As human beings, we like to be aware of our surroundings. We like to know that the dark clouds in the sky are a precursor to the thunderstorm and the aroma from the kitchen is the result of the roasted garlic.

But, life can be unpredictable.

Scratch that.

Life is unpredictable.

I find it oddly amusing that a planned day can turn into a memorable event for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a personal anecdote:

Even though I have lived in Texas for eight years, I never took the time to explore the city of Austin. I went to Austin with my sister and her fiancé during Thanksgiving break and we created a rigid plan.

First, we decided to stop by Gourdough’s – a food truck specializing in donuts that will make your stomach grateful.

Then, we planned to try paddle boarding for the first time and go to a Japanese restaurant to try their ramen bowls. I brought my camera with two different lenses in order to capture some pictures of the city while riding the boat.

While driving from Houston to Austin, I called Gourdough’s to ensure that they were open. To our bad luck, they never answered the phone and we realized that they were closed.

When we arrived at the docking station, little did I know that we would be rowing the boat. After I placed my foot on the boat, I felt the entire boat shaking. I managed to sit down and placed my camera bag between my legs.

Within 15 seconds, the boat flipped upside down and we fell into the lake. My camera bag and our phones were completely drenched and we were soaking wet from head to toe. We couldn’t find the keys to our car for twenty minutes and those minutes seemed like hours.

The Japanese restaurant (you guessed it) was also closed so we decided to stop by IHOP where we ate pancakes and waffles while picturing a hundred ways the trip could have occurred.

However, believe it or not, this was one of the most memorable trips I experienced. I had the opportunity to spend time with my sister and interact with her fiancé. We grew closer and I felt as though a brother was entering into our family.

Sometimes, certainty leads to ambiguity and laughter turns into grief. Many of us are asked to envision ourselves in five or ten years and some of us have answers while others ponder upon their ideal tomorrow.

Neither version is right nor wrong. Our minds crave answers and create a perception of the best possible scenario. We replay it over and over, in hopes of attaining the perfect reality. However, I have learned to embrace the imperfections that life throws at us and find comfort in the unknown.