Volume 3 - Newness
So much of being in a different country or a different culture is new to you. New foods, new friends, new language, new smells, new landscapes, new traditions, new clothing…the list is endless. In his book, Like A Fish In Water, Rich Kurtzman talks about all of that newness being “ripe for mistake after mistake and frustration after frustration.” But do not get discouraged by newness because in time you will discover that you are actually seeking out more newness because the benefits are so rewarding. Here are 4 tips for leaning in:
1. 1. Notice
things that are new to you and write them down. Go back to the list often and
reflect on how you felt about it in the moment and how you feel about it now.
2. Seek
new experiences actively so that they begin to feel like a normal part of your
routine.
3. As
you live in your new culture, make mistakes, try again, make more mistakes, repeat.
Mistakes are growth opportunities.
4. Stay
curious!
1. A strong belief in the power of the
individual.
2. A “pull yourself up by the bootstraps”
mantra.
3. Far more optimistic.
4. An unusual combination of national wealth
and religiosity.
Actively look for
these traits in the Americans you interact with. Do you notice these things?
DIVE
DEEPER: Curious what New
Yorkers are like? Watch comedian Billy Eichner ask random interview questions to
people on the streets of New York City. Prepare to get some valuable insights about
Americans, laugh and be a little offended at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBOpO7RgS64
WORD OF THE WEEK: Buggy
This
is simply a grocery cart. The rest of America calls it a grocery cart but here
in the south we sweetened the term up a bit by calling it a buggy.
PHRASE OF THE WEEK: Pull yourself up by the bootstraps. (see action step above)
The phrase “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” means being able to do something by yourself. No matter your circumstances, this phrase implies, you should be able to achieve wealth and success. Often, the phrase is wielded at people who live in poverty.
She left home at 15 and pulled herself up by the bootstraps and put herself through college.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Buffalo Chicken
By now you have
probably seen buffalo chicken on a menu somewhere. We love buffalo chicken
in America but especially in this part of the country. Here are 30 different
ways to make various buffalo chicken meals. My personal favorite is buffalo
chicken dip.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g38686285/buffalo-chicken-recipes/
SOCIAL EVENT OF THE WEEK:
Saturday night (Feb 17) The Shed in Maryville is having
a FREE concert featuring the band Jive Mother Mary. They also have a full menu
of American classics and BBQ.
Read more about the band here…
https://www.theshedmaryville.com/event/jive-mother-mary/
Here are 3 great resources for things to do in the
area:
https://insideofknoxville.com/category/events/