I hate New Years Eve.  It seems silly to say, and I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out why this night is so difficult for me.

I am one lucky duck—all over the world, I have people that I love.  Unfortunately, I can’t be in several different places at once.  I always have to choose between different places; in the past, it was New York vs. Chicago.  This year, it was Paris vs. India.

I chose to come to India this year, not knowing with whom I would be spending Christmas and New Years with.  This is perhaps my favorite quality about myself—I am not afraid to take chances or do things on my own.  Perhaps this makes me adventurous, maybe crazy… probably a bit of both.

I spent this past Christmas dancing flamenco under the stars with new friends.  And although it was not planned, I said goodbye to 2010 by eating one of the most fantastic dinners, prepared by one of the most kind and silly restaurant owners I’ve ever met, selflessly offered to us by a new friend and mentor.

I rang in 2011 on the back of a motorcycle on the side of the road in India.  With fireworks just 50 feet away, and a mix of new friends and strangers hugging, dogs barking, and passer-bys honking, that familiar sense of dissatisfaction sank in.

I wish I could be in a thousand different places at once the moment the clock strikes midnight; ideally, I would be in a room with all of my best friends and loved ones, hugging and kissing and celebrating with them all.

I am thankful for the wonderful people that I have spent the past 2.5 weeks getting to know.  How lucky are we to have such a fun group of kind-hearted and like-minded people?  If I had to spend New Years with 25 people I didn’t know 3 weeks ago, I’m glad it was with all of them.

I can only hope that this next year will be as adventurous and silly as it’s been so far.  And just to put it out there, my New Years Resolution is to keep my room cleaner.  Fingers crossed.