New Things November

So fall this year had me feeling kind of stale. I hadn’t done much that was all too exciting, so I decided to mix things up a bit in the month of November and try something new. Actually, make that 30 somethings new. And thus was born #NewThingsNovember

My goal was to do one new thing that I’d never done before each day in November. Some of these things ended up being pretty lame. Some were really cool! But ALL were new. I didn’t quite reach my goal, but I’m pretty happy with 28/30. Not sure if I’ll try again next year. But maybe!

Today is the first of November and I decided to do something new this year. Actually, make that 30 somethings new. My goal is to do one new thing that I've never done before each day in November. I'm calling it #NewThingsNovember. For Day 1, I thought I would bake some cookies from scratch and bring them into work to share. Unfortunately, I'm even more inept at baking than I thought! After three attempts (each slightly better than the last, yet still horrible failures), I gave up and made a dozen cookies from store-bought cookie dough. So, not the most successful start to #NewThingsNovember, but a start, nonetheless! 29 more days and new things to go!

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 1, 2015 at 8:29pm PST

Day 4: Swegway!! I almost didn't have a new thing to do today, but then someone brought a swegway to youth group! After quite a few tries and failures, I finally managed to do it. I think I'll put one of these on my Christmas list... #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 4, 2015 at 4:09pm PST

Day 7: Today I visited Morning Star Church in St. Louis to learn about how they do production at their services. I met a lot of great people and enjoyed hanging out with them and helping with their Saturday evening services. I'm going back again in the morning! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 7, 2015 at 8:33pm PST

Day 10: Bike surfing! Yeah, apparently that's a thing. And thanks to my good friend, @tazsmith14, I got to try it out today! It's a lot of fun, especially since Tim had to do all the hard work! #WorshipGrowSurf #NewThingsNovember

A video posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 10, 2015 at 1:49pm PST

Day 14: Today I went to Branson with KJ and Sara and we went for a helicopter ride! It was pricey and a short ride, but still really cool! Plus #Friendship! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 14, 2015 at 2:24pm PST

Day 15: Today I proved to the world that I'm not completely incompetent at cookie-baking! 2 weeks after my initial failed attempt at cookie making, I decided to try again and I figured out the secret: you just have to use the correct amount of flour! Take that, haters! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 15, 2015 at 9:07pm PST

Day 18: I learned a new sport today! It's called Spikeball and (surprise, surprise) I'm not very good at it! But it was still a lot of fun, so that's good. #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 18, 2015 at 9:34pm PST

Day 22: Today I helped lead worship at Schweitzer on the bass guitar. And after that, someone thought it would be a good idea to give me a mic and let me give the benediction! Hopefully that doesn't become a regular thing.... #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 22, 2015 at 11:15am PST

Day 28: For various reasons, I missed a few days this last week. So today I double up and did 2 new things. And if you don't like that, then too bad because this is my thing, not yours! 😀 Today I went to the Discovery Center in Springfield for a wedding. While I was there I got to play a little bit! So first I laid on a bed of nails, which actually felt kind of nice! And second, I drank out of a toilet. Although it's possible this may have happened as a small child, I'm still counting it as new, since it's the first time I can remember doing it. The water tasted great! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 28, 2015 at 7:21pm PST

Day 2: After yesterday's failure in the kitchen, I thought I would try cooking again, but with different food and with some help this time. My good friend, KJ Roelke, taught me how to make Chicken Carbonara for dinner! It was delicious! #Friendship #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 2, 2015 at 5:07pm PST

Day 5: I'm literally dead. Yes, I said literally! My "friend" Kristy Stacy convinced me to try a free kickboxing class tonight. That was the hardest workout I've had in a long time. I think it's safe to say, I do not have a future in kickboxing! But, somehow I made it through! (Even though I'm literally dead now...) #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 5, 2015 at 5:29pm PST

Day 8: Today was a very bittersweet day. I went to Living Springs Campgrounds for the last time. It was wonderful to see and hear how Christ has impacted many people of all generations. I can't even put in to words how much this place has meant to my life. I am beyond thankful for it, for all the people who have made it so wonderful for all these years, and for the amazing summers that I spent there. It has shaped me into who I am today and I am sad that my children will never get to experience it. To continue with my theme of #NewThingsNovember, I tried something I always wanted to do there, I climbed on the roof of Matthew Simpson (one of the buildings there). I figured, I can't really get in trouble if the camp is closing down, right? While it is sad to see the place go... #ThatsNotTheEndOfTheStory #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 8, 2015 at 8:17pm PST

Day 11: Went to Hurts Donuts with the Green Room people tonight. I decided to try 2 new flavors of donut. "Moose Munch" and "Cereal Killer". I'll admit, today's new thing was not difficult. #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 11, 2015 at 8:39pm PST

Day 16: Today I tried Peruvian food at Cafe Cusco with KJ. I had a goat burger with egg and potatoes. It was pretty good! Plus there was live music! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 16, 2015 at 4:44pm PST

Day 19: Today I went mountain biking on fat bikes with Tim Smith at Sac River. I only fell twice! So much fun but also a great reminder of how incredibly out of shape I am! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 19, 2015 at 1:55pm PST

Day 20: I finally used my crock-pot! I made BBQ and Coca-Cola Pulled Pork. I thought it was pretty decent, especially for my first time. (You'll have to ask KJ for a more unbiased opinion...) #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 20, 2015 at 7:17pm PST

Day 25: Today I baked a pumpkin pie! Thanks to my wonderful mom for the help and making sure that I didn't ruin Thanksgiving tomorrow by baking a terrible pie! We'll see if it actually tastes good or not tomorrow... #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 25, 2015 at 8:16pm PST

Day 29: In the spirit of tiredness, today I decided to watch a movie that I've never seen and that a lot of people have told me I should see. And that movie is Pulp Fiction. While it's definitely not my usual type of movie, I did thoroughly enjoy it. That seems to be how all Quentin Tarantino movies are for me though. #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 29, 2015 at 9:20pm PST

Day 3: Today I decided to try something that I think most people learned to do as a kid, but I never did. I made an origami crane! I think I could probably use some more practice, but hey, still counts! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 3, 2015 at 9:55pm PST

Day 6: Too sore today for physical activity and visiting the Schreibers in St. Louis. So today I decided to try some new foods. Crawdad, clam, and what I think was frog legs and calamari. I actually didn't hate any of them! Yay! #NewThingsNovember

A video posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 6, 2015 at 9:24pm PST

Day 9: Today was long day of travel and then working as soon as I got home, so I didn't have time to do anything crazy exciting. So I went to Walmart and bought my very own crockpot (and some ingredients to put in it)! I've never owned one, even though lots of people kept telling me that I should... I'll be cooking with it soon, so you can expect that a different day. For today, just buying the thing will have to count! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 9, 2015 at 9:49pm PST

Day 12: Today I went rock climbing at MSU campus with Grant and KJ! I felt like a college freshman again! And then Grant #LionKingIRL-ed me. #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 12, 2015 at 7:51pm PST

Day 13: I got lazy/busy/distracted today and didn't get a new thing done before midnight. So I just got in my car and started driving. Ended up at Table Rock Lake, found a random boat ramp, and went and stood in the cold water! I stayed there and watched the stars for about 10 minutes. It was very peaceful. 10/10. Would do again. #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 13, 2015 at 11:30pm PST

Day 17: Today KJ and I cooked dinner for the Casadys! We made Hummus-crusted Chicken with roasted Squash, Zucchini, and Onions. It was delicious! And it only took two hours! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 17, 2015 at 6:51pm PST

Day 21: Today I saw Fiddler on the Roof at Kickapoo High School. This musical has been on my list for awhile but I never got around to seeing it before today. Good job Kadie Thomas! I loved your beard! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 21, 2015 at 8:04pm PST

Day 26: Today I learned to play some new card games, including Rummy and Golf. Very #thankful for quality time with my family around the card/dinner table at the farm! #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 26, 2015 at 6:14pm PST

Day 30: For the final day of the month, I went with KJ to try the food of his people. I was not a fan of the Kimchi. But otherwise, it was very good! Thanks to everyone who followed me on my silly escapade of trying new things, and especially to those who helped me do the new things! I didn't quite reach my goal of 30 new things in 30 days, but I'm pretty happy with 28/30. (If I come up with anything new to try in the next week or so, I might still count it.) #NewThingsNovember

A photo posted by Taylor Likes (@taylikes) on Nov 30, 2015 at 5:33pm PST

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