Normally when one hears about dropping the ball, they think that someone gave away a secret. However, in this case, I am talking about the famous ball that drops every year. At the end of each year, there is a gigantic, illuminated ball in Times Square in New York. Millions of people watch this ball drop as a simple but annual tradition that signifies the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Though some people like to actually see the ball drop in person, I prefer to not stand outside for many hours in the freezing cold. Instead, I usually get together with my family. We hang out and celebrate for a few hours before watching the event. Depending on who is hosting the celebration, a large dinner is prepared for everyone to enjoy. After dinner, we open presents. My immediate family opens presents on Christmas Day, but my extended family opens them whenever we get together. However, this year I won't get to open any of my presents until New Years Eve because my mom works Christmas Day.
As the countdown begins, the anticipation rises. The ball starts to change colors and we all rush to get a good view of the television. "TEN...NINE...EIGHT...SEVEN...SIX...FIVE...FOUR...THREE...TWO...ONE!!!" We all share in the countdown and then cheer at the finale. The ball turns into an explosion of colorful lights and massive amounts of confetti rain from the sky. We stay together for a few more hours, and sometimes some of us even stay the night at the host's house.
One of the most known rituals associated with this holiday is the kiss at midnight. Furthermore, people frequently get very drunk on this night. Another one, for some random reason, is for people to shoot off their guns. Unfortunately, many of them are drunk and don't think about the fact that there might be somebody nearby. The end result is multiple, unintended, random shootings. So if you are going to participate in this ridiculous aspect of the holiday, make sure there isn't somebody in your range. A final popular aspect is the New Year's resolution. Millions of people come up with something they want to change in the new year, but they rarely end up continuing it for the whole year. Whatever your plans or traditions, have a wonderful holiday!
(A YouTube video of the ball dropping and people celebrating.)
Always a favorite to watch the ball drop on new years! I think for my new years resolution this year it will be to get in shape....which is what it is every year BUT this year i'm gona get serisous about it! Have a happy new year yourself!!
ReplyDeletePeople shoot their guns off? I seriously have never heard that one. Yes, it seems that drunkeness and stupidity sometimes go hand in hand and thus, people do stupid things when they are drunk on New Year's. Anyway, I also watch the ball drop and think it is really cool. Also, I liked how you typed the whole countdown just to get a bigger word count. That is awesome.
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