Happy New Year.

I had such a great New Year celebration! Delicious food, great friends, laughter, and a whole lot of fun! A group of friends and I had dinner at one of my favourite restaurants in Beijing called Tairyo's. This is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant that serves all you can eat and drink. They serve sushi, different types of grilled meats and fish, and yummy grilled bananas and ice cream for dessert. It's absolutly delicious and I'm drooling all over my keyboard as I describe it to you. After dinner, we had a mini photo shoot and then made our way to the courtyard in Solana to countdown and ring in the new year. THE PEOPLE! It was packed, but we were lucky enough to be standing back away from the people but still able to see the lights and have the experience.

10-9-8...being yelled in both English and Chinese. 

7-6-5...I think I grabbed someone's arm at this point.

4-3-2...Now I'm jumping up and down and clapping my hands. I remember clearly. 

1...HAPPY NEW YEAR! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!

Our group of friends hugged and kissed and wished each other a Happy New Year. As I looked around, I got a little emotional. Who knew that at 25 years old I'd be ringing in 2015 in the middle of Beijing surrounded by friends from all over the world - the Philippines, the UK, Scotland, America, and Canada. Friends I've met through other friends, friends who work as teachers in other schools, who are smart and work for computer companies, who travel all over China working with youth and experiencing all that China has to offer. Friends who have lived in Asia for 9 years, 4 years, and friends who have only been here 4 months. The diversity is inspiring!

Last year I rang in the new year in a cab, stuck in traffic trying to get to a bar, on the phone with the other half of our group listening to them countdown (and then they hung up on me), a stranger beside me who grabbed me and kissed me at midnight because I was whining about being in a cab. I have to say, this year was much better and way more special! And a New Year I'll never forget (for different reasons than last year!) 

Happy New Year everyone! 

My resolutions for 2015: travel more, stress less about things I can't control, and get back on the healthy track (eating better and exercising more).