the new year of two zero zero nine

Many people around the world celebrate the new year in different ways. How did you usher in the new year?

I welcomed the new year in a different way this year, and I am sure that 2009 will be a great year for me, if only because of this.

I usually spend every new year's eve with my relatives. It's quite a boisterous gathering every year, with the young cousins either running around playing, the older cousins disappearing into the room for some secret talk or with the boyfriends sticking to them like glue, if not they just gather around the tv, watching the countdown. My aunts and uncles will gather at the table, drinking and talking.

Well, this year, I ushered in the new year in a different way. The past year (aka 2008 for those who have yet to get used to 2009) was a good year for me, in more ways than one. I became quite a native in the country where my girlfriend is living in, having been there 4 times, staying there for 3 months the last time I was there. I also became closer to a friend of mine, whom I got to know through my girlfriend, and, of course, is of my girlfriend's nationality.

So this year, we decided to have a new year's eve party at his place. In other words, I celebrated the new year in a different way, with a different group of people.

Like what has been reiterated before, people around the world celebrate new year's day differently. Well, so do they. To people in Singapore, new year's eve is spent partying, and when it's time, to do the countdown and wish everyone a happy new year, and then it's back to partying. The real new year, for most Singaporeans, is on Chinese New Year, where, at that time, certain traditions are carried out, like the reunion dinner and the opening of all doors and windows, turning on of all lights, to welcome the Chinese New Year and to bring good luck to the house.

Well, last night, I learnt a great deal about how people of different nationalities welcome in the new year. And I am completely honest when I say that I had the best new year's eve party this year.

I was the only person from Singapore at the party, the others were all of my girlfriend's nationality. However, not only was I not left out, but rather, I was included in almost everything, and they made sure never to leave me out of anything. Because I understand a little of my baby's national language, I was able to decipher certain things out, but when I did not, they made certain to speak in English so that I could fathom what they were talking about.

For the entire duration of the party, I was not left out at all, and this is something I feel I should bring up. Because in Singapore, at times when you are at a party of someone whom you don't know, you inevitably feel left out, and because no one really does anything about it except the host, you inevitably still feel left out at the end of the party. In this case, I was never left out. I was made to feel like I belong, like I was part of the family, and it left me feeling pleased deep inside.

The atmosphere at the party was a laid back, happy-go-lucky one. Everyone was laughing, smiling, talking. It was boisterous, but more than just that. There was a feeling of having bonded with everyone, there was a feeling of familial closeness that you hardly ever feel at new year's eve gatherings with relatives and families.

There was plenty of food, and I mean plenty. Every dish was cooked by the hosts of the party, of which included 7 people, all of whom were not related, but just very close friends. Although it was a messy affair cooking, they were happy through it all, talking, laughing, at times screaming when the oil popped and made a mess, but they never once lost their boisterous energy and laughter. As for me, I just wandered around the kitchen, looking at the dishes they cooked, attempting to help (although I screwed up more than I helped), and just talking and laughing with them.

When it was time come midnight, everyone gathered in the kitchen, shouts of happy new year! rang out, and everyone hugged and kissed one another. Doors were opened, windows were opened, lights were turned on, to usher in the new year and the good luck that comes with it. This was a new experience for me, because I never had anything like that when I celebrated new year's with my relatives. Then it was time to eat. This, too, was new for me, because we always ate before the new year. For them, they eat when the new year arrives. Everyone gathered around the table, eating, laughing, talking, basically making the most out of the situation they were in (apart from their families), and just enjoying themselves.

Then came the drinking session. Shots and shots of tequila. Black Label. Vodka. Beer. Everything. The drinking session was a happy affair, and though I could not understand what they were speaking at times, I was never made to feel left out. Like what one of them said -- "We are family now! You are an adopted _____ (my girl's nationality)!"

Oh, the drinks and the smokes. The laughter and the energy, the happiness surrounding them. I must admit, I had the best new year's day party of my life. Or perhaps, because it was a novelty, and because it was a different way of ushering in the new year, I had a great time. A superbly great time.

Not to mention, the getting tipsy and drunk and waking the next day with the disgusting taste of alcohol still in your mouth. No, that is not a nice feeling. But yes, the party was great. I got to meet new people, I became closer to many of my friend's friends, and yes, all of a different nationality from mine. But I became a lot closer to them, we talked, and yes, they know of my girlfriend too.

But what I am about to say here is that perhaps, once we get out of that circle that we are always in, we will find that we see things in a different way. Perhaps, if we get out of the habits and customs that make us who we are, we get to experience things in a different way. Perhaps, if we just open ourselves to accepting newer things, nothing is that bad.

Because I wanted to be open, because I accept, I had the best new year's ever. And I am certain that this will be a great year for me, and for my baby. Because we are together, because she is mine and I am hers, and we will live together soon, this will be a great year for me, and for her, my love.