Chinese New Year 4706 is the Year of the Female Brown Earth Ox — sometimes called the cow or water buffalo.

The year of the Ox is associated with domestic trouble that seems to have no solution. The grounded, rational, earth influence of the Ox may bring good fortune to troubled economic times but only with a sustained, well planned effort. The Ox influence brings an aversion to risky credit and quick answers that are not well conceived. The Ox year brings success only through discipline and through hard work. The steady ox is quick to anger when confronted by what seems to be irrational opposition, but the use of reason works well and avoids a charge by the angry bull. There is much danger of war and unrest if diplomacy does not prevail.

The last time the earth Ox was seen as the ruling influence was January 29, 1949 - February 15, 1950. The world suffered a recession in late 1948 and early 1949. The world economy recovered during the year of the ox due to rational decisions and careful planning. By 1951, the recession was over. Many will be searching for a quick solution to the current economic crisis, but the ox favors a well planned, consistent path that will take more time but lay a foundation for long lasting results. The strong earth influence of this year favors a strengthening of the housing market, but risk takers will not find this year favorable. Those who look for long term benefits, have a well thought out plan and are willing to work to see results will find great success.

(I got this info from here.)

Happy Year of the Ox, everyone!

This was today's Chinese Horoscope for me. Oddly, much of it is true, and most of the rest of it I am waiting to come true. Interesting . . .

You'll make some good business deals or will find a more remunerative job. Don't mull over pointless questions of life after death. You'll be subject to digestive and intestinal troubles due mostly to your anxiety and excessive nervousness. Family concerns or uneasiness about the health of a near one will somewhat disturb your life. You'll savor the delights of love. But this should not prevent you from taking care of other sectors of your existence, otherwise it will not take you long to know many disappointments.
Horoscopes ©AsiaFlash Provided Courtesy of Master Rao.

I've been working a lot lately, which is both good and bad. It is good because it means that my paychecks are bigger. It is bad because my evenings are tied up, I'm tired a lot, and I have this weird reverse schedule from everyone else's.

I really miss Birthday Guild a lot. I think I will be able to make party prep next month, but I don't know when I'll be able to attend another party. I was hoping to help out with Project Home and/or the gala, but people never really got back to me about that.

I'm particularly frustrated because even though I'm working A LOT, I'm not technically full time. I really do need the work, and I'm worried that I'm going to have to give up my job at Kaplan in order to make some money. I love working at Kaplan, but the small paychecks are getting really annoying.

Oddly, just as I was writing this, I read my Chinese horoscope on Facebook, and it said this . . .

You'll get a promotion if you work, or a good job if you're unemployed. Don't count on others to get your job done; buckle down to your task. The lunar influxes will help you achieve a personal project which will give you all satisfaction. Adopt a more leisurely and more regular life tempo. Your material situation might take a happy turn.
Horoscopes ©AsiaFlash Provided Courtesy of Master Rao.