We try to get rid of all  the bad luck of this year by bringing out the firecrackers and other gadgets producing loud noises thus scaring away the bad luck and demons ,making way for the good vibes that we all will need in the new year of 2013.

In  the Chinese culture for example, round fruits like oranges are served. The round fruit shape is similar to a coin. Eating such fruits as well as wearing polka dotted clothes( take note: round shape design again) and having some coins in one’s pocket is the Chinese way of anticipating wealth in the coming new year or at least, not become penniless.

In some other cultures, one would clean their homes to get rid of the dirt and face the new year with a clean home. Others may pay off all their debts before the new year arrives. Both instances ensure that bad luck’s not brought along the new year. Others would greet the new year will a full stomach after a great feast to ensure that hunger will not greet them in the new year Others would make efforts to settle whatever differences they may have with each other so as not to bring this discord into the new year.

.In the Philippines,aside from firecrackers ,wearing polka-dotted clothes and eating round fruit , those with young kids are told to get their kids to  jump as high as they can at the stroke of midnight when the new year just arrived. Reason for this was to ensure that they’ll grow taller in the new year.

Like the big ball drop on Times Square in NYC, we will count down to the last second of 2012 and to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, greeting  2013 with a bang.

In our hearts, we’re glad to make it to this year’s end and thankful for  experiencing 2012′s life’s journey. Therefore, let’s celebrate this occasion in whatever way we think is memorable for us.

Let the party begin! Roll out the champagne!

Salut! Cheers!

Josie

New Yeas has always been my favourite holiday (behind Halloween), because I love a fresh start. I do not have an addictive personality, but  if there is one thing I could TRULY say I am addicted to, that would be reinvention, or just “newness” in general. I hate when things are stagnant and I adore change, it might be the Gypsy heritage speaking but I couldn’t imagine living in one place for too long, that’ s just not me. A new year is a new beginning and to finally throw off all the bad memories and experiences of the past year and start with a clean slate and a clean new year. I am very excited to throw 2012 behind me because I became and did a lot of things I am not proud of, and in the end isn’t me at all! I hurt, lied and used people because I was so used to being hurt, lied and used. But that’s not who I am, that’s not my nature and that’s not how I was built. Deep down I love to help and give and I started to lose that this past year, but I am out of that funk and back to being me. And I love me, I may be meek and naive, but I am not a manipulative person and I’m glad that experiment is over with and I can go back to my caring, forgiving (and easy to walk over) self. So now that I got that off of my chest in the blogisphere I’m going to actually get to a point. New Years traditions! I am sure I am not the only one who wants to cleanse themselves of the negative over the new year, and being the superstitious person that I am (again blame it on Gpysy and Latin heritage) there are ways to aid in a sense of a fresh start over the new year.

In Brazil we wear white. You can usually spot a Brazilian on new years by who’s wearing white. I don’t think I’ve ever had a New Years Eve that I wasn’t decked out in white. It’s to help with your sense of renewal and washing away the bad and going into the new year pure (in Brazil they literally wash away the bad by running into the water at midnight…in white…sexy) also new underwear is a big one. I’m not sure why we need new underwear, but the colour is important too, like if you want the new year to bring health your wear green underwear, yellow for money, purple for inspiration, red is love and passion of course and white for peace.

In Mexico to start the New Year with a clean slate families write a list of all the bad things they wish to forget and get over from the past year, and then throw them into a fire to banish all the negativity and start with a clean slate with the bad juju behind them. They also decorate their home in colours that represent what they want the coming new year to bring: yellow for work, green for money and red for love

In the Philippines they like round things for the New Years. I’m talking like wearing polka dots, bun hair styles and even throwing coins at midnight to help bring wealth into the New Year. Get it…round things…coins…wealth etc.

In Italy, they favour wearing red undies for the new year

In Russia (and apparently they do this in Mexico as well) people stay silent and make their wish for the coming year over the last twelve seconds until midnight.

In Scotland there is a tradition called “First-Footing” which is when friends and families visit each other’s homes for the first time of the New Year bringing gifts of I dunno whiskey and folk tales? Whatever they want to give.

In Spain they also wear red underwear and eat 12 grapes at the last 12 chimes until midnight.

And there’s just a few traditions to help inspire either your outfit, nails, party or even underwear choices over the New Years.

It is the longest, craziest, and most glamorous night of the year, and also the most awaited by party-goers. It is possibly the only event celebrated on the same day in the whole world. But that doesn’t mean the way to celebrate it is the same everywhere. Certainly there are common habits like fireworks, dinners with friends and family, alcohol, parties, resolutions for the year ahead, and even watching speeches of kings and presidents on TV. But it is also true that most countries have their own traditions, most of them related to luck. Let’s discover some of the most surprising ones.

1. Spain
During the countdown to midnight, it is traditional in Spain to eat twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock. This practice has its origins starting in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had that year. ‘Some people find it difficult to swallow 12 grapes in about 12 seconds, but you should do it if you want to be lucky next year. Also, some children who don’t like grapes do it with olives, but that’s actually cheating!’ explains Laura G. from Barcelona. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other, toast with cava and go to the parties.

Spain. Jose M.R.

2. Germany
Germany has a tradition called Bleigießen, which consists of melting a little piece of lead and dropping it into cold water. The interpretation of the shape that results from the lead tells the fortune of the person for the next year. ‘For example, a circle shape could mean money, a heart means love, a plane is a symbol for a journey, and a ring could result in marriage… but in the end, everyone interprets what they want.’ explains Mathias T. from Saarbrücken. On midnight, Germans also watch the British show ‘Dinner for One’. The show has been on every year since 1972: same dialogues, same script, nothing new. Only tradition.

Germany. G. Palnstorfer

3. Brazil
One of the biggest New Year’s festivities is undoubtedly celebrated in Brazil. ‘We have a lot of special activities for New Year’s Eve.’ explains Gabriela R. from Rio de Janeiro. ‘If the city is on the coast, we dress up in white clothes and head to the beach where gigantic fireworks are launched from the water. Then, we jump seven waves making a wish for each one and throw flowers into the ocean to ensure that we have a lucky new.’

Brazil. A. Martínez Benoit

4. Italy
In Italy it’s tradition to wear red underwear and something new on New Year’s Eve. It’s also really popular to eat lentils for dinner and one spoonful per bell during the clock countdown to midnight. This is supposed to bring fortune, because the round lentils represent coins. ‘A certain thing is that lots of towns in Italy have their own traditions, for example in the south there is this old tradition of throwing old furniture through the window to welcome the New Year,’ says Michela B. from Bergamo.

Italy. L. Lattanzi

5. Scotland
In Scotland, the 31st December is known as Hogmanay. Ingrid L., from Orkney, explains that the main tradition in rural Scotland is for people to go ‘first-footing’: people visit the houses of friends and neighbours once midnight has struck with a bottle of alcohol –traditionally whiskey- and offer everyone a drink. The ‘first-footer’ is then offered a drink by the homeowner in return. ‘Many smaller Scottish towns also have celebrations with different traditions, usually it involves people gathering in the main street and wishing each other a Happy New Year at midnight.  This tradition also involves offering friends and family whisky, and of course, the partying can go on for hours!’

Whisky

6. Czech Republic
There is a famous saying for New Year’s in the Czech Republic: ‘Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok.’ This means ‘the way you spend New Year’s will be the way you’ll live the rest of the year.’ Therefore, Czech people try to have a healthy and restful 1st of January. ‘I really try to spend this day peacefully, not worrying about stupid things,’ says Markéta T. Similar to Italian tradition, they eat lentils on the 31st, because the round shape reminds them of money. Also, they make sure the house is clean and the dishes and laundry are done, with an exception, says Markéta: ‘The floor should not be swept because you would sweep the luck with it.’

Czech Republic. J. Ulrich

7. Romania
Alina R. tells me that Romania is a country with diverse traditions for New Year’s. ‘A tradition that I personally follow is to wear a new item of clothing on that night and make sure I have money on me when the clock strikes midnight; it is said that ensures you’ll have a rich year.’ There are, though, other traditions in Romania: a very old one for single women is to walk to a well, light a candle and look down. The reflection of the flame will show the face of their future husband.

Romania. K. Mardani

8. Korea
In Korea, New Year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. During this night it’s prohibited to fall asleep, otherwise, says belief, your eyebrows will turn white. ‘We usually wear Han-Boks which are Korean traditional clothes, and eat ddukgguk, a soup made with rice cake,’ states Jaey P., from Korea. It is also common to clean the house the first day of January, ‘to get ready for the New Year with a calm posture and keep bad spirits away’.

Korea. J. Park

9. United States of America
Americans celebrate the New Year in a variety of ways, whether staying home, hosting or attending a party or visiting the local nightclubs. It’s also a well-known tradition to go to Times Square in New York. A huge crystal sphere hangs from the Times Tower and drops during the last minute of the year, beginning at 11:59:00 and reaching the bottom at the stroke of midnight. At that moment, Americans share a kiss with their partners, believing it will bring true love and wash away bad memories from the past. Dean P., originally from North Georgia, tells me in his region it’s traditional to put a whole pig on a homemade hickory BBQ, with an apple in its mouth and eat it with your beloved ones. In the south eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is thought to bring you prosperity in the New Year.

America. Times Square in NYC

10. Greece
‘In Greece, we turn off the lights a few seconds before midnight and we turn them back on after midnight.’ describes Kostas T. Greeks also eat Vassilopita the 31st of December, a cake baked with a coin inside. Whoever gets the piece with the coin, will supposedly have good luck for the whole year. After eating the pie, a traditional game of cards follows. ‘It is actually a variation of Black Jack, but instead of trying to reach 21 you try to reach 31.’ But there is more, says Kostas: ‘The first person to enter the house after the year has changed has to break a pomegranate in the entrance of the house so the people living there will have good luck the upcoming year.’

Greece. K. Wright

11. Russia
In Russia New Year’s is probably the most celebrated holiday. Everyone shares presents during the evening. ‘Some families invite Father Frost, which is the Russian Santa Claus to entertain their kids. He usually comes with his granddaughter Snow-maiden,’ explains Nataly P. from Moscow, ‘and right before midnight everyone gathers around the table to listen to the speech from the president and then countdown the last seconds of the year with the Kremlin clock stroke.’ Following an old Russian tradition, it’s common to have mandarins on the table: during the Soviet Union times they were the only fruit available during the winter time.

Russia. Nataly P. (left) year 1981

12. The Netherlands
Apart from fireworks, reunions with family and friends and eating traditional olieballen, there is a curious practise held since 1965 in Scheveningen beach. ‘It’s called the New Year’s Dive. Hundreds of people swim into the sea the first of January,’ says Josien D. from The Hague. The only condition for the brave swimmers is to wear something orange. So, if you are crazy enough to swim in the freezing North Sea waters to welcome the New Year, the dive will take place at 12 noon on the 1st of January. Afterwards, warm soup and hot chocolate are served. The dive began at the initiative of Jan van Scheijndel, who was an English Channel swimmer. In the first edition, only seven people took part in the plunge. Over the years, the New Year’s Dive has grown into a massive event, with over 10.000 attendees.  The event is sponsored by Unox.

Netherlands. F. Schmit

Why?

What was so bad about last year that needs resolving? (Don’t answer that.)

In my opinion, here are the problems with New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Looking back… You base your resolutions on things you don’t like about the year before. Admirable, but how is focusing on the negatives from the year before going to help you be positive in the new year?
2. It’s a set up! You give yourself such high things to aspire to and will only hate yourself more when you can’t acheive them.
3. Who can remember that much? Let’s say you keep your list short and only make 3-5 resolutions. Life happens, will you remember all of those things in 6 months?

Who wants this kind of pressure? Not Kikita,  I can tell you that much.

“But, Kikita! don’t you have goals? Or some way to differentiate between one year and the next? How can you not make resolutions?!?”

Yes, I do.

It’s called “One Little Word.“

I learned it from Ali Edwards*.

“And what do you do with this one little word? You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.” ~ Ali Edwards

You pick a word and it becomes a sort of mantra. It is your answer to everything. A sort of mantra. It can be something you want to be more of, something you want to be less of, something you used to be and want to get back to.

Last year my word was AMAZING, but I told everyone else my word was YES. (I was feel rather saucy the day someone asked.)

So really, I had two words…. *shrug*
It’s a Gemini thing.

How can you fail yourself with just a word?
You can’t.
So you’re already setting yourself up for success.

Besides, if you say something enough to yourself, eventually you’ll believe it.
This may be hard to fathom, but there was a time when I did not find myself amazing. O_O
Now? Just about everyone I know finds me amazing. (Some more than others.)
In fact, it is almost annoying how amazed some people are by me.
And I am amazing because I chose to be. Not because I was trying to resolve something from the year before.

And one (or, as in my case, two) word is a whole lot easier to remember than a list of things like “Go to the gym more.”

So maybe I need to pick two words again for this year… and you know what’s great? You can keep your words from last year if you’d like.
I KNOW I will have amazing moments this year.

The words I’ve chosen for 2012 are…

BRAVE: Bold, Intrepid, Daring, Dauntless, Heroic. BRAVE, courageous, valiant, fearless, gallant  refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers. BRAVE is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening.

SHINE: Glow, Glisten, Glimmer, Sparkle, Shimmer

I’m sure some people might think that I already am these things, but I want to really focus on them this year.
I want to have adventures.
And I believe that every day life can be an adventure if you let it.

————————————–

*Ok, Mami learned it from Ali Edwards and shared the idea. I read up on it, tried it last year, and loved it.

In Spain, as well as many latin american countries, it would be unthinkable to ring in the new year without a mouthful of grapes. It’s a tradition that dates back to the 20th century, when creative Spanish harvesters came up with a clever way to get rid of their grape surplus. The tradition says that the best and luckiest way to end the year is by eating 12 grapes – one for each chime of the clock, which signifies each month of the past year.

Not wanting to tempt their fates, the tradition quickly caught on. Who doesn’t want a little luck on their side, anyway? So every New Year’s Eve, which in Spanish is called nochevieja (the old night), crowds gather in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to watch the ball drop. (Think Time’s Square with older buildings and a lot less lights!) And all across the rest of the country people gather around their televisions to watch the very same event.

But first their attention is directed to the bell tower, where the clock shows the official hour for the country. As the year ends, the bell begins to ring and people begin to stuff – taking care to eat exactly 12 grapes because eating 10 or 13 would have the reverse effect.

While this task may seem daunting for a novice, the clock chimes are actually slowed down a bit to ensure that everyone can end the year with a lucky stroke and then wash it down with a nice glass of champagne after.

Sadly, following the traditions of the Cincinnati bar scene, I’ll have to tell my student that I ate not one grape this year. Things are not looking so good for me on the luck front, I guess. But I have 365 days to practice my grape eating for next year!

Feliz Año Nuevo a todos!

Today’s Word: la uva (n.): grape; as in: ” Be careful not to choke on one of your uvas this New Year’s Eve!”

Ok, yes I did… sort of.

I thought it would be fun. Until I had this long week that kept getting longer and then all I wanted was to stay home, alone.

And I didn’t think it would happen.

I had heard my abuela would be home. Which is fine. She just watches the ball drop and then goes to bed, but I was a little embarrassed to have anyone witness me doing all of my silly traditions.

So, because I wasn’t entirely sure how my New Year’s Eve 2011 was going to go, I decided to begin celebrating early. So I went to dinner with a buddy of mine who had also had a long and hard week. We went out for Cuban food because he’s nice and knows how much I like it (and because EVERYONE loves Cuban food – it’s delicious). And then we went dancing. Well… we went to a local place that plays salsa and bachata music, but we didn’t dance much because it was stupid crowded and neither one of us really felt like dancing anyway. (However, I DID run into my timbales teacher and we danced a salsa – he is what I like to call a “stop motion dancer” and I had a tough time following him, especially since he was trying to dance “on 2,” and worried that he was judging me and thinking, “Damn, esta Cubana doesn’t have any rhythm so I have my work cut out for me – and later we danced a cha cha. Since I knew he was an “on 2″ dancer I knew he would be fun for a cha cha and I had no other options because I am picky about who I cha cha with and my favorite person wasn’t there and the 2 other people I tolerate were also not there.)

Anyway, I left early, went home, and watched TV until I fell asleep.

Today I woke up with a splitting headache. It was practically a repeat of Halloween and I was less than thrilled. So I spent most of the day in bed which was what I had planned on doing anyway, but now it was because my head hurt.

Around 6pm I decided that I needed to take a shower and at least attempt to feel human again. My Aunt Alina (I call her “Aunta”) was on abuela patrol, but abuela was demanding to stay home until midnight and watch the ball drop. So we sat and chatted and I decided it was time for some evening Taka Taka. By the time I was finished making the café, I was feeling better and abuela had decided she was tired and ready to go.

As I set the red tacita on the table for abuela, I noticed there was a giant rose in a vase from the Gemini rose bush I bought for her years ago.
And the chicken salad (that is cute, but looks unedible) she makes every year had a red flower on it instead of her usual clock almost at midnight.
And this year the grapes were red.
And the little bottle of champagne I had bought for myself was called “Rose  Regale.”

And she referred to Aunta as her “Red Rose.” (I had never heard that before.)
I don’t believe in coincidence.
And I have no idea what all this rose stuff means, but it makes me hopeful for 2012. I am sure it means SOMETHING. And I get to spend the whole year finding out what!

And since every year I have a theme song, I have chosen THIS as my theme song for 2012. (or maybe it chose me?)

Because I couldn’t wait for my “Vie en Rose” to start, I celebrated “On Cuban Time” at 9pm.
I dressed up.
I wore the orange with hot pink lace white polka-dotted thong instead of yellow or red.
I ate grapes.
I toasted with my rose champagne and said “El año que viene, estamos en Cuba.”

(Please forgive the blurriness and try not to blame the champagne. Let’s blame the running around like a crazy person and trying to document the moment instead.)

I ran outside with a bag over my shoulder and all the way to my mailbox to put money inside (in 5″ sparky heels, no less).
I didn’t have a bucket of dirty water handy because I didn’t mop the floors so instead I took a couple of used coffee cups from this morning, filled them with water, and dumped that water out.

I’m leaving the bag outside and the money in the mailbox until morning.

I came back inside, changed into yoga pants, and played my timbales for an hour.

I am successfully Kikitiando my way through another New Year’s Eve.

Plus, look who made a guest appearance tonight?

I’ve learned most of these ‘rituales’ from watching programs on both Univision and Galavision.

I know many will see these as simple superstition and nonsense, which is fine. But it is not going to stop me from doing these things. The way I see it, if you believe, anything is possible. And admittedly, some will have your friends and family looking at you as if you’ve lost your mind, but seriously, who cares?

12 uvas (12 grapes): When the clock strikes midnight, you eat one grape for each stroke of the bell. With each grape you make a wish, but be as specific as possible so you may get exactly what you wish for.

Agua (water): As the clock strikes midnight, get a glass of water and toss the water out the front door toward the street. The water symbolizes the washing away or expulsion of tears, worries and negativity from your life so you don’t carry those things into the New Year.

Red panties: After the 12 grapes, this is probably the most well-known New Year’s tradition. Trying to find red panties in Mexico on New Year’s Eve can prove to be almost next-to-impossible. The significance of the red calzones is to attract love and passion to your life in the New Year. A variation on this is tying a red ribbon around your waist under your clothing. You’ll understand this variation more when you read the next one.

Yellow panties: The significance of the yellow calzones is to attract happiness and money. Wear yellow underwear so in the New Year you will not be without felicidad y riqueza.

Maleta (suitcase): Want to make sure you will travel in the New Year? Grab your suitcase, make sure it has clothes in it, and head out the door. Walk around outside a bit. You can also dale la vuelta a la manzana. Both of these will insure you travel in the New Year.

Papel quemado (burning a piece of paper):  If you want to rid yourself of all the negative things from your past, write them down on a piece of paper. Once you have written everything down, burn the piece of paper so none of the things you wrote down will be repeated in the New Year. This can be done before midnight.

Monedas (coins): This refers to good fortune and prosperity. Hold on to 12 coins, all of which must be of the same denomination. As the New Year dawns, take all 12 and toss them toward the heavens.

Dinero (money): This one refers to your economic prosperity. Greet the New Year with a coin in your shoe or with a folded bill (the higher the denomination, the better) in your pocket.

Ropa blanca (white clothing):  It is said that wearing all white to ring in the New Year will keep away illness and bring good health.

Velas (candles): Burning candles of certain colors is said to bring distinct energies. Blue for peace; yellow for abundance; red for passion; green for health; white for clarity; and orange for intelligence.

Sit down and stand-up: If you’re looking to get married, then this one is for you. For each stroke of midnight, sit down and stand-up for a total of 12 times.

So, there you have it. These are just a few things to do to welcome the New Year. No one can guarantee that following these rituals will make all your wishes come true. But it is fun and who knows, you may be starting a new family tradition.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!!

Less easy to let go of is the overwhelming feeling that every action I engage in between December 26-January 1 forecasts the year to come.  I spent hours organizing my house not wanting to start the New Year with an unmade bed, unswept floor, or cluttered closet.  I spent so long deciding what to wear to a low-key party with friends, that I almost missed the countdown altogether.  Anxious about starting the year shoeless, I challenged my host’s shoes-at-the-door policy to no avail.  Then, after a great night (albeit in socks), I slipped backwards on some ice coming home.  Falling squarely on my Cuban passport, I pulled myself up for the first time in 2011 and decided not read too much into things.  A convenient resolution when the signs aren’t going your way.

With my annual New Year’s OCD somewhat in check, I went ahead with my plan to spend the day in the kitchen.  After years of forcing down lentils for luck (Spain, Cuba, Chile) every January 1st, I was looking for another dish to celebrate with and invited some friends over for dinner.  Really it was an excuse to try the turrón mousse recipe I’d found in Jose Pizarro’s Seasonal Spanish Food a couple of months ago.  I loved the idea of taking turrón, so closely associated with the sweetest and saddest time of the closing year, whipping them together with airy egg whites and little sherry, then serving them in a new way, taking a little of the past with me to the future.  Of course, in Mexico, I might make a list of unhappy events from the previous year then throw it in the fire before midnight but I worked too hard on 2010, good and bad, to let it go up in smoke.

Mousse de Turrón/Turrón Mousse
Adapted from Seasonal Spanish Food by José Pizarro.  Because the golden raisins (I prefer calling them sultanas) are left to marinate in sherry the night before, it literally took two years to make.  The original recipe called for just two egg whites but I increased it by one and added a little sugar to get more volume.

24 golden raisins
4 tablespoons sweet sherry
2 large egg yolks

3 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tarter
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
5 oz. soft turrón blando, suprema at least 60% almonds

Combine the raisins and sherry in a small bowl and marinate overnight.  Drain the fruit on the following day, reserving the sherry.

In a food processor, combine the turrón, egg yolks, heavy cream and sherry.  Pulse until well blended and smooth.  Pour out into a medium mixing bowl.

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy.  Add the cream of tarter and pinch of salt and continue to beat on medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoon of sugar and continue to beat until they hold stiff peaks.

Blend a fourth of the egg whites into the turrón mixture to lighten it.  Gently fold in the remaining egg whites until well combined, working quickly so the whites do not deflate.

Place 4 marinated raisins among four glasses or serving bowls.  Divide the mousse between the glasses and chill at least 6 hours.  Top with raisins or caramelized almonds and serve.

Caramelized Almonds (Optional)
The water evaporates quickly leaving behind a coating of sugar.  It’s important to keep stirring until the sugar melts and caramelizes.

7 oz. blanched whole almonds
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/4 cup water

Heat a large pan over medium to low heat.  Add the ingredients and stir them constantly.  The water will evaporate and the sugar will melt and caramelize, about 15-20 minutes.

Why are grapes the chosen photo for this post? Well, I have spent a few New Year’s Eve nights in Spain and the traditions involve the usual dinner with family and parties with fancy dresses and champagne. But, the unique portion of the evening comes at the stroke of midnight when everyone has to try to eat twelve grapes with each stroke of the clock, and if you succeed, you will have a good year! It is not terribly easy to swallow 12 grapes and usually you end up laughing at everyone around you trying to stuff grapes in their mouths in hopes of beating everyone else and to obtaining the right to a wonderful new year!

What is your New Year’s Eve tradition?

* Update to this post! – This was written New Year’s Eve, before the big Spanish tradition… And I am proud to report that I was successful in eating all 12 grapes! So this year should prove to be a lucky one!

photo credit: http://www.thecampingjournal.com

I enjoy the lull between Christmas and the new year.  Routines and schedules are somewhat suspended and the days take on a structure of their own.  Granted, there are moments when I find myself glancing at the calendar and noting exactly how many more days until school resumes.

Pre-kids we used to celebrate New Year’s Eve with copious amounts of champagne and usher in the new year with a raging hang over.  The past four New Year’s Eves have taken on a more subdue tone – much like the rest of the “in between” week.  No more Bubbles and Bowties parties.  Just pregnant bellies and breastmilk!

Our family tradition is on New Year’s Eve we sit down and reflect on the year.  I have a special journal, dedicated just for these writings.  As a family we talk about our favourite moments of the year and some of the more difficult times.  It always amazes me to look back and see how much we have been blessed and how much we have over come in a short period of time.

There is something special about spending the final hours of the year with my family recounting all there is to be grateful for in our lives.  I love hearing what memories my kids treasure the most.  I love reading previous entries and  the evolution of our family from one child to three.

This year, the top on my list of memories is the birth of our third son, Will and Jack starting kindergarten.

What were some of your most treasured memories of 2010?

Fireworks over the Charles' Bridge in Prague!

Kielbasa? Check. Champagne? Check? A bridge that was not destroyed in WWII? Check. Thousands of people from Italy, France, China, and the USA? Check? Fireworks? At midnight.

I was knee-deep in freezing temperatures, but that’s ok. I could work with the frost. It was nothing a couple of glasses of gluwein and a lot of jumping, couldn’t fix.

As I found myself at the beginning of my trip around the world celebrating in Prague the welcoming of 2009, I realized I was glad I chose this spot. With the Christmas Market still doling out the famous sausage dish (kielbasa) and hot wine, coupled with the thousands of tourists in the Czech Capital there was a sense of unity among nations.

Well, unity until we all tried to head for the Charles’ Bridge. This structure survived WWII and just about survives the onslaught of tourists and Czech’s alike every New Years; it’s the best place to watch the fireworks. On the way everyone jumps into the shops on the corner to grab their champagne, absinthe, or the Czech liquor, Fernet.

Then the count-down begins. Five, Cinque, Cinq….Four, Quatro, Quatre…..three, tre, tre, Two, duo, due….One, uno, une!

But not everyone enjoys their New Years on a bridge. Of course I have never been in New York for New Year’s Eve but, as everyone knows, they drop a ball…in Times’ Square of course!

Sure the New Yorkers drop a ball, but that’s nothing compared to our onion in St. George’s, right?

Neither of those, I’m afraid, touch on the interesting New Years tradition in Peru, however. In this South American country, they dress-up a doll (yes I know machismo is gone for a night) in old clothes and then burn it.

Talk about cleaning your closet! To ensure there are replacements, markets spring-up catering to everything you need. New clothes not an option? Then at least new underwear is!

But, of course, yellow underwear is the only colour you want if you need happiness and luck (good thing that’s my favourite colour!) or red if you want love or green for, of course, money.

Red, green and….white? Well those colours will have you wishing: “Buon Capodanno!” That’s what I heard in Florence as I celebrated a New Year before starting my semester of studying in these Renaissance-lined streets. Of course the greeting came with the crescendo of bottles crashing onto these streets (perhaps a hangover from the Southern tradition of throwing your old things out of the window showing that you were ready for the new).

We didn’t dodge the bottles until after a massive fiesta! La Festa di San Silvestro to be exact. For my experience it was based on sea food and fish.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy!

Perhaps that was because I was up North and the Italians I was celebrating with were from the coast (sailors actually). In other parts of Italy the feast is based on lentils and pork! Of course once you indulge in these feasts only the Italians know how to work it off. That requires cracking a spumante or prosecco and finding a club to dance and then waiting for the new born sun.

A ray of light is exactly what you might think you see if you celebrate the new year in India. Parties have themes – colour codes or unique dress codes – filled with food and even the lighting of bonfires and the burning of crackers. Of course if you visit the tourist and hippie mecca of Goa (a province on India’s West coast) then raves are all the…rave!

Heading back for Silvester, or the feast of St. Silverster is the name of New Year’s Eve in Germany. Who was Silvester? Well, he was a pope who lived in the fourth century and apparently healed leprosy and baptized the Roman Emporer, Constantine the Great among other things. Fair enough. I guess he should get a celebration. In Berlin, however, the world-famous bash Brandenburger Tor is held and at midnight everyone wishes everyone else “Gutes Nue Jahr”. The next day, there is, of course, the need to know what is coming in the next year so the Germans enjoy Bleigiessen. A tradition, it requires dropping molten lead into cold water. Shaped like a heart or a ring? A wedding is in your future.

While we, in the West, might be celebrating New Years’ Eve in a couple of days, in Cambodia New Year or Chaul Chnam Thmey is not until April 13th or 14th and it is celebrated for three days! Yes, three days. That’s because it represents the end of the harvesting season. Makes sense, no? To celebrate means visiting temples to get blessing from monks and priests while building a sand hill on the temple grounds and decorating it with five religious flags – it represents the Buddha’s five disciples. Each of the three days also have their own significance.

Harvesting is what it’s all about in Korea, China and Vietnam! Only their’s is celebrated at sunset on the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice (that was on December, 21 this year). It’s a three-day celebration too! Heck they know how to party out there. Almost all Koreans, apparently, head back to their hometowns to celebrate. On the eve, or Sut dal kum mum, people clean their homes and light them with colourful halogens. You think our New Years Eve is long? The Koreans don’t sleep! The belief is everyone needs to stay-up to see the new year coming in or….else.

The next day it’s all about eating and spending time with family even including the ancestors. Known as Chesa, a clean room, a table altar is places with food items and on a special paper their names are written. On a special paper called Chi Bang, the names of the ancestors are written. With the rituals done, it’s time to have fun with games and hanging-out.

The only tradition for their friends south, Australia, is a party of course! Beaches, pubs and clubs are all filled with crazy cappers and as soon as church bells ring at midnight loud noises also ring-out! Recovering from this fun, the New Year Day is a public holiday and people spend it with their family and friends. To get an idea of how much fun it is more than 3,00,000 tourists celebrate their New Year in Australia. I suppose that’s a party.

The Matterhorn can provide the background for New Year's Eve!

Of course the best I’ve seen/experienced was in Zermatt, Switzerland! I had the luck of having a friend with a house there. But that’s not where we stayed….well for New Year’s Eve anyway. Instead the party was taken to a five-story restaurant/bar/club in the middle of this traffic-free, mountain ensconced town. The Swiss know how to party.

Of course the next day the party the night before was nothing a little skiing with the backdrop of the Matterhorn mountain couldn’t take care of. Let’s hope I have the same luck this year in Vermont! So wherever you are and whatever you are doing this year, enjoy it! And come back next week for my next Rock Fever column for The Royal Gazette on traveling by book! (those following the blog will have seen it before:)

Usually I enjoy being alone and celebrating with all the classic Cuban traditions. I eat twelve grapes, run outside with a suitcase, put money in my mailbox, wear yellow underwear (or am I supposed to wear red? I can never remember and usualy end up wearing both), dump a bucket of water out the front door, and toast to the New Year saying “El año que viene, estamos en Cuba.”

I have done the “alone” thing for years. I get all dolled up and then crack myself up trying to get all the New Year’s “business” finished in the first minute of the new year.

But I was feeling like I wanted to go OUT. I wanted to be dancing. I had no desire to kiss anyone… (in fact, I’ve never kissed anyone at Midnight on New Year’s and I knd of like it that way) I just wanted to dance!

I spent most of the day cleaning. I cleaned everything. I even mopped and saved the dirty water!

And I came up with a win-win plan: Celebrate New Year’s Eve on Cuban Time the Cuban way and then go dancing and not kiss anyone!

Perfect.

I was ready with my grapes and champagne and suitcase and yellow panties and at Midnight Miami Time I was cracking myself up and running around doing my thing. Afterwards, I got ready and went dancing. And since I was going to do things MY way, I switched out the two pairs of panties (one yellow and one red) for orange with white polka-dots and hot pink lace. (Hey, why not?)

I went to a nearby dance place (because I am not a fan people who drink and drive and I figured the less time I had to be on the road, the better) and found some fun people to dance with. At midnight, the gentleman I had been dancing with, much to his credit, did not try to kiss me and as soon as the next song started we were back on the dance floor.

Basically, my night was exactly what I hoped it would be which means this next year will be too, right?

So I’m starting 2010 out right by donning a festive (and not black) outfit as I prepare to ring in the new year with friends and neighbors. Yes, that includes a little coat of mascara, maybe a little blush, curled hair and shoes that are not rubber-soled! I’m committed to reinventing myself with a little touch of glam!

My friend is hosting a lovely get-together with festive (and may I say glam) food that includes beef tenderloin and crab-legs, good wines and lots of laughter.  And me in high heels! The hostess (who is a phenomenal game organizer) is armed with couple-related questions (taped to the bottom of each wine glass) that test how well we really know each other as married people. “What is the one thing you wish you knew about your in-laws before you married your spouse?” or “What is the best date you’ve ever had with your spouse?” These questions serve as great fodder for conversation, stirs laughter and trips down memory lane.

After dinner, we open gifts. Each couple is bringing a gift that is date-related (for example movie tickets, restaurant visits, couple’s massage, salsa lessons, etc.) and upon taking a number from one to six (we’re six couples), each couple gets to open a present when their number is called. Each couple can either steal another couple’s gift, or decide to keep the one they opened.

This promises to be a fun New Year’s celebration, but I know that I’ll be ready a little after midnight to go home, peel the high heels off my sore feet and clear my face of makeup and lipstick. But I look forward to an evening of glam and fun to ring in the new year.

Come January, I’ll need to go shopping for sensible (but hip) shoes along with fun and funky clothes that will take me through 2010 in style!

WE. STAYED. HOME.

that’s right, my friends, we stayed home (just like every year), were in our pj’s by 7 (just like every year), ate a late dinner of homemade potato and cheddar pizza and bbq chicken pizza (okay, i have no idea what we ate last year), watched a canadian political drama (definitely not like last year. and as much as i adore, love, and generally idolize you, paul gross, 3 hours of canada’s version of how the u.s. political system works? um, no. i’m very sawry), and then just barely made it through dick clark’s off-by-a-second-or-maybe-more-countdown (and that IS just like last year).

and it was exciting, glamorous, and totally amazing.

see? we (i) even had a glass of wine:

and under that wine you may notice some scribbles. that is our own little new year’s eve tradition.

every new year’s eve we write down our predictions and stuff them in this envelope. as you can see, it’s been through quite a bit. it started in 2002, and since then we’ve added a few people (scout’s predictions for 2008-”i will be 4 on my birthday. the fair will be here! finn will be 1 on his birthday.”) and, in general, we’re pretty far off. but it’s fun to look back and see what we think will happen each year, and then on the new new year’s eve we jot down how badly we got it wrong and make new predictions for what’s to come. it’s better than listing a bunch of resolutions we just end up feeling badly about (because seriously, who actually follows through with those things as much as they want to? seriously, who?), and, if nothing else, it reminds us of when we were young and naive, a whole year ago.

so what were our predictions for 2009? i can’t tell you-that’s part of the tradition. we make our guesses, keep them secret from each other (we wouldn’t want to taint the prediction pool, after all), and put them away until the next december 31st. so as to whether or not i’ve tapped in to the time/space continuum, well…we’ll just have to wait a year, won’t we?

but just this once, i’m gong to break with tradition and tell-i predict that we will all have happy, healthy, and prosperous 2009s…and even though there’s bound to be some ups and downs, in the end, we’ll all have a wonderful year.

so go out there and prove me right, okay?

thanks.

There are just a few hours left until 2009. We’re wondering how you’re going to celebrate it. Do you plan to grill, party, sleep or all of the above? Does your family have any unique (or just weird) traditions on New Year’s Eve/Day? Here is a list of a few we found.

1. Eating black-eyed peas and lentils on New Year’s Day are said to bring riches and safety to the coming year

2. Wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve brings luck.

3. On New Year’s Eve, every door and window should be left open at midnight to let the old year out and the new one in.

4. Make lots of noise at the stroke of midnight to scare away evil spirits.

5. On New Year’s Eve, dancing around a tree (especially outside) ensures luck, love, and prosperity.

6. Kissing your spouse or significant other at midnight ensures that your relationship will remain strong in the coming year.

7. Babies that are born on New Year’s Day will have good luck the rest of their life. The baby also brings good luck to the family

8. Don’t wash dishes on New Year’s Day, or you’ll be washing them all year.

9. Make sure your room is clean on New Year’s Eve, or it will be dirty all year.

10. Have a bunch of money in your pockets when the clock strikes midnight, so that you’ll have money all year long.