As published in Drayton Valley Western Review.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? When was the last time you did something that scared you? What was it and how did you feel?
For me, it is more about going someplace that I have never been before rather than trying an activity or eating food that I have never tried. A few weeks ago though, I met someone who was able to push me out of my comfort zone when it comes to food and I am so glad I did.
I rarely go out of my way to eat something that I have not tried before. I usually just stick to eating my usual rice and meat combo. A few weeks ago, my friend and I went out for dinner and he is just so in love with sushi, so we went to his favourite sushi place in Edmonton. I was just going to order katsudon or tempura but he did not let me. I said I do not like sushi or anything raw for that matter and he said, “Have you tried sushi before?” and I said “No, I have not but I do not like it.” He, then, said “How can you say you do not like something if you have not tried it at all?” And that was when I had no other choice but to give in and have my first sushi.
He chose a few different kinds of sushi and sashimi and taught me how to eat it. Surprisingly, it did not turn out to be as nasty or fishy as I thought it would be. I still would not ever go out of my way to eat sushi but if it is right in front of me, I would not turn it down.
The next time we hung out, we went to a Korean restaurant and he made me try kimchi, another thing I swore I would never eat. For some reason, he was able to convince me to be more open in trying new food and for that I am thankful. Kimchi was okay but just like with sushi, I do not think I would ever crave it.
I have learned to not say I do not like something I have never even tried. I have learned to try something new every day if possible. It makes life so much more interesting and worth it.
