Happy New Year!!

Last night we were quite boring, and went over to some friends' house to play pinochle (It's a rough game!). So instead I'll tell you about my favorite New Year's Eve celebrations.

My Mom, sister and I were visiting our friends and relations in South Africa, I think it was in '97-'98. At the new year, my sis and I were staying with some of our favorite cousins at their house in Durban. The two girls are a few years younger than us, but we've always gotten along famously.

The four of us got all decked out in some really cute cocktail dresses, and dolled ourselves up with judiciously applied make-up. The evening started with the cousins' two boyfriends coming over, then the six of us had a marvellous dinner out on the porch, overlooking the ocean. It was a warm summer evening, and we were all laughing uproariously, although what was so funny I have absolutely no idea. After some delicious chocolate mousse for dessert, we decided to go to a bar down on the waterfront that was having a New Year's Eve party. So we hopped in two cars and headed down.

Of course it was something that you already had to have tickets for, so we couldn't get in, much as the four of us batted our eyelashes at the bouncers. But we didn't really mind. Instead we went to a little bar down the street from their house, had a few drinks, and much more laughter.

We were tired well before midnight, so went back to the house to ring in the New Year and watch the fireworks being shot off from the beach.

The laughter, being dressed up, the people we were with - all made for a stunning time.

My second favorite celebration was last NYE, along a similar vein. M and I went out with another couple for dinner at a nice restaurant in the North End (Boston's little Italy). Afterwards we wanted to go somewhere with dancing, and my friend L used to work at a bar in the Copley Marriott that would have dancing that evening, so we headed over there. But they wanted to charge us $20 per person to go in! I hate paying cover charges, and that was just ridiculous. So instead we went to the Champions bar downstairs, where the cover was only about half, and M negotiated a buy 3 get 1 free with the bouncer, so we were a little happier with that. Still hate paying covers though. They did have hats and noisemakers, and a dj. So we had some more drinks, lots of dancing, fantastic french fries when we got the munchies - again, a great time was had by all. What was your favorite NYE celebration?

I'd like to wish each of you a wonderful new year, with your most cherished dreams coming true.