人們聚集在教堂、街頭或廣場(chǎng)，唱詩(shī)、祈禱、祝福、仟悔，并一同迎候那除舊更新的一瞬。午夜12點(diǎn)整，全國(guó)教堂鐘聲齊鳴。樂(lè)隊(duì)高奏有名的懷舊歌曲《一路平安》。在音樂(lè)聲中，激動(dòng)的人們擁抱一起，甚至素不相識(shí)的人也可以互相親吻。人們就這樣懷著惜別的感傷和對(duì)新生活的向往共同迎來(lái)新的一年。
    美國(guó)人還有一個(gè)有意思的習(xí)慣，就是在新年許愿立志，他們稱之為“新年決心”。這決心通常不是什么宏圖大志，而是一些樸實(shí)而實(shí)際的打算。他們總是坦率地講給大家聽(tīng)，以期得到監(jiān)督和鼓勵(lì)。美國(guó)人除夕夜常常是回望舊年總結(jié)過(guò)往的時(shí)候，當(dāng)然更重要的是展望來(lái)年，立下決心的時(shí)候。讓我們一起想想自己需要改善及做出改變的地方，為來(lái)年立下新的計(jì)劃。你的新年計(jì)劃是否在美國(guó)人的新年計(jì)劃TOP10上呢?
    1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
    花更多時(shí)間陪伴家人和朋友
    近期美國(guó)有多項(xiàng)調(diào)查顯示超過(guò)一半的美國(guó)人決心要更珍惜他們所愛(ài)的人，要花更多時(shí)間陪伴家人和朋友。工作不應(yīng)事事優(yōu)先!
    Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite Pittsburgh restaurant or take the family to one of these popular Pittsburgh places for family fun. Work shouldn't always come first!
    2. Fit in Fitness
    保持健康的身材
    研究表明鍛煉身體能降低癌癥幾率，延長(zhǎng)壽命，有利減輕體重，調(diào)節(jié)情緒，降低血壓，甚至改善關(guān)節(jié)炎癥狀。總之，鍛煉身體能讓你保持健康體態(tài)，神清氣爽。
    The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for one of these popular Pittsburgh Area Charity Walks, Runs or Rides-
    3. Tame the Bulge
    “撫平”贅肉
    在最近的調(diào)查里，超過(guò)66%的美國(guó)成年人超重或者屬于肥胖。所以說(shuō)減肥是一個(gè)最流行的新年計(jì)劃也就不足為奇了。
    Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
    4. Quit Smoking
    戒煙
    如果是你嘗試過(guò)戒煙且失敗過(guò)，別太早放棄。一般來(lái)說(shuō)，抽煙者平均要戒四次，才能徹底丟掉抽煙的習(xí)慣。之后就進(jìn)行享受你的無(wú)煙生活吧!
    If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Even Allegheny County is trying to go smoke-free, and it's taken them a few tries as well. Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit.
    5. Enjoy Life More
    更加懂得享受生活
    Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of Pittsburgh's holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. Pittsburgh offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone's wishes.
    6. Quit Drinking
    戒酒
    即使很多人將新的一年作為戒酒的契機(jī)，但很多人沒(méi)有將這件事一次搞定。
    While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. Pittsburgh Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. There is also a Pittsburgh group for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.
    7. Get Out of Debt
    還清賬單
    Was money a big source of stress in your life last year- Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
    8. Learn Something New
    學(xué)習(xí)些新的東西
    你是否決心今年一定要學(xué)一些新東西?換一個(gè)新工作?學(xué)一門(mén)新語(yǔ)言?或者僅僅是學(xué)習(xí)怎么修電腦?不論是報(bào)班學(xué)習(xí)或者讀書(shū)，你都會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)學(xué)習(xí)是最簡(jiǎn)單，最有動(dòng)力去達(dá)成的新年愿望。
    Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new- Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer- Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. The Community College of Allegheny County offers a wide variety of "lifelong learning" courses, and local YMCA's offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, places such as the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts offer adult studio classes.