December 2011 @ Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach, California

2011 was an extraordinary year. As the New Year approached, I found myself uncertain—unsure what to do or where to go. The idea of celebrating didn’t initially appeal to me. But at the last moment, I made up my mind to step out for a walk. A quick online search revealed that Downtown Long Beach was hosting a large fireworks display and street party to ring in the New Year. That sealed my decision.

Long Beach, situated along the southern Pacific coast of Los Angeles, is known for its sprawling beaches and vibrant port—one of the top ten busiest in the world. It’s also a major terminal for long-distance cruise ships, drawing in countless tourists year-round. Among its gems, Rainbow Harbor stands out as one of the most picturesque spots.

Just before the sun dipped below the horizon, the harbor shimmered with reflected light—fiery reds and golds rippling across the water and mingling with the silhouettes of docked ships. It was a fleeting, harmonious moment.

As dusk settled in, the harbor took on a rare stillness. The final sunset of 2011 painted the sky in soft hues, mirrored on the water’s surface. Gradually, the nearby restaurants and entertainment venues came to life, bustling with energy and anticipation. Dolphins, ever the symbol of the harbor, marked its welcome presence.

The sun finally disappeared, casting the lighthouse and distant palm trees in the gentle afterglow of twilight. Night swept over the harbor, bringing with it a different charm. The lighthouse began to cycle through a palette of colors, and the Ferris wheel became a glowing, spinning top under the lens of a long-exposure shot.

But just as the clock approached 9 PM—and with it, the eagerly awaited fireworks—the night took an unexpected turn. A heavy fog rolled in, possibly the thickest of the year, blanketing the harbor just ten minutes before the show. The sky swallowed the display before it began. Crowds pressed behind guardrails let out sighs and groans of disappointment, left only with the kaleidoscope of mist and ambient light.

And yet, within moments, the mood shifted. People laughed, turned toward each other, and embraced the New Year with warmth and cheer. That swift recovery reminded me of something important: the optimism and resilience of the American spirit—something truly worth learning from.