HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Another year gone by. In the past, I haven't been the hugest fan of this particular holiday. Mainly because New Years is a reminder that time only moves forward, never backwards. And it isn't that I have some kind of age complex. I'm not constantly trying to find a remedy to make me younger. I'm 24 for goodness sake. I know I'm not old, but I'll never be younger than I am now... You know.
This year was different. I haven't grown a sudden love for New Years, but I have learned to appreciate it. A new year means a new year for change, change for anything. Generally I despise New Years resolutions. If I want to change something in my life, I can change it at any time I choose. It doesn't have to be a new year. I welcome change. Change is good. The funny thing is, I'm a walking contradiction. I'm a creature of habit. I welcome routine. My annual posts about how much I hate New Years is a testament to that. No, I'm not going to make a New Years resolution, I'm more so having a New Years realization/revelation.
In my family we celebrate major holidays together and one of those holidays is New Years. It is a little strange because typically New Years is a holiday for adults if you think about it. Often children are too young to stay up until midnight and adults often go out, pop champagne and party the night away. I suppose it's a contrast to Christmas, which is typically known as THE holiday for children. But in my family, we all come together at someones house for a family party or as we refer to them, fam-jams. Everyone cooks, buys drinks, eats and hangs out. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. Grandparents, parents, kids, teenagers. Everyone.
Then there's the main event. At about 20-minutes to midnight everyone gathers in one room where we can all watch the New Years countdown. The air is buzzing and we all watch the party that's going on in Nathan Phillips Square. Finally, we count down, yell "HAPPY NEW YEAR!", jump (because it helps you grow), the aunts and uncles toss money and candy which leads to everyone scrambling to get their share and then we all run around to greet everyone we love a "Happy New Year". It's just what we do. And this year I've realized that, that is what New Years is to me. Being with the people I love and having fun. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my friends, but it's just not the same.
One of my best friends (Nita) and her fiancee (Heeral) came to celebrate with us this year. At first I was afraid that this fam-jam wouldn't deliver. There were a lot less people this year because a bunch of family went away for the holidays, but the last few hours made the party. We played POKENO and "gambled" a bit, which is always fun. And the countdown is pretty much the same every year. As we were all counting down I happened to glance over at Nita and the look on her face was priceless. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it just helped to really appreciate my family. We aren't perfect, and we don't always get along, but in the end we love each other. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Later days! And I hope everyone had a great holiday season. :D
This year was different. I haven't grown a sudden love for New Years, but I have learned to appreciate it. A new year means a new year for change, change for anything. Generally I despise New Years resolutions. If I want to change something in my life, I can change it at any time I choose. It doesn't have to be a new year. I welcome change. Change is good. The funny thing is, I'm a walking contradiction. I'm a creature of habit. I welcome routine. My annual posts about how much I hate New Years is a testament to that. No, I'm not going to make a New Years resolution, I'm more so having a New Years realization/revelation.
In my family we celebrate major holidays together and one of those holidays is New Years. It is a little strange because typically New Years is a holiday for adults if you think about it. Often children are too young to stay up until midnight and adults often go out, pop champagne and party the night away. I suppose it's a contrast to Christmas, which is typically known as THE holiday for children. But in my family, we all come together at someones house for a family party or as we refer to them, fam-jams. Everyone cooks, buys drinks, eats and hangs out. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. Grandparents, parents, kids, teenagers. Everyone.
Then there's the main event. At about 20-minutes to midnight everyone gathers in one room where we can all watch the New Years countdown. The air is buzzing and we all watch the party that's going on in Nathan Phillips Square. Finally, we count down, yell "HAPPY NEW YEAR!", jump (because it helps you grow), the aunts and uncles toss money and candy which leads to everyone scrambling to get their share and then we all run around to greet everyone we love a "Happy New Year". It's just what we do. And this year I've realized that, that is what New Years is to me. Being with the people I love and having fun. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my friends, but it's just not the same.
One of my best friends (Nita) and her fiancee (Heeral) came to celebrate with us this year. At first I was afraid that this fam-jam wouldn't deliver. There were a lot less people this year because a bunch of family went away for the holidays, but the last few hours made the party. We played POKENO and "gambled" a bit, which is always fun. And the countdown is pretty much the same every year. As we were all counting down I happened to glance over at Nita and the look on her face was priceless. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it just helped to really appreciate my family. We aren't perfect, and we don't always get along, but in the end we love each other. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Later days! And I hope everyone had a great holiday season. :D