The year of the dog!

I can't seem to get myself organized enough around the holidays for things like Christmas cards and New Year's Resolutions. So, this year I thought I'd give myself a break and make the Chinese New Year *my* new year. Since I gave myself an entire extra month to get going with the new year, and I felt like many aspects of my life are in need of a fairly significant overhaul, I figured I would take this arbitrary date of a Chinese holiday, give it some weight, and make it a turning point for my life.

I was born in the year of the dog, so perhaps it's particularly fitting that we're entering into another year of my favorite beast. I read an article in the Sunday Times about how this was a lucky year because there are two occurrences of "lichun," the beginning of spring, the halfway point between winter and summer solstices. So, according to Chinese astrology, this year, the year of the dog will begin and end with spring. (Making it especially lucky in contrast to last year, the year of the rooster, where there was no lichun.)

Sunday. First day. I had some work to do, and I need to meet new people. So, I decided to take myself out into the world with my work. I got some work done, but didn't meet any new people. Being out in the world and remaining alone can be a little sad sometimes. Not always, but this particular day I wanted some interaction with someone I cared about.

I called up a friend and we met for coffee. This friend happens to be one of the most beautiful people I know, and as with all people I'm used to, I don't really notice it anymore, but there was something that day that made me fall in love with him a little. I love those moments of falling in love with my friends. It's such a safe and sweet feeling. The kind of love that can't really disappoint because there's no expectation or need for it to be returned in any way other than the friendship that already exists. Spending time with such a good (and gorgeous) person on the first day of my new year was a good start.