Bermudians don't want much for 2009, just a little peace, love and understanding.That was the word in an informal The RoyalGazette lifestyle e-mail poll.

We asked: 'what were your personal triumphs and heartbreaks of 2008'; 'what did you worry about in 2008' and 'what are your hopes for 2009'?

Hamilton mayor Sutherland Madeiros said, "The worst times of 2008 for me, was to witness people who had been trusted with confidential information, to betray that trust for their own personal gain."

But he said he did not worry about things he could not change.

"I hope that Hamilton merchants are able to stay afloat until regular cruise ship callers are again coming into Hamilton on a weekly basis," he said.

"I also hope that next year we will see the end of the worldwide economic crisis and that stability becomes the norm.

"In addition, I hope that my family and I continue to be blessed with good health."

Lisa Woodley, training officer for Education Services, said: "The worst thing about 2008 was witnessing the dilemma of tragic deaths and murders in Bermuda."

Ms Woodley worried about violence in Bermuda, political rivalry, negative publicity and low morals and self-esteem in the community.

"In 2009, I wish that we could learn how to use verbal dialogue more effectively rather than fists and weapons to mend disputes," she said.

"We no longer know how to talk to each other without raising our voices and tempers to simply make a very basic point."

The best part of the year for Ms Woodley was completing her degree in Healthcare Administration.

She was also proud of having attended the fifth annual Women Who Are Shaping the World Essence Leadership Summit New York City.

"My good friend, Elaine Williams, invited me on a whim to spend a great weekend in NY and attend a life-changing function. Star Jones gave a great speech about her triumphs and tribulations of life and her determination to remain focused and true to herself."

Robyn Larkin, education supervisor at DolphinQuest, also hoped that Bermudians would work together through 2009, a year that is shaping up to be challenging for many.

"We are all in Bermuda together, we are all members of the human race together," she said. "If we help each other out, it will only make the community stronger and more successful."

Brenda Richardson, known for her work with many local charities, worried about crime and violence in the community.

"My biggest worry is about the behaviour of so many of our young people," she said. "It seems as if the innocent smiles have been wiped off their faces. You don't hear laughter and giggles as much as we once did."

Deborah Joell of Sandys Parish said "If hopes could effect reality, I would hope that 2009 would find gentler, more caring people. Maybe in 2009, we will discover that it is so easy to be kind."

Mrs. Joell started offering gourmet cooking classes from her home early in 2008. So far, the classes have been a big hit with the community.

"The overwhelming response to these classes have taken my gourmet cooking skills to yet another level," she said. "My hope for 2009 is to have a local network cooking show aired. I also hope that the situations in the Middle East will find a peaceful solution."2008 will go down in history as the year that Barack Obama was elected president.One of the year's highlights for Mrs. Richardson was actually getting to help on the Obama campaign.

"I worked at his campaign headquarters in Coral Gables, Florida and spent four hours making calls," she said.

One of the downs of 2008 for Mrs. Richardson was trying to buy Jazz Festival tickets and then getting rained on during the performance.

For Marie-Claire Onabowale, president of the Bermuda All Breed Club one of the year's highlights was taking part in the 2008 International Dog Show held at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens.

"I handled and finished four of my own dogs as Bermuda champions," she said. "The worst was the low entries for the Bermuda International Dog Show.

"I hope that we can double our show entries for next year's dog show.

"This year I worried about finding a new venue for next year's dog show because the Botanical Gardens will not be available next year.

"I hope to see more participation by locals in our annual dog show next year."

Travelling was a highlight of the year for many Bermudians.

"I went on a Mediterranean Cruise which I was dreading because I thought I would be sea sick the entire time," said Mrs. Richardson. "It turned out to be one of my most enjoyable experiences ever, plus the friendships which developed during the cruise."

Ashleigh Davis, 25, went on a trip to Utah with her sister ChristinaSmith.

"We went hiking in the Red Mountains every morning, enjoyed cycling and running," she said. "There was no time for Veging on the couch that trip.

"I was extremely proud of my sister because she tackled a level three trail which she jogged up over 1,600 feet and I was able to go rock climbing. I only made it up 70 feet, but boy what a view."

Mrs. Larkin said summer was the best time of 2008.

"I love the beach and being outside," she said. "I specifically remember when we went out with some friends on a catamaran cruise in the summer.

"Seeing Bermuda on such a beautiful day from the water really reminded me how wonderful the island is.

"I try to stop during those moments and really focus on the experience so I can remember it no matter where I am in the world."

In terms of the world financial crisis, Mrs. Larkin said it had been a big worry for her this year.

"There is nothing I can do on a large scale other than to contribute to the local community in ways that I feel will make a difference.

"I hope that tourism will be very successful this year for Bermuda. It is such a great place and I love to share it with visitors to the island.

"I hope that the economy will hit bottom, so we can start moving upward again."

The year has brought its share of happy and sad moments. Chris Gibbons, editorial director of Kaleidoscope Media said he was proud to see his daughter Jessica graduate from high school in June.

"Until you have kids, you take it for granted that they will sail through high school and go on to university and whatever life has in store for them.

"I was not prepared for how emotional this rite of passage was and how proud I was of my daughter's achievement at having done so in a foreign boarding school environment.

"I was equally proud of her being accepted to study Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art & Design."

The year had its share of sad moments. Writer Beverley Causey-Smith is recovering from a stroke.

"My worst moment was having a body stroke in the sea at Clearwater Beach in latter July," said Mrs. Causey-Smith. "Fortunately, a friend of my teenage daughter swam with me and helped me ashore. Truly one should never swim alone."

Another bad time for Ms Causey-Smith was losing her beloved Boston terrier,Isabelle.

ManyBermudians did charitable work in 2008. The high for David Thompson was leading a group of Bermudians in a Habitat for Humanity Build in Guatemala.

"We had built for six straight days, everyone was very tired and ready to go and have some rest and relaxation.

"We had completed two of our five houses with the remaining three needing to have their floors concreted so the windows and doors could go in before handing the keys to the owners.

"Saturday evening I made a speech to the volunteer students asking if they would give up their Sunday to complete the job. I felt terrible as they had worked so hard all week in very hot conditions.

"Every day the temperatures were over 105 degrees Fahrenheit.It would rain and the bugs constantly annoyed us.

"Every one of those students willingly volunteered to work an extra shift on Sunday to get those three remaining homes completed. I was so proud of those students and had tears in my eyes."

Trudy Snaith's community efforts were closer to home. This year Mrs.Snaith ran an etiquette class for children at the HamiltonPrincess at Christmas time.

"My hope for 2009 is that people become more aware of the power of civility and courtesy," said Mrs. Snaith.

"Taking the time to consider the feelings of others, before we interact with them will go a long way towards making life a more pleasant experience.

"And just think, it costs us not one single cent. It seems that the normal reaction to an act of kindness is surprise isn't that strange?"

She said her best times during 2008, were those spent with her family.

"This is something that cannot be replaced and I feel sorry for people who squander this valuable gift," she said. "It has been my experience that before people leave this earth they often realise their mistake and by then, what they have thrown away cannot be replaced."