31st December 2009.
Was nearly late for the movie as time was not on our side. We parked our new car at Raffles City and walked that long underpass to Marina Square.
Watched Sherlock Holmes with the whole family and cousin's family. This was my second time watching. The whole theater is full, what else? We were sitting too in front for my taste.
After that, we went for a late dinner at Hans since everywhere else were full with queues. Most of us had black pepper chicken chop since that's all that's left.
With 1 hour plus to spare before the the clock strike twelve, we walked around looking for a place to pass the time. Walked from Marina Square to Suntec City and drank drinks at Gloria's Jean Coffee.
It was about 11.30pm when we started to make our way down to opposite Esplanade at Marina where the firework display was held. You can see groups and groups of people walking the same way, it's almost like going to war.
Found a good spot where there's no buildings and trees blocking. The whole place that went on for metres were chock-full of people; foreign workers, teenagers, families, friends, couples... sitting on steps, on the grass patches, standing...
As the minutes ticked by, the noise got louder. People started giving out false alarms by shouting and whistling. It was rather funny.
No countdown was given since we were not directly at the party itself. The first fireworks splayed out on the clear night sky, almost as if pots of paints were splashed on a canvas. The cheers got to the maximum. Everyone was high. SMSes were sent out in record time.
The night sky was alighted with fireflies and falling stars, SOS signals and bursts of flowers.
Everyone was dazzled and awed by the magnifique display.
Fireworks creation has come a long way. I can still remember the limited colours and display of fireworks that was red, green and yellow of the past.
Now, there are fireworks that changes colours as it rained down. Fireworks that linger in the air for a long time as the sparks slowly fall. Fireworks that represent palm-trees, falling stars and fireflies. Big and small fireworks. Fireworks that literally light up the night. All that's left is the creation of fireworks that have words or numbers.
It can be comparable to Gandalf's fireworks. We joked about how that we can have black fireworks for the morning.
All the hours spent on just 8 minutes of wonder was worth it. Isn't this what most people are looking forward to? Once a year of beauty. The festive spirit was infectious there, after the last fireworks were shot to the sky, people started jumping around, wishing each other Happy New Year. Then, there's when things turned nightmarish.
The crowds went as fast they came. Most people started leaving the area and since barriers were set up, congestion formed. Thankfully, we came by cars, I shuddered to imagine the conditions in the public transportation.
It took us at least 45 minutes to get out of there and backed into our lovely car. We were all sweaty and cranky since the air-cons in the City Link were off. Luckily, there was no frenzy, we will all fall like dominoes if someone were to push.
We said that next year, we shall book a hotel room with a good and comfortable view of the fireworks display. How cool is that?
Reached home, bathed and turned in for the "morning". It was 2am plus when we slept. It was all worth it though. Even though we woke at 11am today and the leaving was tough.
Well, 2010 is here at our doorsteps.
My resolution for the new year is to toughen myself up. I need to maintain my good results. I want to be able to say "Frankly, me dear, I don't give a damn". I want to change, for better or worse.
I wish that 2010 will be so much better than 2009, economy-wise. Comfort-wise, I almost have it all. And that's is enough for now. There are times when I have the cake and eat it too. I have a wonderful family although I get irritated with them at times.
Entertainment-wise, 2010 will be a good year. The Sentosa and Marina IRs will be up, Eclipse and Harry Potter DH part 1 will be scheduled for screening, the grande opening of The wonderful World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida, etc. Eeek, I can't wait to go!
I will be doing another post, looking back at the year 2009.
Goodbye to the decade with no name. The "Noughties" as some called it.
Cheers
