New Year’s Eve in Times Square was just as everyone has ever described. When I told New Yorkers that I would be attending the biggest event on New Years Eve, they laughed in my face. I was constantly questioned why? It is going to be crazy, horrendous, cold and miserable. One thing that I have learned about New Yorkers is that they hate tourists. In every way, they are annoying and slow. After living here for five months, I have started to agree with them. They get in the way when you are powering through and the crowds are grumpy and ginormous. But, of course with my optimistic outlook, I see the positives in all of these people. I get to meet some amazing human beings who have so much to offer the world. They have the stars in their eyes that everyone visiting New York has (probably from all the bright lights). They see the greatness and potential that this city entails, instead of the dirty, mean atmosphere that many New Yorkers focus on. This is why, after much internal discussion, I decided to go to Times Square; with the hopes of meeting some fabulous people and spending the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 with some beloved friends. So the downsides of this experience: getting to times square 10 hours early, no bathrooms, being squished like sardines with all the people. With this in mind I was prepared and ready to attack. Bring it on 2012!
We arrived to Times Square and we were pinned in like cattle. It was hilarious being shoulder to shoulder with strangers and friends, everyone pushing, many impatient, some determining that they couldn’t handle it. People around me that were prepared were cracking jokes, yelling at cops, dancing and singing to songs in their heads. The feeling was indescribable. A feeling of being around complete strangers but being connected by an overwhelming excitement for what this night could entail.
So a side note to this whole adventure: I went with some new friends and old friends to this event. In planning on going I was excited to be around couples and single friends to just have a wonderful time. By the time the day came, I single, while all my friends were coupled up. It was a bit depressing at points, because as most of you know, I tend to be an odd wheel in most groups. I have come to deal with this fact, but I was hoping this night would be different. After determining that I would be standing there by myself as it hits midnight, with no kiss and no single friend to stand with, I came to terms and decided to make the night the best it could be.
After the first two and a half hours of being gated in, the police come by and tell us that we can’t stand there. Hundreds of people, frustrated and confused, leaving a spot very close to the ball is not enjoyable. At this point, nothing could be changed so my friends and I went with it. After being lead to the opposite side of the street, being pushed and squished against guard rails, we eventually made it to a spot even closer to the infamous Ball. We arrived in an area not very full, next to the stage for Carson Daily and a stage where later acts would play (like Cee lo and Drake). It was fate. We finally arrived in Times Square officially, with more room than we planned on, with snacks and illegal alcohol. Everything happens for a reason. I mingled and met many people from Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, NAVY gentlemen, Germany and so much more. These strangers were so grateful and so extremely happy to be in this legendary place. This night was Legend…wait for it…Dary. We danced, sang, drank and laughed. I had the opportunity to have a free concert by Lady GAGA, Pitbull (who was my favorite), Drake, Cee Lo, Justin Beiber. These well-known bands were for the most part, remarkable (except for Justin Beiber). We had circles of love as I like to refer to them with my friends where we swayed and say Adele and celebrated and for me, forgot the trials of 2011. The ten hours in Times Square went fairly fast, although my feet were killing me by the end. Finally the countdown began. I was standing there watching everything, taking in as much as I could. The feeling of being in Times Square on New Year’s Eve was magical! Completely worth the pain in my feet, being squished by the railings, being single with no one to kiss at midnight, completely remarkable. I was in awe of the feeling of amazement with hundreds of thousands of strangers, ringing in the New Year. Although at the end of the night, I was a bit bummed to not have a man to kiss, though I did lose a bit of my dignity asking one gentleman, but I left it all behind. All my mistakes of 2011, all the trials that I had been through and the shit that I have had to deal with; all of this was left on the ground with the tons of confetti falling from the sky. 2011 is gone, but 2012 has just begun. So much to look forward to, so many changes are going to happen.
Normally I don’t have New Year’s resolutions, but this year I decided to. I am going to appreciate the little things. I am going to spend more time doing things that truly make me happy, like volunteering my time building houses or helping at soup kitchens. I am going to make more of an effort building relationships with the new friends I have made in New York. I am going to take in every moment and take more time reflecting on my experiences and work harder on keeping up with this blog. I am going to walk confidently and strong into this New Year with a better outlook on life. I am going to attempt to care less about finding love and focusing more on loving myself. I have so much to offer the world and I am going to change it. I will be the best person I can be and have the courage to take more risks. I am ready for this new beginning and this new “me”.
