the new year

Well, probably like every other blogger currently posting, I am dedicating this entry to the New Year. I might even add a few New Year's resolutions if I'm feeling exceptionally cliche. Ahhh...New Year celebrations bring back lots of memories. I probably only remember the past New Year parties because they were the only times I was allowed to stay up until midnight. We would usually have some family with us, crowd around our little tv to watch the ball drop on Time Square, drink sparkling white grape juice from plastic wine glasses, and scream, dance around, and pop balloons to welcome the new year. Usually at least one kid would have fallen asleep on the couch, and we merited the joy of shaking them awake and dumping them on the floor so that they could enjoy the holiday too.
And I know, half of you reading this are shaking your solemn heads and thinking, "It's just another day--so what if it's part of 'the new year' (Ooooh i can just hear the sarcasm dripping in your voice!) It's no different than anyother day--it's just a date change...we don't celebrate every night when the date changes, blah, blah, blah...)
Well, stop shaking your heads all you party poopers! Of course it's just a date change and a new day...but it's a chance to celebrate! An excuse for a longer school vacation! An opportunity for parties and friends! (and Joe--if you mention anything about drinking in your comment for this entry, I WILL erase it!)
Anyway...I think all the New Years activities are cool! The festivities on TV, the entertainment at home, the race between all the determined pregnant women laboring fiercly to deliver the "first baby of the year." You know, all that good stuff. Someday I'm going to be at Market Square for the New Year. I don't know why, but I've always wanted to see it myself. Being all bundled up, crammed among thousands of happy people and being able to breath in all the excitement; the music, the noise, the lights, the shouting, the countdown, the moment of silence as the ball drops, and the following cheers and laughter...sigh...someday.
Well, we're actually having company tonight, but they still haven't shown up. On a random trail--my mother got me a phone today for my room. I'm glad. It's not a cell phone, but it's definately appreciated. It seems like everytime I'm comfortable doing something, the phone rings. And since no one else in my family believes in answering the phone and my mom turned the answering machine off, it just rings and rings and rings until I force myself out of my comfort and run upstairs, finally grabbing the phone and practically shouting, "Hello?!" while gasping for breath.

But it doesn't bother me or anything.

Hmmm...I should probably go soon. I'm house/dog sitting for someone in the neighboring neighborhood (?) and the poor dog is probably jumping around and holding himself waiting for me to take him out.
But anyways, Happy New Year! Use this time to reflect on everything you've done, and consider new avenues down which you may travel in search of future success. (Whoo--wasn't that inspiring?) Actually, just be happy and make this new year the best one ever!!!
Love you all!

Oh yeah--tonight my Dad randomly announced to us that he felt compelled to spend money, and left to go shopping with Mom. They came back with surround sound...Wahoooo!