Happy Year of the Dog, bitches!

Again, another highly inappropriate use of the term "bitches" that I just couldn't resist.

Yes, it's Chinese New Year: Xinnian kuaile, gongxi facai (or gung hay fat choy) to all! I haven't been home for the New Year since high school, so I almost forgot how much of a big deal it is! My parents are really into it, and the feasting has already started! It seems to me that the lunar New Year is all about food and family...and that's cool with me! Oh, yeah, it's also all about the lucky red pocket money (hongbao)!

The Year of the Rooster has passed, and we're now into the Year of the Dog. If you were born in 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, or if you're turning a multiple-of-12 age this year, you're a dog! Or, as I say to my sister, who is a dog, "Hey, it's your year, bitch!" Tee hee.

Check out your Chinese horoscope sign here.

Since one's year comes only once every 12 years, one might mistake it to be lucky. Not necessarily so! Be forewarned that whenever it's your year, it's typically a bad one. My year wasn't so terrible, but apparently an ex-coworker (and fellow Rooster) told me that she can't wait for the year to be over! Along with a couple of deaths in the family, her horoscope year was highlighted by an incident of her baby sticking a thermometer in her ear and popping her eardrum. OWEEEEEEE! So here's to hoping that the Year of the Dog will treat everyone well!