As a person, living in New Zealand for a year and a half has changed me as well. In some ways, I feel Hobbit-y , you know?
But you talk to most filmmakers and it is six, seven, eight years trying to get things off the ground. It is incredible really.
Rather than thinking, 'If I do this, and in five years I'll be where I want to be,' you're better just doing something that makes you happy now.