I walked up to the counter and wrote my name down, ‘Peter’, tore off no.17 and went back to wait with my dad for a table. Somehow, it brought back memories of the first time I ever ate ramen. I was 18 and I remembered clearly who was there and what I ordered too. It was the Tokyo Ramen and I had the green rice tea to quench my thirst. You are probably wondering, “Why do you remember what you ate and what you ordered? That’s kind of wierd.” It was because it was one my first memories when I came to Sydney to study. I remembered going, What is this ramen thing people are talking about? What’s so special about it? I tasted it and since then, there was no turning back, it’s one of the many Japanese delicacies I now crave every once in a while. 

My name was called. Off I went to grab a seat and look at the menu. I wanted to order the Tokyo Ramen to remind me of the first time I had it but I decided to call another type instead. I did order the Green Rice Tea but somehow, I don’t think it ever tasted quite as good as the first time I drank it at that restaurant but it was good nevertheless. I looked around me and I saw the table I sat at with my sister the first time. I also saw the book store opposite me which I was so fascinated by back then. It was the same setting but time as always, moved forward. I’m surrounded by different people and sounds but the memory of that first time lingers on. 

I spend the entire past year worrying about this society that I am leading. Now that it’s almost over, I think back of the first time I stepped into the room and asked a simple question to the first person I saw, “Hi, my name is Augustine. What do you study?”. That was literally what I asked every single person I saw at the meet and greet with new and existing members. I had a dream back then too, a dream that my sister went through. A dream where I would find true friendship and be surrounded by love. My misconception was thinking the path we take will be exactly the same. The fundamental truth about the path that each person takes is that it is always different regardless of the final destination. We all like a neat and tidy path but in reality, every path is a concoction of mess.

Sometimes, people ask things like “Hey, what is the best way to ask a girl out?” or “Hey, how do I avoid any complications at all?”. There is no best way. There are, better ways, sure but there is no best way. As for the latter, you are never going to be able to avoid complications and mistakes no matter what you do. Have a listen to Human by Jon McLaughlin. There’s a verse that says, “After all we are only human, always fighting what we’re feeling, hurt instead of healing. After all we are only human, is there any other reason why we stay instead of leaving?”. I can guarantee you that the path ahead of you is going to be a dirty and messy one but you are going to have to stick it through. You are going to have to realize that you are just human and that this is part of life. Don’t mistake a neat and tidy path for being perfect. 

No path is ever truly straight but because of that we live in fear. We live with the fear that we are going to be not accepted or be lonely or being rejected. Chances are at some point in your life, you are going to feel some of those emotions or maybe even all of them but you are going to have to say, ‘I know I am going through this.’ but you also have to say, ‘Let’s not give up and how do we make a better situation out of this and possibly learn from it.’ You adapt. You persevere. That’s what you need to do. You need to know where you are at but at the same time, don’t lay stagnant. 

I always have dreams of a perfect plan and where things will run absolutely smoothly. I don’t think it ever turn out the way it seems. There’s always something that somehow pops up and changes your direction. (Up till now, Arsenal (it’s a football/soccer club) still hasn’t won a trophy for 9 years.) So much for a perfect plan. When that happens, it’s always good to think back of why you started what you are doing in the first place. Thinking back of when I first started,  I asked people, “What are you studying? because I wanted to know people but most importantly, that question could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It brings me back to today, how far I have come and how many friendships have persevere because of that question alone. It brings a smile to my face. 

I may not be able to replicate the exact time and setting where I had my first ramen but I do remember clearly the first time I had it. I was such a happy kid and enjoyed every single bite of it. I still enjoyed it a lot, don’t get me wrong. If you need a ramen buddy, just call me. I will be there. That first time also reminded me that I should be open to new possibilities and places, that every day is a new day. It may always seem a bit fearful and scary at first but most often, there’s no harm trying something new. Don’ be fixated on creating the exact same experience and path each time a similar situation appears but rather think back of the lingering memory, carry it with you and let that memory of yours create new experiences and help you along your path regardless of what happens. 

You’ll be alright.