Fireworks have popped and banged all over Australia with major displays in Sydney and the other capital cities. Although Kiribati is the first place to see in the New Year and the first major country is New Zealand, Australia follows very closely behind. We do a test run for the rest of the world on what the New Year is like. In the 9 hours we are ahead of South Africa, the 11 hours to the U.K., and the 16 hours to New York we will probably discover that there is not a lot of difference between the New Year and the Old Year.
Even so, I enter it full of anticipation as though all of a sudden life will be different. I have hope that I will make it different. All of a sudden I will become the world’s best housewife, I’ll stop eating things I shouldn’t, I will spend more time training the dogs, I will…. I will…. when I know I won’t. And still I love that sense of anticipation. Out with the old in with the new. In years past this is probably why I did housework New Years Eve in readiness with a clean slate. This year we are going out for dinner, and I won’t clean on my return, nor, most likely, will I see in the New Year. I will tuck my dogs into bed, give my husband a great big Happy New Year kiss and then retire myself.
Reflecting on the year past – it has been mainly good. Mainly good because at times I have felt out of my depth with my research. 2016 will see that finished and I have so many projects waiting on the back burners that I look forward to that day, although I know it is going to leave a huge hole in my life.Already I am planning a few trips. We haven’t had a holiday for the last four years and my feet are itching. The trouble is I don’t know that Roger’s have the same desire. We are looking forward to family visits, Roger’s sister and her husband from Germany for a couple of months, my brother and his boys from Switzerland in winter and numerous friends. My first memoir Nightmare in Paradise will be revised and published.
I have had so much fun blogging this last year despite time constraints made me an unreliable visitor. When my course finishes that I hope will change. I’ve enjoyed meeting you all and want to take this opportunity to thank you for your visits. I really appreciate them. In 2016 I want to think about anthologies with Carrot Ranch , collaborations with other blogging pals, see some of your books finished (Sherri, Charli,) and some started (Rowena) and websites up and running (Norah) and join in all those challenges with their hosts that I have come to appreciate greatly. I am going to start my own challenge to do with Times past, examining generational and geographic differences in the childhoods and young adult lives we had. The first prompt will be given New Years Day. You will have a month to respond by whatever means you want – flash, poetry, prose, photographs or drawing or a combination of any or all. Keep an eye out tomorrow for it.
For some waking up to the same on New Years day will not be pleasant simply due to where they happened to be born. To those in conflict zones and those suffering the ravages of natural disaster such as recently in the U.S.A., England and Australia I hope and pray that the New Year will bring peace and the strength to deal with the blows you have been dealt. I pray that peace talks will be successful and light shines around the world.
To each and every one of you
I wish you a very Happy New Year
With an abundance of Health and Well-being
Thank you for being part of my world in 2015
I’m looking forward to seeing you again in 2016.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
© irene waters 2015 As a New Year Dawns
“May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.”
― D. Simone
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Happy new year Irene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year Geoff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t know why I’m so excited that 2016 has already started for you, while I’ve just had lunch here in the UK. Hope it’s a good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far so good. I find it difficult getting my head around the time differences. Hope you have a very Happy New Year Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you a great, prosperous, blissful, healthy, bright, delightful, energetic, terrific and extremely happy 2016 too! It’s only just 15H25 here in France, we have to wait a while longer before we can open the champagne…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Margaretha. Your wish is just wonderful and I look forward to a year filled with all of them. You are about 2 and a half hours off the strike of 12 but I can feel that excitement. Enjoy the champagne and hope 2016 is wonderful in all ways for you also.
LikeLike
I look forward to your prompt! Happy New Year, Irene.
LikeLike
Yes. This: “we will probably discover that there is not a lot of difference between the New Year and the Old Year.” Looking forward to your new prompt; it sounds like a wonderful idea. Love the photo of the new year dawning. Happy New Year! 🎉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love you to join in Sarah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And a Happy and Well Deserved New Year to you too! Thanks for brightening my day with your writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you’ve just brightened mine with that comment. Thanks Diane.
LikeLike
All the best to you this year (yes it is now 2016 In NZ)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Raewyn. It seems like a long time ago now.
LikeLike
To yearn to do better and appreciate more – Happy New Year, Irene. We won’t be officially celebrating for about 14 more hours. There isn’t one moment when new begins and old ends but the continuum provides opportunity for improvement. And always, wishes for peace on earth, no matter what time it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are well and truly in the New Year now Sharon and hope it is going well for you so far. Yes there is never a wrong time to wish for peace.
LikeLike
Thank you for testing out the new year! Now I know that I’m 19 hours behind you! And thank you for spreading that wonderful feeling of anticipation for all the new to unfold this year. I wish you the absolute best with the revision process ahead and look forward to reading your book. 2016 will be a fruitful year and now is the time to ready the soil. Happy New Year and many many hugs across the back end of time to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of hugs back Charli and wishing you many productive red ink hours as well. Yes 2016 is giving me good vibes for all of us.
LikeLike
Happy and Blessed 2016!! May this New Year be filled with Joy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I hope your New Year is also a fantastic one Deborah. Thank you for your presence last year. Looking forward to this year. 🙂
LikeLike