New Year’s Eve for One

This is not a sob story. I am very happy to be spending NYE in my apartment on my own and avoiding the amateurs at the overcrowded bars. More importantly, I am happy to not get caught up in the expectations of going out.

The best New Year’s Eves for me have always been spent in someone’s home with a few close friends where you can focus on one another and not on who else is at the bar. Will we get into the VIP room? Is that cute guy the man of my dreams or the man of a hot and heavy make out session later in the evening? Why did I wear the painful heels? Dammit, where are all the cabs!?

Last year a few girlfriends and I had all the best parts of NYE without any of the drama. We grabbed a festive dinner and then went back to the apartment and filled our glasses with bubbly, danced ta fabulous DJ (thank you iPod) and toasted everything that we hoped for one another. It was the best NYE I have ever had.

I went back and forth with a few friends about getting together, but after a week of Christmas parties and family we all wanted to stay at our own apartments. So I am focusing on myself and what I want this NYE. I am not so lax as to already be in my PJs or a snuggie. I got dressed up for myself and treated myself to a spa mani/pedi – one toenail one each foot is painted yellow to encourage blessings of wealth and red fingernails for blessings of love. My feet are not in pain because I am in flip flops and I don’t have to worry about running out of Veuve. I am not making any resolutions, but I am toasting to the new year.

And I definitely didn’t order in for one. I’m making Linguine Vongole and Crispy Roasted Broccoli – both from Allison Fishman’s book You Can Trust a Skinny Cook. Simple yet delicious and I can make it for one.

In about two hours I’ll head out to see the fireworks and then come home for one last class of champagne. While it’s always nice to be with loved ones, I am very happy to be celebrating with myself.

Happy New Year!