The Moon on New Year's

...was breathtakingly beautiful.

The great thing about staying home during the new year fireworks was that I got a chance to photograph the full moon.

This was a first time for me to capture the moon at its fullest form. Due to the location of our building, it is very seldom that we get to see the moon. I never really expected to see it on the 1st of January, I only knew of it. So when I took some alone time in our balcony after cleaning up our little new year's party, I was surprised and amused to see the moon looking down on me. It was mesmerizing. Too bad, it was a very cloudy night. In a few seconds, the full moon was covered by dark clouds.

They say that a full moon on the first day of the year is good luck. I'd really like to believe that. After a challenging 2009 for everyone, so challenging that it seemed everyone was too eager for 2009 to be over, we need all the good luck we can get.

However, the universe may have given us a sign but it's always up to us to make 2010 a great year. So let's do it! Let's make things happen in 2010.

Photos by Ibyang Sanchez, Copyright 2010.

Awaken the Spirit : Sydney New Year 2010

A 13-minute show worth millions. 15 months of detailed and meticulous planning. More than 40 parks and public spaces around the harbour available for the 1.5 million people from all over the world. Everyone requested to wear a touch of blue to represent Australia's bluest sky. A beaming Yin and Yang symbol that calls for global unity--a call to Awaken the Spirit for 2010. Sydney has done it again and has done it better and greater! No wonder, we are known as the New Year's Eve capital of the world.

{image source}

-o0o0-

On 31 December 2009, more than 1.5 million people from all around the world gathered together at the Sydney Harbour to welcome the new year.

This year's theme "Awaken the Spirit" is an Aboriginal belief that tells us that we need to awaken the spirit each year, to stir up that spirit within our land, water, sky and people. The City of Sydney requested everyone to wear a touch of blue on new year's eve to represent Sydney's stunning blue harbour and blue summer sky (if you'v ever been to Australia, you will know that this country has the bluest skies ever).

Along with the theme, the City of Sydney calls everyone to think about what each one of us can do to make a significant change in our lifestyle in order to help the environment.   As we start the year (and a new decade too), everyone's encouraged to turn over new green leaf.

 

The show consisted of pyrotechnic fireworks that allowed specific shapes to be created.  More than 45,000 kilograms of explosive devices, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects were fired from barges in the Harbour, buildings in the CBD and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The spectators also witnessed the 9pm Family Fireworks that lit up the harbour for 8 minutes.  This is for the benefit of those who brought their kids with them and for those who want to go home early.  After the 9pm fireworks, the Harbour of Light Parade illuminated the harbour with 50 chosen vessels.

Fireworks photos #4, 5 and 6 are courtesy of our friend, photographer Iori Avellana.  For more of his photos, please check out his flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpleflames

-o0o-

Since the City of Sydney has taken the initiative to take action against climate change, they planned to take a more environment-friendly event.

A green Sydney New Year’s Eve is achieved by:

• Purchasing carbon credits to offset all emissions from the event.
• Purchasing 100% GreenPower accredited renewable energy to match our electricity use.
• Recycling 80% of all rubbish collected (approximately 20% is non recyclable waste).
• Using recycled water to clean the streets.  
• Distributing personal ashtrays on the night to help reduce cigarette butt littering.
• Encouraging everyone to take public transport or walk to events and leave the car at home.  
• Partnering with the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), the official charity of 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve. ACF is encouraging everyone to turn over a new green leaf by making a simple but significant lifestyle change to reduce their impact on the environment. Click here to find out more.

They also made a list on how everyone can do their share during the event:

• Catch public transport or walk to and from the event.
• Fill a reusable drink container with water and carry this with you to avoid buying bottled water.
• If you're having a picnic, take reusable cutlery, plates, cups, containers, and bags, and take them home again instead of using disposable items. 
• Take any recyclable containers home to place in your recycle bin.
• Put any unavoidable rubbish in public bins, 80 per cent of it will be recovered and recycled.
• Bin your butts by using a personal ashtray – free ones will be distributed on the night - or find a bin. Cigarettes cause environmental harm when they go down the drain and into Sydney Harbour.
• Live Green to help make Sydney a more liveable and sustainable city

-o0o-

 

Personal Note:  The Husband and I did not celebrate NYE in the city and so I would like to thank our friend Iori Avellana for letting me share his photos here in my blog.  My Husband and I decided to spend New Year's Eve dinner with relatives and by midnight we were at home watching the fireworks on the telly as we toast to a happy and blessed 2010.  We hope all of you had a fun-filled and safe New Year.

Thank you 2009!

I can only describe my 2009 as one big package full of surprises. Exciting, fabulous, at times confusing, but most of all, LIFE-CHANGING.

If 2009 were a dance, it would be like the Cha Cha for me--stepping forward and backward, to the sides, and then there's the turn--as I had a myriad of questions that needed answers, decisions that needed timely resolutions. Decisions that needed me to step forward and take risks. Decisions that needed me take a few steps backward in order to have a better perspective. Decisions that told my guts to just dance to the music playing in my heart, mind and soul. Decisions that mattered in my present but holds consequences not only to my future but also my family's. Decisions that will forever change my life.

With all the charmed experiences, challenges and decisions made this year, I'm eternally grateful for the special people, events and things in my 2009:

Thank you for giving me a devoted Husband who never fails to make me happy each and every day, for being my partner and bestfriend, for taking good care of me and for being my eternal source of sunshine. Thank you for giving us a chance to grow together everyday.

Thank you for the gift of time spent with family and relatives. My Parents coming over to visit. My Auntie from America visiting as well. Times spent with them are always priceless. I'm happy to have shared a piece of our life here in Sydney with them.

Thank you for the love of my In-laws. Not only do they love me like their own daughter, they are also great friends with my parents. Their love and friendship means a lot to me.

Thank you for relatives who are always concerned and who are always there for our family.

Thank you for the gift of friends, old and new. This year, friendship takes on a new meaning for me as the truest of true friends went beyond extra miles just to show their love for us. I may not have siblings by blood, but God made sure I have friends who will stand by me no matter what. My friends are the food to my soul.

Thank you for the gift of being part of Australia. This year, I'm officially a citizen of this country who has been good to me.

Thank you for blessing in disguises. Meeting people who served as my guardian angels. Circumstances that seemed unkind but in time turned out to be learning experiences.

Thank you for the gift of life. I am blessed me to be healed and here I am, good as new, alive and healthy once again. Thank you for giving me another chance to live.

Thank you for the gift of a home that is welcoming and cheerful, one that is almost always full of laughter and good vibes. Thank you for the beautiful sunsets that greet us every time we arrive home.

Thank you for the gift of surprises and unexpected gifts. Friends visiting Sydney. My Husband giving me a car on my birthday. News that my Parents will be coming over. A written reflection of mine to be published in a book! And some other things that made my day extraordinary with the surprise blessings that came my way.

Thank you for the gift of travel. With each place explored, I learn more and I share more.

Thank you for the gift of photography and writing. Two passions of mine that has become a blessing for me as I meet friends who share the same passion as mine. I'm grateful to all the inspiring responses from people who appreciate my photographs and articles.

Thank you for a stable and not-so-hectic career. There are days when work was so demanding but it was always worth it because work also gave me back days-off that I could enjoy and a flexible time so I'm able accomplish my personal goals. I will always be grateful that the career I have now gives me more time to be a Wifey than a careerwoman.

Thank you for the gift of inner peace and faith. That even if there are uncertainties at times, I am able to sleep well knowing that tomorrow will be a better day and that God will always be faithful to me.


Thank you for all the memories, big and small, good and not-so-good. They made me who I am today and has made me cherish every moment that I'm alive.

As I say goodbye to 2009, I feel that with all the things I've gone thru, I say hello to 2010 a stronger, bigger and better person.


For 2010, let's positively believe that the year will bring great, happy things for all of us. As we look forward, may we always focus on the good things about to happen.


I wish everyone a kinder and more blessed year ahead. A sparkling and bright 2010 to all! Cheers!

Last Sunset Photo for 2009

As if 2009 is bidding adieu, yesterday we another spectacular sunset.

I'm not so sure if we'll have a great sunset today. When I woke up it's gloomy, cloudy and as if it's going to rain. Oh noes! I hope later in the day, there won't be any rain. I'm very much looking forward to the Sydney new year fireworks. Husband and I have decided to stay in this year but we will be glued to the telly watching what Sydney does best during festivities.

I'm excited to welcome 2010 and I'm proud to say that we (Australia, together with New Zealand) will be the first ones to say hello to another great year.