Forget about Doomsday! It is time to make your New Year's resolution! In the past 12 months, we've shared the excitement of the London Olympics and intense presidential elections. We've also witnessed with a heavy heart both natural and man-made disasters all over the world. This end of the year period offers people a chance to sum up the past and look into the future. Are you ready for 2013? What's your New Year's resolution, and what are you going to do to achieve your new goals? Jiang Jie hits the street to find out.

Corey Smith, bartender, New Zealand

I guess my New Year's resolution is to lose weight. And I'd hope like everyone else, to make more money. Also, I want to have a better job. Not that I don't like what I'm doing, but we all dream of a promotion, right? But most importantly, enjoy life.

Mario Aurino, tourist, Italy

I want to do a lot of things in 2013. The most important one is that I want to go to Africa. I've been traveling a lot. I've been to Japan, Brazil, the United States, France and now I'm visiting my girlfriend in China. But I've never been to Africa. I actually hope my girlfriend can come with me next summer when she is on holiday. Or maybe she will pay me a visit in Milan.

Ren Dan, student, China

Honestly speaking, I don't want to go to Africa, but I'd love to visit Italy, where my boyfriend (Mario Aurino, above) came from. So my New Year's resolution is only one goal: save up enough money to go to Italy. I'll also have to make a better plan on how to get a part-time job and such. I don't often have a New Year's resolution, because I seldom stick to it. I believe in my birthday wishes instead.

Leonard Shorts, teacher, USA

I don't have any New Year's resolution, because it's stupid. Nobody does it. I stopped thinking about resolutions years ago, because you never follow through them. You know what the busiest month of the year is for gyms? January. Everybody resolves to be in better shape. But then they realize how boring it is and stop going there. Besides, I like myself. What am I going to change? I only wish the new year can be better than the last one.

Kim Westwood, furniture dealer, Canada

Personally, I want to learn some Chinese. I at least want to make sure I can use simple everyday Chinese for better communication. Also, I'm hoping to make better commitments to my personal goals. It means that I wish for whatever I'm working on to be fruitful. I sincerely hope for a better world in terms of the economic situation where all people can find better hope and are able to work hard for their aspirations.

Jonathan Stevens, banker, UK

I don't usually believe in New Year's resolutions or wishes. But as I look back now, I'd have to say that 2012 wasn't my best year. Loads of things didn't go well or as I wished, and it took me an awful long time to do things in terms of my career. I just wish 2013 can treat me better and I can get a bit luckier than this 2012.