New city. New tastebuds.

I'm wrapping up my first week in St. Louis and my first week of work. The week FLEW BY as I moved from training session to training session realizing I have SO MUCH to learn before the semester begins next month. But it was a solid first week and I have made a concerted effort to throw myself into the social circle of my colleagues. Rather than allowing myself to be the "new guy" on the peripheral who is trying to figure out how to join the group, I jumped right in inviting myself along to social outings and making an effort to get to know folks. Some may see that as being overbearing or too much, but the group is tight knit and there's a lot of personalities. I felt that if I didn't essentially "throw" myself into the group, I could spend quite a long time working my way into the mix. Though I'm still the "new guy," and will be for quite some time, I have made connections with my colleagues quickly and am excited about the new friendships that are forming.

With that said, I was invited to go out tonight for sushi at The Drunken Fish, a restaurant in the Central West End area of town (that I am in love with) that is close to campus. Those that know me well know I don't "do sushi." I've tried it twice (the last time being when I was 17 in NYC) and just didn't care for it. But I figured going out for sushi was better than sitting in my apartment by myself and even though the menu had other options, I decided to go for the sushi. I ordered a spicy calamari roll and LOVED IT. I was like OH MY GOSH WHERE HAS THIS BEEN IN MY LIFE!? My colleagues were shocked I hadn't eaten sushi in a decade (yes, that long) and I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it compared with my sentiments in my teen years.

So there ya go. Sometimes being in a city new and beginning a new chapter in your life means trying things again and possibly changing your mind. I'm not running out the door to have sushi for lunch tomorrow but I'm happy to say that the next time someone suggests sushi, I'm on board!

Cheers.