What we're all after, actually？

Week 13 had finally come to an end. The last couple of days of official uni classes were to say the least eventful - in both good and bad ways. But I'm truly proud of the fact that I have come this far, with the final hurdle (to quote Toomas Truvert) to be strived through starting next week.

However this is not what makes me decided to write in this space today. I once thought that I would probably not do any writing at least before the exams. But no, I'm here again.

I saw our amazing lecturer JF (you know who) on my way back from a tiring day of uni plus grocery shopping. All I have to say is that he's the most uber fascinating lecturer in probably the entire Actuarial Department in Macquarie University. I once heard about him being a real professional specialising in Life insurance, and being a fellow IAA he must be rich - at least rich enought to buy a decent car and petrol.

But there I saw this man walking with his hiking bag, one hand carrying a huge umbrella, and the other - you will never guess it I bet - a PILLOW. It wasn't a new pillow brought from mac cen trust me. It looked like it was a used pillow. I was wondering, why does he need to bring a pillow to his office? And why oh why, is he walking to uni everyday given his qualification and consequently, wealth.

So it all boils down to one question: what EXACTLY are we working hard for. I just turned 20 two days ago and it hits me hard that I'm no longer a 'raw teenager'. Reaching 20 means that I'm gradually getting closer and closer to real adulthood.

Is it really money that matters? Going back to JF's example, what makes a well-established actuary willing to walk to uni everyday, speaks and dress like an ordinary folk. Really, I 've been wondering about this since last year when I was first introduced to this unique being in ACST211. Another fellow interesting actuary is Prof. John Pollard. He travelled around the world in minivan with his wife 30 years ago and did it again last year with some sort of " high technology recording the entire journey for the pleasure of his grandchildren". What a life man!