Auld Lang Syne

New Year's Eve -
'Tis the time of the year again when we all take a moment or two (or even more, for some..) to ponder on all our undertakings as well as happenings throughout the year. Even the busiest of people (or so I think) will find themselves lost in thoughts, reminiscing past experiences/events be it happy, sad, embarrassing or even insignificant. For some, it is the day to assess whether the year had been a wholesome or particularly exemplary one, to rate the year out of a score of 10; also to run through one's mental diary of the year's happenings and evaluate which ones you'd happily do all over time & again, and which ones you'd seriously think twice before doing.

Interestingly enough, the night of 31st of December is just like any other ordinary nights- no pause in the universe's parade of time or even a milisecond of macrocosmic intermission to properly officiate the succession of the old year with a new block of 12 months.... yet no one can quite overlook or disregard it . As indifferent as the night may seem, we never fail to treat it with a lil' more respect and humility, to bow and acknowledge the departure of an old year and to anticipate the birth of a brand new one.

Along with the symbolic ending of a year and beginning of another comes a rightful role for New Year's resolutions. Like any other beginnings, e.g. beginning of a new job, a new relationship, a new academic year etc., we pledge to make amends to previous faults and hope to improve in what we lack, given the new opportunity. Some vow to quit old habits (e.g. smoking, binge-drinking, over-spending), others aim to adopt new or improve current ways (e.g. learn a new skill, be more productive with work, to make more effort keeping in touch with friends and relatives). For the inspirited and hopeful lot, the New Year signifies a fresh start, a second chance, an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start anew, or whatever way one wishes to put it in words. Although there's no denying that for some, New Year's day is merely an emblematic entity to start the year off and that resolutions are not to be taken seriously.

For me, my 2005 consists of a truck-full repertoire of rush-of-blood-to-the-head as well as inconspicuous, slothful days; achievements and failures; meetings and partings; and joy and glum. Alike every other year before, 2005 offerred many lessons to learn from and even more memories to look back on. Proud to say I have no regrets eventhough the year was far from perfect. Afterall, there's always a New Year to look forward too!

For those who have been disheartened by the outcome of 2005 but still remain hopeful for the soon-to-come blessings of 2006, I quote you Emily Miller, "Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer, with never a thought of sorrow; the old goes out, but the glad young year comes merrily in tomorrow."

For those who fell short or missed out on something or another and pledge to rectify things in the New Year, I quote you Oprah Winfrey, "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right!'

A wonderful and blessed New Year to all and au revoir to 2005!