by PenRei
Hello readers! Sorry it has been so long. This blog seems to have fallen on the side in the craziness that is my life.
I’ll be honest as to why I haven’t been contributing as much lately. It’s quite simple actually. Before November 21st, I had a desk job as a production coordinator that allowed me to write my blog slowly between tasks over the span of 4 hours. Writing an entry was a welcomed 5 minute distraction every 30 minutes to help refresh my brain and practice my writing. My job today still involves computers, but 4 of them and none of them have the internet. During my 9 hour shift, I only have the chance to log onto the internet for about 1 hour a day. That’s not enough time to write a blog entry, especially when you factor in eating your lunch. On top of that, I am an especially bad blogger since my life has recently been filled with physical activities, social events, and visiting friends. I don’t find myself particularly motivated to spend 2 hours writing an entry in the very little time I have to myself in front of my computer.
I know that these might all seem like lame excuses to not continue a blog, but I figured I’d just be honest with you. There are already too many lies in the world. So from here on, I’ll try to at least post once a week. That shouldn’t be too hard… right?
What shall I blog about today? The upcoming Chinese New Year!
On Monday January 23rd, it will officially be the year of the dragon in the Chinese calendar. For one more day, we are in the year of the rabbit (mine and Nomes’), and I can personally say that it’s been a good year for me. So long rabbit year! We’ll meet again in 12 years.
For those of you who didn’t know, the Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals, each one occupying a year. The full cycle thus takes 12 years to complete.
12 Chinese zodiac signs
On top of the 12 animal signs, there is also the traditional Chinese agricultural calendar, better known to others as the lunar calendar. Basically, this means that your animal sign can also have an elemental sign attributed to it: wood, earth, fire, metal, water. It’s all quite complex, so if you want to know more, follow this wiki link. Maybe it’ll give you a better idea of what I’m talking about.
Now, back to the subject at hand. What does the year of the dragon 2012 mean to us humans (if you’re a believer)?
This year belongs to the water dragon. It is suppose to be unpredictable, untouchable, and much like a dragon, it will be hard to see the head and tail of a situation at the same time. Because of the unpredictable twists and turns that might occur, it is considered to be a good year for life-altering/transforming decisions. Much like water, it is important to go with your decisions and not fight against them. We all know that swimming against a current is extremely hard. If you want to change your direction, don’t fight against it, but find another current along the way that breaks off into a different direction. Basically, the more you struggle, the harder things will be.
Happy Chinese New Year! May your bellies be full of Chinese food on Sunday night, and your year filled with good health, luck, and prosperity.
Also, for any of you dragons out there, it’s tradition to wear red underwear on the eve and day of the new year. Don’t ask me why! It’s an old Chinese tradition that is suppose to bring you good luck for the rest of year. I don’t know how red underpants do that, but if you believe it, wear them!
StruggleBots 