Quarter-life Crisis

Some people (I won't say who), want me to update more frequently. I just don't operate that way so I'll try and make an effort, emphasis on "try." Lately, I've been thinking about the future and I find myself waking up every morning depressed. I don't know if it's because I feel I haven't accomplished much in life yet or if I'm just tired and grumpy when I wake up. My job is good, but I know it's not something I will do for the rest of my life.

My life has been pretty routine. I put in a full day of work, come home and watch TV or exercise. After dinner, I play the Nintendo Wii for an hour or so, watch more TV, surf the Internet, and then watch the news. I have bible study one night a week and on weekends, I sleep in and try to go out with my friends.

Sometimes, I think of just taking off to some island and make a living as a simple fisherman. Other times, I think of hooking up with a sailing team and traveling the world. I would also love to be a treasure hunter. I think it's in my blood to want to get out there and do something different.

My dad, for example, knew in high school he didn't want to live in Korea after he graduated. At the age of 23, he decided to move to Vietnam and work for a company contracted out to the US military during the Vietnam War. He told me it was difficult to sleep for the first couple of weeks because of the echoing sounds of bombs being dropped and the rapid gunfire, but he got used to it. He then moved to Saudi Arabia to work for another company for a couple of years when he thought of moving to Canada. My dad actually made a trip to Iran to obtain a Canadian visa because they had offices there. Strange to think it was possible back then and look where we are now with the US and the Middle East.

I think I may be going through a "quarter-life crisis." But overall, I'd say I'm pretty happy with my life. I continue to ponder, but will need to get motivated. There are things I do want to accomplish and I think this year will be a good one for me to set the right course.

Peace.

Prenup

Today, a couple of my co-workers were discussing prenuptial agreements and whether you're entitled to the accumulated assets at the end of a marriage or get what was before a marriage. To me, it's hard to hear them discussing prenups because current North American society had ended up that way. About one in three of all first marriages end in divorce and fifty precent of second or third ones end in divorce.

As a Christian, I couldn't fathom signing a prenup just based on what I believe in once you're married, it's death do us part. I believe that divorce is based on selfish reasons except if a partner is being physically abused or a partner engages in extra-marital affairs. Divorce in the former revolves around "me" and "I." It's based on what I feel and how my needs are being met kind of attitude.

Prenups also provide a fragile foundation for a true marriage. It's like just in case we divorce, I'd like my stuff back and the money I've made. For non-believers, this makes sense because earthly possessions and money are valued highly. As a Christian, I really could care less if my possessions and money were taken away because I can always acquire new things and reestablish my finances knowing God will provide. And possessions and wealth mean nothing after I die.

Although I'm unmarried, I know marriage is a shared union that requires work and communication. Marriage involves "we" and "us." I look forward to sharing my life with a godly woman until death do us part.

Peace.

Vancouver Area = Ching Ching $$$

The housing market in the Lower Mainland is ridonculous. My parent's just received their annual property and home assessment. Prices have now been increasing less than before, but in my community based on July 2006 figures, housing prices have jumped 30%. My parent's house has increased by $50,0000 in a one year period. Most single family dwellings in the Lower Mainland fetch between a half million to more than a million dollars these days.

I don't know how I'm going to afford a house. It's crazy to think so many people mortgage a good chunk of their lives. One thing I don't get about Vancouver is that condo construction has been booming. Where are people getting these good jobs to afford such units? I want to know. I struggled just to find a salaried position and it's not enough to even be approved for a mortgage.

My friend had a great idea to purchase a trailer home for as little as $20,000 and then deck it out with the best furnishings. And do we really need all that space in a regular house these days anyway? The only challenge is finding property values low enough to make the idea worth it. Living in a trailer park wouldn't be ideal for a souped up trailer (due to possibly getting robbed).

I'm hoping that by the time I get married and look for a home, the housing market will take a big dip and become sane. Prices can only go so high before people can't afford housing right? Otherwise, I may opt to move out East. Then, my blog will be titled "Arnold's Eastcoast which used to be Westcoast because housing prices suck."

Peace.