adieu '08, cheers '09

A self and life assessment is fitting as the year draws to a close. 2008 had been a year of blessings and challenges unlike the previous ones. Heavy!

It was a period of adjustment from my two year hibernation / foreign studies: re-acquaintance with family and friends; release from the just-learned culture and way of life of my host country for two years and re-familiarization with the social, cultural and political environment in the Phils; re-assimilation with the community and workplace; coping with the altered financial status; managing being miles away from the boyfriend and mending a broken heart when we finally broke up.

The year was a real struggle. I somehow managed to cling as tight as I could to my faith: kept me afloat. The extra effort mustered in strengthening relationships especially with my siblings and precious friends were most helpful.

Hay, the year that was. I can’t be more grateful that it’s over. Haha!

Fresh year ahead, fresh start.

2009.

I’m having a car!!!!

***

forcasts for '09:
The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like its predecessor and complement, the Rat, it signifies new beginnings. The main difference is the Ox is associated with building to last and slow but sure action. Even more so than last year we all have to make good choices, as that which is begun now is likely to have long term consequences.

As with last year, this is an Earth year. On a personal level, better results are more likely to be achieved by reacting to circumstances and going with the flow rather than aggressively charging forward and initiating a lot of action. Your chances of success will probably be higher if you focus on readiness and awareness rather than active pursuit of romance. This means being alert and open to new relationships without making an extra effort to establish any. If you already are in one, move ahead slowly. Haste truly does make waste in an Earth Ox year.

In fact Earth is probably the element least associated with love and romance. During the year there will of course be favorable months and days. In general, however, you would be wise not to get your hopes up too high.

Unfortunately Earth has a destructive relationship with the Ox's fixed element, Water. This is not disastrous, but it does mean the saying, lucky in love, will not be heard much this year. You will thus need to work hard to maintain a healthy relationship. And, it will not be luck, but rather diligence, alertness, and proper attitude that will more likely determine whether or not you will do well when it comes to matters of finding and keeping a new love.

The combination of Earth and Ox, however, is not at all a negative combination. Its primary characteristic is durability. Your efforts to deepen an existing relationship could have long lasting benefits. And, if you do initiate a new one, choose wisely, and proceed slowly, it has a good chance of flourishing in the long term.

Since this is an Earth year, those people born in a Metal one will generally fare better than others of their animal sign, while those born in a Water year are likely to do worse than those born in Wood, Fire, and Earth years.

The year 2009 could be a relatively uneventful one when it comes to romance. Ironically, it will nevertheless be memorable for more than a few people. Events that seem unspectacular could, years later, be considered momentous in your love life. This is especially true if you begin a new relationship that does not seem to be all that passionate but turns out to be a lasting one. The same holds true for an existing one. Little things you do now to deepen your love will go a long way to ensuring you both live happily ever after.