You have to start from Somewhere
It was back in 2015 when I arrived in Australia at the age of 18, with a craze to live in an English country. I came from the countryside of Pakistan where living is so simple and the English language is another adventure in itself. I had made my mind after 10th grade, that I am gonna study abroad because I was in love with the English subject and the stories of others inspired me what is possible. Then, confronted the impossible after arriving in Australia.
The first month was very smooth, fun, and a bit overwhelming too. Cricket World Cup was going on, India and Pakistan match showed so much enthusiasm and patriotism from both sides, never witnessed such a huge crowd in my life, I remember the record crowd of 60k people in the stadium, you can imagine the excitement. In the stadium, I got so lost in the crowd that I couldn't even comprehend who hit more sixes Lol.
Fun times passed quickly, the university started and the dollars my dad gave me just dissipated, leaving me with two options, find a job or go back to the beautiful countryside. The latter one seemed so weird even to think so, I just started looking for work. On the way on a bus to Adelaide city, I was asking the driver about the right stop, following google maps, and guess what? we both laughed at each other, no I was not looking that funny but my English was very funny. I was literally disheartened, doubting my decision of Aus, but I did not let a bus driver stop what my heart wants.
I applied everywhere including Mcdonald’s, KFC, Pizza hut, you just name it !! Few called for interviews, I was dancing with joy but then urdu-sindhi-English mixed accent got me Big smile and No during interviews. Disheartened again, but nothing was able to stop me. I just believed that I will get better, sooner or later. As online applying left me with hopes, I couldn’t sit around waiting, I started dropping my resume door to door. Then lucky hour came, Big Italian Restaurant called for trial, I was so overwhelmed, cannot even put in words. At the time, it seemed like one chance and couldn’t screw up, so I just prepared myself with youtube. And I got the job, voila!
The feeling of touching life’s first earning is still memorable.
As the quote goes, “money is the biggest motivator”.
I didn’t miss any chance to show up at work and places where I can learn to get better for the market. I paid my University fees and saved some money to do a security license. It was a rollercoaster journey, I worked all around South Australia, helping different people with their security needs. I felt superconfident in myself, imagining what next I can do and how much the universe has to offer if we just believe in ourselves and get optimistic.
Writing is best-liked to me since childhood, I love the lines I read and even note them in my notes on phone. But as Stephen King said, writing requires work and consistency. Writing here about my experiences is the first step towards it and I firmly believe, Journey of thousand miles starts one Step at a time. You just gotta start!!
