Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hiua25]

thanks for your thoughts and advice everyone

jinks- I'm not a Maori woman hahaha, but I don't post often at all. I'm surprised you remember my name from the last time I posted hahaha

good point about enjoying the here and now, I will try very hard to bare that in mind

D-man, I'm very surprised that studies show that a lot of retirees die within the first year of their retirement- where are these studies? care to post a link?

personally, I think that in our modern world, people work far too much, it's stress inducing and not at all healthy, and there is too much emphasis on material things, social status, money etc etc etc........I desperately don't want to fall into that trap, that's why I have decided upon this

anyway thanks for the advice and keep it coming, lets continue to debate these things and we can all learn something from this!!

[D.D.]

How do you make God laugh?

Tell him your plans.

[Unposter]

Retirement is wasted on the old. The time to play is when you are young. The older you get the more you want to work - at least at those things you value. The key is to balance fun and work in a way that you do not waste your youth but have enough to have a little financial freedom when your older so you can work on the things you want to work on.

IMHO, few middle class people get to do this. But, of course, few are taught that it is an option.

Good luck!

[D-Man]

[hiua25]

D-man, I'd be foolish not to take your advice on-board.

I think we agree with each other that many people allow work to dominate their lives, they have little fun in their lives. Am I right?

My personal solution is to concentrate on being in a position where I can retire early and not have to worry about work at all. I think most of us, if we were being truly honest with ourselves would quit work and go laze on a beach somewhere hot if we felt we were able to.

Some people have mentioned 'living in the present'. I think a lot of that is about positive mental attitude. About being grateful of what you have rather than thinking about the greener grass on the other side too much.

Obviously this is a trap which I fall into myself quite a lot I do try and be grateful about what I have in the present, and I am generally a happy person! But maybe this is something I should be more aware of.

Your thoughts please peeps!

[hiua25]

D-man, I'd be foolish not to take your advice on-board.

I think we agree with each other that many people allow work to dominate their lives, they have little fun in their lives. Am I right?

My personal solution is to concentrate on being in a position where I can retire early and not have to worry about work at all. I think most of us, if we were being truly honest with ourselves would quit work and go laze on a beach somewhere hot if we felt we were able to.

Some people have mentioned 'living in the present'. I think a lot of that is about positive mental attitude. About being grateful of what you have rather than thinking about the greener grass on the other side too much.

Obviously this is a trap which I fall into myself quite a lot I do try and be grateful about what I have in the present, and I am generally a happy person! But maybe this is something I should be more aware of.

Your thoughts please peeps!

[Kimbop]

I despise childless unestablished lazy liberals. It must be nice to have a UK passport -- I have a friend with a Sudanese passport who would gladly give you both their kidneys to exchange citizenships. The UK is ceasing to exist because of democrats like you. You're worried about drifting aimlessly? And you think that teaching English in the middle-east, while exploring S America during vacation season is good use of your time? Good luck raising a family while exploring Peru and living in Saudi Arabia. Maybe a visit to Eritrea will smarten you up.

You're describing the lifestyle of a hippie, and care only about your own personal satisfaction. Try contributing something useful to humanity; this is what your parents wanted for you. When you are 60 years old, payed taxes and supported other countries all of your life, childless, and demand for English lessons disappear, you will then return to the UK and live off the social benefits created by intelligent, working people. I am one of those people and I will show you zero respect. Go protest at g20 while you're at it.

So your plan is to 'walk the earth' ? Vincent Vega said it best: you're going to be a bum.

[hiua25]

You're probably trying to be a troll Mr Kimbop, ........but I think you've actually raised some valid points.

A pity you didn't read this thread properly though. I said that I'm going to buy property in the UK and live off the rent and use that money to travel. When I'm old I'd like to settle in Cambodia or somewhere on that income, I won't be a burdon on the state. I would also pay some taxes in the UK, but not much, and no income tax. And I'm not going to raise a family.

You infer that my plan is selfish and that I won't contribute anything to my country or to humanity...........well I guess you're right! My plan is only about my own personal satisfaction, you're right! And I'm afraid that I don't have any qualms about sweeping into some little town in, for example, Peru and being the mystery man with blue eyes. Seducing a few local women, sweeping them off their feet. But then leaving when I get bored or they get pregnant. Then repeating the process in the next town. Drinking a lot, bumming around, seeing the local archaeological sights, trying the local dishes etc, watching football on cable all day........ahhhhh the life.

And here's the kicker..........I don't care that it's immoral!

Should I care? Should I worry about this? Well, my conscience is surprisingly clear at the moment.

If, after a few years hard work I can get to a position where I can live that life, I'll be a very happy man!

[RufusW]

Teaching is one of the most important professions. Being an international English teacher facilitates cultural exchange and quickens globalisation - both good things. So it is useful to humanity, Kimbop.

Although, leaving small villages when you get women pregnant makes you sounds like a real tool. "Should I worry about this?", yes.

[Kimbop]

[hiua25]

I'm afraid I'm not being sarcastic at all. That is seriously an ambition of mine. I have been to South America before and the women are.....really, gorgeous!

I suppose I am being a bit of a tool really. Sorry for taking the level of this conversation down a notch everyone.

But this raises the question...Is doing a lot of traveling just a selfish thing to do? and also..... Is trying to do what you want to do in your life an inherently selfish thing to do?

[agoodmouse]

My plan for the interim is to get my masters.

[Curiousity]

Seriously, Kimbob? I'm going to assume I'm not missing a thick vein of sarcasm, and respond accordingly.

I'm willing to bet that you haven't a clue what you are on about. How many of those things have you done (the job, the family, the 'contributions to society')? I've done them all.

I ran up the corporate ladder and was well respected in my (professional) field. I paid my taxes at a rate of too close to 50% for comfort. I worked my arse off at an insane number of hours a week. I bought a bloody expensive place and paid even more tax on that.

Listen OP, I've been there, and am incredibly thankful that a chance holiday helped me see the light before I was too old and it was too late to do anything about it.

I took the leap. I'm here now. I'm studying again. My place back home is leased. In terms of salary for hours worked, I'm doing just as well here as I was in my esteemed position at home.

If you plan it right, and you continue to set goals for yourself, there is a life in this. Those who think otherwise lack the motivation to seek it out, but it's there! You do, however, need to stay on track, lest you fall into the trap so many have here.

I can't imagine going back to the unhealthy, stressful, over worked lifestyle I was leading. Only a masochist would. I won't be staying in Korea forever either.

The point is that you do not need to let society, or Kimbob for that matter, dictate your life. Life isn't about what's good for your country (again...seriously? Get a grip!). You only get one, make the most of it.

[hiua25]

Curiosity-thanks for that message.

On a day when I just found out I got accepted onto the masters TESOL course, I feel encouraged and inspired now.

I don't want to fall into the trap of working too hard in a stressful job, having money and success but no joy, no space to breathe and to explore which you just described for us. I don't want to be defined by, and dominated by my own career. This is why I'm trying to do this, to give myself the space to do what I like by the time I'm in my mid-thirties hopefully!

So, what are you planning to do after Korea, Curiosity? Something like I'm planning to do? Please tell us.

and Kimbop! what have you got to say to all that?

[Kimbop]