I’ve had the randomest New Year Eve last night. This is coming from a girl who’s spent two years worth of New Year days and eves being away from home. I’m thankful (albeit hobbling around the last of 2015 with a semi-swollen right foot) that I’m welcoming 2016 at home.

Contrary to what everyone seemed to be doing on NYE: go out, party, get drunk, repeat, I had a rather chill night. Instead of going into the heart of the city to celebrate with friends and catch the fireworks (because my foot screamed NO, and I hadn’t wanted to deal with the crowds), I opted for a more low-key affair. Sent a text to my neighbour and good friend, Sufie, asking what her plans were for the evening and yay, we were on the same frequency. We agreed to meet downstairs at half past 10, and we sat for a while before our other neighbour showed up.

Somewhere in between, while we were doing a little bit of catching up, a guy happened to walk by and I realised, ‘Hey, I know this guy!’ So I called out his name, and invited him to sit and join us for a bit. Little did we all know…

Sufie and I have been friends since we were, what – 8, 9? And we used to go to school together for 10 years, taking the same bus to school with a bunch of kids who lived around the area. There were a number of  schools in the district where our school was; three single sex secondary schools, and an elite Junior College, and if we caught the one bus that took us there at a particular timing every single day, your face is bound to be familiar.

This guy, Qamarul, was from the elite all-boys school down the road and our mothers were friends. Back then we were more of ‘hi, bye’ acquaintances who took the same bus to school every morning. He was a man of few words and we both thought he was a little pompous (you know, coming from such an elite school). Eight years on, life happened and so much have changed.

On NYE 2015, that ‘hi, bye’ relationship the three of us shared had blossomed into something a little more. We knew one another a little better, and well.. dug up some embarrassing details of the past that we’d rather much bury, but had a lot of laughs reminiscing. At least at the end of the night, it was all good.. we got to know more people to hang out with in the neighbourhood. :P

Point is.. it’s funny how fate can bring people together sometimes. Each of our choices brought upon a single outcome, and for last night’s case… a pleasant one.

On that note, I am sailing into 2016 with little expectations after a somewhat tumultuous 2015. I chanced across a particular quote that I’m going to carry with me as I live through the next year.

If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am.
-Cyril Cusack

So goodbye 2015, you’ve been fun. I’m looking forward to see what the next year has in store for me.

I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I’m guessing your 2016 resolutions aren’t as short as mine. I’m curious as to what they are. Do share them with me! :)

Happy New Year everyone!