My husband and I went to sleep just after 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve. Yes, on New Year’s Eve. I was unusually tired, and going to bed seemed the only sensible option. And, despite the Malaysian government’s decision to cancel this year’s New Year celebration, there were still some loud light and sound displays in and around where I live. I did not hear nor see the fireworks that welcomed 2023.

Strange, as I am generally a light sleeper. Most noises do not escape me. I was literally dead to the world that night. Also strange because I enjoy the revelling involved – wearing silly party hats, beeping horns, counting down from 10 to 1, and wishing family and friends.

Earlier that evening, we went for a walk at one of the parks in Putrajaya, the federal administrative capital. Had dinner at McDonald’s, which was surprisingly and pleasantly quiet. Enjoyed the view of the man-made Putrajaya Lake, boats ferrying people, cyclists out and about, and the expertly designed multi-hued Seri Wawasan Bridge. We also strolled to the Putrajaya Roundabout. Yes, the one with the world’s largest roundabout with a diameter of 3.5km. Walked around the roundabout. Again, enjoyed the relative quiet even though there were many cars, some double parked along the Putra Bridge leading up to the Prime Minister’s office. We realised belatedly that it wasn’t busy because – the people that the cars belonged to – were at the Putra Mosque for the Prime Minister’s New Year’s Eve address to the nation.

December has always been my favourite month. Still is. Especially the week from Christmas to the New Year. This year, we couldn’t get booked for Christmas lunch as we left it too late for various reasons. Fortuitously, we managed to find, probably the last table for 2, for Christmas Eve dinner, which was nice. There was nothing planned for New Year’s. Again, it was strange because it has always been a big deal to me. A day to acknowledge and to enjoy. 

Many years ago, my husband and I used to attend dinners and parties on New Year’s Eve. At venues packed-like-sardines. Filled with generous amounts of cigarette and cigar smoke. Jostled and pushed by sweaty people. Paid exorbitant prices and over the top cover charges. We merrily marvelled at balloons released from hotel ceilings. We joined the crushing crowds of partygoers on the streets of Bukit Bintang in year 2000. We danced with abandon at the now defunct, Rum Jungle and Betelnut. We did the countdown with all and sundry. Memories.

More recently. The fireworks at KLCC pretty much took centre stage. Particularly as my mum enjoyed the shows when they were on.  She made special visits to our unit on the 30th floor to watch the spectacular firework displays. Courtesy of KLCC/Petronas, Pavilion and many other companies and individuals.

The New Year invariably brings a sense of hope and excitement.  I think it has a lot to do with recognizing and accepting 1 January as the start date of a new year. A fresh beginning. From the merriment to the midnight countdown on 31 December. Particularly in countries that adopt the Gregorian calendar as their civil or official calendar. A Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar based on 365 days in a typical year. It has 12 months. 11 of them contain 30 or 31 days. February is the exception with 28 days. Every four years or so when a leap year happens, then February has an extra day.

Like most people, I know and use the Gregorian calendar every day. I’m also familiar with the Tamil calendar mainly because that’s my mum’s reference for festivals, holy days and good/bad times. The Tamil New Year or ‘Puthandu’ is on 14 April. The first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. For me, ’Puthandu’ is a religious festival with prayers at home. There are other countries and/or cultures that celebrate their new year, not on 1 January. For instance, this year the Chinese or Lunar New Year is on 22 January while Losar, which is celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar (moon and sun) Tibetan calendar, is on 21 February.  

Soon to be a year older, I wondered what was different between 31 December, 2022 and 1 January, 2023. Nothing really. I felt and feel much the same. Status quo. Except for my mum’s protracted health condition since 2021, and brother number 1’s life-threatening diagnosis, which sadly is omnipresent and all consuming. That said, the morning of 1 January saw dawn break around 7am’ish, like clockwork. As it was a Sunday, vehicle and people traffic was moderate. My husband and I wondered if these people were having an early start to the new day or a very late end from the previous night’s partying.

Life goes on. Hmm…