A Coup of Tea

by: Arlionel V. Mendoza

Levi Ackerman, a 22-year-old man is enjoying his vacation by selling tea products
because he wants his holiday to be productive, and he can use it for his upcoming school year.
While he's busy preparing the products to be delivered to his customers, he imagines if his
money from selling tea products can solve all of his financial problems in school. Until Levi
realized the money is not enough to support his needs for the upcoming school year. The money
he's going to save by selling tea products can help his tuition fee, but what about the upcoming
expenses, such as books, uniforms, project expenses, exam fees, and transportation fees when
going to school?

Levi sets aside the problem and prepares himself to deliver the products to his customers.
When Levi is on his way to the house of the customer who ordered his product first, he saw
many workplaces looking for workers, and he thinks the other positions looking by the
workplaces are suited to him. Levi arrives at his first customer and gives the product, and Levi
happily gets the money before Levi leaves the house. Since it's afternoon, Levi realized he
skipped his lunch because he was too busy preparing the orders, and then Levi looked for some
fast-food chain where Levi can eat his lunch and rest for a while before he comes to his second
customer.

Until Levi chose a fast-food where he can eat his lunch and come inside, look for food
with low price but have good quality to get health benefits. Levi already got his food order and
sat on the chair; he chose to stay while he's eating and taking a rest. While chewing, Levi checks
his phone if his second customer messaged him but replies that the customer is willing to wait
since it was the weekend.

Levi got shocked lightly when his childhood best friend a year older than him named
Erwin Tanjo, messaged him about what Levi was doing during vacation. Levi replied that he is
selling tea products to support his financial needs. He then continued to share to his friend Erwin
that he realized the money he will use from selling his creations is not enough for his essential
needs for enrolling in the upcoming school year.
 Erwin responded to his chat, saying Erwin would not attend the school year because of
the financial problem like what Levi was also experiencing. He also decided to find a stable job
first and save enough money to support his educational needs, and encouraged Levi to find a job
together. It will be easy for them since they know each other for a long time.

Levi finished their conversation immediately because he remembered he needs to deliver

the products to his second customer's house, and he still has some kinds of stuff needed to do. He
makes sure he finishes his lunch, so he has energy while on his way to his second customer.
After leaving the fast-food chain, Levi quickly got inside the transportation holding the products
carefully, and chatted with the customer that he's on his way already.

Levi safely arrived at the house of his customer. The customer invited him to talk while
eating snacks before Levi leaves the house. Levi agreed happily as he sat on the sofa in front of
his customer. Levi started the conversation by giving compliments to his customer because the
house was built so beautifully, like how the colors can make your eyes relax while looking
around inside of the home. The customer gives him a smile that looks like the customer went
through all the sacrifices before he achieved the beautiful house where she's living today.

She explained to Levi before she stopped studying because her parents don't have a stable
job that can support all of their needs, so she decided to stop and allow her younger brother and
sister to study and help her parents by working also. She tried all the works to maintain her
support to her younger siblings and can help her parents.

While the customer tells her story, Levi listens to her like Levi is interested in the
customer's account and makes him think that wanting to finish the study earlier doesn't mean you
can find a job quickly. Some of the successful people are not degree holders.

Until their conversation finished, Levi gave thanks to his customer because of the
invitation of talking with a snack, plus she gave a tip to Levi that surely can be a big help to him.
Levi leaves the house and takes a walk while he's wondering about his goals and achievements.
Levi gets his phone and dialed Erwin's phone number waiting to answer it.
 The two started planning while talking on the phone. They have a deal to each other that
they will apply for a job first and save their money until they save a large amount of money that
can finally support their educational, financial needs. They are going to prepare themselves
before seeking a job.

A day ago, Levi and Erwin took a walk while they were talking about their plans on how
to find a better job for them, and then Levi suggested to Erwin that they must create a resume
first and make a lot of copies of it so that they can pass their copies in many companies. Erwin
agreed with what Levi said then they decided to go to a computer when they created their
resume. Until they find a computer shop, they go inside and choose their chair where they are
going to rent the computer. At first, they think creating a resume is problematic until they look
for some examples and watch videos that can help them make a neat and proper resume.

Since they are making a resume, they are also online in their accounts, and scrolling
might have an information pop-up to their newsfeed about a seminar that will help them to
improve their skills. Levi saw a post about this seminar that will be conducted at San Jose High
School this upcoming September 28, 2017. Eventually, Erwin saw a post, an official page of the
company and is looking for a call center agent who is willing to be trained and assigned in
international or local accounts. Erwin said to Levi that they should try to apply to that company,
and he believes they can pass the interview since they can speak English fluently.

A night passed until the morning, Levi and Erwin were already prepared to go to the
company to have a job interview. They make sure their resume is ready and neat, and they wear
formal attire that is comfortable to wear during a job interview. They are on their way to the
company and cheering each other that they will be passed the interview and start the job
together.

Levi and Erwin arrived at the company and suddenly felt nervous because they were
trying to apply to the company, and it made them lessen their confidence but still think that they
have to achieve their goals for their family and their better future.

The other applicants already finished the interview until their names called for an initial
interview. They both successfully passed the initial interview and jumped to the verbal and non-
verbal test to have communication while talking with the customers or communicating through
chats.

Until night has arrived, they also finished the day answering the interview questions and
talking with the other applicants who also felt nervous, like how they feel inside the company.
Levi and Erwin decided to eat their dinner in Levi's house and talk about their experience while
taking the test until they reach the final interview.

Levi and Erwin got home safely. Levi's mother is sitting on the chair while waiting for
him so they will eat the food together. Levi introduced Erwin as his friend to his mother, and
Levi said they applied together for a job. Levi's mother smiled at them, feeling happy because
they appreciate the determination of two to have a better life and future.

They started eating, and Levi began the conversation by telling his experience while
taking the verbal and non-verbal test. He didn't expect that some tests needed to be answered
logically, which made him nervous about failing the test. Erwin suddenly laughed and explained
he also experienced Levi's feelings while doing the tests, but they both feel happy when they
reach the last interview. While laughing at each other, Levi looked at his phone and quickly read
the company's message where they applied together. The company congratulates them for
passing the interview job, and they give Levi's schedule. After Levi read it, he shouted to Erwin
to quickly look at the message on his phone. When Erwin already reads the note, he almost
throws the spoon because of the joy they feel when they pass the job interview together.

Until days gone by, Levi and Erwin are doing their best in their jobs, they are attending
seminar that will improve their social abilities in order for them to do well for the company’s
sake. They are saving their salaries to use when they enroll soon as well as to support the needs
of their parents. It inspired them to work hard and focus on their goals.

Three years later, Levi and Erwin decided to go to the bank to check their credit cards'
balance. While they are waiting for the bank manager, who will show how much money they
saved for three years, the two talk to each other that they will not break their promise. The
promise that they are going to continue their study and will graduate together. The manager
suddenly approached them and said Levi and Erwin did a great job because the money they
worked hard for many years was surely going to support their educational needs until they
graduate.

Levi and Erwin took a peaceful breath and smiled at each other because their friendship
and help to each other would give them a better future together with their family.

Two months later, it's already the month for school enrollment. Levi and Erwin go to
their university together, handling their papers for applying for a school year in college. Luckily
they remember the methods of how to make an application to use a study for college. They can't
still believe to each other that they are going to continue their studies despite problems they
experienced before.

While they're inside the campus, they see their classmates and professors before and tell
why they didn't attend the school year three years ago. Levi and Erwin's classmates and professor
understand their situation and compliment them because their hard work and determination about
studying are not all about age. Everyone can learn whenever they want.

Until they complete the requirements for applying to college, Levi and Erwin prepare
themselves by reading and reviewing their past lessons three years ago to exercise their minds
that they will study again and need their mind to focus now on learning, not on a job.

Levi and Erwin also talk to each other about their plans after they graduated. Levi told
Erwin he's going to work after he graduates and save money again to give his mother a business
until it grows and has franchises. Erwin said to Levi that after they graduated, Erwin wants to
work in another country where he can get an idea for his own business he wishes to have before.

Levi and Erwin give thanks to each other. They wish their friendship won't end after
graduation because their company teaches them to be determined for their family's future and
don't permanently lose their hope.

Everyone has their own goals in life, but some lose their hope because they believe they
lack everything they need to achieve what they want. We all know that life is not easy like what
others think, but we must also know they are not going to achieve our goals so quickly. We need
to face the problems and other consequences until we realize we reach the last step of getting our
goals.

Levi and Erwin's story is another story that gives us hope and encouragement to continue
what we started. It's okay to feel nervous while facing the problems because you will feel better
if you step out from the struggles.

This story might be related to another person's account, but this story will allow us to do
what we want in life as long as it can support you and our family until the end with a better
future. Always remember, whenever someone can't help you believe to yourself that you can do
everything that you want to support your goals and achievements in life. No one can stop you
from stepping out from the stairs where you will reach the last stair and stand confidently,
holding all of your achievements with your family.

“Success in life
will not
happen
overnight,
We need to work