Monday, January 10, 2011

WHEN DID YOU LAST TRY SOMETHING NEW?


It was like a light went on above my head. I took the alert position with my index finger pointing up and my mouth shaped like an "O". Just like one of those pictures of a 1950's housewife.

Yes, that sounds so very corny. But that's how this all started.

In the midst of our last minute Christmas shopping (just two days before Christmas), we were at our local Shoppingtown. We had bought hard, and it was nearing lunchtime. We were hungry.

My son made his usual Thursday Special Treat Outing Request. "Can we have chippies?"

Silence.

Then he went for the second option, "How about 'Donalds?"

Silence.

I made a suggestion, "How about something different?"

Silence.

You see, I love good food. Different food. But my husband, he likes what he knows. And as a result, the kids are exactly the same. We've become The Chips Family. Chips every Saturday night, Soup on Friday night, Stew on Tuesdays, and a roast dinner thrown in there for good luck on another night. Something exotic on my table? Hardly ever. A dinner out? Usually McDonald's.

It's all happening at our place (or at Mickey Dee's).

And even though my favourite food is pizza (not the Pizza Hut kind, but the good kind), a close second is Thai. And close third - anything that is done well. I'm really not that fussy and love to try new things.

So back at Shoppingtown, I saw China Bar. It's amazing. It really is. And I ordered Sizzling Noodles for Madison and a Salmon clay pot for me. He was hesitant at first, and for the first (and only) time, I was grateful for the TV show Yo Gabba Gabba.

"Try it, and you'll like it" I said.

And he did. He tried it, and not only did he like it. He loved it. So did his little brother.

And that's when I had my little epiphany.


A while ago I posted this article about living like a tourist in my own town. I wanted to see new places, and get out of the 20 km radius I limit myself to. Even though, we've upped the ante a tad, we're still terrible at doing new things. I even have a list to remind me.

And to keep myself accountable, I'm going to record it here. In my little part of the blog world.

The best bit is: I'd like you to join me. To try something new. Every week.

Perhaps it's doing too many of the mindless jobs like washing dishes that gives me too much thinking time on my hands, but I think this will be just great.

It doesn't have to be limited to trying a new food or ordering differently from the menu. It could be trying on an outfit, colouring your hair, going to a new place, a new activity with your kids, doing nothing out of the ordinary - just in a different order.

What do you think? Do you think we could do something new every week?

Let's try it and see how we go... in fact, you can link up right here this week (the linky will be open all week), and we'll do this every Thursday from now on.

Are you with me? Yes?


18 comments:

  1. I love the idea of living like a tourist in your own town! I have moved from several states, never feeling like I took advantage of the experiences. Great idea!

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  2. Hey Kymmie I just saw your comment on my post... she only posted on coloring page ..but I was also looking at this shop
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/jelene?ref=seller_info
    not sure if its something that would interest you.... just an idea

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  3. Thanks Rach. Oh, and an Etsy site. I'm going weak at the knees just thinking about it. xx

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  4. I love this. I think you should make it a "challenge" to yourself to do something new every week...and blog about it. I like to do "challenges" on my blog. It gives me inspiration and holds me accountable :).

    I rarely try new foods (my mom will tell you that I am the pickiest person alive, but it isn't true) but I love the idea of trying something, anything new every week.

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  5. That is a great idea..will try! I found when living in Canberra some of the best gift shops were the ones attached to all the tourist places...Parliament House and the like...especially to get stuff for my family in NZ..and to appreciate the architecture it was worth the visit just for us! Up here we have lovely beaches and bush that tourists visit all the time and we often just stay home...shame on me!

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  6. I just have to figure out how to be involved in the linky? Do I blog about it and then click on your "Links to this post" thingy??
    We are pretty good at trying new things but let me tell you the price of a meal out can be extravagant! My kids never order from the boring kids menu. No, last meal out last week was crab linguine for 11 yr old and tapas plate for miss 9 ($32 for that dish alone!!!) But we do try a new recipe at least fortnightly at home.

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  7. I don't want anyone to be spending a fortune on new stuff. A new meal made at home is just perfect to fit in the 'trying new things' criteria. Oh, this is going to be so much fun. I hope you all join in! xx

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  8. Thanks for visiting my blog, you are your family are just gorgeous! I liked your food court story.... though your husband and kids sound a bit more like me than Id like to admit... Ive been eating the same lunch for about 5 years straight!! Luckily, my daughter doesnt like potato so chips arent a problem! She eats sushi which I think is v endearing in a 2 year old but unfortunately that is about ALL she eats at the mo! Love your challenge, will cme back to play along,....

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  9. Sounds fun now I've read the starting post ...I'll try it for sure and hope it will be interetsing enough to blog about LOL.
    (here via weekend rewind today)

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  10. Such a fab idea, Kymmie. I missed this post so I'm glad you linked it up at the Fibro. Finding time for new things will be the challenge for me!! x

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  11. This is a great idea, I am thinking of taking the kids rollerskating or horseback riding. I have done these activities before, but the last time I did either was when my age ended in "teen" so they might as well be considered new.

    Came by from Weekend Rewind.

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  12. I love the idea of 'living like a tourist in my own town'. Did you ever read A Month of Sundays by James O'Loughlin? It is a funny read with a similar vibe. I will link in when I can :)

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  13. mmmm noodles....
    Trying something new every week is an awesome goal... I wonder if I can manage it.... hmm...you have my brain ticking over!

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  14. Love your new things idea. I have similar issues with getting my children to try new foods etc. It is so easy for all of us to get stuck in a rut.

    Thank you for the reminder that we can all try new things sometimes.

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  15. Great idea! those noodles look delicious. x
    Ps: went past the amazing shop where you got those great platforms the other day and thought of you

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  16. I think it's a fab idea! I'm all for trying something new. It doesn't need to be big, it just needs to be different. Tonight we had new friends over for the first time. It went well. Different. Yay!

    Thanks for linking up at the Fibro!

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  17. I'm all for encouraging new things (especially if they don't cost the earth). Linky is up on Thursday.

    Allison, I think you can do your new friends dinner for sure. xx

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Thank you for your thoughtful and positive words and taking the time to comment. Love Kymmie. xx