About the ACC to TEFL Series: In this series, I recount my journey, logic and reasoning behind making the shift from accountancy in Reno, NV to TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in Bangkok, Thailand.
After making that decision to be an accounting major, I really didn’t deviate too much from the norm the following 2 years. Especially by the second year when I had set a pace of work & school. I was so caught up on the daily grind, I failed to take a step back and reflect on whether this was what I really wanted. The “ultimate non conformist that I was dubbed by my HS psyc teacher senior year was a thing of the past.
Starting out, I was privileged in the manner that being from a low income family, I was eligible for numerous school and federal grants that covered practically all my tuition. This is in spite of me going to an out of state school that is more expensive. Rent was covered by 2 jobs, one as a front desk assistant in the dorms, another as a server in my school’s cafeteria.
Small bits and pieces like food were left, which was covered with a summer job, parental help and mooching food from my work place (I’d take sandwiches).
That was the bulk of my waking hours in college. Revolving around work and school with a few club activities. And I remember in my 3rd year of college, one of my accounting professors went around the room on the first day of class. Dr. V, lets call her, was asking for our names & one thing we thought that was special about us.
When she got to me, I said I was left handed. She addressed the body of students and asked who else was left handed. A solid handful raised their hand. Dr. V blew me off and said there was nothing special about me and moved on to the next student.
Initially I was irked by the one liner, especially because I didn’t know how to respond. I dreamed up comebacks which now in retrospect seem stupid because Dr. V as I got to know her a bit more was a really good professor(she cared & she was passionate about what she does)
And I realize now that she was right.
I was so preoccupied with the day to day, the high school senior that wanted to non conform became dormant. I was so concerned about fulfilling responsibilities that I didn’t realize I was doing the same thing everyone else was. That’s why I got waved off by Dr. V.
I was in a premature rat race where I put in 100% of my efforts towards meeting obligations and 0% towards going after dreams. Because that’s what the rat race is when you distill it to its essence.
That though, is a topic for a different story.
Kingston S. Lim
May 16, 2020
Previous Posts:
“Going Practical” (From Accountancy to TEFL #1)
Previous Posts:
Kingston S. Lim 
Kingston, are you in Bangkok now or in the province?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m in Mexico right now
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was relatable on so many levels. In school, I wanted to score big and get in a good college. Then, got in the race to get a good job and so on. Unknowingly, so many of us just head straight to become another a brick in the wall.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Very true, often times it pays to take a moment to reflect
LikeLiked by 2 people
True that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know just before the lock down started I was pretty much doing the same things, being a part of the rat race. I knew all along that this was not what I wanted and till now don’t have an idea how to go out of the race. But yet then during the lock down I got some time to reflect and fell in love with blogging. My ultimate dream situation would be to travel more and increasing my perspective while doing that. This entire period has given me the time to do the things I love the most, reading and writing. It is very hard to come out of the rat race. Though I know what I want to do I cannot fully pursue it and definitely not now that makes me fall back on the rat race. Anyways I hope after some years we all can come together. chat somewhere and be like you know at least we understood what we wanted and did our best to be close at it.
Best wishes from The Strong Traveller and have a great day.
Do have a look at my blog whenever you find the time. There are some travel and lifestyle content which you may find interesting. Your thoughts will surely be very valuable. Stay connected. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ohh yeah and you got yourself a new subscriber.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing a bit about your experience in the rat race. If you wanted to learn more about places to travel, I’m more then open to discuss, I’ve been all over East Asia (minus N. Korea and Mongolia) and I’m currently in Latin America.
And if you want to learn more about how I broke out of the rat race feel free to ask or follow this blog, I’ll be writing and talking more about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow that would be great. I have also travelled in some places in the world yet not all. Would love to know more about life experiences through your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it gets so difficult to come out of the rat race.. As first of all we are surrounded by so many in the rate race.. And also.. We connect ourself with some or the other obligations and expectations that pushes us to go deeper into such race.. And ultimately leads us to forget our dreams.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re right, it can get tough, because escaping requires courage
Courage to risk being ostracized to do your own thing
LikeLike
Absolutely
LikeLike
An interesting definition of Rat Race. Thanks for following my blog.
LikeLike
Pingback: “Plan But Leave Room For Adjustments” (From Accountancy to TEFL #3) – Kingston S. Lim
Pingback: “A Wrong Does Not Right A Wrong” (From Accountancy to TEFL #4) – Kingston S. Lim
Pingback: “Are You Part of the Cargo or Member of the Crew?” (From Accountancy to TEFL #5) – Kingston S. Lim
Pingback: “Travel Hacking: How I Live Without An Income” (From Accountancy to TEFL #6) – Kingston S. Lim
Pingback: “Project Your Life 5 Years Ahead” (Wiser Next Week: On Regrets) – Kingston S. Lim
Pingback: “The Heart of Loneliness” (From Accountancy to TEFL #7) – Kingston S. Lim