job. We'll have less disposable income. Looks like I win more than "we" do but Js supports my decision and he's actually quite thrilled about it to so I guess I shouldn't feel so bad about it.

The military lifestyle pretty much wires you to think beyond your own wants and needs. It's hard to de-program yourself to think about your future retirement options, transfer possibilities, flexibility of hours and so on. This is the one thing where I say a great big "EFF YOU!" to what the world wants me to say and do and I do whatever I want.

Getting older doesn't get easier with age

I don't feel old but I know I'm not getting any younger. I remember being 13 years old and thinking "I want to be married, have a career and start having kids by the time I'm 26!" ...then life happened.

I haven't been married yet but that will be resolved this summer. Not exactly as per my innocent schedule but close enough. Over the last year, my Mom's been making comments about how long she's had to wait for me to finally get married and how she'd totally given up hope of me ever getting married. It does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to hear her say that. I know she wants all the best for me and she wants to see me forever happy in love but ... ouch - that was kind of harsh! As for me, I don't have a problem with getting married at this point in my life and I don't think I've failed myself by not getting married sooner. I'm glad I waited around for the right guy to magically appear and take me away to Saskatchewan.

As for the career, well... the whole Saskatchewan part kinda took a large poo on that. I had a good thing going for me in Ottawa but I haven't found any opportunities to pursue my career out here in friendly Moose Jaw. It pushed me to learn new things and do a whole lot of soul searching. I'm still looking for a new passion as I slave away behind a desk. At least I can look back and know that I did something I loved once. Some people go their entire lives hating their jobs and that's my silver lining.

As for the kids well we're just not quite there yet. In a way, if it were to happen I think we'd be thrilled! On the other hand, I don't think we're quite ready just yet to stop trying not to conceive. We both want kids and we both don't want to wait too late *tic toc* but we're in no rush to get there before we're ready. We want to have a child for the right reasons not only because it's the right time. Js has been talking a lot more about babies and the such lately and I have to say I'm a bit terrified because I think his clock is ticking faster than mine. I might change my tune when the wedding is over and all that but for now, waiting is best.

Looking at all this, I think I did fairly well. Even if I don't have kinds, I'm not married yet and I don't have a career anymore - I feel like I've accomplished more than I ever thought I could. You can't plan life according to your age because time doesn't stop ticking until you're ready for it to start again. I am in a committed and loving relationship more so than I've ever been in my whole live, I have had a career, loved it and learned a lot about myself and I'm considering the idea of having kids now which is more than I could have said if you'd asked me this question 3 years ago.

I think I've done fairly well and I can tap my 13 year old self on the back for a job well done.