It’s a new year

It’s a new year… huh, a new year, a new start…

Amazing!

I went to Ecuador for new years and it was absolutely incredible! As part of the new year tradition all the people of the country build an effigy of themselves or someone they would like to cleanse themselves of for the new year and at midnight, they burn the effigy. It was amazing! All the streets of Quito filled with bonfires of people cleaning themselves of negative habits and behaviors, starting new.

My girlfriends and I spent the evening running around the streets in masks and building our own effigy. We filled the doll with notes to ourselves; notes that expressed the things we wished to move beyond in 2009, and joined in the ember-filled fun. What a way to begin the calender.

So as a lovely, welcome to the new year, I encourage each of you to make a list of the things you wish to overcome and burn the shit out of it!
YAHOOOOOOOOOO!
xo
allison

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  • http://deleted Robin

    Hi Allison and All,

    HaHa..Well the people of Equador seem to have a much more theatrical method to celebrate the new year than many places, what a way to express your own renewal – sounds like a brilliant experience!

    It’s all about having a moment of reflection on our own thoughts and actions from the past year and looking to the unknown year ahead – what each of us could do and the places we could visit.

    Don’t know about the burning but will attempt to make a list of all those parts of me that I wish to change…it could be a very long list mind!
    I’m glad you had such a fantastic time with your friends and I hope 2009 brings you much joy, success and happiness!

    Dare to dream and act on those dreams…

    Take care all!

  • http://www.daybow.com David Hayes

    Can’t I just let the effigy take over for me and burn myself? That would be so much easier and likely to result in an improvement.

  • http://www.myspace.com/marvin_shyguy MaRviN

    your new start…in smallville (legion) woow, fantastic,amazing…that this new year will be much better for you Allison and start since zero=)
    a hug from Ensenada,B.C., Mexico

  • Jade Ruby

    Hi Allison,

    I’m glad that you had a good time! As for new year, I making a new start, and will continue the improvements on myself that folks at a distance insist is too damn slow for them! Well here’s to what’s new and what’s different for 2009.

  • Neil

    Glad to see you had some fun on your vacation. I’m also glad you didn’t “die” on the new episode of Smallville. Take that Brainiac!! Keep on rockin’ in the New Year!

    Neil

  • Robert

    Hi Allison
    I’m glad you and your friends had a great new year. looking back over 2008 the one thing I would like to change about myself at least for 2009, is that I seem to have grown to dependent on my current comfort zone. I don’t seem to take enough risks, I think at the moment that’s the only thing I want to move beyond at least thats the only thing i can think of right now.:)

    Burning things eh sounds like a fire starters paradise.

  • Robert

    P.S.
    There should also be a gigle or a smile there.;)

  • Lydia

    I’m happy you had such an amazing holiday and experience.

    I’ve kicked off the new year with inner peace, joy and determination, I’ve set myself goals and I’ve committed myself to live my best life and to continue working towards a better self. It’s a happy and empowering feeling!:-)

    PS:
    the new season 8 promo pics…you look absolutely stunningly gorgeous!
    your performances as Chloiac were beyond outstanding! it was a delight to see you on screen
    and I’m relieved and happy that lovely Chloe is back:-)

  • Bruce

    Here’s to new frontiers for everyone in 2009!

  • http://www.myspace.com/fridayphilosopher The Friday Philosopher!

    Fire you say!

    Well ok, but my probation officer might not like it!

    :)

    Glad you had a great holiday.

    Friday

  • Gazu

    You should come to Macchu Picchu – Peru next new years…
    LL

  • Rachel531

    Hmmm, do you know where I could get my hands on a full size Trojan Horse because I think I might need one that big to house all the pieces of paper containing things I want to change for the new year! :)

    Welcome Back Allison! I saw the pics that Kristin shared and it looked awesome…

    Rachel

  • taylor nikole

    and apparently saw blue footed boobies…
    ohh the birds :D
    haha

  • http://www.myspace.com/analfabeta Gnome

    Indeed is a New Year!!!

    Its great to know that you had fun.

    I spent my New Years pretty close to you: at Peru.

    My last day of 2008 I spent in a fullday backpacking at Machu Picchu!!!
    Taking off the part that I forgot my camera… everything was perfect!
    My friends and I buried a personal belong at the citadel as a way to leave the OLD behind and move ahead for a great NEW YEAR!!

    We plan to get back there after 10years to see if the stuff are still there….

    At night, we went back to Cusco for New Year’s eve celebration.

    That was cold, rainning, but we had a lot of human warmth!!

    At midnight everyone get a running around the principal square. Now imagine doing that at 3399m height… Almost painfull.

    After running like hell and making some friends in the process I just had the stupid idea of swimming at the fountain with them…

    Even freezing, and affraid of the crazy fireworks, I stayed till the morning, singing and dancing songs that I’ve never heard of, in a language that I hardly speak and drinking a lot of “Pisco Sour” and our famous new drink named “Pequenho”.

    Maaaan I totally reloaded!!!

    I have some pics at myspace in case someone wants to take a look.

    Once again..
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

  • jennygirl

    I would like to get rid of the fear of “clubbing”.

  • Brittany

    Allison!!! Good to hear from you! That is one totally aweosme way to celebrate the new year! I’m very happy you had wonderful holidays with your friends! It’s my sweet 16 today so I’m having a huge party! I’m really excited! In French class we had to write a text about who was our idol and why. I picked you. You don’t know how much you’ve influenced me to be a better person and do really cool new things! So thank-you! I can’t wait to see the legion episode!!!!! I hope Chloe will be saved in the nick of time by Clark!
    Well I wish you a wonderful new year and I hope all your dreams and wishes come true!
    Much love & support,
    Brittany XOXOXO
    P.S. Will you be attending the Comic-Con in Winnipeg in the fall?

  • darwin

    I personally have NO fear of clubbing…

    That is what my Jo-staff and Bo-staff are for…

    Although I DO prefer to use my sword…

    Are we still talking about what Allison said concerning beating the…

    Oh!

    She said BURNING!

    Right.

    Nevermind.

  • http://www.myspace.com/analfabeta Gnome

    I don’t have pyrothecnics skills so…….. I stick with the burying thing….

    And maybe I could revive that past later and see if I’m strong enough to face them…

    What can I say? I’m a masochist…

  • Mariana

    hey allison, next time you decided to go to south america, come here to BRAZIL!! hee
    I love you!

  • http://silverjadestars.blogspot.com/ Mari

    That actually sounds like a beautiful tradition that promotes a positive outlook for the future. How awesome!

  • MarilyneL

    haha! @ Allison and Taylor Nikole:
    Ecuador uh?…hum…I thought I had seen this before…now I knew that I knew who the “fiancée” was :P
    I hope your list completely vanished into smoke! Yeah!

  • http://www.myspace.com/elhaunted Edgar

    Listening to Deep Purple’s “Burn” and hopeful that Tuesday will be start of something beautiful …

  • taylor nikole

    yeah she gave us a list… and binks was like
    hmmm who has the masters degrees…
    and who has the engagement
    im like
    *shrugs*
    only she would notice
    haha

  • Aysha

    Hey Allison,

    That experience must have been so amazing and liberating for you and everyone else who was burning his/her “old selves.”

    I agree with Rachel: I would need a Trojan horse to fill my notes in of things I want to change about myself and the world.

    But, the number one thing on my list is to gain more control over my emotions – they seem to overpower me and drown me!

    Great to hear from you, Allison.

    -Aysha

  • Kathy

    Good for you for vowing to make changes in your life for 2009. I have a tendency to let my New Year’s resolutions go around February, which is usually right around when Lent starts, so then I can feel horribly guilty.

    Maybe I should write this down and burn it…

  • Ashley

    lol, pictures are worth a thousand words. Any pictures of you in masks running around?? :D

    It’s good to see you.
    I had thought I brought a curse.

    My list:

    * Keep my friends!! Damnit, college is tough. Every semester, a friend leaves. And I have met some really wonderful people. I can’t allow myself to let them go.

    *Get in shape. I need some damn energy. I have none and definitely need it if I want to succeed in my career. Seriously, Allison, where do you get your energy?

    And Happy Birthday Brittany!

  • http://www.matt-tucker.com/blog/ Tucker

    What a fabulous idea! I think I’m gonna have to do that every New Year’s now.

  • http://www.rate.ee/users/dreamwalker Dream_Walker

    Ecuador…..wow, thats so cool :D Yeah, every New Years i always look back to year thats passed and see where i am, what i achieved and what ive become. Its good to have these flashbacks i think, cause then i can reassess everything i want to change, and so i set myself that as goal for new year to achieve :D Leave all bad behind, try to reach new and more lushous goals… Lifes so fast lately its the only time in years it seems u can take small pause ^_^

    Glad to hear U had cheerful Year change Allison :D Cheers!!! DW

  • http://blog.allisonmack.com/2009/01/10/an-amazing-yoko-ono-quote/#comments Matthew

    Im really not sure everything will fit, theres a lot of things i would change. Anyways good luck too everybody in your quests for purity. :)

  • Jennifer

    Sounds like you had a great time in Ecuador Allison. I really like their new year tradition. I’m totally going to make a list of things I want to move beyond in 2009 and do like you said “Burn the Shit out of it!” What fun that will be.

    You were amazing in Legion. Your performances just keep getter better and better. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you came back this season. <3

  • Brittany

    Thank-you Ashley! MarylineL & Taylor: Allison is engaged?

  • taylor nikole

    no one said that brittany…
    marylineL was taking a guess
    haha
    i was saying alot of people were trying
    to guess and asking around…
    lol
    im just saying its funny as to how many people are hyped up about kristins post haha

  • Loz

    Glad to here you had a good new year in Ecuador, I spend the new year with my friends and then straight after went to Jasper, Canada skiing. It was amazing i just love Canada, it’s so beautiful, but i find summer prettier.
    My new years revolutions are
    1)read more.
    2)brush all my long haired dogs once a week.
    3)get a better figure.
    4)Follow my father’s footsteps and give more to charities.
    5)Keep riding and gain control of 16.3 Elliott and 14.1 Ezzie (mad as a hatter)!
    6)keep going shopping.
    7)stand up more for what i believe in.
    8) HAVE FUN!!

    Hope you have a great 2009 and just remember to SMILE!
    Cheesey i know!

  • http://www.myspace.com/shinefloyd_luigi shinefloyd / luigi

    Great!
    Congrats Allison!
    and welcome to South America.
    Thanks God…. “El Sur también existe”…

    Allison Mack in Ecuador…… and Robert Duvall ( do you remember “The Godfather” ?)… here in Uruguay at Punta del Este.

    Happy new year.
    best wishes, take care.

  • http://www.myspace.com/shinefloyd_luigi shinefloyd / luigi

    aahhhh…
    about that tradition…. it’is like a Kuji In or Kuji kiri tradition… but without dolls and fire… only writing the things and wishes (positive and negative), and having a Kuji In mediation… before the last day of the year.

    I had my first experience just… December 22 of 2008.
    I am waiting…for the little changes.

  • Maria

    YES IT IS!!!! I feel so overwhelmed with the feeling of that!!! It’s a new year for neew experiences,adventures, lessons. And I can’t wait!!

    b.t.w welcome back allison!!

  • Gilles Belanger

    hey allison and all its great to see ur back allison writing ur blogs and hope every1 is starting the new year off real well. i just wanna try to get back into sports again because its been a very long time since ive dont that and of course just keeping myself on the good line like i always do :) thats my main goals for 2009.

    tty all later.

    Gilles :)

  • Scott123

    I knew it! I knew it! Running around! *sighs* seriously though, That sounds so cool. I envy your adventure. The Andes are filled with folklore. I’m glad it was such a positive experience for you. pictures?

    Your friend in voyage envy,
    scott123

  • http://arulchandrana.wordpress.com arul ch

    (wow, i’m nervous!)
    my god! i never thought i can get in touch with you, chloe, thats amazing! too amazing to say (i’m an indonesian, so, i wont be angry if you want to laugh at my english, ha 6x my friend said my english is broken)

    well, its the very very very very first time i get in touch with an actrees, and it’s you! not an indonesian or asian artist, but you, my favorite smalvile actres! greeeeeeeat!

    so, you like writing? i’ve been dreaming to be an author (as great as daniel quinn), but up to now, none of my writings were publiushed! isnt it great? he 7x

    i’ll be absolutely very happy (and may pass out) if u’d like to send me email and visit my blog (i guarantee, if u visit my blog u’ll experience the real lost in translation. jut try)

    well, i am veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happy! have u publishewd the latest daily planet? lol

  • http://bubbalou.deviantart.com Lou

    Dammer. Wish I had that much fun on New Year’s Eve/Day :/

  • Jade Ruby

    They tell me I wasn’t supposed to have that much fun.

  • http://Allisonmack.com Smallvillekent

    Allison, I am glad you had A good new year in Ecuador with Kristin and ther girls.My new year was a little quiet compared to that. Looking foward to your directing Smallville. Glad your back!! Peter

  • paul

    Ecuador… wow, that’s adventurous! Like China, not exactly the most common tourist destination.

  • Silvia

    Hi Allison,

    Other cultures and traditions are usually amazing. However, to burn one’s effigy to get rid of negative habits or behaviours, may sound too easy for some us. Still there’s a nice tradition and thought behind it and for some people it works because they believe devoutly in it. Besides, if you want to know if something works, give it an honest try. I guess you’ll soon know whether it works for you or not.

    “…I encourage each of you to make a list of the things you wish to overcome and burn the shit out of it!” – I think the astounding point about such things is the liberating feeling after burning a photo, letter, effigy or whatsoever. I love doing such things every now and then. Sometimes it works, however, it’s always fun. Nevertheless there’s some work to do in order to get rid of bad behaviours or habits in the long run.

    xo
    Silvia

  • http://www.myspace.com/malleable_me Krystal

    Sounds like a rockin’ Mack Event if you ask me!

    My friend just recently lost his mother right before the new year. He is going through so much emotionally. I suggested that we do this after I read your post. We are going to make a big event of it. I am pumped! If it can help him mend a little, it will be well worth it.

    I also just resigned from a secure and stable position in the band room to pursue some of my crazy passionate dreams that are going to prove to offer far less “stability” in my life. I think that the theme of this last year for me was that (unlike I have always thought) responsibility and success do not offer happiness. Reaching for what you are passionate about…that is where it’s at. Now, I might end up completely broke and broken in the process, but I will be able to say that I went for it. That I tried! Isn’t that what life is all about? Living…rather than existing comfortably?

    I think I got off topic….=)

  • Melissa

    Hi!! So glad you enjoyed your new year in Ecuador….so close to the country I was born:Peru!! I spent new year in Belgium….here there is no much of celebrating, everybody eats at 5 in the afternoon then go to sleep, it’s like a normal day. In Peru everybody get together, eat, and at 12 o’clock everybody gets out of their house and start burning like old big dolls, and then there are a lot of fireworks, and the best part is that is summer!!! New year is always fantastic in Peru. I miss Peru so much, and my friends also, but I’m glad that here in Belgium I have my aun, uncle, cousin and grandmother. This was the first new year that I spent far away from my parents, brother and sister and rest of my family, I felt a little sad, but it made my realize that not everywhere I go my family is gonna be there.

  • Brittany

    Hey! Thanks Taylor. Kristin’s post? Kristen kreuk?

  • Carles

    Happy New Year Allison and all the comunity!

    I am happy to read about you again and I am happy you enjoyed your hollidays. When I see you don’t post in some weeks I was thinking you are in a voyage and I hope you enjoy it. A friend of mine have family on Ecuador.
    I never take a plain, and I don’t feel good with the idea of fly.

    I hope to you a good year full of happiness in personal life and full of opotunities and new challenges in you profesional life, and more important that enjoy it.

    These hollidays I see many epsisodes of my DVDs of Smallville specialy season 6 I don’t see before. One day I see 6 o 7 without interruption. Can you believe? I know is not a great adventure but I enjoyed it.

    What thinks about myself I want change in 2009? I don’t know probaly much. But one think and most important is that I want give more of myself to people arround me, specialy my family and friends. If I was in Ecuador I burn my years as a tenage self centred but I supose anyone think the same.

    I enjoy very much your block. These day you don’t post I read some of the past posting because I discovered you page some two moths ago.

    I can wait for the next post.

    Regards from your unconditional great admirer

    Carles

  • Brittany

    Taylor Nikole..can you add me on myspace? I already sent you a message but just to clarify that its me. Ohh and when and where did Kristin post? Does she have a blog? I know she has Girls By Design with Kendra Voth on Myspace! I added them as friends!
    Britt

  • Sherann Johnson

    sounds like a plan!

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