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New years is a holiday in which we all gather together with our family and friends to celebrate the end of the year and to celebrate the coming of a new one. A tradition that people from the U.S  participate in is gathering together to watch "The Ball" drop. "The ball" is a giant ball that drops on 11:59 going on to 12:00 to represent the coming of a new year. Some places where you could go see the ball drop is in New York and Hawaii. Another U.S. tradition Americans participate in is when the clock hits 12:00 they give their significant other a new years kiss. Dressing formally and sharp is also a tradition they do to feel good about coming  into the new year.

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New years is a holiday in which we all gather together with our family and friends to celebrate the end of the year and to celebrate the coming of a new one. A tradition that people from the U.S  participate in is gathering together to watch "The Ball" drop. "The ball" is a giant ball that drops on 11:59 going on to 12:00 to represent the coming of a new year. Some places where you could go see the ball drop is in New York and Hawaii. Another U.S. tradition Americans participate in is when the clock hits 12:00 they give their significant other a new years kiss. Dressing formally and sharp is also a tradition they do to feel good about coming  into the new year.

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Although some U.S. traditions seem quite simple and common there are some that aren't. A tradition that's also done when celebrating New Years is popping fireworks. They pop fireworks as a way to celebrate the end of the new year and to let go of the "bad spirits" or stress that has been built up throughout that year. Popping a bottle of champagne and sharing it with those around them is also a tradition that's done on new year. Last but not least is "new years resolutions" . This is one that i'm always most exited for because it makes me feel as if I have a new start, a new opportunity to change myself for the better.

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Although some U.S. traditions seem quite simple and common there are some that aren't. A tradition that's also done when celebrating New Years is popping fireworks. They pop fireworks as a way to celebrate the end of the new year and to let go of the "bad spirits" or stress that has been built up throughout that year. Popping a bottle of champagne and sharing it with those around them is also a tradition that's done on new year. Last but not least is "new years resolutions" . This is one that i'm always most exited for because it makes me feel as if I have a new start, a new opportunity to change myself for the better.

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Although both the U.S.A and Columbia celebrate New Years there are some differences. One major difference between Columbias traditions is that when the clock hits 12 they eat 12 grapes for their wishes and goals to come true for the new year.(They typically dance salsa)

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Although both the U.S.A and Columbia celebrate New Years there are some differences. One major difference between Columbias traditions is that when the clock hits 12 they eat 12 grapes for their wishes and goals to come true for the new year.(They typically dance salsa)

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Dance all Night in Cartagena

Cartagena is probably the best city in Colombia in which to celebrate New Year's Eve. Colombians and visitors alike flock to the Jewel of the Indies to see in the New Year, and the atmosphere in the Old Town is always electric. You can enjoy a great meal, watch the sun set on the old year from the walls of the city and then head out to a local club to dance salsa and champeta until you drop. Cartagena should be your number one choice for celebrating New Year in Colombia.

Fireworks and Nightclubs in Bogota

The Colombian capital is a good place to enjoy a night out at New Year: you can watch the fireworks in the Plaza Bolivar Square, then grab your friends and fellow travellers and head off to a nightclub. Andres Carne de Res, Theatron, Baum and La Villa always hold great New Year parties, and any nightclub in the Zona T is sure to have something going on.

With a Local Family

New Year's Eve is a much more family-oriented holiday in Colombia than in many other countries, and many families spend it together at home, with the younger members venturing out to clubs and bars only after midnight. Arguably the best way to enjoy New Year in Colombia is to get invited to a family celebration, where you can eat, drink and dance to your heart's content.

Observing Local Traditions

Colombians have some truly unique New Year traditions, and if you really want to do New Year in Colombia right, make sure to observe them as the clock strikes midnight. Wear your newest yellow underpants, stuff your pockets with lentils, eat 12 grapes at midnight, run around the block with your suitcase and, of course, don't forget to burn the doll symbolising the old year.

Get Out Into the Countryside

For some people, New Year's Eve isn't that big a deal, and the idea of staying up late dancing and drinking in a city may not be too appealing. Why not consider heading out to a more remote destination and enjoying New Year's in the peace and tranquillity of the Colombian countryside? A little house in the Coffee Region, a laid-back hostel in Minca or a lodge in the Amazon jungle would all be perfect places to see in the New Year.

Hit up the Feria de Cali

Cali is a great party city anyway, and would be a fantastic place to spend New Year's Eve, but if you're planning to see in the New Year in the Colombian salsa capital, do schedule your arrival a week beforehand to enjoy the Cali Fair, one of Colombia's most fun festivals. It runs December 25-30 every year and is the perfect way to warm up for the main New Year festivities.

... and the Feria de Manizales

In Colombia, New Year doesn't end on the morning of January 1, as several cities celebrate their festivals directly after the main New Year's celebrations have finished. Manizales, a pretty city in the Coffee Region, starts its annual fair on the first weekend after New Year's Eve, so make sure that you are in the city to enjoy one of Colombia's most raucous festivals and keep the New Year party going into January!

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The Best Ways to Spend New Year's in Colombia

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Dance all Night in Cartagena Cartagena is probably the best city in Colombia in which to celebrate New Year's Eve. Colombians and visitors alike flock to the Jewel of the Indies to see in the New Year, and the atmosphere in the Old Town is always electric.

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Another tradition they celbrate that's different than us in the U.S is they gather up in a place called "Cartagena" and they dance and dance to celebrate the new year.

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Another tradition they celbrate that's different than us in the U.S is they gather up in a place called "Cartagena" and they dance and dance to celebrate the new year.

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Dance all Night in Cartagena

Cartagena is probably the best city in Colombia in which to celebrate New Year's Eve. Colombians and visitors alike flock to the Jewel of the Indies to see in the New Year, and the atmosphere in the Old Town is always electric. You can enjoy a great meal, watch the sun set on the old year from the walls of the city and then head out to a local club to dance salsa and champeta until you drop. Cartagena should be your number one choice for celebrating New Year in Colombia.

Fireworks and Nightclubs in Bogota

The Colombian capital is a good place to enjoy a night out at New Year: you can watch the fireworks in the Plaza Bolivar Square, then grab your friends and fellow travellers and head off to a nightclub. Andres Carne de Res, Theatron, Baum and La Villa always hold great New Year parties, and any nightclub in the Zona T is sure to have something going on.

With a Local Family

New Year's Eve is a much more family-oriented holiday in Colombia than in many other countries, and many families spend it together at home, with the younger members venturing out to clubs and bars only after midnight. Arguably the best way to enjoy New Year in Colombia is to get invited to a family celebration, where you can eat, drink and dance to your heart's content.

Observing Local Traditions

Colombians have some truly unique New Year traditions, and if you really want to do New Year in Colombia right, make sure to observe them as the clock strikes midnight. Wear your newest yellow underpants, stuff your pockets with lentils, eat 12 grapes at midnight, run around the block with your suitcase and, of course, don't forget to burn the doll symbolising the old year.

Get Out Into the Countryside

For some people, New Year's Eve isn't that big a deal, and the idea of staying up late dancing and drinking in a city may not be too appealing. Why not consider heading out to a more remote destination and enjoying New Year's in the peace and tranquillity of the Colombian countryside? A little house in the Coffee Region, a laid-back hostel in Minca or a lodge in the Amazon jungle would all be perfect places to see in the New Year.

Hit up the Feria de Cali

Cali is a great party city anyway, and would be a fantastic place to spend New Year's Eve, but if you're planning to see in the New Year in the Colombian salsa capital, do schedule your arrival a week beforehand to enjoy the Cali Fair, one of Colombia's most fun festivals. It runs December 25-30 every year and is the perfect way to warm up for the main New Year festivities.

... and the Feria de Manizales

In Colombia, New Year doesn't end on the morning of January 1, as several cities celebrate their festivals directly after the main New Year's celebrations have finished. Manizales, a pretty city in the Coffee Region, starts its annual fair on the first weekend after New Year's Eve, so make sure that you are in the city to enjoy one of Colombia's most raucous festivals and keep the New Year party going into January!

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The Best Ways to Spend New Year's in Colombia

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Dance all Night in Cartagena Cartagena is probably the best city in Colombia in which to celebrate New Year's Eve. Colombians and visitors alike flock to the Jewel of the Indies to see in the New Year, and the atmosphere in the Old Town is always electric.

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Usually us in the U.S celebrate New Years Eve and New Years. In Columbia they have a whole week in honor of the new year. It is a very great way to celebrate the upcoming of the new year with you family and friends. the fair is called "Feria de Manizales". The fair also follows into the beginning of January.

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Usually us in the U.S celebrate New Years Eve and New Years. In Columbia they have a whole week in honor of the new year. It is a very great way to celebrate the upcoming of the new year with you family and friends. the fair is called "Feria de Manizales". The fair also follows into the beginning of January.

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On New Years (Eve) a famous Columbian drink that is made and served is what's called "Caspiroleta Colombiana". This is made on the warmer side for the cold. People drink this with their meals and sometimes alone.

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On New Years (Eve) a famous Columbian drink that is made and served is what's called "Caspiroleta Colombiana". This is made on the warmer side for the cold. People drink this with their meals and sometimes alone.

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A special plate that is served in Colombia on New Years is what is know as "Mom’s Colombian Tamales". These can also be drank along with the Caspiroleta Colombiana which is a hot Colombian punch. These are one of the main dishes served on new years.

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A special plate that is served in Colombia on New Years is what is know as "Mom’s Colombian Tamales". These can also be drank along with the Caspiroleta Colombiana which is a hot Colombian punch. These are one of the main dishes served on new years.

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There are many variations of tamales in Colombia, but they all have something in common and that is that Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombianos) are all wrapped in banana leaves.

I am going to post many types of tamales recipes in my blog but to start let me introduce you the Tamales Antioqueños, from the region Antioquia, my hometown. This tamales recipe is my mom's and they are delicious. Nobody makes them as good as my mother, but these came pretty close :). It is a tradition in my family to make these tamales for Noche Buena, our traditional Christmas Eve celebration, although we eat them year round as well.

Some Colombia tamales variations are: tamales tolimenses, tamales Vallunos, tamales de pescado, tamales de pipian, tamales de Nariño, tamales Santandereanos and there are more. One of the secrets for making good tamales is to marinade the meat overnight.

Ingredients

Marinade

1 large onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

4 scallions, chopped

4 tablespoons ground cumin

3 tablespoons sazon Goya with azafran or Color

Salt

2 cups water

Filling

1 pound pork belly, cut into 12 pieces

1 ½ pounds pork meat, cut into 12 pieces

2 pounds bone in pork ribs, cut into pieces

3 large potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)

1 cup carrots, peeled and diced

Masa

1 pound yellow precooked corn meal (masarepa)

5 cups water

Salt

½ cup marinade

2 tablespoons sazon Goya with azafran or color

Wrapping

2 pounds banana leaves, cut into pieces about 15 inches long

String

Water and Salt to cook the tamales

Directions

1. Place all the marinade ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Reserve ½ cup of the marinade to prepare the masa.

2. In a large plastic bowl place all the meat, add 1 ½ cups of the marinade. Mix well, cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. To prepare the masa: Place the masarepa in a large bowl, add the water, salt, sazon Goya or color and reserved marinade. Mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands.

5. Wash the leaves well with hot water and set aside.

7. To assemble the tamales: Place 1 piece of the leaf on a work surface and place a second leaf on top, pointing in the opposite direction, like forming a cross.

8. Spread ¾ cup of masa in the center of the banana leaves, at the point where they connect and form a cross. Place 1 piece of pork, 1 piece pork belly and 1 piece of rib on top of the masa and place about 1 tablespoon of peas, 1 tablespoon of carrots and 2 tablespoons of potatoes on top of the meat.

9. Fold the banana leaves up, one of the four sides at the time, so that the leaves enclose all of the filling, like you're making a package. Tie with butcher's string. Continue the process until all the tamales are wrapped and tied.

10. Bring a large pot with salted water to a boil. Add the tamales and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove the tamales from the pot and let them sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Cut the stirring and serve in the leaves. Serve hogao on the side if desired.

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Mom's Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombianos de mi Mamá)

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There are many variations of tamales in Colombia, but they all have something in common and that is that Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombianos) are all wrapped in banana leaves. I am going to post many types of tamales recipes in my blog but to start let me introduce you the Tamales Antioqueños, from the region Antioquia, my hometown.

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In this video we can see the four main traditions done by Colombians. Some traditions they do are kind of strange like wearing yellow underwear on new years. It seems strange to us because typically what we do for New Years is dress formally, eat and have a good time with our loved ones. Meanwhile Colombians are more detailed when it comes to celebrating the New Year.

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In this video we can see the four main traditions done by Colombians. Some traditions they do are kind of strange like wearing yellow underwear on new years. It seems strange to us because typically what we do for New Years is dress formally, eat and have a good time with our loved ones. Meanwhile Colombians are more detailed when it comes to celebrating the New Year.

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Last Year I honestly thought it was my year because I had so many blessings. To start of with many people were removed from my life and at the moment I did not understand why but now that I look back I realize that it was destined to happen. Last year I feel was the year I struggled most because I thought I could control everything, and I always had the fear of failing which limited me am my goals. Last year was also the most draining to me because that's when school and life started to get more stressful. I have never felt more stressed in my entire life than I did in the ending of 2019. 2019 was the hardest year because that is the year where I "detoxed" myself. I feel like everything negative that had to happen is left in 2019.

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Last Year I honestly thought it was my year because I had so many blessings. To start of with many people were removed from my life and at the moment I did not understand why but now that I look back I realize that it was destined to happen. Last year I feel was the year I struggled most because I thought I could control everything, and I always had the fear of failing which limited me am my goals. Last year was also the most draining to me because that's when school and life started to get more stressful. I have never felt more stressed in my entire life than I did in the ending of 2019. 2019 was the hardest year because that is the year where I "detoxed" myself. I feel like everything negative that had to happen is left in 2019.

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No matter how stressful and draining last year was I would not change it for the world. Last year taught me that life does not stop for you. If you are stressed keep going if your sad pick yourself up and keep going because if not you will not grow. Last year also taught me that anything is possible if you pour your heart and soul into it. I'm hoping that in 2020 there is nothing but good times with those who I truly love. 

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No matter how stressful and draining last year was I would not change it for the world. Last year taught me that life does not stop for you. If you are stressed keep going if your sad pick yourself up and keep going because if not you will not grow. Last year also taught me that anything is possible if you pour your heart and soul into it. I'm hoping that in 2020 there is nothing but good times with those who I truly love. 

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The steps I will take is set a weight goal and go to the gym to get to where I want to get
Be nicer to my family (more patience) :
In order for this to happen the first step to be taken is realizing that I should treat people the way I would want people to treat me. I also need to think before I speak to not hurt others emotions.

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This song truly relates to me because it reminds me of how far my family and I have come over the past year. It also reminds me of how blessed I am to be where I am.

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This song truly relates to me because it reminds me of how far my family and I have come over the past year. It also reminds me of how blessed I am to be where I am.

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Grupo Codiciado   Gente De Accionar En Vivo 2015

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If you were to ask me how 2019 was I would say tough 100%. It was the HARDEST year that I have ever been through. Last year I did accomplish so many goals but my mind was not healthy. I spent so much time chasing my goals and became so obsessed with wanting to reach them that there came a point in which I forgot why I was doing them. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough and I felt like I could've done so much more. Now that I look back I am so proud of myself because I really did and accomplished what I wanted to. I feel as if 2019 was the year where I got most of the hardest things out of the way and I feel as if 2020 is the year of nothing but happiness and good memories. Something that will always stick with me and that 2019 truly taught me is to keep going and that the only person who can stop you and limit you is YOU.