Year of the Ox

So, I guess this means this isn't my year...I'm a Rooster.

Happy Chinese New Year! Last night we celebrated with homemade spring rolls and fried rice, rice paper candy and fortune cookies. I printed off the animals for the girls to discuss but ended up having no time to talk about it...other duties to fulfill...like emptying out the scout storage shed and moving it to another. Whew, only 3 trips.

Back to New Year's stuff...a popular telling of how the order of the animals of the zodiac were chosen:

When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals to participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be decided by the order in which the animals finished the race.

When the competition started, the ox was leading the pack, but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so light and small, the ox didn't realize that the rat was hitching a ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the rat leapt off his back and was crowned the winner as he crossed the finish line first.

After all the creatures finished the race, the order was finalized: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Now really, could a ox beat a dragon? Wouldn't he just fly over and burn everyone with his fire breath? And what about a snake beating a horse? What kind of animal kingdom is this?

It is believed in their culture that depending upon when you were born, you take on the attributes of that animal.

Boyd, Hunter and I are all Roosters

Deep thinkers, confident, determined. Can be a bit of a loner, can be very outspoken.

Chloe is a Goat (or Ram or Sheep)Elegant, artistic, compassionate. First to complain about something, pessimistic.

Bridger is a Rat

Charming and ambitious. Short-tempered and sometimes sneaky.

Now, I don't know if these animals and their characteristics describes us perfectly or not, but I do know that I hope these fortunes come true...

"You won't be bored for long! New adventures are on their way."

"Opportunities surround you if you know where to look."

"You will be fortunate in everything you put your hands to."

"You will travel far and wide, both pleasure and business."

Well, Happy New Year at least.