人们聚集在教堂、街头或广场，唱诗、祈祷、祝福、仟悔，并一同迎候那除旧更新的一瞬。午夜12点整，全国教堂钟声齐鸣。乐队高奏有名的怀旧歌曲《一路平安》。在音乐声中，激动的人们拥抱一起，甚至素不相识的人也可以互相亲吻。人们就这样怀着惜别的感伤和对新生活的向往共同迎来新的一年。
美国人还有一个有意思的习惯，就是在新年许愿立志，他们称之为“新年决心”。这决心通常不是什么宏图大志，而是一些朴实而实际的打算。他们总是坦率地讲给大家听，以期得到监督和鼓励。美国人除夕夜常常是回望旧年总结过往的时候，当然更重要的是展望来年，立下决心的时候。让我们一起想想自己需要改善及做出改变的地方，为来年立下新的计划。你的新年计划是否在美国人的新年计划TOP10上呢?
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
花更多时间陪伴家人和朋友
近期美国有多项调查显示超过一半的美国人决心要更珍惜他们所爱的人，要花更多时间陪伴家人和朋友。工作不应事事优先!
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
研究表明锻炼身体能降低癌症几率，延长寿命，有利减轻体重，调节情绪，降低血压，甚至改善关节炎症状。总之，锻炼身体能让你保持健康体态，神清气爽。
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
“抚平”赘肉
在最近的调查里，超过66%的美国成年人超重或者属于肥胖。所以说减肥是一个最流行的新年计划也就不足为奇了。
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
戒烟
如果是你尝试过戒烟且失败过，别太早放弃。一般来说，抽烟者平均要戒四次，才能彻底丢掉抽烟的习惯。之后就进行享受你的无烟生活吧!
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
即使很多人将新的一年作为戒酒的契机，但很多人没有将这件事一次搞定。
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
还清账单
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
学习些新的东西
你是否决心今年一定要学一些新东西?换一个新工作?学一门新语言?或者仅仅是学习怎么修电脑?不论是报班学习或者读书，你都会发现学习是最简单，最有动力去达成的新年愿望。
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.
