Water Dragon Year - The Vibes

The Lunar Year of the Metal Rabbit changes to that of the Water Dragon on 23 January 2012. Moving on from the significant economic, political and natural turbulences in 2011, the new period from 23 January 2012 to 2 February 2013, with Earth as its primary element, promises more business and economic opportunities, marriage celebrations and additions to family. Individuals born under the different twelve animals of the Lunar Zodiac face varying conditions with the advent of each new year, and if each person proceeds with personal determination, creativity and positive effort, one can help shape up plans for 2012 into rewarding reality.

2012 sees the Earth element and the essentially watery nature of the Lunar Dragon Year in potential conflict. Water can destroy earth, but at the same time earth requires water in optimal amounts to nurture life and growth. Suggested measures to mitigate this potentially fictitious interaction are to breed fish and create pebbled gardens.

Dragons, Monkeys and Dogs tend to be leaders. Snakes, Monkeys and Roosters are often charismatic. Boars, Monkeys and Dogs are significantly witty. Snakes, Boars and Rabbits stand out as mild tempered. Rats and Roosters are reputedly highly intuitive. The Ox is highly reliable, together with Horses and Dogs. Tigers, Horses and Dogs love challenges.

I always love to note the positive aspects of individuals and below, I have chosen selected indicative birth years for the different animal signs. Just add or minus 12 years from the indicative years to recognise your personal Lunar Year animal sign, if you cannot find your exact relevant year below. Do recognise that the Lunar New Year calendar from East Asia does not synchronise with the Gregorian solar calendar -and that lunar calendar years in this context can commence any day between January 19and February 19 of each Western calendar year.

Those born under the Lunar Year of the Dragon (1988) are noted to be knowledgeable, meticulous, independent, adventurous and ambitious. The Dragon savours comfort, festivals, wealth, antiques and concerts.

Individuals born under the Year of the Snake (1989) tend to be humorous, charming, good mannered, helpful, intelligent, practical and love mystery. The Snake likes to organise things and loves books, pets and warmth.

Persons with the Horse sign (1990) are acknowledged to be brave, influential, independent and adventurous. The Horse enjoys conversations, resolving challenges and riddles, receiving compliments and kindness.

People born under the Goat sign (1991) are said to be honest, sure-footed, hard working, artistic, innovative, faithful, elegant and caring. The Goat enjoys harmony, culture, spaciousness, literature, freedom and wit.

Those born in the Monkey Year (1980) are good planners,can endure well,charismatic, witty and attractive. The Monkey savours sunshine, cooking, travelling, humour and intrigue.

Individuals under the Rooster Year (1981) tend to be kind-hearted, intuitive, intelligent, caring, humorous and of high integrity. The Rooster appreciates Nature, casual neatness, the fresh outdoors, resolving challenges and working hard.

People with the Dog (1982) sign are loyal, honest, witty, possess strong character and tend to be decision makers. The Dog likes Nature, playfulness, routine, friendship, travelling and resolving challenges.

Individuals born under the sign of the Boar (1983) are mild tempered, intelligent, magnanimous, helpful and righteous. The Boar thrives interacting in teams, enjoying home environments, taking baths, having pets and children, receiving praise and having good health.

Persons with the Rat sign (1984) are optimistic, intelligent, helpful, self-confident, sociable, artistic and full of energy. The Rat loves trust and negotiation.

Those under the Ox year (1985) are often honest, capable, hard working, strong willed, reliable and have a strong sense of integrity. The Ox thrives in routine, organisation, tradition and sobriety.

Individuals born under the sign of the Tiger (1998) are sharp, adventurous, ambitious, courageous, passionate and highly independent. The Tiger likes new experiences, quality, surprises and is a party animal!

People under the year of the Rabbit (1999) tend to be optimistic, meticulous, kind hearted, gentle and alert. The Rabbit tends towards peace, intrigue, comfort and the arts.

By the way, I was born under the Year of the Rooster.

The Past Year

A Gift from Six year old Tom

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - a classic saying from Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meaning and Purpose - Sea Turtle Bowl from Fiji

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after" by Henry David Thoreau

"Connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.“ – Brene Brown

Enjoying The Ride Along the Way - Starting the Day at Balgownie

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” from John Lennon

"LIFE: Love, Intelligence, Fun, Evolution - in that order." from Vanna Bonta

Times to Gather, Re-commit and Enjoy - Gift Under The Tree

"Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.” by Markus Zusak

Thriving in a Focused Light - My Thrill in Getting an Organiser for the New Year

"I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott

"Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine.” from Shunryu Suzuki

Soaking in Beauty - Hibiscus Blooms in Balgownie

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” from Maya Angelou

"A woman knows the face of the man she loves as a sailor knows the open sea." from Honore de Balzac

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” – Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

Sharing with Kevin - Above, product from a successful Coca Cola campaign.

Ann Landers advised: "Know yourself. Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."

Spanish Proverb - "Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables."

The Wonder of Uniqueness - Above, a Festive packaged home made preserve

Pablo Picasso said "Everything you can imagine is real.”

Dabbling in The World Out There - Liquor from Bali

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” from Douglas Adams

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.” from Lewis Carroll

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” from Anais Nin

What We Have at Home - Kangaroo Paws, Native of Australia

“Dig within. Within is the wellspring of good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig.” – Marcus Aurelius

“What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now.” – The Buddha

Six Degrees of Understanding - Garden Icon above

"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” from Mark Twain.

"The one you love and the one who loves you are never, ever the same person.” from Chuck Palahniuk

Tea'Se Me Tea Emporium, Wollongong CBD

One of the more invigorating quick breakfasts I have had recently lately was at the Tea'Se Me Tea Emporium, along Keira Street in Wollongong CBD. I loved the bernaise sauce offered to accompany a bacon and egg toasted bagel special (image above) - it was absolutely delicious! The surroundings are homely and modern (picture below), with shelves of tea drinking contraptions, containers and variety.

Open weekdays from breakfast time till 5pm, and also for half a day on Saturdays, the emporium offers more than tea. There is a good selection of lunch snacks involving pide and more, with a good blend of cooking reminiscent of regional snacks and beach side practicality. There is the all day breakfast menu available. It is attractive for a gathering of mates as well as or the casual office crowd. To me it was a delightful discovery to have such a choice in contrast to the neighbouring Asian food outlets. This is recommended as a restful stop for shoppers visiting the nearby Crown Street pedestrian mall. The day I was there, there were youthful customers, family groups and those obvious tea lovers.

Magic Moments - 19 December 2011

Street Food, Sydney CBD

There is always a crowd and a queue at Ichiban Boshi, a ramen and udon cafe on the same level as the Kinokinuya Bookshop at Galleries Victoria in Sydney's CBD. This Japanese noodle chain also operates on the Gold Coast in Queensland and at Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs. On a recent drop by in Galleries Victoria, I had the Tantan cold noodles served with a rather spicy and salty stock soup garnished by a half hard boiled egg, garlic, minced pork and two cherry tomatoes. So packed the place was that we had to share a round table with a Japanese executive, a Hong Kong career lady, a student and a gay couple. Perhaps the proof of the pudding, so to say, in selecting the best of what a cafe provides is to note what the other lunchers are having. I noticed that popular orders were the ramen soup, either spicy or the Tokyo version, with either beef or pork cutlets.

An easy going and quick option for a snack or a no-fuss meal, either before going to enjoy a casual evening of drinks with mates at Darling Harbour, is to try one of the the varied food choices at the uppermost level of Market City in Chinatown. There are many choices for hotpots of seafood or vegetarian, hot plates of beef, chicken, lamb or chicken and stir fries or soups with different types of noodles. I loved my choice of curry laksa with seafood and wriggly egg noodles (picture above), topped by fried bean curd slices. For other options, there are Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Indian fare.

The above serving of Hainan chicken rice came with out the traditional practice of serving the skin. The accompanying chili and vinegar infused sauce is essential to this dish, otherwise it would have been too plain to contemplate. What was missing? The ginger and garlic based concoction, vital to enhancing the thin slices of white meat and to blend with the aromatic chicken stock flavoured rice. The small bowl of soup was well made. Image above taken at the Singapore food outlet inside Oxford Square, Darlinghurst.