Chinese New Year

Today is Chinese New Year. Its the year of the ox. I thought I would blog a little about it. It fall anywhere between the end of January to the beginning of February. It begins on the first day of the first lunar moon. The story behind of how the years got named after the animals varies, so I'll share the one I know. There were 12 animals that wanted the new year named after them. They kept arguing so the king decided to have a race. The first one to cross the river would have the year named after it. The ox was strong and in the lead, but the rat climbed on his back and at the edge of the river jumped off the ox's head and won. So that year was named after the rat, and the next year was named after the ox, and so on.
It's said that your personality matches the animal that you were named in so here's their traits and years...

RAT(that's me!)1948,1960,1972,1984,1996,2008-Forthright, disciplined, systematic, meticulous, charismatic, hardworking, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, shrewd.
OX1949,1961,1973,1985,1997,2009-Dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious.
TIGER1950,1962,1974,1986,1998-Unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, generous.
RABBIT1951,1963,1975,1987,1999-Gracious, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, astute, compassionate, flexible.
DRAGON1952,1964,1976,1988,2000-Magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, zealous, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, ambitious, generous, loyal.
SNAKE1953,1965,1977,1989,2001-Deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, ambitious, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, purposeful.
HORSE1954,1966,1978,1990,2002-Cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded.
RAM1955,1967,1979,1991,2003-Righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, shy, artistic, creative, gentle, compassionate, understanding, mothering, determined, peaceful, generous, seeks security.
MONKEY1956,1968,1980,1992,2004-Inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, factual, intellectual.
ROOSTER1957,1969,1981,1993,2005-Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible.
DOG1958,1970,1982,1994,2006-Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate.
PIG1959,1971,1983,1995,2007-Honest, simple, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, trusting, sincere, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, intelligent.