Happy Year of the Pig, everybody!

What does your horoscope hold in store for you?
Well, here's what mine said:

This Year of the Pig is a revolutionary one for the Snake. There is a chance for exceptionally good fortune this year. Snakes, overall, need to practice caution this year. However, there are some Snakes that need to be more careful than others. Any Snake who believes himself to be above harm, those Snakes who are in a medical profession, and those who are martial artists or work in a disciplinary field all need to exercise extreme caution in 2007.

It looks as if 25% of Snakes will find themselves in very fortunate situations in this Year of Pig. Some will find exceptional luck in love, while others will find themselves being promoted at work, and while even others will increase their finances. Another 25% of Snakes may find just the opposite, and will have abysmal luck in this New Year. The remaining 50% will not see any radical changes, one way or the other.

If you wish to be one of the lucky Snakes, you need to step up to bat and take a swing. No more sitting around waiting for good luck to find you! This shouldn't be too difficult as you have ruling stars within your constellation for half of the year. You need to settle any old debts. If you owe money, pay it back. If you made a promise, keep it. If there is an old grudge, clear it up. This is the first step to bringing fortune your way.

In addition, you will find it important to dig out areas of jeopardy and dismiss them. While many things may look like a good opportunity, with all opportunity comes many risks. You must be thorough in your thinking, your planning, and your doing, to rid these opportunities of whatever risks come along inherent with them.

For example, when you buy a used car, you would have it checked to make sure everything was in running order. If you did not do that, you may find yourself stuck on the side of the highway instead of driving along toward your destination. Or, you may hire a new employee at work. You would, of course, look into their background, call past employers, and check their references to be sure you were hiring a reliable and efficient employee. If you didn't do this, you may find you hired someone who does nothing but drink coffee and search the Internet all day. Just remember to take into consideration all possible risks with any new venture, and you will minimize an unhappy conclusion.

There is one sole star in your central Palace(central Constellation) this year. It is 'Star Yi Ma'. 'Star Tian-Chu-Gui-Ren', and 'Star Fei Cai' are the auxiliary stars in your central Palace(central constellation), but they are not as strong as 'Star Yi Ma'. 'Star Yi Ma' is conducive to transition and action. It will drive you into problematic areas, and by doing so, it will make you choose a door. This door could be one of existence, demise, relaxation, or captivity; therefore it is essential that you choose correctly! Once through the door, it will become obvious to you if your reward will be one of great riches or destitution. Be smart, Snake, and think this through thoroughly before making your choice!

Hahaha, fun. Your turn!

feeling....: amused
hearing....: -

Funny. Or is it?

Dating Strengths	Dating Weaknesses
1. Sense of Humor - 85.7% 2. Financial Situation - 76.9% 3. Adventurousness - 75% 4. Confidence - 72.2% 5. Varied Interests - 71.4%	1. Arrogance - 50% 2. Temper - 50%

Dating Strengths Explained
Sense of Humor - Men are attracted to people with a good sense of humor. Be sure to put yours on display! Financial Situation - You've got your financial situation under control, which is a very desirable quality. Be careful to avoid men who are only interested in your money. Adventurousness - You are willing to try new things and be spontaneous. You want to get out there and really live, and you will attract people with a similar love of life. Confidence - You are sure of yourself and confident of your abilities. Displays of confidence go a long way when attracting a date. Varied Interests - You don't limit yourself, and that's a dating asset. Your varied interests make you available and interesting to a wider range of men.
Dating Weaknesses Explained
Arrogance - You are a bit full of yourself. You need to practice a little humility now and then, as arrogance can be a turn-off. Temper - You need to work on controlling your temper. Don't let your anger get the best of you. A calm and rational persona is important when dating.
Dating Strengths and Weaknesses Quiz by Dating Diversions

feeling....: amused
hearing....: -

From morsla's journal:

Safeway/Woolworths Drought Relief

On the 23 January 2007, Safeway (Woolworths) will be donating its
entire supermarket's profits for the day to the drought relief. The
funds will primarily be used by the CWA for immediate support for rural
families with the remainder to help fund research into sustainable
farming practices.

This is expected to be in excess of $3 million dollars.
So if you do your normal shopping on the 23 January you will helping
farming families who are currently doing it tough.

All the details:
http://www.woolworths.com.au/woolworths+ceo+pledges+support+for+drought+relief.asp

If you need to do some supermarket shopping this week, go on the 23rd. It's for a good cause!

feeling....: calm
hearing....: -

Snatched from Kristi, without telling her. Shhhh.

The following is a quiz that Dr. Phil uses, and it's actually quite accurate (I won't tell you what I scored...yet). Human Resources departments use this to gauge potential employees. So, grab a pen and paper and don't cheat. Start by scrolling down and answering the questions in order. Don't look ahead, don't answer for the person you used to be or want to be...answer for the person you are right now. That's right, the one who should be working, writing, cleaning, cooking or running after the kiddos.

Ready? Go!

1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon and early evening
c) late at night

2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you..
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with...
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciative laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

1 0. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust! In your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

So, what did you score? Do you agree? Disagree? Never want to see one of these tests again? What do you think I scored?

feeling....: sick
hearing....: -

feeling....: crazy
hearing....: -

Something to try on a cool day when you just need that exta level of comfort: stir some (real) vanilla into your green tea. it will take some of the bitter bite out of the brew and add a mellow, highly fragrant undertone. I use ready-ground vanilla by the spoonful 9cause I'm lazy and use a lot of vanilla), but you could also just steep a pod in your regular brew.

It's a treat. Mmmh.

feeling....: mellow
hearing....: -

I've been extremely slack with keeping up with my reading list, and this is the last one I'll do on this journal. instead, I'll move them over to cookie_dreams, my writing journal.

( A lot of summer reads )
And that's it.
So in 2005 (plus two weeks), I managed to read 82 books. Whee! I made my goal!
Even with two weeks lost, let's aim for a round 100 this year. Even though that due to podcasting (plus a busy writing schedule), I don't seem to find as much time for reading as I want to... Pity.

Tags: readings
feeling....: accomplished
hearing....: -