I Take My Luck Where I Can Get It

While cleaning out my inbox folder, I found this guest post! Yikes, I almost forgot about Eileen!

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I'm thrilled to be a part of a Chinese New Year Celebration for a couple of reasons:

1) who doesn't like to be invited to a party, and

2) it is like getting to do New Years all over again! Even if you've already screwed up your resolutions from Jan 1, now you can start all over. It's like a giant cosmic resolution do-over.

I'm lucky enough to live in Vancouver Canada which has a huge Chinese influence. We have a cool Chinese New Year parade complete with music, dancing and those great dancing dragons that I love. It wasn't until we moved here that I heard of the Chinese Zodiac. A whole new source of luck!

My traditional astrology sign is Pisces. I don't believe in my horoscope- unless it says something really good in which case I decide that I TOTALLY believe and hope for the best. Looking at the Chinese Zodiac lets me have another set of predictions that I can choose from. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle. Each year in the cycle is named after an animals. Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics, just like the traditional zodiac signs. Your animal is what is supposed to give you your traits and determine your success and happiness.

My sign is the Rooster. At first I was somewhat disappointed because I was hoping to be a cooler looking animal like the dragon or the tiger. Nothing against roosters of course, but who wants to snuggle with one? However, Roosters have a lot going for them, here is what was listed about roosters on one site: "Roosters are the most eccentric of the Chinese zodiac. They are full of dreams and romantic ideas. They are colorful and attractive, radiant and dashing, and they are quite proud of themselves. Roosters are organized, precise,and their sharp eyes seek out fine details in everything. They are perfectionists and leave no room for human error. To Roosters, a difficult task is a challenge. They dearly love starting controversies. Roosters express themselves very well both in writing and speech."

How about that? The most eccentric? Dashing! However, the whole description doesn't fit. I'm far from a perfectionist and many of the fine details slip away from me. The site suggests that Roosters can make great accountants. Uh.... I don't think so. This is one rooster who isn't so great at math.

2009 is the year of the Ox. This apparently means that it will be a year for tradition and values with an emphasis on hard work. Sounds promising. I believe we make our own luck in this world, but I have to admit I love checking my horoscope. How about you? What is your Chinese Zodiac sign and does it describe you or not?

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Who knew this was coming? Anyway, Eileen was wonderful enough it give away a signed copy of "What Would Emma Do?"!

1. +1 entry for commenting on this post
2. +1 entry for following me
3. +1 entry for blogging about this contest
4. +2 entries for ... (this is a secret...)
5. Leave me a way to contact you
6. If blogging, please leave me a link
7. The extra entry puzzles/riddles will not accepted for this celebration week.

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway! It will end on February 13th! Just a little note, if you live in Europe or Asia, Eileen won't be sending it airmail.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED