Welcome to the year 4707!!!

Tomorrow will be the first day of the Chinese New Year. The zodiac sign of this year is the ox. "The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

Ox people need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

People born under the influence of the Ox are kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Security is their main preoccupation in life, and they are prepared to toil long and hard in order to provide a warm, comfortable and stable nest for themselves and their families. Strong-minded, stubborn, individualistic, the majority are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do.

The Ox works hard, patiently, and methodically, with original intelligence and reflective thought. These people enjoy helping others. Behind this tenacious, laboring, and self-sacrificing exterior lies an active mind.

The Ox is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes them nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.

Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience. They are reputed to be the most beautiful of face in the zodiac. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new. People born in the year of the Ox make wonderful parents and teachers of children.

It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them." (Wiki)

Traditionally, the day before the new year, everyone cleans their houses, ancestor shrines, etc. They believe this will cleanse the places from all bad spirits. Even though I had a huge headache I decided that I was going to clean my room. Hopefully I scared away the bad spirits with my vacuum cleaner. Heaven knows I don't need any more bad spirits in the new year!

The first day of Chinese New Year is usually celebrated with the family. Several natives of China will make the trek home to see families. During this time food is eaten and li cee (money in a red pocket) is given out. My own family does this but we usually do it on a weekend. Our family gathers together and eats at LEAST a 9 course meal (7 and 8 are bad luck according to my dad). Unfortunately this year I only made it to the 7th course since my headache was so severe. It was still amazing food and I was thankful that I have the dad that I do.

This year I threw a party for my friends and family to celebrate the New Year. We ate food and set off loud fireworks to scare away evil spirits (another tradition). I wore my cheung sam (traditional Chinese dress) and found that I was a bit more American than I used to be. I'll have to go purchase a new dress for next year. Hopefully I can find one that fits a full chest and full hips (My Caucasian family is from Texas! They do everything bigger there so naturally I'm bigger).

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar year, there is a Lantern Festival. I've never celebrated this festival due to lack of knowledge of it. According to somewhat reliable internet sources (*cough*Wiki*cough*), the latern festival is meant to view the full moon in all it's glory and splendor. Traditionally people also eat rice-gluten balls called tangyuan. Mmm! Another tradition is to solve riddles that are found on the lanterns. I think I will attempt to celebrate Lantern Festival this year! At the very least I will go out and appreciate the moon.

The Lantern Festival is the end all event. After this the New Year has been properly celebrated. You've made your prayers at temples, you've gotten together with your living family, you've shared gifts of money, you've eaten lots of good eats, you've done several things to scare away all those evil spirits, you've looked at the moon and appreciatedit's splendor and glory, etc etc etc. What an awesome way to bring in a New Year.

So! All that's left for me to do is wish you a Happy New Year!!!

Gong hay fat choy! Gung xi fa cai!!