This New Years, I decided to go to New York with a very good friend. I grew up with annual trips to New York (sometimes more frequent), but never went into the city for this world-famous nights. I decided this would be my friend's and my last big hoorah before leaving the country for our respective countries this semester.
We got there at 3pm. Despite our attempt to be earlier, we were corralled, and by this I mean we were herded like horses into a holding pen, to 52nd Street, about 10 blocks from the main stage and ball drop. We managed to work our way up to 49th as people gave up the fight in search of bathrooms, food, and just general boredom. At first, I really questioned my sanity. Why was I waiting 9 hours to watch a minute of a lit-up ball dropping from 10 blocks away? I could do that at home. But as I took some time to soak in my surroundings, listening to a multitude of different languages and people calling their families back home to wish them a happy new year in countries where the clock had already struck midnight, I realized...this is a big deal. People come from all over the world just for that one minute. One girl was flying back to Australia at 6 AM that morning. Crazy. In the hours right before the ball drop, I could feel the suspense and excitement building. I must admit, when it became 11:59 and that ball started to drop, my heart skipped a beat or two.
New Years is a time to remember both our victories and our setbacks. To remember our promises made, and those that we may not have kept. To look back on the friendships made, and those we lost. To cherish the times we risked it all for a great adventure, and to examine the times we closed ourselves off in fear of getting hurt. That's what New Years is all about: second chances. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. When that ball dropped at midnight, I got to experience that magical moment with the rest of the world, and for that I am so entirely grateful.
I don't usually take New Years resolutions seriously, but in honor of this monumental event, I've decided to try to be better about keeping my resolutions this year. So here it goes. Jacob's New Year's Resolutions, 2012 Edition:
- Continually improve myself, and prove my worth to others
- Appreciate what I am given and the chances I am afforded
- Love with all my heart, not just superficially
- Be honest with myself and with others
- Carpe Diem
2011 was an amazing year filled with many new opportunities, experiences, and friendships. I grew in my sense of myself and am so much happier than I was in years past. With that said, here's hoping to an even better year in 2012. Cheers y'all!
