Great read, and sounds good in theory. Just a couple of quick questions.
1. What is your first job? What hours do you do in it? Is it far from home?
2. Do you think a person living outside a big city would have the same opportunities as you have had?

Obviously you seem to been one of those 0.01% who have everything to fall in place all at the right time, and a person that seems to have the gift of the gab. Not to forget to mention the determination to achieve your goal.

Please don't read this as a negative. As it is not intentional. It's more to add another dimension to your circumstances. Your first job may leave you with plenty of energy at end of your day, or be of hours or location that give you freedom to explore your surroundings.
Your family obviously give you plenty of support as well.

Good luck with future endeavours. See you in the CC section of the forum...

Geoff.