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At work pondering my future (and browsing TL nonstop), and I'm curious now to know what career paths/life goals the great variety of TL users have in mind.
I'm going into my third year of university, studying environmental science. I've worked summer jobs on an assembly line, in retail and now as an intern in an office. As intellectually stimulating as office work can be, I really don't see myself wanting to work in this kind of environment in the future. I can't stand to sit for 8 hours a day in front of a computer (unless, of course, there are games to be played).
My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/).
I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money.
My questions for you are:
1) What do you want to do?/Where are you headed?
2) What is more important to you, money or happiness?
Poll: What is more important: Money or Happiness?Happiness (whatever this means to you) (47) 68% Money=happiness (win-win) (19) 28% Money (riche$) (3) 4% 69 total votes Your vote: What is more important: Money or Happiness? (Vote): Money (riche$)
(Vote): Happiness (whatever this means to you)
(Vote): Money=happiness (win-win)
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People who say money =/= happiness are liars. Money = happiness is probably true 80% of the time.
EDIT: At least if you think about it logically you could spend more time doing stuff you enjoy because you don't have to worry about financial problems because you're rich! :D
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i think ur poll choices r messed up. y would any1 vote for just money over money=happiness?
the only ppl who vote for money over money=happiness r ppl who think money doesnt make u happy, and those ppl already voted for happiness
its like saying "what is better 2 marry?"
choice 1 - super hot girl
choice 2 - medium hot girl, great personality
choice 3 - medium hot girl, great personality, also super hot
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On July 14 2010 05:39 baller wrote:
i think ur poll choices r messed up. y would any1 vote for just money over money=happiness?
the only ppl who vote for money over money=happiness r ppl who think money doesnt make u happy, and those ppl already voted for happiness
its like saying "what is better 2 marry?"
choice 1 - super hot girl
choice 2 - medium hot girl, great personality
choice 3 - medium hot girl, great personality, also super hot
Medium hot and super hot? ... Makeup on = super hot, makeup off = medium hot lol
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On July 14 2010 05:39 kOre wrote:
People who say money =/= happiness are liars. Money = happiness is probably true 80% of the time.
EDIT: At least if you think about it logically you could spend more time doing stuff you enjoy because you don't have to worry about financial problems because you're rich! :D
It's true that there is a small relevance between money and happiness from studies, but it's not nearly as large as you think. Your post reeks of ignorance. You should go read up on some happiness economics or various studies on this matter.
And the happiness from money is only proven when you have a 'decent life' in comparison to a 'miserable life', happiness does definitely NOT increase when you become 'rich'.
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Money matters until you can reasonably sustain yourself to have a reasonable amount of free time.
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I didn't expect to spark a discussion on hot girl economics. I'm mostly just curious about what people here want to do with their lives.
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On July 14 2010 05:48 illu wrote:
Money matters until you can reasonably sustain yourself to have a reasonable amount of free time.
illu put my thoughts into words better than I did above.
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I'm 15 right now, and have determined my lifes purpose to be with computers. I love computers and everything related to them, programming, Linux, Reverse Engineering, stuff like that. I'm (eventually) planning to become a major in IT, hopefully do something useful in my life. ^^
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17011 Posts
On July 14 2010 05:35 Frobert wrote:My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/). I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money.
I'll agree with you on your second point, but know that it can be very expensive to do the goals you've outlined above. It's still very admirable, though. I think I'd probably like to have that lifestyle for at least a while in my life.
As for me, I plan on working in a soul-draining corporate job for perhaps five-ten years to build up some working capital, then in my early-mid thirties, leave the industry and travel/move to Montana (low cost of living)/meet someone I love and settle down.
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Im currently going to be going to community college in septerber for computer programming. I dropped out of HS at grade 11 because I was depressed. I considered going to a university for computer programming (I mean I have the grades for it and everything), but it would take me an extra year of HS plus 4 years in Uni as opposed to just immediately jumping into a 2 year course that will give me a degree that will give me almost or the same job.
Unlike you, I absolutely love the idea of working in an office 8 hours a day. I used to work at McDonalds, construction, and factory work and I deeply hated all those jobs. Some were very phisically tiring, some had horrendous people that harrased me, and they all paid horribly. Computer programming is an a nice AC'd office in a nice environment. Plus as a computer programmer, I don't have to socially intermingle with as much people, which is always really nice. Ideally I'd like to own and opperate my own business, but until I see an opportunity for me to start one, Im going to stick to programming.
And without a question, money does not equal happiness, but can lead to it. Like if I had a billion dollars, I'd probably be happier because I would never have to work again and do whatever it is I want. But some people dont need money to be happy, like if they are poor and have 3 kids.
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On July 14 2010 05:54 Empyrean wrote:Show nested quote +On July 14 2010 05:35 Frobert wrote:My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/). I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money. I'll agree with you on your second point, but know that it can be very expensive to do the goals you've outlined above. It's still very admirable, though. I think I'd probably like to have that lifestyle for at least a while in my life. As for me, I plan on working in a soul-draining corporate job for perhaps five-ten years to build up some working capital, then in my early-mid thirties, leave the industry and travel/move to Montana (low cost of living)/meet someone I love and settle down.
You are definitely much more realistic with your goals. I'm just terrified of the idea of getting stuck in a job I hate or waiting until the twilight of my life to start living the way I want to. A good quality of life is a huge deal and I've always had it easy - which adds to my naivety. I really do think though that I can accomplish what I want without needing a huge salary to support me. I'll just have to live very... frugally. The one huge wrench that can be thrown into the works is having children, which undoubtedly changes everything.
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17011 Posts
On July 14 2010 06:08 Frobert wrote:Show nested quote +On July 14 2010 05:54 Empyrean wrote:On July 14 2010 05:35 Frobert wrote:My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/). I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money. I'll agree with you on your second point, but know that it can be very expensive to do the goals you've outlined above. It's still very admirable, though. I think I'd probably like to have that lifestyle for at least a while in my life. As for me, I plan on working in a soul-draining corporate job for perhaps five-ten years to build up some working capital, then in my early-mid thirties, leave the industry and travel/move to Montana (low cost of living)/meet someone I love and settle down. You are definitely much more realistic with your goals. I'm just terrified of the idea of getting stuck in a job I hate or waiting until the twilight of my life to start living the way I want to. A good quality of life is a huge deal and I've always had it easy - which adds to my naivety. I really do think though that I can accomplish what I want without needing a huge salary to support me. I'll just have to live very... frugally. The one huge wrench that can be thrown into the works is having children, which undoubtedly changes everything.
The prospect of having children terrifies me, to be honest.
I wish there were some way to have children and have them automatically be, say, eight years old or something. And even then, they're such drains T_T (yeah, yeah, they bring you happiness, whatever).
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To convince yourself that a single pursuit is both enjoyable and meaningful when in fact nothing is either enjoyable or meaningful; that is happiness.
I voted happiness =).
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My short term plan is to keep working a bit while studying for my master. And also move in with my gf <3
After that i hope to get a job which doesnt require to much hours because of my degree and then go live somewhere where i have time for my family and hobby's
Pretty standard stuff i gues :p
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I plan to finish my undergraduate studies in music theory/composition at St. Olaf College, and then move on to get a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting and possibly a Ph.D. in music composition and/or music theory as well. I would either do this at the University of Minnesota or go to Germany to study, and wherever I go to school is probably where I'll end up teaching and directing at a college level.
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I plan to get into a good college and learn to program videogames. Then I will get a job and work my way up until I infiltrate Blizzard. Then from the inside I can help be one of the people that create Starcraft 3 and...do...awesome things? Quite frankly I'm wondering where to find a college for videogame programming. -____-
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I was thinking of continuing working in a grocery store so I can move away from here and become independent economically. After I've done that, I have no goals, I'll probably kill myself or something.
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1) What do you want to do?/Where are you headed?
Want to go into computer sciences. Get a job somewhere decent.
2) What is more important to you, money or happiness?
Happiness, as is a combination of money, friends, love, and fun.
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On July 14 2010 06:43 shieldbreak wrote:
I plan to get into a good college and learn to program videogames. Then I will get a job and work my way up until I infiltrate Blizzard. Then from the inside I can help be one of the people that create Starcraft 3 and...do...awesome things? Quite frankly I'm wondering where to find a college for videogame programming. -____-
Get a degree is computer science/programming.
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On July 14 2010 05:39 kOre wrote:
People who say money =/= happiness are liars. Money = happiness is probably true 80% of the time.
EDIT: At least if you think about it logically you could spend more time doing stuff you enjoy because you don't have to worry about financial problems because you're rich! :D
Wow. Just because you have different priorities doesn't make it right. Actually, talking to people you quickly see that pretty much anyone who has the financial security feel a hole in their lives because of things they have to give up, and all they can amount to is their financial successes. Hence mid life crisis.
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[B] My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/). I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money.
"You can't own land mmmaaaaaaannnn...."- Hippie
"No, YOU can't own land because you're a penniless hippie! I'm filthy rich!"-Rich bastard
 No clue where I heard that from...just that what you wrote reminded me of it.
Personally, I want to get a job teaching history in a rural community, keep reading up on economics in my spare time, finish writing my book, continue my drumming, and get married and hopefully have some kids some day.
Realistically, I'll probably only be able to sufficiently keep up on two of those middle three....
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On July 14 2010 06:47 Shauni wrote:
I was thinking of continuing working in a grocery store so I can move away from here and become independent economically. After I've done that, I have no goals, I'll probably kill myself or something.
Travel or something!!!
I didn't know what to do with my life until yesterday.
Last week I got refused my masters so I was panicked somewhat.
I have since decided to do a CELT course and TEFL in Greece for 5 to 6 months and then after a month break onto Korea for 5 to 6 months. In theory it sounds great but I still have to do the hard work and live alone in a foreign country. It'll all be tough but I don't have anything else to do with my life.
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make money, travel, family.
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Assuming I do better next semester by sleeping early every day and going to every class, I plan to graduate the UoT with average marks. Originally I thought I'd be able to do some undergraduate research, but I don't know if I will have the time.
Then after I graduate I will try to immediately get a job doing something either hardware or computer related. Currently I am leaning towards computer related jobs. I want a job that I enjoy, that doesn't work me to the bone (watercooler talk, lunch time naps), and that pays what a computer engineer would expect.
Of course I'm only a sophomore and I have no idea what will really happen. It's somewhat likely that I will meet a girl that I like (statistically speaking). If by some miracle I ask that girl out and we start dating after college then I doubt I will have the time to focus on any big plans. I may not be able to start my own business, or research something really cool. I don't know if I'd have children. On the one hand they are a hassle, on the other I love kids.
I'd always thought it would be nice to retire somewhere in my forties (probably not likely) and then go live out the rest of my dreams.
Just a question, how long would it take to pay back $80k in college tuition/housing?
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CA10828 Posts
On July 14 2010 06:43 shieldbreak wrote:
I plan to get into a good college and learn to program videogames. Then I will get a job and work my way up until I infiltrate Blizzard. Then from the inside I can help be one of the people that create Starcraft 3 and...do...awesome things? Quite frankly I'm wondering where to find a college for videogame programming. -____-
take a look at this
good luck
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Korea (South)17174 Posts
money never equals true happiness
the dream/desire of attaining it fulfills a void for a lot of broke/andor/insecure people
what really makes me laugh, though, are those people that act like they just wanna make X amount of money and then do 'good' for the world (aka my old self LOL)
money can definitely bring temporary happiness though
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It depends on what you do with your money when you get it that counts. If you are having fun and going off doing what you want and are still depressed then get over it, its better then working 44 hours a week and still scraping by.
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On July 14 2010 05:39 baller wrote:
i think ur poll choices r messed up. y would any1 vote for just money over money=happiness?
the only ppl who vote for money over money=happiness r ppl who think money doesnt make u happy, and those ppl already voted for happiness
its like saying "what is better 2 marry?"
choice 1 - super hot girl
choice 2 - medium hot girl, great personality
choice 3 - medium hot girl, great personality, also super hot
Agreed... Poll doesn't work.
I personally don't think money can buy you happiness, but it is definitely easier to be happy when you have money.
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I chose happiness. I might have to do a lot of penny pinching, maybe even for the rest of my life. It's still worth it though.
:D
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On July 14 2010 08:44 Rekrul wrote:
money never equals true happiness
the dream/desire of attaining it fulfills a void for a lot of broke/andor/insecure people
what really makes me laugh, though, are those people that act like they just wanna make X amount of money and then do 'good' for the world (aka my old self LOL)
money can definitely bring temporary happiness though
Haha Rek, no one says money is an equivalent to happiness. But yes, anyone wanting to know how excess money can't always help in personal happiness should check out rek's blog from a long time ago.
Picture ten thousand years ago, The liquid tribe is at war with the gg savages of the northern woodlands. Self conscious of their relative intelligence, the gg's launch an attack on a liquid hunting party. They are driven back but one of the liquid tribe is injured. He is not your son, so you don't seem to need to help him to allow your line to survive anyways, however he does share much of the genetic data of your tribe. Saving his life would increase the chance of many of your own traits surviving. Over time man evolves to care about those he considers close to him, not only his children.
Lots of people try to help others to satisfy their own need to do it. It's easy since they're programmed help their friends. Saying one wants to help the world is just a small step further. It isn't likely that any one person will (intentionally) drastically change the way the world goes about (unless they decide to assassinate someone) but it's nice to think that you have a purpose in life. Even if in the cold abyss of the universe your actions are meaningless on a cosmic level, because you view the universe from a human perspective you can choose a purpose for the human level. I think having a goal in life can make the feeling of insignificance more bearable. Helping others is inherently selfish :D.
Money isn't necessarily just for temporary happiness either. If you have more money you will stress less. You can buy stuff that you enjoy doing. It certainly beats not having any money.
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I never really think of money as "dreams". I like making lists with set goals, because you can establish building blocks to reach them, and start small. The full list of things I'd like to accomplish in my life are basically impossible to complete. Most of it is perfectly plausible, but it's a large time investment; mastering 5 languages, writing a book, traveling to every continent, etc. The things that I highly doubt I'll be able to see accomplished during my lifetime are; establishing a Lunar Moonbase, initial terraforming of another planet, and the defeat of anti-intellectualism / religious bigotry in America. If nothing else I think dreaming big is important, because along the way you'll probably have to comprise slightly. I'd prefer to Icarus it, go big and coming crashing back down later.
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On July 14 2010 07:32 Kimaker wrote:Show nested quote +[B] My current life goal is to own land, grow most of my own food, exercise, own dogs, and keep up with my hobbies (guitar and gaming). My current career goal is to get a master's degree as a landscape architect, or run off into the jungle and teach MovNat (for those of you who haven't heard of MovNat, check it out http://movnat.com/about/). I'm a total hippie and recognize that these are lofty goals. As long as my job can support me and any potential family then I don't need a stockpile of riches. I will not settle for a career doing something I don't enjoy just to make money. "You can't own land mmmaaaaaaannnn...."- Hippie "No, YOU can't own land because you're a penniless hippie! I'm filthy rich!"-Rich bastard No clue where I heard that from...just that what you wrote reminded me of it. Personally, I want to get a job teaching history in a rural community, keep reading up on economics in my spare time, finish writing my book, continue my drumming, and get married and hopefully have some kids some day. Realistically, I'll probably only be able to sufficiently keep up on two of those middle three....
Futurama, the problem with popplers
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On July 14 2010 05:56 Lucid90 wrote:
Im currently going to be going to community college in septerber for computer programming. I dropped out of HS at grade 11 because I was depressed. I considered going to a university for computer programming (I mean I have the grades for it and everything), but it would take me an extra year of HS plus 4 years in Uni as opposed to just immediately jumping into a 2 year course that will give me a degree that will give me almost or the same job.
Unlike you, I absolutely love the idea of working in an office 8 hours a day. I used to work at McDonalds, construction, and factory work and I deeply hated all those jobs. Some were very phisically tiring, some had horrendous people that harrased me, and they all paid horribly. Computer programming is an a nice AC'd office in a nice environment. Plus as a computer programmer, I don't have to socially intermingle with as much people, which is always really nice. Ideally I'd like to own and opperate my own business, but until I see an opportunity for me to start one, Im going to stick to programming.
And without a question, money does not equal happiness, but can lead to it. Like if I had a billion dollars, I'd probably be happier because I would never have to work again and do whatever it is I want. But some people dont need money to be happy, like if they are poor and have 3 kids.
you worked construction and it paid horribly? that's scary cause up here it's easily one of the top paying jobs here, my summer job started at 24/hr doing fuck all. And even jobs in programming/nerdy computer stuff etc you still have to intermingle with people alot. Social interactions are a key component of advancing at any job, but i do agree there's alot of retards out there and i would rather avoid them but this can be nigh impossible at times.
My plan is to go on to be a uni professor btw, yay for competitive jobs.
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I have a friend who graduated in an enviro-bio-science-ish field from a big name university, and is now working on a farm researching livestock feeding methods and sustainability blah blah blah... long story short I think he really enjoys what he's doing and is finding challenge without selling out to the man.
In general, resist selling out whenever possible...
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On July 14 2010 06:43 shieldbreak wrote:
I plan to get into a good college and learn to program videogames. Then I will get a job and work my way up until I infiltrate Blizzard. Then from the inside I can help be one of the people that create Starcraft 3 and...do...awesome things? Quite frankly I'm wondering where to find a college for videogame programming. -____-
*groan* my friend, STAY AWAY FROM THE GAMING INDUSTRY you will NOT like it, certainly not the big houses anyway. There is no creativity, there are no perks. You are a slave and your product is shit.
The truly good places to be in game programming are already taken by veterans and proven "codewarriors." I also get the feeling that the market for game programming is already saturated with noobie programmers (how many advertisements do you see on TV for online game colleges?). You're better off going straightup into math or computer science and making a real salary in finance or systems programming - better pay, better hours, better challenges.
In a nutshell, the industry is very young and hasn't really figured out what it means to be a good employer. Artists will probably find it enjoyable - most of mainstream videogames is artwork, but it's not a very inviting place for programmers. Only a few big name development houses actually are cool places to work, but you're going to find openings in the shitty houses that make sequels to racing games and other shit you'll never hear of and get horribad ratings on GameSpy. All owned by Activision.
Going to college to learn to make videogames is like getting a degree in the culinary arts and using it to work at McDonalds. Waste of your time...
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I don't really plan, but I'd like to do things I'm good at in the future. And make some money with it, that'd be nice too.
EDIT:
I guess what I'm saying is, I don't really care that much about money or happiness as a goal. As long as the journey I'm making is good, happiness and unhappiness, money and no money, it'll all be part of the deal.
I don't get how you can want money when living without money can be loads of fun, and making the money when you start out poor gives such a sense of achievement.
And I don't understand why anyone would want to be happy all the time, or even be happy on average. That's like moving to the desert because you don't like rain. Though unhappiness isn't a very pleasant state to be in, it does have it's function. How can you appreciate happiness when you aren't unhappy some of time?
And on a personal note, I usually get my best ideas when I'm depressed. I then work them out when I'm feeling better. And it's wonderous how creative one becomes, when you're feeling bad, are broke, and without energy to go to the supermarket, with the ingredients you've got at home at the time 
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
1) What do you want to do?/Where are you headed?
I'm not sure exactly, but my former ideas about getting a full time job in esports have been reconsidered over the past year or so. It's just not practical considering how low my language level is. Also it's too easy for me to burn out. I'm happy to just continue teaching for a while.
I want to photograph and visit Japan again, plus maybe check out China since I'm so close to it. A holiday to Australia could also be fun :D
2) What is more important to you, money or happiness?
Money. I'm never really happy these days. I've learned to accept that and just go shopping a lot - which gives me a temporary buzz. Working hard on exercising, dieting and doing my project for TL is a good distraction though.
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doctorage, then become a psychiatrist. maybe some poker on the side when i have the money just for fun, and a music album if i can ever get my voice in shape. i have a lot of dreams, and i figure at least a few of them should come true. plus a nice wife (working on finding one of those atm) and some kids (at least one boy, please) who i can shape into successful, happy people.
i find happiness in self mastery and creating changes in the world and people around me. the POWER to affect things is what gets me going.
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