I’m a big believer in the idea that small adventures make life more interesting. So, I decided to challenge myself to try something new every day for a week. These would be little things that would shake up my routine and maybe introduce me to a new favorite. So, without further ado, here’s how it went:
Day 1: Sushi Exploration
I’ve had sushi before, but I wouldn’t call myself a sushi connoisseur. My local deli recently started making a variety of sushi rolls, so I figured, why not? I quickly learned that I do not like sour-tasting sauces (I wasn’t expecting it to be so….tangy?), but I loved the spicy shrimp roll. A new go-to? Possibly. The experience overall was a 3/5.
Day 2: A New Coffee Spot
I’m always down for a new coffee experience, so I visited a café called White Bison. Cozy vibes? Check. Good coffee? Absolutely. I ordered a toffee latte, which was perfectly sweet and nutty. The coffee shop also had a nice, homey atmosphere and even had an upper floor. I can imagine it would be a great study spot.
Day 3: Discovering a New Music Artist
Music discovery is one of my favorite low-effort, high-reward experiences. This time, I stumbled upon Sara Groves, a Christian songwriter and composer. Her lyricism is chef’s kiss, and my favorite song so far is Lay It Down. Highly recommend if you like thoughtful, faith-filled lyrics.
Day 4: Trying Matcha
I finally gave matcha a shot. It’s one of those things that everyone seems to love, so I had to see what the hype was about. Verdict? It’s good…but only if I drown it in vanilla cold foam and sweetener. Otherwise, it tastes a little too earthy for me. Something akin to mowing the lawn with your mouth open. I’d love to learn to make it my sweet way at home and maybe swap it up a bit so I’m not always consuming an ungodly amount of coffee.
Day 5: Testing a New Recipe
I decided to bake cheddar and ham muffins, and let me tell you, friend, they were way better than expected. Soft, cheesy, savory, and surprisingly filling. These might just be my new favorite breakfast meal prep. This was probably my 5/5 experience for the week.
Overall, this little experiment was a fun reminder that trying new things doesn’t have to be dramatic or life-changing. Even the smallest discoveries such as a new coffee order or a song that resonates—adds richness to everyday life. Who knows? Maybe I’ll keep this streak going! It’s been a fun little challenge to brighten up my now regular 9-5 work schedule. It’s easy to let time get away from you when you work a regular job I’m realizing. This little challenge felt like it helped me be more present and make better use of my time (be more experimental in small ways).
So! Now I’m going to turn the question to you, dear audience! What’s something new you’ve tried lately?
Just a fun little challenge that I remember from my old writer forum days. It’s a challenge where you spell out your name and list lovely global cities that start with each letter and describe your thoughts concerning each one. It’s more of a fun game and blog writing exercise than anything. I was going to do a writing prompts post but, alas, a little germ decided to make me its home for the weekend where then my immune system proceeded to convince me that I was dying. What I’m trying to say is I’m sick. The week of finals too. And that is why you’re getting a short but sweet blog post this week that is more akin to a bullet journal entry than anything. Feel free to do the same sort of thing on your own blog! It is quite a lot of fun (especially if you have a long name).
So! Let’s start with my name.
Brooke. With an e. We do not forget the e around here. So let’s see what cities I can find in my name!
B – Beijing, China
Ahhhh yes. The lovely city of Beijing. One of the oldest cities in the world come to find out, with its history being traced back up to 3,000 years ago, which is insane to me. I’ve only lived for about 20 years now, and it feels like an eternity.
Apparently this place, as beautiful as it is, has undergone quite the identity crisis (though haven’t we all? Don’t lie, 2021 was a rough ride, don’t even lie), having been named various other titles before finally settling on the name of Beijing. Examples include: Jicheng (‘City of Ji’), Yanjing (Capital of Yan’), Nanjing (‘Southern Capital’), Zhongdu (‘Central Capital’), Dadu (‘Great Capital’), Beiping (‘Central Peace’) and so forth.
R – Rome, Italy
Rome! The city of the coolest ruins that I could ever dream of seeing. And good heavens, the ARCHITECTURE. I COULD GUSH ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE ALL DAY. And maybe I will in another post. But that is for another day when I have more than one brain cell available to do the leg work. No, instead I choose to entertain you with tasty little fun facts. And since Rome is generally a pretty popular city, I’m going to try and dredge up some of the oddest (but interesting) facts about Rome.
For example, did you know they have a pasta museum??? Yeah, didn’t think so.
And that women who lived in Rome during ancient times used to actually dye their hair with goat fat and beech wood ashes? Yeah, if they wanted to be a blonde or a red head, they didn’t have to wait for L’Oréal to be invented.
Also, cats are allowed to roam there by law. Like it’s literally decreed that these cats are cool with the government to just be chillin’ on the ruins. And I love this thought. Aaaand now I desire an animated Disney movie about the cats of Rome. Surely the cats are up to SOMETHING.
O – Osaka, Japan
The more I look up pictures of this place, the more I want to go here. Fun fact, I’ve just always wanted to go to Japan. I know that’s a very basic location to have on your traveling bucket list, but there’s a reason it’s such a popular getaway. The place is gorgeous, especially during the spring.
Osaka is known for a lot of things, one of the most prominent being its food. So, you’ve already got me there. I’m ready. Brb, packing my bags.
O – Oslo, Norway
Yet another gorgeous place I wish to visit once I’m a millionaire authoress with a secret identity, an unquenchable thirst for travel and no husband (but maybe like, 2 cats in a cat carrier?). Norway is one of those places that I see pictures of, and I’m immediately mad I’m not there. Which is kind of funny considering I generally have an aversion to cold weather. But I think the immense beauty of this place makes up for that, not to mention I’ve vowed to see the Northern lines burn up the night sky at least once before I die. And this seems like the perfect place to fulfill such a wish.
K – Kahuku, Hawaii
Oh, yeah, I’ve seen Moana. And I am ready.
Wanna know a startling fact? I have never seen the ocean.
Yeaaaah, I know. Tragic really. But oh, I so want to see it. I want to go on a boat. Maybe see a dolphin. I’m not too picky honestly. I might even settle for a jellyfish or a trout or something. I just want a little bit of Hawaii. And considering its December right now, that urge has only grown.
E – Edinburgh
Yeah boooy, I saved the best for last. I am aware I have basically gushed over every location covered thus far, but I mean it when I say that this place is the one I desire to travel to the most out of all cities I have listed. For as long as I can remember, I just loved the thought of going Scotland. I loved Celtic music so much growing up. In fact, I think that’s one of the things that really sparked my interest in the place. That and my World History chapter on the Celts and how they’d run into battle naked and covered in blue paint. Something my 9 year old self never forgot.
I think its the thought of foggy cliffs and woods that drives me to it. And castles. I adore castles. The mix of nature, old things, and mystery is just pure magic to me.
And that concludes my wanderlust filled post. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been to any of these places. In fact, I purposefully chose cities outside the US because maybe its really the intrigue of the unknown that drives my desire to want to see these places. The deep need to tread previously un-treaded ground. I think that’s maybe because there’s a little explorer in us all. A kid that didn’t grow up and just wants to see that big world out there. ‘Cause there’s so much to it. And it’s just sitting there, waiting for us.
Wait… do I sense a befitting moment to quote J.R.R. Tolkien??
I think I do.
Ahem.
‘Cause you see it’s like this…the world isn’t in your books and maps.
By the Brooke 