Today I had an interesting experience leaving my comfort zone and branching out.
I went over to the Medical Center to get my flu shot. (It’s something I’ve gotten every year.) and decided to get lunch there. (We were out of bread this morning and I didn’t bring a lunch the way I usually do.)
So I walked into the cafe and got a soup and salad. When I went to sit down all the seats were full, but there was one person at a four seat table by himself.
I decided to risk it.
Approaching the man, I asked if he would mind sharing the table, and when he did not object and I sat down.
The rest of lunch was actually quite interesting; it turns out he was a Pediatric Emergency Room doctor and had been working at the hospital for 18 years. We talked about his job, and my job, and Rochester in general. We even talked about last night’s Extreme Makeover – Home Edition, where my university (the University of Rochester) donated $400,000 in a scholarship fund to the kids the family worked with in their boxing club.
It was fun.
I never got his name, and I don’t think I’ll ever see him again, but I feel like I made a new short term friend for the day. I am glad I went outside my comfort zone and talked to him.
Yesterday Ryan and I did another thing outside of the norm for us – we went to the Central branch of the Rochester Public Library and went to lunch at a new restaurant.
We usually stick with places we’ve been before, and don’t venture into the heart of downtown too often – but we decided to explore since it was such a gorgeous Sunday.
The Library is fantastic! It is huge, two buildings connected under the street by a tunnel, with tons and tons of books/computers/activities.
The restaurant (Simply Crepes) was pretty good too; we love crepes and this place had everything from breakfast egg crepes, to buffalo chicken crepe/wraps, to dessert berry and chocolate crepes. It was definitely different and delicious.
I am really enjoying these new experiences and will make an effort to do something similar whenever the chance arises. Maybe I’ll finally pull over on my way to work and ask the union workers why the are picketing the construction with big inflatable rats – it’s caught my attention for a while now…
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Good for you branching out! The hubs and I tried a new coffee shop we have been meaning to try yesterday.
It's funny how our parents warn us about talking to strangers when we're little, then we grow up and realize that talking to strangers is fun, and then we grow up some more and warn our own kids about talking to strangers. Great story.
There are so many things we've been wanting to try!
How was the coffee shop?
Haha, good point – the great cycle of worry.
Nice story, hehe. This past year I've been trying to make a conscious effort and get out of my comfort zone. It sounds silly, but its pretty empowering! Thanks for reminding me I need to keep trying it more often!