The holidays are ending, and so is 2011. As celebrations wind down, we brace ourselves for a new beginning in 2012. As we look back at what this year has brought us, The Sacramento Press asked those in Sacramento how they’ll be remembering this year.

David Cruz (Image by: Ellen Dominguez)
David Cruz, 32, lives in Marysville. His first New Year’s resolution is to not break the following resolutions: stay healthy through more bike riding, “put himself out there” at work and to spend more time with his kids. Cruz said this was the first year his family had a Christmas tree, and called it his “first real Christmas in five years.”

On New Year’s Eve, Cruz said, he plans to try and keep his kids awake at midnight so that they can watch the ball drop together.

Rainbow Prince (Image by: Ellen Dominguez)
Rainbow Prince, 37, also said she plans to watch TV with the kids on New Year’s. Her new year’s resolutions are to be more organized, patient, and a better mother.

“My favorite memory of this year? Going to Great America and spending time with the children. We had a season pass and went there a lot.”

Derek Fong (Image by: Ellen Dominguez)
Derek Fong, 19, is a Sacramentan who said he’ll remember 2011 as the year he got his first job. His New Year’s plans are to stay up all night partying with friends.

“My New Year’s resolutions… hope the world doesn’t end, and do what I can to keep it from ending.”


Ketcia Hawkins (Image by: Ellen Dominguez) Ketcia Hawkins, a 46-year-old Sacramentan, said her New Year’s resolutions are to keep striving for what she’s striving for: eat healthy and stay financially stable.

“I’m going to remember doing well in school,” Hawkins said. “I got good grades and raised my GPA to a 4.0 this year. I’ll also remember helping people. I’ve been giving food to the needy.”

Hawkins said that she’s thankful for everything she has. To celebrate on New Year’s, she plans to take a trip to Reno to see her grandkids.

Darlene Bumpus (Image by: Ellen Dominiguez)
Darlene Bumpus, 20, lives in West Sacramento and resolves to find a new job sometime next year. She also plans to go back to school so she can learn how to work with special needs kids. She said she’ll remember 2011 for the “Occupy” protests.

“New Year’s Eve is my birthday,” Bumpus said, “so I’ll probably get money from my parents and go shopping.”

What are your New Year’s resolutions? What will you remember 2011 for? Share this with us in the comments below.