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cheezsteakwit
Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Location: There & back again.
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 Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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http://i.imgur.com/UPLz1PP.gif
^^^ relevant gif - This was me one year ago, before coming to Korea.
OP, there's still time to do what you want to do in life. You're never too old to make a fresh start
There's a reason a cliche becomes a cliche ... because there's usually a kernel of truth to it.
BTW, I'm 41 now. I turned 35 & thought, geez, what am I doing with my life ??? I better get started on my bucket list... & so I did.
I went skydiving in NJ, exactly a week after 2 guys died in a tandem jump.
I drove across the USA.
I became certified to SCUBA dive.
I HAD a six figure job for a few years, then lost it & was unemployed for a year & UNDERemployed for a few years... sh*t happens.
I moved to Korea last year because I didn't have the balls to do it when I FIRST wanted to do it 20 years ago, straight outta college.
I rode a horse for the first time on Jeju-do.
I rode an elephant for the first time in Thailand.
I've been to Angkor Wat, Cambodia & the Great Wall of China in the past year, as well.
Now, I'm gonna be like Jules from the movie. 'Pulp Fiction' & walk the Earth , teaching ESL and/or History (I'm a certified teacher back home)
Yadda, yadda .. the point is .. If there is something you want to do with your life ... WHY haven't you done it ??? Get out there & DO it !!!
Good luck. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Now, I'm gonna be like Jules from the movie. 'Pulp Fiction' & walk the Earth , teaching ESL and/or History |
So you decided to be a bum?  |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Didn't you expect or hope for more from your life? |
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| demitri wrote: |
Actor, TV/Film Director, Novelist, Screenwriter, Scientist, Historian, Psychologist, Pilot, Survival Expert (lol), __________(insert here), etc etc etc etc etc
This isn't another thread trolling about whether TEFLing is a real job or not. (1) Regardless of your feelings on TEFL didn't you expect or hope for more from your life than this? (2) Don't you feel seriously disappointed you didn't become something else or achieve much more?
I just wanted to put this out there as it's been eating away at me recently. I've just hit that 30 mark and these thoughts have been bombarding me. It's not a new feeling but I think it's playing on my mind now because I'm at that point in life where you have to kind of accept that certain things you perhaps once thought were possible, aren't realistic anymore.
There's a constant discussion on these boards about whether TEFL is a real job or not and bla bla bla but I rarely see open and honest discussions about this. (3) I mean, surely most of us here didn't grow up with hopes of being an English teacher.
(4) Are you disappointed? (5) Has it bothered you for years? (6) Do you regret not pursuing another path? (7) Are you over it?
One thing I don't want to hear is the cliche about it never being too late as I don't think that's really true. While there are exceptions to the rule, the general competitiveness of certain professions and the burdens and responsibilities we have as we get older make some things out of reach.
Sorry to be a downer, just wanted to hear from others who may be or have been plagued by such thoughts. |
(I took the liberty of adding numbers to your questions/remarks for greater clarity.)
1. No. I'm right where I hoped I would be about 20 years ago.
2. Achieve much more? How can you achieve much more than developing and guiding young minds? And yes I'm being a little sarcastic with that last remark but contrary to public opinion on Dave's, sometimes your efforts do register. I recently got two letters from former students of mine who moved to the USA several years ago thanking me (in perfect English to boot).
3. As I said in number 1 I decided to be a teacher about 20 years ago...first in my country then in Korea.
4. Can't be disappointed with achieving one's goal.
5/6 (See number 4)
7. Over what?
If you are disappointed with your life then perhaps a change is in order. No one truly avoids all regrets in life...but why not seek to minimize them? I for one do not want to lie on my deathbed thinking "If only I had dared more...I could have been happier and more ready to meet my end." |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:23 am Post subject: |
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| OP (and everyone else reading this), check out the books Mastery by Robert Greene and Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. They will change your life. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| OP (and everyone else reading this), check out the books Mastery by Robert Greene and Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. They will change your life. |
If I can find them amongst the shelves and shelves of other books in Kyobo all claiming they will change my life and make me rich. And if I can push my way through the rows of Korean browsers who have read dozens of them already and who aren't happy or rich.
If you want a book to change your life read a decent novel. |
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drcrazy
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Location: Pusan. Yes, that's right. Pusan NOT Busan. I ain't never been to no place called Busan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:41 am Post subject: |
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When I was a little kid I hoped for a life full of pain and problems of all kinds.
I never wanted to be a succes, but rather a total failure. Yes dreams can and DO come true.  |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Quote: |
| OP (and everyone else reading this), check out the books Mastery by Robert Greene and Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. They will change your life. |
If I can find them amongst the shelves and shelves of other books in Kyobo all claiming they will change my life and make me rich. And if I can push my way through the rows of Korean browsers who have read dozens of them already and who aren't happy or rich.
If you want a book to change your life read a decent novel. |
Those specific titles are popular amoung Koreans? (I was unaware.)
What novel would you recommend? (Could you name a title?) Thanks. |
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lowpo
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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Everyone seems to think that teaching ESl English in Korea is a dead end job or you are a failure. I came to Korea at 42 and now I'm 50.
After gradulating from my university I had two very nice jobs. But, I also worked a lot of hours, had a lot of stress, had very little vacation time, and very little money at the end of the day.
I have achieved far more by moving abroad. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Those specific titles are popular amoung Koreans? (I was unaware.)
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Don't know if those specific ones are but you must have noticed how into self help get-rich-quick type books they are in general.
As for recommending a novel, start with the obvious ones if you haven't already
1984
Brave New Wrold
Catcher in the Rye
The Great Gatsby
Pride and Prejudice
Lord of the Flies
The outsider
On the Road etc...
I'm sure there are plenty of lists on the internet. |
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michi gnome
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Dokdo
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller could be on the list.
As far as wishing your life would have turned out differently, I recommend some Buddhist philosophy. Check out "You Are Here" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Actually any of his books might change your life...
Last edited by michi gnome on Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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What a letdown
I was convinced that I'd be living in hotels and breaking into houses by now.
I was under the impression that I'd be partying in Rio on yachts with my white suit on
And soft-permed women in chiffon and lycra.
When I was 6 I blew out all the candles but the machine gun and motor bike have yet to appear.
Every day I check for my super power or special ability, but it's still in the post.
I know it is.
And every day I try to use the force, and the belief that I can fly will never leave.
I must be an undercover spy, disguised as "my life".
I must be.
Just a little bit longer and then I can go home and reap the rewards.
It must be so obvious though. Surely I can't be that good at my job as this all looks fake and wrong and cheap and shallow.
Or maybe I'm too good?
Anyway, not long now and then it's back to the real life
Of the yachts and the night stars
And summer youth longing romance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF9CuPcdLLo |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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This sort of thinking tends to fade as you get older.
In your thirties you'll draw more happiness from the simple things in life- friends, family, hobbies, interests, whatever.
Never mind being an astronaut, in your 30's and 40's you'll be more than satisfied just to have good health, a job and love in your life. |
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PRagic
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Ironically, I had always thought of becoming a professor. My older brother is 6 years older than me. So when I was in high school, he took me to one of his economics classes at his university. I remember watching that professor fill those chalk boards and thinking, "Man, that is a cool job. I might like to be like that dude."
Along the way, I wanted to do some other things. I had always wondered what it would be like to serve in the military; many in my family had. So I enlisted and did 4 years. I had always wanted to learn at least one foreign language, and I knew that I wanted to live abroad for at least a good few years.
When I was a freshman in high school, I made up my mind that I'd treat life like an adventure and do my best not to 'settle'. That philosophy has served me well. I've set goals, and I've tried my best to achieve them. And I've stopped to smell the roses along the way. Not a bad ride so far... |
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