Bullish about the Year of the Ox

Fun fact: The ox was originally supposed to be the first sign of the zodiac, but the cunning rat tricked him asking him for a ride. Before the ox could make it over the threshold of their destination, the rat jumped off and whipped itself in ahead of the ox, fitting for the rat I’d say, and became the first zodiac sign.　

I remember when I learned what my Chinese zodiac year was. Me and some friends visiting from America took a trip just outside Beijing to Longqing Gorge, where there is a long, long hike to the tip-top of one of the mountains. Gasping and sweating, we finally reached the summit overlooking a small town below. Before heading back down, we noticed a vendor with some little trinkets on her table. We got a closer look and saw they were hand-carved figures of the Chinese zodiac. I looked mine up and bought the ox that I still have to this day.　

I recently told a coworker that 2021 would be my zodiac year, and they said that I should wear red for luck and that when it is your year, you may face more troubles than usual. This did not make me feel good, so I have already started filling my Taobao cart with all the red clothes I can find. 　

I was wondering who else is an ox and found some other famous oxen are former US president Barack Obama, Vincent Van Gogh and Walt Disney. All of whom fit the character traits of the gentle giant beast - hardworking, positive and honest.　

As I previously mentioned, there was some talk that when it is your zodiac year, you will face some challenges. Apparently for the ox, this year will see difficulties in career and studies due to being stressed, emotional and unable to concentrate. I must admit I laughed a little because I think ox or not, this year will be challenging for everyone. 　

Aside from my zodiac sign and all the turmoil of last year, I hope to make the year of the ox a good one. There will definitely be challenges ahead for all of us in the upcoming year as the “new normal” is setting in, and we have to continue to adjust. But a new year is also a time for new opportunities. As traveling out of China this year still may not be on the cards, I have decided to make it my mission to get out and see as much of China as I can. Usually, I would be planning and booking trips home or to some Southeast Asian country, but now I can focus my prospects on the Chinese mainland.　

The best thing is many others are also following this logic. Scrolling through Moments on WeChat, I see people have been traveling to some fantastic and beautiful places that may have been easily overlooked otherwise. My list’s first destination is Yunnan Province, because it’s warm, this Beijing winter has been brutal, and I love Yunnan cuisine.　

Another hope I have for this upcoming year is to spend more time working toward future goals, take some online classes, pick up the fancy camera I bought last year that has just been collecting dust and discover things in my own backyard in Beijing. With all that went on last year and having to spend so much time inside, it's easy to say I was in a rut. This coming year, while things are still not as they were before, I want to pull myself out of the rut like the strong ox and dig a new path.　

In addition to finding new things to do with the year ahead, my friends and I are also planning new ways to celebrate the newyear. Many of us are not allowed to leave Beijing, and temple fairs and large events have once again been canceled, so we’ll have to get creative. This year we decided to have a dumpling-making contest. We’ll each make our own handmade dumplings, and bring them together to share, with a winner to be announced at the end of the night. It’s not a grand temple fair or an extravagant trip out of the country, but it’s a way to celebrate the coming year still, and we are excited. Here’s hoping the year of the ox being my best one yet in China.