Happy New Year's!

It's 1999!! Yea!
So today is New Year's Day here, and it really is 1999 as of 6:00. Well, that would be midnight our time. And today is the first day of the month, not the 11th. Would you like to be more confused?
It's the biggest holiday of the year, and the past few days there's been an air of excitement much like the pre-Christmas spirit we have. Minus all the commercialism and malls and fake Santas standing around.
But you know? Some things don't change no matter what culture you are in. They will celebrate today with family, yes, but mostly by . . . eating! There will be "doro wat" (chicken "stew"), bueg wat (sheep), and of course all the normal wats, like lentils, chickpeas, cabbage, beef, potatoes, and spinach. MMMM. Last night I went out back to my landlord's for a few minutes to join the New Year's Eve celebration of burning special wood and shooting up a few fireworks. In the corner of their little yard adjoining mine sat their sheep, peaceful and content, little knowing . . . . well, I won't go there!! In another part of the city, the Sheraton put on this enourmous fireworks display at midnight. I, however, was gloriously asleep at that point! I did think back to all the times we've kept the neighbors up on New Year's Eve and July 4 by our fireworks and sparkler bombs. Ok, that wasn't me making the bombs. You know who you are:) There was much shouting, singing, chanting, and generally excited noise through the night--until the monster rain came, at least.
It is a odd to see the celebration here, yet know that it is such a somber day in America and so many other places. My worlds are split right now--but I hope to find the balance between sharing in the joy here today and remembering the sorrow there.
May your day be peaceful.