An Exciting New Start

Every year as the countdown from Times Square drops from ten down to one, millions of people exclaim “Happy New Year!” That moment had been long anticipated. It was time to start those New Year’s resolution.  Some people across the globe might have been sharing a New Year’s kiss, others toasting a glass of wine, others lying in bed asleep. For as long as I could remember, my typical New Year’s Eve party was as lame as the last option. I am a night owl, and would stay awake until midnight to watch the ball in Times Square drop. That is standard for many people, but I would sit alone in my quiet room. It was quite dull and not a very positive way to start a new year! My parents simply couldn't bring themselves to stay awake a few extra hours to celebrate with me, I suppose. But New Year’s Eve was much different than usual for me in 2010.

I had been staying over a family friend’s house for several days to enjoy my Christmas break with their daughters Angela, Melissa, Sarah, and Colleen Kolis. I become a member of their family for the period I spend with them, and accompany them to their usual daily activities. When it came time to spend New Year’s Eve at their aunt and uncle’s house, I was invited without hesitation. I had never been to a New Year’s party, and boy was I excited for this one. All I had heard about their aunt and uncle was that they both worked in the medical field, and more specifically, her uncle was a heart surgeon. The Kolis’ were a bit notorious for being on the cheap side. Before attending the party, we drove through the McDonald’s drive through and picked up a few dozen hamburgers. Upon arrival to the aunt and uncle’s house, it was clear that those lousy hamburgers were not appropriate for this event. While I and the Kolis’ were not dressed up, it would have been more appropriate to do so. The house of the aunt and uncle was very luxurious and sizable. From crystal chandeliers to their exotic fancy cat, everything appeared as though it was expensive. Fabulous hors d'oeuvres were served along with wine for the adults.

 I mostly spent the night with Angela, and we did various things. I can only remember a few, such as watching a movie on their huge projector screen in their basement, to just messing around like the kids we were. The adults around us were enjoying drinks and the Kolis’ cousins had teenage friends over. Angela and I only being eleven and twelve years old, we felt really cool when we watched a movie with the teenagers. It was approaching midnight and excitement and anxiety filled the air. I stood in the living room, with a twenty foot tall extravagant Christmas tree beside me and people surrounding me. The luminous red ball on the sixty inch television screen dropped down from ten to the long anticipated zero. Rainbow confetti poppers burst everywhere. Drinks clinked. “Happy New Year!” everyone at the party exclaimed. This was the most exciting moment I’d had in a long time. Even though I had no resolutions myself, I could feel that the new year was going to be positive. How could it not be, with such a happy, joyful party to celebrate its arrival?