It’s going to be hard to follow up 2011.
I rang in the New Year first with Alex and Rose on the 36th floor of the Hawaiki Tower. Firework shows are the same year after year, and after a while they lose their appeal. But I’m actually glad I chose to see them this year. Hawaii banned fireworks without a permit, so I rely on the shows to get that firecracking feel.
As I was watching three different firework shows go off across the city at once, I reflected on my last year. I sometimes forget that half of 2011 was spent in Hong Kong. That feels like a whole separate year entirely. The second half of 2011 had its ups and downs, but overall, the year brought about a lot of welcomed changes. I mean, I’m completely clueless as to what I’m going to do with my future, but I’ve gotten comfortable with not knowing. It’ll be fun figuring it out, hahhaha (maybe).
We then met up with the other epic peeps and co. to go to China Walls. Last year, some kids shot up aerials at 2 or 3AM and the neighbors called the cops. Since we were there at the same time, we were also shooed out. “And don’t come back next year,” the lady cop said. We defied her and came back. The sky was really clear and I got a chance to see some shooting stars again. That never happens in New York. I think that’s one of the things I miss the most about being in Hawaii, and it’s not even like Hawaii’s skies are the darkest. They’re just significantly better. Alex said she wanted to plant herself at China Walls because she’d never seen a sky so clear.
After that, we went over to Hawaii Kai and “hiked” (it was more of a stroll) up to a hang gliding platform where we spent our last New Year’s Eve/Day as well. This time, we had way more people. Most fell asleep by 4AM but Kevin and Teri stayed up the entire time talking about accounting. I didn’t think anyone could talk about it for two hours straight! I learned a lot about accounting. The sun started to rise around 6:30 - 7ish. That place is gorgeous when lit. On our way out, the sun shined over everything and I really wish I had a camera to capture it. It was fucking beautiful. Makes me happy to move back home.
Half of 2012 will be spent in NY and the other half back in HI. It’s going to be momentous. I hope your year will be, too.
