Wow!! Who isn’t excited for the New Year (2015)? I’m really looking forward to it. New Year is coming up this Thursday (January 1st) and it’s to be celebrated in all places around the world! Some places have different days or some have different dates for the New Year, but it all has one meaning: it marks the start of a new year. Cheers!!

When thinking about it, to me, New Year means another chance to reflect

on all the good and bad important events of the last year. If the year has not been so good to you or you have not been that good this year of 2014, then it gives you a chance to ameliorate this New Year!! This is where New Year’s resolutions come in handy.

In his article, Angelous talked about how people tend to forget about their resolutions. I guess we all could use reminders not to fail to remember. Adding to the idea, I think this year we could all make New Year’s resolutions to better ourselves and aim to follow through. As we all know, the New Year is a wonderful opportunity to draw and write on a clean slate! You may have done something regretful this year, just as I may have…ok I did but hey I am human!! Remember, nobody is perfect! I am not saying you have to go and make a resolution to be fault free this year (trust me I’ve tried that it does NOT work)!! But say someone could try making a resolution based on his/her sin. For example, if you have been very jealous this year for what others have that you don’t, make a resolution to work hard to accept what you have this year! Or if you tend to be selfish a lot, make a resolution to think of others as well as yourself this year! Such resolutions could make our world a better place!!

Your resolutions could be based on something you do well which could be done better. As an example, for myself, I am going to make a resolution to become more devoted to piano this year. I will practice more by finding thirty minutes a day to practice!!

I mentioned earlier how excited I am about New Year. Part of my enthusiasm is from celebrating on New Year’s Eve. I like how my family and friends stay up late to the count down to the New Year. People would toast, in the TV you’ll see different kinds of fireworks. I find that moment to be very exciting! However, I found very interesting to learn that, not all places celebrate like us here in North America.

  • The Chinese: celebrate sometime between January 21 and February 21, varying from year to year. They call their celebration the Lunar festival!! They set up a lot of ancient Chinese decorations, and they add lots of color to their household.
  • Turkey: New Year’s celebrations begin on December 31st. Most people have a special dinner with family and friends. It should be no surprise that people in Turkey prepare a turkey feast. Homes are sometimes decorated with pine, but generally decorations aren’t used.
  • Venezuela: People usually wear yellow underwear on New Year’s Day for good luck. Most people also eat 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. Some people write wishes in a letter and then burn it. In almost every house, people have a big meal and make toasts with champagne.
  • Colombia: Burning “Mr. Old Year” is a New Year’s tradition in some cities of Colombia. A big male doll stuffed with unwanted materials and sometimes fireworks is set on fire. These things will burn with the old year, meaning they want to forget all the bad things that happened during the past year.
    That shows how we all may have different ways to celebrate the New Year!!

I hope that this New Year everyone takes time to reflect on 2014 and think of what needs to be improved as well as what you did good and shall continue to do better! I hope you all get ready for yet another year of excitement for it is uncertain of what may take place in the year!! In that regard may I wish you a very prosperous New Year!

Venus Wambura