skdr, it seems you't doing pretty well man, congrats, and I hope you keep up!
Well, I've been pretty good myself as well.
I finished high school last July, and I got my first Level Designer/3d modeler job this month, I'm loving it, and I can't imagine myself doing anything else, but this! It's a dream came true...
Finally, all those nights messing with game editors, 3dsmax, watching and reading tutorials, listening to my mom yelling at me at 3am: "for god sake, go to bed!!", all this is starting to actually pay of!
Portugal, as some of you probably know, has a mediocre economy, so life isn't exactly luxurious around here, but, at least for me, the thing that matters the most, is working in an area that you really love, and have enough money to spend a nice, peacefully and healthy life, withs lot's and lot's of games on your bedroom's shelves!!
I got a beautiful girlfriend, with over 2 years in store as well! And I have never been happier...
Cheers all!