So it’s last Thursday. I just finished a fun Link Crew freshmen orientation at Oxnard High School, and I have a little bit of time before my flight back to Phoenix. After a crazy week of travel that has already included a trip within a trip, I decide to spoil myself and head for a sushi lunch.
I love sushi. Seriously, if you want to quickly become one of my best friends, ask me out for a sushi happy hour and go to town on several rolls with me. None of that “California Roll” junk. Let’s have fun, let’s order a lot, and let’s share. Sharing is a must with group sushi meals.
My only rule: I don’t do cream cheese on sushi. Other than that, I’ll experiment and have fun.
So I walk into Oh! Sushi on Rose Ave in Oxnard and take a seat right at the counter. Sometimes I feel self conscious about this–eating alone. Not this time. I’m at a sushi restaurant and the counter can be the best place to sit.
Why?
The sushi chefs.
They are amazing. Not only do they need to work in a meticulous and careful manner, keeping your fish fresh and safe. Not only do they need to have master knife skills and patient precision with the rice. Not only do they make the dishes of an entire restaurant with the soul of an artist…
…but they also serve as the cheerleaders.
I love that when someone enters, they all shout out a greeting. When someone exits, they shout out a goodbye. They are the first to celebrate a birthday greeting for the guest, and they are quick to engage in conversation with anyone nearby.
At a normal restaurant, if you eat alone, you’re often overlooked or pitied. Not at a sushi restaurant.
The sushi chefs always talk with me. It isn’t uncommon that they might have me try something extra special (as a treat). They ask my taste preferences and make rolls based around them. It’s a blast.
So my morale today?
Be the sushi chef in your school or organization.
Be meticulous. Be detailed oriented. Be efficient.
But also be an artist. Be a cheerleader.
And engage the people around you in conversation.
Have a great day (and please let me know if you ever want to get some sushi!)