Kung Hei Fat Choi! (Happy New Year!) 2009 is year of the OX

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

The Chinese calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles and thus the new year falls on a different day of the Western solar calendar each year.

Year Ahead:
The OX year is a conservative year, one of traditions and values. This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year.

This OX year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.

This is a year of Harvest - when we reap what we have sown. Take care of business this year, do not let things slide.
People Born in the Year of the OX:

Characteristics:
People Born in the Year of the OX are stable, strong, dutiful, reliable, tenacious, practical, industrious, determined, honest, loyal, sincere, persevering and down to earth and tolerant. They can sometimes be lonely but they form firm bonds with home and family. The OX people cherish their private lives and are not usually very adventurous. They can be loners. They know the way to succeed is by a slow, steady, sustained effort. OX people are great traditionalists, they like the familiar.

Click Here to find out what Animal sign you were born under:

http://www.earthyfamily.com/chineseZodiac.htm

2009 Forcast for different animal signs in the Year of the OX:

If you were born in the year of the RAT
This year is a stable year for family life and will be a joyful year. Career wise the rats will take on more responsibilities and will feel the pressure of the extra duties. A good year of steady progress.

If you were born in the year of the TIGER:
This is the year for keeping a low profile, tigers. Because of the slow pace of the OX year, it will be a frustrating time for you. You like things to be move quicker, you will need to show restraint.

If you were born in the year of the RABBIT:
The year of the OX is well suited to the rabbit nature. The slower pace of this year will see you spending more time with friends and family. A good year to upgrade your home, or for buying or selling a house.

If you were born in the year of the Dragon:
In business and in romance your word for this year is integrity. Keep your head down and you will make steady progress this year. Established relationships will be comfortable and easy during this year of the OX. A slow but sure progress will be made.

If you were born in the year of the SNAKE:
A very good year for Snakes! The steady pace of the OX year is well suited to the snake person. Act on an opportunity - this is your year.

If you were born in the year of the HORSE:
Although you are rearing to surge ahead, this is another year of caution for the horse. Not a good year to strike out in new directions, consolidate your positions instead. On the brighter side, Love will bring comfort this year.

If you were born in the year of the SHEEP:
The Ox is the direct opposite of the sheep, therefore expect challenges in all areas this year. Keep a low profile.

If you were born in the year of the MONKEY:
This is a year of moderate progress for monkeys. Work will slow down this year allowing the monkey more personal time. It also allows for quality time with friends and family.

If you were born in the year of the ROOSTER:
Great opportunities for rooster this year. A good time to recoup losses. You will make great progress at work, reaping rewards of your labor. Emotional ties bring joy. Your prestige and reputation increase.

If you were born in the year of the DOG:
A year for dogs to keep a low profile. Put more attention into matters at home, spending quality time with loved ones. The simple pleasures will bring happiness this year.

If you were born in the year of the PIG:
A year for the pig to follow his/her instinct, laying foundations for the future. This is a bright and hopeful year for the pig. Do not take unnecessary risks though.

Celebrating Chinese New Years.

The days before Chinese New Year’s are spent thoroughly cleaning and decorating the home (often with red banners, as red is considered especially auspicious), preparing special foods, getting a haircut and mending old clothes. Everything is meant to look fresh and new to set the tone of the coming year.

Red is said to be the luckiest color and most celebrants decorate their homes with red banners and dress in red for the celebrations.

Chinese New Year Ideas for celebrating:
Host a Chinese potluck and invite your friends and family over to celebrate the Chinese New Year with you. Be sure to decorate your home with red!

If there is a large Chinese community in your town or city, check to see what will be going on. Often dragon dances, parades and other festivities are scheduled and open to the public. Check your local listings or contact the local Chinese cultural center or cultural association. The bright and open celebrations are not to be missed!

Red paper scrolls: Chun lian are special Chinese couplets, often written on red paper, which are hung outside the front door of houses and businesses. The sayings are meant to bring luck and fortune to the dwelling for the coming year.

Check out the following pages to learn more about chun lian and how to write a common Chinese verses in the beautiful Chinese calligraphy:

http://www.chinapage.com/duilian/chunlian0.html
http://www.chinatown-online.co.uk/pa...s_newyear.html
http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/new_year_g.html

Red Packets - Hongbao, or red packets filled with money, are given to children on Chinese New Year’s by parents, grandparents, friends and other relatives to symbolize luck and wealth. Making red packets is a fun family activity that is easy enough for even young kids and a couple of dollars put into each makes them a well-received gift.

Check out the following page for directions on how to make them:
http://www.chinatown-online.co.uk/pa...ss_packet.html

Paper Lanterns The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year’s) lasts for 15 days and is marked at the end of it by the lantern festival (Yunxiao). Celebrating the first full moon of the year, paper lanterns were traditionally carried into the streets for a community parade and were often accompanied by fabulous folk dances, including the dragon dance. Try making paper lanterns to hang around your home as part of your Chinese New Year’s celebrations.

Directions can be found at:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cra...wyear/lantern/

~Kisses.

HTG

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

So I guess no one is excited about 2009? Rolf

~Kisses.

HTG

[ef9hatchman]

So I guess no one is excited about 2009? Rolf

~Kisses.

HTG

Its a day closer to death?

Do you believe the mayan calender talk?

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

Mayan calendar? What is that about?!?

~Kisses.

HTG

[ef9hatchman]

Mayan calendar? What is that about?!?

~Kisses.

HTG

I believe if im not wrong it ends in 2012 And the say is that the world will end december 2012

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

Oh Hell NOOOOOO!!! That's the year I plan to settle down.. lol J/k

~Kisses.

HTG

[ef9hatchman]

Oh Hell NOOOOOO!!! That's the year I plan to settle down.. lol J/k

~Kisses.

HTG

Lol.
Hara Whats with the sig?
2012 my trusts end

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

I just love that movie!

~Kisses.

HTG

[ef9hatchman]

I just love that movie!

~Kisses.

HTG

and what movie is it?

[Hara_Juku Tgirl]

Closer.

~Kisses.

HTG