Goodbye 2012, we’re glad to see you go. Here’s to 2013

President Barack Obama wipes away a tear while making a statement about the shooting in Connecticut.

Every year comes with a handful of the good, the bad and the downright weird. There are certain things that make 2012 easy to say goodbye to. Here’s why we’re happy this year is over and what we have to look forward to in 2013.

Natural disasters

This past year, the whole world faced catastrophic natural disasters. In the United States alone floods, tornadoes and hurricanes devastated many. The East Coast is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Sandy, which hit at the end of October.

Politics

Every election year the nation obsesses over the next leader. The debates get heated and campaigning gets ugly, to the point where Americans get sick of hearing about the election. Now that President Barack Obama was re-elected, we’re happy to not have to sit through another presidential debate for another four years.

Mass shootings

Enough with the mass shootings, already. 2012 saw more shooting massacres than any one of us could handle. From the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, to the shooting at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin and most recently the massacre of 26 people, including 20 children in Newtown, Connecticut, the issue is getting out of hand. While there are always more than one reason an event like this occurs, it’s time to get the conversation going on how to stop them from happening again in the future.

New year, new beginnings

A new year is always a great time for a fresh start. That’s why we make resolutions, right?

You never know what the New Year may bring, but here are some things we’re looking forward to in 2013.

Inauguration

While the election season was exhausting, it’s will be nice to mark the official re-election of President Barack Obama.

Royal baby

Sometime next year – we’re guessing late summer or early fall – the world will welcome the royal baby. Kate Middleton and Prince William announced the Duchess’ pregnancy in December. Despite the drama surrounding Kate’s hospitalization, it’s no doubt the new baby will bring much joy to the world.