New Year's Day at Kemah

New Year's Day is one of the most celebrated holiday all over the world. Celebration varies according to traditions and beliefs. Mostly, festivities starts on the eve of the last day of December. In the culture where I grew up, we welcome the new year as a whole family where every member should be physically home (as much as possible). We prepare different delicacies to share with everyone on New Year's Eve as " media noche." We welcome the year with a BANG! Literally, we make noise no matter how. Most commonly used "noise-maker" are firecrackers and fireworks similar to 4th of July celebration. The rationale behind that is to scare away bad spirits, which is a clear Chinese influence. Another Chinese influence is having twelve different round fruits on the table believed to bring good luck for the coming new year. One last thing that should not be forgotten, I guess, would be a new year's resolution. We share our resolutions to each other. My parents used to say that it would be more credible if we let others know what good habits we want to continue and what bad habits we want to change in the coming new year.

However, when we moved to the United States, some of those traditions are no longer being practiced. It is either legally impossible or impractical. It saddens me not to be able to celebrate the way I used to, but it pains me the most not being able to celebrate the occasion with my father, mother, brother, two sisters and older sister. I miss them all.

On the joyful side, I get to celebrate the occasion with my husband and son. Last January 1st, we spent the holiday at Kemah Boardwalk. The boardwalk is a place of amusements, seaside shows, waterfront restaurants, retail shops and lots of rides. We had a real quality and enjoyable time as a family. I find incomparable joy seeing the two of them having fun. I am truly grateful for having such an amazing and loving husband and son.

It was indeed a Happy New Year!