The Jennifer Blogs

This year Chinese New Year falls on Valentine's Day. I would imagine the Chinese (who are very superstitious) find this means anyone being married or falling in love on this day can expect a very prosperous love life.

One of my favorite parts of Chinese New Year is the Lion Dance. When I first moved here I had no idea what this was. In fact, I even called it a Dragon Dance because I thought these little guys were dragons. I later learned they are lions. Whatever. Rawr.

What is so cool is how their eyes and mouths move. You actually start to believe these costumes are real live pets! I wanted to adopt one and take it home to live with me! They remind me a lot of my (old) poodle Max. I'm not quite sure I can pinpoint how or why, but they do and I thought for sure this thing was really alive. It isn't until the two men step out of the suit that you are brought back to reality that it's just a costume with a couple of dudes.

This year is the Year of the Tiger. A little bit about the Tiger (according to the Chinese Zodiac):

The tiger is said to be lively and engaging. The tiger is also incredibly brave. Those born under this sign traditionally do not find worth in power or money. They are completely honest about how they feel and expect the same from you. Tigers are typically very well-liked.

If you were born in any of the following years, you are a Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010.

I'm a Rat. In fact, I'm what's known as a "water Rat." What that means is I have a knack for influencing people. People born in 1912 and 1972 share this "ability." We also have strong intellectual powers and great insight. We're also great puzzle solvers. The water rat is also quick to understand others and are typically very practical. Rats apply their talents to their everyday lives, making them obliging, generous and compassionate to other people. Generally, they are liked and respected by everyone. Like all Rats, though, they can also be determined to seek their own gain and will not mind using their talents to achieve it, though generally without losing anyone's respect.

Are you surprised to know that rats make excellent writers, broadcasters, actors, advisors, counselors, lawyers, directors, entrepreneurs, musicians, stand-up comedians and designers?

You can read more about this here.

Because I am a Dog-Lover, I'll tell you a little bit about those born under the Year of the Dog (1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006).

Dogs are responsible, compassionate, reliable, honest, pessimistic, anxious, overwhelming and nosy.

Metal Dogs (those born in 1970, that's those turning 40 this year) have extremely high standards and expect a lot of themselves and others. They're loyal and hold a strong outlook about the direction they want their life to take. They choose their friends and causes with care. Once they've committed themselves, there is little to no turning back. They are bold, unafraid to disagree out loud about anything they feel is unjust. Metal dogs get stressed easily if a plan doesn't go accordingly. They find it hard to relax when things are left undone.

Dogs make great nurses, interior decorators, counselors, priests, politicians, judges, clerks, police officers, psychiatrists, scientists, teachers and professors.

Dogs make good partners and most people find them easy to live and get a long with. His seriousness or grounded personality may be boring to some, but to others it demonstrates an innate stability.

If you are not a Rat or a Dog and you want to know where you fall, click here to read about all 12 signs of the Chinese horoscope.