Happy New Year! Our New Year’s Eve was quite uneventful but suited us just fine since we are a little tired from all of the traveling. At 11:35pm I decided to actually write down all of my resolutions and goals, scribbling the last few just before midnight. This is the first time that I have them on paper so hopefully they will keep me on track. It’s Day 2 and we’re looking good

Since you probably do not want to hear that we watched Iron Man in our pj’s on New Year’s Eve, I’ll turn to something a tad more exciting: the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks.

Every year they light up the city with at least thirty minutes of fireworks. It’s absolutely spectacular! I wish Houston had something similar but I do enjoy the mini shows in our neighborhood. It is legal to light your own fireworks in this area. The Bridge Effect is the most anticipated portion of the display for me as the new symbol and theme are revealed for the year. For 2009, the theme is Creation with a picture of the sun lit in the center of the bridge. Here is a list of previous themes:

• 1999–2000: The New Millennium (“Eternity” in Copperplate writing, in honor of Arthur Stace)
• 2000–01: Centenary of Federation (Rainbow Serpent and Federation Star)
• 2001–02: Year of the Outback (Uluru)
• 2002–03: Celebration in Unity (Dove of Peace)
• 2003–04: City of Light (Light show)
• 2004–05: Reflections (Disco ball)
• 2005–06: Heart of the Harbour (Love Heart)
• 2006–07: A Diamond Night in Emerald City (Coathanger and a Diamond)
• 2007–08: The Time of Our Lives (A sand timer)
• 2008–09: Creation (The Sun)

I wish you all a wonderful 2009 and I hope you achieve your goals whether it be in your personal life or career. This past year has been full of challenges but I will continue to strive to be a better wife, daughter, sister, and friend while constantly improving my mind and taking my career to a new level. I am welcoming each of the 32 new challenges and goals set for myself with open arms…

Image credits: ABC, Christoph Schmidt, Sydney Morning Herald, & Flickr