This is my first web blog about Eastern Candies. Yeah, I have no life. lol Follow the link below to see it.

Eastern Candies

I’ll start off by brining attention to the stupidity that occurs at my job on a daily basis. (All of the stupidity being customer related, of course.) I hope that you get as much of a kick out of the things I’ve encountered as I did. Heh.

Little Caesars Madness…

1.) People who ask for the “Hot and Heavy” instead of the “Hot and Ready.” Apparently they were watching porn before they decided to get a pizza. Heh.

2.) People who ask for the “Cheesy Bread” instead of the “Crazy Bread” or the “Cheesy Bread Combo” instead of the “Crazy Bread Combo.” This wouldn’t be so bad if the Crazy Bread Combo posters weren’t posted all over the store, with the exact spelling and all.

3.) People who order sides not typically associated with a pizza place. Some have included mashed potatoes, tator tots, nachos, fries, fish sticks, soup, salad, sandwiches, etc. Some words of advice; when ordering pizza, expect to get sides that RELATE to pizza, such as Italian Cheese Bread, Bread Sticks, Various Related Sauces, Chicken Wings, Etc. I just wanted to clear that up for you if you weren’t aware of this fact before.

4.) People who call in and ask if we serve Pizza. *Anime Thud* Why of course not! We just have “Little Caesars Pizza logo written all over the inside and outside of the building for our own health.” Come on people; I know that it’s been a long week but you still need to use some common sense! It’s called “Little Caesars Pizza.” Pizza! So you tell me; do we sell pizza? Yes? That’s what I thought. Moving on.

5.) People who come in to get a five dollar pizza and expect to pay five dollars even, with no tax. Um…hello! What food place have you ever gone to where there WASN’T tax? Honestly! And when I ring these people up it is just fifty cents more. That’s right; five dollars and fifty cents for a LARGE pizza. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me! And you can get our large pizzas ANY time of the day! So what are these people having a heart attack about? Would you believe that after I tell some people about the tax they say “never mind” and walk out of the store? How stupid is that? Where else are you going to get a five dollar pizza? Really! Anyway…expect tax, ok? Food establishments have been taxing people since the dawn of time. So live with it. *Shakes head at the stupidity of mankind.*

6.) People who do not understand the hot and ready concept; after you’ve spent nine minutes explaining it to them. Look people; it’s very simple. You can get ANY large one topping pizza for five dollars plus tax. Cheese counts as one topping because there is extra cheese on the hot and ready pizzas. Any other one topping pizza; sausage, pepperoni, tuna….you name it…is five dollars plus tax. Now, any additional topping is one dollar and thirty cents extra. This includes cheese, which is an additional dollar and thirty sense if you wanted to get extra cheese on your pizza. We have pepperoni and cheese pizzas Hot and Ready, which means you can come in ANY time of the day and get either one without needing to order ahead. It’s fast food pizza, ok? However, any of the one topping pizzas that we DON’T keep Hot and Ready (anything that is NOT pepperoni or cheese) you have to wait about eight minutes to cook in the oven because it is treated like a specialty item. It’s still five dollars for ANY one topping pizza whether you have to wait or not. So are we all clear on the Hot and Ready concept now? Good!

7.) People who are convinced that we do not have any other pizzas other than our five dollar specials. You’d be surprised how many people call in and tell us what we have, like they are the divine pizzas gods or something. For example, there was this lady who called in today an insisted that we don’t have Meatsas, Veggie Pizzas or Supremes. I tried to tell her that we have all of the specialty pizzas that you would find at a regular pizza establishment but they are eleven dollars and ninety nine cents instead of five dollars plus tax because of the additional toppings.

I also tried to explain to her that we have Crazy Bread, Italian Cheese Bread, Chicken Wings (served wither with BBQ sauce, hot sauce, medium Sauce or plain) and myriad of other options but she just wasn’t having it. “No, no you guys have the five dollar pizza thing now so I’ll just get a pepperoni.” *Restrained urge to throw the phone at the nearest wall* “Ok ma’am well in that case there is not need to order ahead because you can get a cheese or pepperoni pizza any time of the day.” “Ok, well just put my name and number down and I’ll pick it up in…oh what would you say? Fifteen minutes?” *Retrained urge to bang my head against the nearest chair, then sighed* “Yes, ma’am, about fifteen minutes.” *took down her name and number, then threw it away* Heh. So what have we learned kids? Yes; Little Caesars has all of the specialty pizzas in ADDITION to our five dollar pizzas AND YES we DO have sides. So now that you are educated lets move on.

And now for something completely different, you all get to hear my rant on people who do not have the faintest amount of restaurant etiquette. These people can be anyone from obnoxious college students (that aren’t me or my friends) to rich people who have nothing better to do then tell you how you should be doing your job. I am convinced that anyone who comes in and acts this way has never worked as a waitress or at a food establishment and needs to be educated in how to treat people who are making food for them. So this message is for all of those people out there. For all of you people who have worked in the food industry or as a waitress (like I have) you will get a kick out of what I am about to write and will giggle as you read along.

First matter of business; all of you people who think you are better than everyone else because you have never worked in the food industry need to seriously reevaluate yourselves and get a life. I just thought I would throw that out there. Just because you work in food, it doesn’t make you unintelligent or incapable of understanding other people. I am in COLLEGE for crying out loud and I am working in food to help cover my extra expenses. SO WHAT? It’s an easy job (save all of the stupid customers that come in) and I love working with all of the people there. It’s an awesome work environment! I wake up everyday and actually enjoy going to my job. How many people can honestly say that?

So in your face to all of those rich stuck up people who come in and criticize me for working where I do. You know what? You need to stop watching so much daytime television. That’s right. Turn around, get in your Mercedes, and leave my store. Go back to your high paying job that you don’t enjoy working at, go back to living with your husband that you probably don’t even care about and married for the money and get OUT OF MY LIFE. It must be nice to never have to work hard for anything in your life and have mommy and daddy pay for your clothes and dorm or apartment complex. Wherever they might be living (This of course, referring to those stuck up college girls who come in and make fun of me because I work where I do.)

Well you know what? I’ve had to work hard for everything I’ve ever owned and I am glad. I can proudly say that I’ve worked hard to buy everything in my room INCLUDING my clothing, computer, cameras and all of my college supplies. I pay for my OWN car insurance, my own gas and my OWN FOOD. So I am sorry that my life isn’t glamorous enough for you. But I am working hard to support myself and get an education. So *sticks out tongue* to you. *Nod, Nod* Now that I’ve got that off my chest I’d like to make rant about this type of college person for a little longer as I never get tired talking about it.

This type of college person (male or female) is the kind of person who is going to a university (either on a scholarship, student loans or daddy’s paycheck) and thinks they are better than everyone else because they can afford to goof off, buy whatever they want, have a social life outside of school and work (something I wish I had), party and get drunk. How I LOATH this type of person. To make things worse, they walk around in packs of people who are JUST LIKE THEM, making judgments about people who do not have as much money as they so, or aren’t smart enough (at least by their own estimation) to get a scholarship.

They are the types of people that get mad at others for getting bad grades (even if the person is a struggling mother who is working two jobs in addition to attending her classes) and lectures others on how they should be more like them and work hard. Ha! As if they no anything about working hard. They are obsessed with their hair, clothing and buying things that will make them stand out, rather than working on their personalities. (There’s a concept.) They are always whining about one thing or another, DESPITE having everything and the scary thing is...they’re everywhere!! I want to reiterate how I LOATH this type of person. I could go on and on about how much I dislike this type of college person but I will digress. We WERE talking about the pizza industry so I’ll pick up where I left off.

Aside from the people who inherently think they are better than you because of where you work, there are those customers that are just down right rude. They demand a pizza (or whatever) and expect it to be ready when they SAY it’s ready in the way they WANT it to be ready and heaven forbid you should make a mistake. These types of people need to take a long walk off a short peer, get abducted by aliens or else need to get a clue. Whichever comes first.

The thing is, that restaurant workers are JUST as human as you are. We make mistakes. We are ALLOWED to make mistakes. If you can’t ACCEPT that we’ve made a mistake and are TRYING to do our best to make things right with you, then you need to think about what we go through every time we fill an order. Not only are we rolling out the dough, putting it in a pan, saucing the pizza, cheesing the pizza, putting TOPPINGS on the pizza; we are doing the same thing for about FIFTY other customers at the same time. That’s right. FIFTY other customers who are equally important as you are.

In addition to that we are putting deep dish pizzas, chicken wings, breadsticks, and all of our other specialty items in the oven at the same time so there is bound to be a mix up every once in a while. If we have made a mistake, we will do everything in our power to make things right with the customer, but yelling at us isn’t going to make things go faster. So! Next time you have the “urge” to cuss out a restaurant employee because you haven’t gotten your food yet or whatever, why not have a little understanding, ok? We all savvy on this? Good, then I can move on.

Another pet peeve of mine are customers who bring in their children and do not keep them supervised. While they are making their order and yelling at their husband, there kids are knocking down all of our displays. It’s ok to have kids. It’s ok to bring your kids places. But PLEASE keep an eye on them. Enough said.

Then there are people who talk on their cell phone while ordering a pizza. Ok; you can either talk on your cell phone or order a pizza; but PLEASE do not do both at the same time. Now you’ve gone and made me go on my cell phone rant. Prepare yourself; this is going to be a long one. There are a couple reasons why I personally do not carry a cell phone. As much a techno nut as I have never considered myself a phone person. The only reason I would EVER get a cell phone would be for emergencies, which in my opinion, should be the ONLY reason people get a cell phone in the first place, but not everyone hates talking on the phone like I do, so I digress.

For whatever reason you have a cell phone, I would just like to offer you some words of wisdom. First of all, PLEASE stop trying to talk to people while you drive. I am usually in the lane behind one of those people and end up getting cut in front of because the person is too busy paying attention to their conversation to learn how to drive correctly. This is why driving and talking on a cell phone should be illegal. Heh. But I digress on that subject. The real thing that gets me is text messaging. People are always texting other people. Ok; if you have a phone….why don’t you just CALL THEM? It costs HOW MUCH for each message? Like a dollar something? Why pay extra when you can just…I don’t know…call them!!

If you want to have written conversation with the person, why not go home and talk to them on the messenger which, by the way, is FREE? I will never understand humanity. *Shakes head* Anyway…I got sidetracked. The most important lesson about cell phone etiquette for today is to PLEASE but the darn thing down when you are ordering a pizza. (Or ordering food from any restaurant.) Why? Because it’s just polite! Not only that, it isn’t as confusing trying to sort out what a customer has ordered from what they are talking to their friend about over the phone. So don’t be passé; put your CELL PHONE AWAY! That is all I have to say about that.

I could go on for pages about the PROPER away to order food from various restaurant establishments (especially Little Caesars) but I will stop here. The most important thing to remember is that we are all human. If things are not going well, there are peaceful ways to find a solution to your problem. Do everyone a favor and take a walk in your server’s shoes for one day. Be thankful that your server is trying their best to take care of you and if you have and problems, give your server a CHANCE to make it right. With something to think about, this is a very thoughtful Lyra-Chan singing out. I’ll see you all later! Cheers for now.

As the title entails; here is a list of things that make me...well...me! I hope that you enjoy them. At the end of my random list of things that describe who I am (I think there are a hundred things...0_0) there is a full description of my Celtic zodiac. I thought it was kind of cool! You can follow the link at the very end of this journal entry to find out what your Celtic zodiac is too. Oh and I decided to include my Chinese and Greek horoscopes too. ^_^

Basics

01. Name: Emma Lee Downs (My official writer name!)
02. Your Nickname(s): Lyra Alluse (Artist Name), Arinia Lendin - Ari Li (Recording artist name), Ed (Because I'm a tomboy.)
03. Middle Name: Lee (It's from grandpa's side, a family name.)
04. Place of Birth: Culver City, California
05. Zodiac Sign: Capricorn!
06. Male or Female: Female
07. Age: 20
08. School: Marshall Elementary, Mount Elden Middle, Sinagua High, Coconino Community College, Soon to attend NAU...
09. Birthday: December
10. Residence: Arizona (AKA The Twilight Zone)
11. Screen Name: LyraAlluse (Or AriniaLendin, depending on the nature of the site.)

Your Appearance

12. Hair Color: Golden Blonde
13. Hair Long or Short: Long
14. Eye Color: Crystal Blue
15. How do your nails look: Um...short??
16. Height: 5 foot three inches (Maybe four inches now? I don’t know I lost track. Ha ha)
17. Have a crush on someone: Only anime men. Heh!
18. Do you like yourself: Why certainly! Someone has got to, right? ^_-
19. Smile: Goofy smile
20. Think your skinny: I guess...
21. Piercings: Ears
22. Tattoos: Never! Henna all the way!
23. Righty or Lefty: Righty

Your 'Firsts'

24. First Kiss: In 10th grade, by my first boyfriend Pat.
25. First Love: A boy named Ralph. (No really. That was his name.)
26. First Best: What the heck?? 0_0
27: First Collection: A coin collection! It was given to me by grandpa when I was very young. I think I still have it somewhere...
28. First Sport You Joined: Soccer...or was it volleyball? (Does track count??)
29. First Pet: Fish, tenderly named Aqaurilistinil, Tygerean, Erynn and Sugemoto.
30. First Vacation: Life is but a vacation...
31. First Concert: At the fairy festival in Sedona. Saw lots of celtic groups live! Woooo! Have seen many since then. Ha ha

Favorites

32. Person: My Grandpa!
33. Movie: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Holes, anything Disney or Pixar. Those are the ones I could think of right off the top of my head...
34. TV Show: Family Guy, Robot Chicken, etc. (Pretty much anything on Adult Swim.) Escaflowne, Fushigi Yugi, Ah! My Goddess!, Inu Yasha...pretty much anything Japanamation that isn't stereotypical or boring.
35. Color: Red, green, blue, black, silver, gold
36. Band/Singer: Too many to mention. The singer of the day is Enya.
37. Song: Too many to mention. The song of the day is "Castle in the Sky" Yay for techno goodness!
38. Food: Sushi!!! Potatoes (in all their forms...you can boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew!!) Noodles of any kind and tea!
39. Place: A cave that I found while hiking on a trail up at Buffalo Park. I go there to find inspiration.
40. Candy: Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups all the way!
41. Sport To Play: Soccer or volleyball. I like to hike and mountain bike as well.
42. Name: I’m partial to the names Rylan and Mae. Hmmm…I wonder why. (Looks at the names of the two main characters in her book series and then innocently looks away…)
43. Brand Of Clothing: Wall Mart brand! Ha ha
44. Drink: Orange soda, grape soda, TEA, red soda and margaritas!
45. University: NAU...eventually... (At CCC right now...)
46. Animal: White tigers, dolphins, the platypus, reptiles (leopard geckos!) and WOLVES.

Currently

47. Singing: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song. Heh.
48. Writing: In my spiritual journal! Go me!
49. Eating: A Burrito. Mmmm burrito.
50. Drinking: Water!
51. Money in pocket: Ha ha Like that would ever happen.
52. Online: Could be. ^_-
53. Listening to: Enya goodness! And wee!
54. Thinking About: The homework I should be doing for my classes
55. Wanting to: Blow off my homework. Ha ha
56. Watching: Some random Disney clips in lots of different languages on YouTube. (Via SwtVietRose's account. I think that's how you spell her name. 0_0)
57. Wearing: A hooded sweatshirt! One of my favorite clothing items besides t-shirts and my jeans!

Your Future

58. Want Kids: Ha ha I practically raised my little sister. (She's 8 years younger.) So you do the math.
59. Want to Get Married: Marriage is such a formal word. Can't I just be with a person forever and say we're good friends? ^_- On a random note I do not want a wedding ring. If someone were to propose I’d want a necklace. Yay for engagement necklaces! Oh and I’d prefer being hand fasted to being “married.” *Makes a face at the word*
60. Careers in Mind: I want to be a famous writer, artist and composer. I also want to be a voice actress, maybe a regular actress for a while and travel around the world meeting all sorts of people and trying all sorts of foods! Directing films might be fun too. I already make anime music videos. Wow... I have my work cut out for me. Ha ha

The Opposite Sex

61. Light or Dark hair: Since all of my cousins are Norwegian and have the trademark blonde hair (makes face -_-) it would be weird to date someone with blonde hair because it would feel like I am dating my cousins. Eeeew However, I have done it before so it doesn’t matter that much to me. I tend to like guys with darker hair, just because of my random family background. Ha ha
62. Light or Dark eyes: Doesn't matter.
63. Lover or Fighter: Both!
64. Reserved or Free: For everything there is a season…
65. Bad Boy or the Boy Next Door: A little of both. *Winks*
66. Book Worm or Adventurer: Both! Educated and ready to face the outdoors! I demand my hot anime men dang it!
67. Cute or Sexy: Both!
68. Lips or Eyes: Both!
69. Hugs or Kisses: Both! Both!
70. Short or Tall: I don't care. lol
71. Easygoing or serious: Easygoing but serious when they need to be.
72. Romantic or Spontaneous: Both!
73. Muscular or Skinny: Um...like that matters. Personality is what counts.
74. Sensitive or Loud: Sensitive enough to be mine and loud enough to fit in with my boisterous family. Ha ha
75. Hook-up or Relationship: What?? Um...I'll take relationship...hook up? What is this...the 70s??
76. Sweet or Caring: Both!

Have You Ever

77. Won the amazing race: I wish…X_X
78. Kissed a Stranger: No
79. Drank Bubbles: Well I've had those candy bubbles and they are pretty good! You should try them sometime!
80. Lost glasses/contacts: Don't have any. Not yet...*dun dun dun*
81. Ran Away From Home: Never!
82. Broken a Bone: Yes! Broke my left arm two times. Broke my toes, sprung various parts of my body...have gotten stitches...the list goes on and on. Ha ha
83. Gotten an X-ray: Yes!
84. Broken Someone’s Heart: Unfortunately. -_-
85. Broke Up With Someone: Yes.
86. Acted Strange In Public: All the time. Heh.
87. Cried When Someone Died: Yes. When my friend(s) died and my great grandma died. Also when my friend Pat's grandpa died because he was like a grandpa to me too.
88. Cried At School: Yes. Long story.

Do You Believe In

89. God: Yes
90. Miracles: yes
91. Love At First Sight: Maybe.
92. Ghosts: Yes
93. Aliens: Yes (but I don't believe they abduct people. Heh)
94. Magic: Hell yeah!
95. Heaven: Yes
96. Hell: Yes
97. Dragons And Other Magical Creatures: You bet!
98. Kissing on The First Date: Whaaa? Um...I'm not LOOSE...thank you...
99. Horoscopes: Sure. They can be fun. (And amusing. Heh.)

Answer Truthfully

100. Is There Someone You Want: Van from Escaflowne. He's smexy and has wings. *Takes Van and then glares at all the fan girls.*

And for all of you who are into horoscopes…

In the Celtic Zodiac I am the Elder!

The Elder

(November 25 – December 23)

The magical purple berries of the Elder relate to inception...the beginning of the mystical birth of the Celtic Sun God. In this illustration, a gigantic Black Raven flies above the child, a wreath of Mistletoe around its neck and a lustrous Black Pearl held in its beak. This bird is the messenger of impending death...the physical death that precedes spiritual rebirth. To the Celtic people, the secret of Annwn was revealed at this time...the time of the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day and heralds the rebirth of the Sun. The Winter Solstice on December 22 was known as Alban Arthuan in the
Druid calendar.

"With Elder slow to burn,
Amid fires that singe."

To the Celts, the Elder (also known as the "Tree of Faeries," "Old Gal," "Pipe Tree" and "Lady Ellhorn," among others) was the symbol of both death and rebirth. Its twigs were said to enable the wearer to see spirits and experience visions. Justice was dispensed by the Druids beneath this tree. Much like the Winter Solstice itself, it highlighted a time of evolution. The Druids believed that it was during this period that their Sun or Solar Spirit was being held prisoner. It was also considered a time of trouble and indicative of the struggle for supremacy. By virtue of being considered sacred to the faeries, Elder branches were once hung above stables in order to protect horses from evil spirits. Paradoxically, in some parts of Europe, this tree was once generally regarded as an ally of witches. For many generations, it was thought to be unlucky to burn Elder and an omen of death to bring it indoors. In addition, it was also believed that anyone who cut the wood of this tree risked being turned into stone. In one Christian legend, it was from the branches of an Elder that Judas hanged himself after the betrayal of Christ...at which point the Elder forever lost its ability to grow straight and strong. In another, it is said that the cross upon which Christ was crucified was made of Elder...and the reason why the tree has stood in stooped remorse ever since. Some Irish legends claim that Saint Patrick used a branch of Elder in the form of a sacred rod in order to drive out all the serpents from Ireland. Often planted close to the home, the Elder was thought to offer protection against evil influences and lightning...based on the fact that the tree itself never seemed to get struck and it was hoped such immunity would extend to the nearly dwellings. In ancient times, it was believed that negative forces would be attracted by someone who fell asleep beneath an Elder tree. While slumbering, it was thought such a person would suffer horrific nightmares and become delirious upon waking.

The Elder, a common member of the Honeysuckle family, frequently displays a sprawling habit and can grow to 30 feet in damp clearings or along the edge of woods. In general, many liberally-branching stems emerge from the ground. In essence, it is considered too small and feeble to be a true tree, while being too large and airy to be categorized as a bush...essentially falling somewhere in-between the two. The light-gray bark of the Elder is rough and covered with wart-like breathing pores. The branches are flexible and can be broken without much trouble. The inner pith of the twigs is akin to cork and may be easily transformed into instant popguns and pipes...thus endearing this tree to countless generations of children. The wood of the Elder has never been put to many uses, being too weak for building material, but it was once believed that flutes made from Elder held the power to enchant spirits. The leaves are feathery and emit a foul smell which is apparently useful for warding off flies. Often planted as a hedgerow tree, cows appear to be particularly appreciative of the shade offered by the Elder, especially on days when swarms of insects can be irritatingly bothersome. The tiny white flowers of the Elder bloom in bunches and exude a sweet and heavy scent, which is slightly narcotic and distinctly heady. The Elder's flowers, though difficult to dry, are the most medicinally useful part of the plant, having been used as a cure for epilepsy, warts, toothache and cleansing of the blood. By the end of Summer, the Elder's blossoms have developed into drooping bunches of small purplish-black berries, which are a welcome source of food for the birds in the area. Elderberries are a rich source of vitamins and in Britain and much of Europe, still count among the most popular of the wild-foods. A plant which loves nitrogen, the Elder thrives on organic wastes, and since its damaged branches re-grow, it has long been a symbol of the circle of life and rebirth...a new beginning from the old. Pregnant women would often kiss the Elder to ensure good fortune and health for their unborn child.

There are two distinct types of Elder individuals (a division which relates to all Celtic Tree Signs). The "new moon" character is associated with the first two weeks of a sign and the "full moon" character is associated with the last two weeks.

The "new moon" Elder individual is usually more outspoken and impulsive than his or her "full moon" counterpart. Such people are extremely persuasive orators who constantly challenge injustices or what they perceive to be corrupt powers. The "full moon" Elder individual possesses great vision and inclined to operate more successfully in the background rather than pursuing a confrontational approach.

The Elder individual evolves gradually during his or her lifetime. In youth, such people are inclined to waste much time and energy on worthless ventures or projects. They are often fortunate individuals who frequently benefit at an early age from inheritances. However, this usually only encourages their extravagant tastes and indulgences. With a basic restlessness and/or insatiable curiosity, Elder individuals are drawn into the study of profound subjects and are prone to travel great distances in order to further their knowledge. Elder individuals are self-sufficient, lively and outspoken. They dislike routine and refuse to be pressured by others. Highly energetic with a great deal of stamina, they thrive on change and crave constant mental and physical challenge.

In later life, the Elder individual commands respect and possesses a great deal of patience. However, Elders can sometimes be heartless and cruel, and have a tendency to lack good judgment in their choice of friends. Ambitious, with a driving force to win at all costs, Elder characters are often outspoken and prone to speak without first thinking, but they possess a constructive approach to life and are frequently drawn to careers in the military or journalism. The true strength of Elders lie in the instinctive knowledge of when they are right and others are wrong, coupled with their inherent inclination toward self-discipline. The Elder individual is open in his or her relationships, but tends not to fall in love very deeply, seemingly able to remove their emotions from most situations. While finding it difficult to tame their restless natures enough to take on parenthood, Elders do make wonderful uncles and aunts. It is important that Elder individuals learn to use change as a positive force in their lives in order to avoid becoming reckless and confused.

Physical Goal: To learn that although one aspect of life may be over, another begins anew.

Mental Goal: To learn that changes from the old will bring creativity...will usher in new ideas and thoughts.

Spiritual Goal: To learn that links are continually formed as new phases of life and experience repeat themselves in different forms that lead to renewal.

Amergin Verse: "I am a Wave of the Sea"

Ogham Association: Ruis

Polarity: Masculine

Color: Red

Class: Shrub

Letter Character: "R"

Month: Makeup days of the Thirteenth month in the Celtic Ogham, which was only three days long and ended at Samhain.

Alias: "Moon of Completeness"

Magical Properties: Exorcism, Prosperity, Banishment and Healing

Some Famous Elder People: Woody Allen, Tyra Banks, Kim Basinger, Beethoven, Sir Winston Churchill, Jimi Hendrix, Mary Queen of Scots, Jim Morrison and Frank Sinatra

Symbols

Gemstone: The Elder gemstone is the Jet, sometimes called "Black Amber." It is an organic jewel rather than a gemstone, being a variety of Lignite, formed from the wood of cone-bearing plants which have fossilized...a type of coal intermediate between peat and anthracite which is so hard and uniform that it may be carved and polished to look like black glass, even though it radiates no light. The word "Jet" originates from Gagas in Asia Minor where it was first discovered. A grounding and balancing stone said to carry a negative electrical charge, Jet was believed to be excellent in the drawing of power and in providing knowledge to the wearer. When combined with Amber, Jet was one of the traditional stones of the High Priestess who, in some cultures, was the only person allowed to wear both stones together. In ancient times, Jet was often burned and the fumes inhaled in order to alleviate various conditions, including edema, colds, female disorders and hysteria. Jet fumes were once also used to detect the loss of virginity...although the exact method of this practice has been lost over the passage of time. The consumption of water into which a piece of Jet had been dipped was believed at one time to cure the pangs of childbirth, and powdered Jet mixed with wax to form a salve was used for dental problems. A mixture of Jet in wine was formerly used to relieve toothache and also served as a fixative for loose teeth.

Traditionally known to be a "one person" stone, Jet was thought to ward off evil (especially magical evil), lift fear and cure depression. These stones were considered a link between the physical and the spiritual and employed to balance the emotions, as well as to repel plague, fever and negativity and offer protection from thunderstorms. In Ancient Greece, Jet was a sacred substance and in Assyria, it was considered to be the Gods' favored jewel. Widely used as a talisman or amulet, medieval legend credits these medallions with supernatural powers...the ability to gain complete control over the natural elements (fire, air, earth and water), for example. Given as a gift, the amulet could allegedly place a person under the power of the giver's mental control. In Ancient Britain and Ireland, Jet was considered an extremely lucky stone and housewives burned it to ensure the safe return of their sailor husbands. Jet was one of the first materials to be carved into crosses and made into rosaries during the early days of the Christian Church. In the Victorian Era, Jet beads became very fashionable as trimming for women's clothing and the stone itself worn as mourning jewelry. Wearers also carried the stone to ease arthritis of the knee and to prevent baldness. The use of Jet for amulets and ornaments was once world-wide and small figurines carved from Jet have been found in the tombs of Ancient Egypt, Japan and in the Pueblos of the American Indians. Jet in its natural form is found most abundantly in England, France, Germany and Spain and is used today chiefly in the manufacture of buttons and costume jewelry.

Flower: The flower of the Elder is the Dandelion, also known as "Priest's Crown" and "Swine's Snout." The Dandelion does not grow in the Southern Hemisphere, but is found in all parts of the North Temperate Zone...in pastures, meadows and on waste ground. Farmers consider it to be a troublesome weed, given its prolifically dispersing seeds. The flowers of the Dandelion are a bright golden-yellow and its leaves are shiny and hairless, each cut into great jagged teeth which resemble the canine teeth of a lion, thus giving this plant its familiar name...a corruption of the French Dent de Lion. The Dandelion holds an important place among the honey-producing plants, furnishing a plentiful quantity of both pollen and nectar in the early Spring. With the withering of the petals, the seeds, crowned with their tufts of hair, appear and are soon mature enough to be blown from the stalk by the slightest breeze. This is the "Dandelion Clock" long loved by children, who will blow upon it until all the seeds are released...telling the time of day by the number of puffs necessary to disperse every seed. Small birds are extremely fond of Dandelion seeds and Pigs will devour the entire plant with much gluttony. Goats will also eat the Dandelion, but it does not appear to be palatable to either Sheep or Cattle. Horses also refuse to touch the plant but it is a valuable food for Rabbits and makes an excellent meal for this furry creature during Spring and particularly during breeding seasons. The young leaves were once consumed by the French in Spring salads and may still feature in salad dishes and sandwiches today in some parts of the Continent. Full-grown leaves, however, are far too bitter to be eaten. Dried Dandelion leaves are often employed as an ingredient in many digestive or diet drinks and herb beers...Dandelion Stout being a particular favorite among the workers in the industrial towns of the Midlands Area in England. Dandelion coffee is said to help keep the liver, kidneys and bowels in healthy working order. The first mention of the Dandelion in a medicinal sense was during the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries when it was employed by Arabian physicians. Since it is a non-poisonous plant, rather large doses of its preparations may be taken with no ill effects.

Celestial Body: The celestial body associated with the Elder is Saturn ("Sadorn"), an ancient Italian God of Reaping, Fertility and Agriculture. He is also credited with being the God of Time.

Deity: The Elder deity is Pryderi, son of Pwyll Penn Annwn and the Goddess Rhiannon. According to legend, Pryderi was stolen away as a newborn infant by a nameless fiend who, upon a horse-thieving expedition, dropped the babe once more into the world when it was struck by a blow from the Guardian of the Horses. Though not one of the official number among the Children of Llyr (one of the families of Gods found in Welsh Mythology associated with the Sea), Pryderi does appear to have been an honorary member by virtue of close association. Pryderi took the side of Bran in the conflict with Matholwch and was one of the seven survivors of that battle. Traditionally, Pryderi represented the dark forces in opposition to (and as part of) the light. He was defeated in the Battle of the Trees and is equated with King Pelles who lost the Grail to the archetypal forces of light. According to legend, Pyderi met his death at the hands of Gwydion, son of Don, in a single combat. He is said to be buried at Maen Tyriawg, above Y Felenrhyd.

Also associated with the Elder is The Cailleach, also known as Cailleach Beara and the Crone of Beare. In some parts of Ancient Britain, this deity was the Goddess of Winter, depicted as a blue-faced hag who was reborn every October 31 (Samhain). She brought the snow until the Goddess Brigit annually deposed her and she eventually turned to stone every April 30 (Beltaine). In later times, the mythical witch-like figure of "Black Annis" is believed to have derived from The Cailleach. An ancient Goddess of the pre-Celtic people, The Cailleach was thought to control the Seasons and the Weather, as well as being the Goddess of Earth, Sky, Moon and Sun. In Scotland, The Cailleach was also known as Scota (from which the name Scotland originates) and said to be the earliest known ancestor of the Scots. Initially, Scotland was called Caledonia or the "Land Given By Cailleach." Scota was probably once a Mother Goddess in Egypt, but her myth and origins have become shadowy with the passage of time. She was generally thought to be the daughter of the Pharaoh Cingris, but from that point, her history seems to diverge...even merging with Christian biblical figures. In many tales, she was the mother of Amergin the Bard; in others, she was the mother of Goidel, who gave his name to the Gaels. She is said to have died fighting the Tuatha de Danaan in the Milesian invasion and thought to be buried near a dolmen (a primitive stone altar) in County Kerry, Ireland.

Animals:
 
The Black Horse - A popular Celtic totem animal, the Horse was sacred to the Goddesses Epona and Rhiannon. Thought to be a faithful guide to the Otherworlds, it symbolized stamina, endurance and faithfulness.

The Badger - An animal said to possess unyielding courage in the face of danger, the Badger was noted for its tenacity. In the Welsh tale of Pwyll's courting of Rhiannon, a Badger was mentioned as a guide during dreaming. The Badger was symbolic of the fight for individual rights and the defense of personal spiritual ideas.

The Raven - A symbol of healing and protection, it was cautioned that great care should be taken when dealing with this important totem animal of the Celts. In Ireland, the Raven was associated with the battlefield and such Goddesses as the Morrigu or later Welsh Morrigan (as was the Crow). This bird was also connected to Bran the Blessed...in Welsh, "Bran" means "Raven." Although its reputation was sometimes dubious, the Raven was considered an oracular Bird, often representing the upsets and crises of life which were deemed necessary for anything new to be created.

December 23 (My Birthday!!): Though generally given Elder characteristics for the most part, those born on December 23 are often considered to be somewhat distinctive from that tree's jurisdiction, falling under the influence of the Mistletoe. December 23 is the only day not ruled by a tree and/or its corresponding Ogham letter. It is sometimes referred to as the "blank" or "unnamed" day of the Celtic Tree Calendar. Though credited with no particular month, the color of the Mistletoe is purple, its letter is "U," its Class is Chieftain and it is associated with healing and development on the spiritual level. This day was also known as "The Secret of the Un-hewn Stone" and denoted the quality of potential in all things.
Mistletoe people are said to be solid achievers, as well as being extremely charismatic. Though capable of incredible personal success, they often prefer to spend their lives helping others. The Mistletoe individual is mysterious by nature and often reluctant to become too intimate with others. Such people have a great fear of failure and are seldom keen to take on the role of parenting. They tend to give much thought to a relationship prior to making any committment. However, when Mistletoe individuals do fall in love, it is usually forever and they are totally devoted to their own parents. Mistletoe people view life as a great challenge and often distrust those who choose to take the easy path.

The gemstone associated with the Mistletoe is the Black Pearl, a rare version of the traditional White Pearl, which is not a true gemstone but a product of the sea. The Pearl is an organic gem, formed within the interior of certain mollusks as a natural defense to an irritant. A Pearl may be any shape, but those which are round or pear-shaped are the most valuable. Irregular-shaped Pearls are called Baroque Pearls. Pearls are said to aid in inner vision and help improve self-worth. It is believed that the wearer of Pearls is able to see the love of the person from whom the gift was given. Once believed by some cultures to be the tears of God, the Pearl is sometimes referred to as the "Queen Gem" (Diamond being the "King Gem"). Also, according to some legends, Pearls were the first creation of God. The Ancient Hindus included Pearls among the five precious gems in the magical necklace of Vishnu. Traditionally, the Pearl is an emblem of chastity and purity, symbolizing love, success and happiness. These gems were once credited with possessing the ability to reproduce themselves. This quality was attributed to every ninth Pearl, each of which would be placed in a bottle with two grains of rice and left to breed. In very early medical treatments, Pearls were crushed and taken internally in honey or wine to cure a variety of ailments. They were also sometimes dissolved in acid and swallowed to honor a famous personage...Cleopatra did this to honor Marc Antony and Sir Thomas Gresham to honor Queen Elizabeth I of England. Pearls were considered a powerful protective amulet and particularly treasured by divers and fishermen who wore them as protection from the perils of the sea. The Angel Gabriel is said to protect all those who wear Pearls.

The relative plant (not surprisingly) is the Mistletoe itself. Considered to be in the Chieftain Class, the Mistletoe is the Druid symbol of life through death and used at the Festival of Winter Solstice because it was considered sacred to the Sun. Mistletoe, also known in some cultures as the "Golden Bough," is an aerial parasitic plant which grows high in the boughs of trees. It has no roots and is dependent upon its host for survival. In Celtic mythology, the Mistletoe is chiefly associated with the Oak and is propagated by birds who deposit the berries during flight. In the Celtic language, Mistletoe means "All Heal" and it was once believed to possess all manner of miraculous curative powers...an aid in the treatment of toothache, measles and dog bites, for example. Sprigs were once placed in the cradles of babies in order to protect the infants from faerie abduction and giving a sprig to the first cow calving after the New Year was believed to protect the entire herd. Mistletoe was also thought to have held the soul of its host tree. With the advent of Christianity, Mistletoe was considered purely a Pagan plant and its display on Christian altars was forbidden for centuries.

Those born on this date also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Apple, whose motto is "Fulfilled In Love." The Apple Tree is the tree of perfection, the love link that unites nature with mankind, life with death and the beyond with the here and now. It is one of the seven sacred Celtic trees. The Celtic calendar has only two fruit trees...one is the Apple and the other is the Fig. Apple individuals are usually slight of build and blessed with an abundance of charm, appeal and attraction. They exude a pleasant aura and are flirtatious, adventurous and sensitive. Always in love, Apple people seek to be loved and make for faithful and tender partners. They are generous, stable and possessed with scientific talents. A person who "lives for today," the Apple individual is a carefree philosopher endowed with imagination who dreams about an untroubled life with no division. Apples are excellent mediators, their moral tolerance being beyond reproach and they like to be in contact with people they can help, for by helping others, they can often help themselves out of a bad patch.

The information was taken from this source:

http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/elder.html

Check out the main site to see what your Celtic Zodiac is! You can find it at this address;

http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/celtic.html

And now for my Chinese astrological sign!
  
The Ox
 
Those born under the influence of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task or an objective. As we used this great creature long ago to plow the soil day after day, so do Ox people labor through their daily responsibilities either at work or at home without complaint or gripe. Oxen know they will succeed through hard work and sustained effort and find no truth or benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes.

Years of the Ox

Ox years are second in sequence and recur every twelve years. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Ox year actually begins.

THE SIGN OF THE OX

Pragmatic and down-to-earth, Ox people are motivated to work hard and have no respect for lazy or careless people. Although they can be easily trusted and find it easy to put trust in others, they are not dependent on friends and family and would rather find an answer or a solution themselves than to ask these people for help or guidance. However, others can, without a doubt rely on Oxen, who are always honest and meticulous about their responsibilities. While they do not feel the need for many distant or acquaintance-oriented friendships, they value the strong bonds they share with their partners and families, and make close friends that last a lifetime.
Though they are quite open-minded, once Ox people have made a decision about something, they rarely change it. This is a defining characteristic that can be seen as obstinacy, but it is actually the way an Ox learns to be strong, brave and straightforward. It is the way the Ox learned to take on tasks and responsibilities and how he learns to be reliable for others. Oxen are more comfortable with the well-known as opposed to the unfamiliar. Yet, beneath their unpretentious, tranquil exterior lies a heart of gold and a motivation to prosper.

OXEN FACTS:

People born in the Year of the Ox share certain characteristics. The Ox sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual’s personality. Following are features associated with the sign of the Ox.
Second in order, Chinese name—NIU, sign of industry
Hour—1am-2:59am Month—January
Western Counterpart—Capricorn

CHARACTERISTICS

Obstinate, Pouty, Truthful, Motivated, Friendly, Apathetic, Genuine, Quick-tempered
 
IN YOUR ELEMENT

The characteristics of the Ox sign are tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth overlaying a 5-year cycle of characteristics on the original 12-year cycle.

THE WOOD OX 192S AND 1985
Understanding and fair, these are the least unyielding of the Oxen and the most apt to change and accept new ideas. A more liberal attitude gives them the ability to appreciate the value of being a part of a team, and other members of the team respect the high principles of the Wood Ox. They are particularly self-confident giving them an air of unspoken authority. This characteristic means that Wood Oxen are often chosen as leaders or spokespeople. They also have a shorter fuse than other Ox people, and are more likely to be outspoken or to stand up in a crowd to be heard. These Oxen are quite devoted to those they love and make strong and affectionate friends and relations.

HEALTH AND HOME

HEALTH
 
People born under the sign of the Ox usually have strong codes and work ethics. This can lead to a tendency to be a workaholic, and they should make an effort to relax more. Many Oxen work in relatively stationary occupations, and would benefit from squeezing a little exercise into their routines. They are prone to bone and joint problems - especially the knees - and must pay special attention to these areas. However, Ox people are usually strong and robust, and, according to ancient wisdom, should be blessed with long lives.

AT HOME WITH THE OX

The Ox’s home is his castle, a place where he finds relaxation and peace from the everyday hustle and bustle of his career or responsibilities. This is where he spends time with his friends and loved ones. The Ox person doesn’t put a lot of effort into making his house stylish, for he would much rather be comfortable while reading the newspaper or watching television. He doesn’t spend much time indoors anyway—he wants to be outside, smelling the air, planting gardens and trees, which will usually be evidenced by the botanical literature you will find on his bookshelf or on his coffee table. Ox people prefer to live in the country. The Ox generally prefers to decorate his home with nature’s colors, i.e. golds, greens and oranges. However, since the Ox is associated with January, winter colors might be more appealing.
 
CAREER AND FINANCE

THE OX ON THE JOB

Able, ethical and aware, colleagues of the Ox will marvel at their methodical approach and will depend on their eyes for detail. Oxen are not phased by routines, probably because they are so well-organized. They are better-suited for specialized positions and prefer to work in large companies. They do, however, work best when they work alone since they can be unhappy when participating in a large group.

MONEY AND THE OX

Oxen believe in security, and thus don’t usually take wild risks or financial gambles. They are meticulous about spending money and work hard to ensure they will be able to retire comfortably.

OX CAREERS

Those born in the Year of the Ox share the same kinds of goals and objectives in life. The occupations best suited for the Ox are listed below:

OX MAKE EXCELLENT:

Painters
Interior designers
Carpenters
Mechanics
Horticulturists
Engineers
Draftsmen
Architects
Army Officers
Managers
Quarry Workers
Academics
Archeologists
Osteopaths
Physiotherapists
Bankers
Investment brokers
Real estate agents
CONGENIAL BUSINESS PARTNERS

Whether Oxen are compatible with their business partners depends on whether their signs are harmonious or antagonistic to those of their business partners. Considering the congruity of their own characters and the characters of their business partners can also be very useful.

Rats Ruled By Benefit From Are Antagonistic to

Metal Earth Roosters Fire Tigers

Water Metal Rats Earth Horses

Wood Water Pigs Metal Sheep

Fire Wood Oxen Water Dogs

Earth Fire Snakes Wood Monkeys
 
Leisurely activities and pleasures

LIKES AND DISLIKES

The Ox is a lover of stability, a great traditionalist and a homemaker. Rarely would you expect an Ox person to be an extrovert pleasure-seeker. They are happiest in the peace of their own home territory.

Oxen Like:

Color Preference: Violet

Gems and Stones: Jade, Emerald, Moss-Agate, Lapis-Lazuli

Suitable Gifts: Kitchen accessories, gardening and planting books, cookbooks, bonsai trees

Hobbies and Pastimes: Body-Building, Baking, Gardening, Listening to music, Sewing

Oxen Dislike: Making small talk, foolish games, feeling insecure

THE OX VACATION

Actually, Oxen are homebodies, preferring the lure of the sofa or the garden to extravagant vacations far away from home. They are very happy just staying at home, spending their summer vacations catching up with the hobbies and pastimes that their workloads have prevented them from taking on previously. Whether they are planting flower beds, or enjoying a sunset on their newly-built front porch, it is all quite satisfying to them. If they do decide to take a trip, you can bet they’ll head for the hills to do some hiking or rock climbing.
 
FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Oxen are not the most sociable people and tend not to mix easily in social gatherings. Instead, they would rather be at home, enjoying their privacy and anonymity. Unlike the Rat, the Monkey, or the Rooster, the Oxen tend not to have a little black book, preferring a few very loyal friends to a large network of acquaintances. Oxen do know how to shine at social occasions, but more often than not they dislike small talk. These are wary people, unlikely to ignite friendships on the spur of the moment. They like to take their time and get to know people before disclosing themselves fully. A happy, solid relationship with their partner and children is the most satisfying goal they could accomplish.

OX PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Oxen make very protective parents. People born under this sign will unselfishly work their fingers to the bone to provide a thriving, happy and secure home where their children feel safe. In return, however, the Ox mother and father demand that their youngsters be courteous, respectful and polite. In comparison to other parents, Oxen can seem a bit authoritarian but they are conventional and believe in instilling within their children a belief system. A good education is especially important and by utilizing their educational opportunities, Oxen children can make their lives and relationships with their parents a lot easier. Ox parents expect their children to listen, behave and be attentive while they are at school. Showing rebellion is the fastest way to be punished in the Oxen household.

Oxen, especially female Oxen, tend to start their families early on and completely immerse themselves in caring for and parenting their children. This can lead to dependent children and can pose a problem for parents who are trying to teach their children to become self-reliant.

THE OX INFANT AND CHILD

Children born under the sign of the Ox are quiet and amenable. They develop into solid, independent, Resourceful children, and are happiest when left to entertain themselves. If interrupted, provoked or forced to do something against their will, they are likely to pout or show themselves, despite their audience.

Generally, Ox-born children are shy, and for many, childhood is quite lonely partly due to them liking to be alone and partly because their siblings are usually much older or younger than they.

At school, subjects with a constructive appeal will be of the most interest to them. They like art and music as well. They are creative children who enjoy sports too. They are respectful, polite, hard-working, children…something their parents take very seriously.

OXEN PARENT/CHILD KINSHIPS

Some parents click immediately with their children and some find they will never have a close relationship no matter how hard they try to make it happen. Following are the compatibility ratings between Oxen parents and their children.

Oxen with Under the same roof Compatibility Rating

Rat noble parent, respectable child ****

Ox pretty much equal ***

Tiger not much understanding *

Rabbit happy at home ***

Dragon some problems to sort out **

Snake on similar planes ***

Horse little compromise *

Sheep too sensitive *

Monkey a lot of fun together ****

Rooster solid relationship ****

Dog not much interaction *

Pig essentially harmonious ***

COMPATIBILITY RATINGS:

*uphill struggle **some complications ***easy bonding ****on the same wavelength

Lovers and spouses

THE OX LOVER

Oxen dislike chit-chat. They don't have fun at parties and as aforementioned, don’t have a ton of friends. They are not very sociable and would rather be spending their time at home with their families. When the Ox is in love, he does not confirm his feelings verbally, preferring to show you how he feels rather than tell you. An Ox will take a long time to decide if you are the right match for him because Oxen hate change, and want to find someone who is ready to embark upon a stable marriage. Oxen never rush into anything and are not flirtatious people. Once they have committed to you they will usually be faithful and expect reciprocation of their honorable actions.

MARRIAGE

Unfortunately, many Ox marriages do fall apart after a couple of years, possibly because the Ox is too dominant or inflexible. Perhaps it's because, Oxen tend to place blame on everyone but themselves. But if an Ox fortunate, and has chosen wisely, the couple can build and maintain a close-knit family to which the Ox will completely devote himself.

THE OX LOVE PARTNER

Oxen are strong, silent, reliable people who sometimes take for granted that their relationship is a partnership and that they make not always be the dominant figure. Other Animals may find them quite stubborn and overbearing. Chinese horoscopes are very specific about which partnerships have the potential to be successful in love and in business. Yet, though destiny can point us in the right direction, we must still make all efforts to maintain loving relationships. Following is a brief description of how an Ox will affect a relationship with other Animal signs.

PARTNERS IN LOVE

Ox*Rat

Really good sex, but you’ll better serve each other as an affair. Marriage isn’t a good idea.

Ox*Ox

A solid partnership, but a wee bit boring.

Ox*Tiger

You are completely drawn to each other but headed for a dead end.

Ox*Rabbit

As lovers you’ll have a solid, content marriage.

Ox*Dragon

Give-and-take is not your forte and you are both more stubborn than the other.

Ox*Snake

You are headed for happiness!

Ox*Horse

Better in business than in bed.

Ox*Sheep

You may be physically attracted to each other, but there’s not much substance here.

Ox*Monkey

If you can make it work, you’re destined for happiness and a lot of fun!

Ox*Rooster

Sexually stimulating, passionate and spontaneous…this should be a good fit.

Ox*Dog

You probably aren’t truly comfortable with each other…there’s a reason for that. Not much in common.

Ox*Pig

Passion and similar opinions destine you for a successful marriage.

Love Partners at a Glance

Oxen with Tips on Togetherness Compatibility

Rat similar appreciation ***

Ox strong, but apathetic **

Tiger completely different attitudes *

Rabbit delicate and loving ***

Dragon love at first sight, then stalemate *

Snake Majestic ****

Horse too argumentative *

Sheep No way *

Monkey okay, but no spark **

Rooster Wonderful ****

Dog Doubtful, but there’s hope **

Pig worth trying **

COMPATIBILITY RATINGS:

EAST MEETS WEST

CAPRICORN OX

Capricornian Oxen are made of true resolute. A sustained effort allows them to achieve a very comfortable way of life. They are conservative and responsible and will work long hours to provide their loved ones with security and comfort.

The information was taken from this source:

http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.htm

Check out the main site to see what your Chinese Zodiac is! You can find it at this address;

http://www.rainfall.com/horoscop/chinese.htm

And now for my Greek zodiac!

Sun in Capricorn

December 22 - January 19

People who are born under the sign of Capricorn are practical, self-reliant and tenacious. As a Capricorn, people see you as patient, realistic and responsible, but they worry that you take life far too seriously sometimes. Your friends think of you as kind and very peaceable, ambitious and hard working, and know that you can be easily embarrassed, so they try not to tease you too much. You can take the occasional joke, but people might find it difficult sometimes to understand your dry sense of humor. With strangers you can be a little wary, and so come across as aloof and difficult to get to know.
 
At work, you never brush aside your responsibilities, but you must have a goal to satisfy in order to keep your mind on your work. And if you feel that you are not getting back from your job what you are putting into it, you will most likely move on; a lack of challenge is what bores you most. Your coworkers and friends alike might turn to you with their problems, both personal and professional, because you seem to be a good problem solver and have excellent intuition.

At home and at work, you tend to seek approval and appreciation. If neither is found or offered you will likely move on to someone or something that realizes what a gem of a find you are. Capricorn is an enduring sign, with those born under it often living to a ripe old age. Capricorns are often said to be old when they are young, and young when they are old.

As a lover, you are faithful and reliable, but can be shy at first. In order for a relationship to become sexual, you must be exceedingly comfortable with your partner and have complete trust in them. Although you enjoy relationships and tend to prosper in them, you fear becoming too dependent upon your mate: you must have some time to yourself now and again because you are apt to be a rather independent person.

The information was taken from this source:

http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/zodiac_greek.html

Check out the main site to see what your Greek Zodiac is! You can find it at this address;

http://www.lilithgallery.com/articles/zodiac_greek.html

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a journal entry (due to the fact I have no life outside of work and school -_-) so I decided to buckle down and write something for my online journals today! Go me! There has been a lot of things going on in my neck of the woods so be prepared for a LONG entry. If you have a short attention span, this is not the entry for you. Feel free to ignore it and move on with your life. LOL But if you are willing to read this, you have been warned. *Dramatic, spooky music plays in the background.* I know; I have a BAD sense of humor. You would too if you got the amount of sleep I do. Heh. But anyways…moving on.

First off, I would like to mention something profound that happen to me two weeks ago. I happened to take a weekend class (workshop) on getting published and I learned a lot about the publishing industry! (It was called “Got Word? Get Published!”) I know that all of the information I learned will help me in my writing career so I appreciated the time I was allotted to participate in the exciting workshop! (Thank you for giving me the time off work Jim! *hugs* You’re the best!) The workshop was hosted by an editor of a local publishing company known as “Northland Publishing,” and it was quite insightful. Ironically my mom used to work there as the marketing director. 0_0 LOL I guess it is true that the world is connected by five people or less.

Anyways, it was a great experience and I learned a lot from it, but the profound event that occurred actually took place AFTER my workshop. It just so happens that my mom has a friend name Lynette who’s been raising money for a local homeless shelter she is setting up for the community . She plans on turning a local hotel (which I forgot the name of) into a homeless shelter with the money she is accumulating through various fund raisers. It’s really quite admirable. Well, she ended up raising the amount of money she needed through hosting a series of yard sells outside of the hotel she is converting into the shelter (I donated my last ten dollars to the cause) but during one of these fund raisers, it just so happened that they homeless people brought their children and didn’t have anywhere to put them.

After my workshop, my mom gave me a call and asked me if I would watch the children and take them to the park and to see a movie. I agreed (as I love children!) and drove to the fundraiser, ready to take the kids to have a good time. Heading into the situation I had no idea that it would have as profound impact on my life as it did. I realized that I was doing something for my mom and her friend but I hadn’t considered how it would affect the children. On the way to the theatre, I was asked the children what they wished for. One boy said he wished for lots of ice cream. The other boy wished for video games. One girl wished for lots of money. Then there was the last girl. She was quite for a while and then she said; “I wish that I had a home.” It was heartbreaking to hear someone that young make such a simple yet moving request.

After she had wished for a house the other kids began to tell me stories about living on the streets, families that had fallen apart and other things that I will not mention in this journal entry because I do not feel they are appropriate to repeat. But hearing all of these sad stories from the children…who were not even old enough to understand most of the things they were saying…was enough to motivate me to want to help all of the youth in my community that were like them. You can think whatever you want about adults who are homeless, but the children don’t deserve to be on the streets. After taking the children to Thorpe Park and then to see “Open Season” (which was a decent movie) it was time to drive them back to the homeless shelter. I was in my car with the children once again and it was heart breaking to see their expressions. None of them had wanted to leave the movie theatre because they realized that once the movie was over they’d have to go back to their tin apartment rooms and once again be reminded that they didn’t really have a home to return to. Yet at the same time, they were full of life and brave. One of the boys and girls was even playing a game in the back sat. It was life as usual for them. It was life changing for me.

I pulled up to the shelter and dropped the kids off. The other boy and girl got of the car and were having some kind of argument about shoes. They ran back to their parents, excited (yet solemn) about being home. The two remaining girls thanked me and the little boy gave me a hug. After a talking with the three kids for a few minutes, they ran back to their allotted rooms and excitedly told their parents about their day at the park and movie theatre. I talked to Lynette and told her that we all returned home safe and sound. She said “You did a great thing today. Most of these kids have never experienced something like this. Thank you so much for your help.” I smiled and said; “Don’t thank me; I just like to help out. It was no big deal.”

After talking a little longer I headed to work (because they decided to call me in to work the night shift) a changed person. When you interact with people who are less fortunate than you it makes you appreciate the things you have in your own life. You read about things like this in the paper all of the time, but it doesn’t really affect you until you go out and see it fist hand. I encourage all of you to reach out to someone less fortunate than you in your community today. One action can change a person’s life and give them hope for the future, so do something for your local community today!

Well now that I have talked about something deep (shocking, I know) it’s time for me to move on to the more random happenings of my life. I would like to mention (before I forget) that I officially finished collecting all of the Studio Ghibli films! (Go me!) They have really been giving me inspiration for my book series and artwork so I am quite pleased that I was able to finish off my collection! Aside from that, I have been hanging out at all of my guy friend’s houses and it’s been great! I LOVE being one of the guys. As much as I adore my girlfriends, it feels good to get out with all of the guys and talk about things blowing up. Yay for senseless violence and random conversations!

As for school, it’s been going really good! (More or less…) All of my classes are *irritatingly* easy with the exception of my anthropology class, which WOULD be easy accept for the fact that all of the people in that class hate my guts (because I’m smart and have a mind of my own) and I haven’t been motivated enough lately to read my anthropology book. The good news is that my teacher is really nice and she helps me understand all of the terms I am too lazy to look up in my text book, so I guess that it all works out at the end of the day.

On a random note I’ve come to another profound conclusion. I’m going to be perfectly honest and blunt with all of you. I am sick of shallow people. I am sick of stupid people. Heck, I am sick of MOST people. Why you may ask? Well…the decline in the intelligence of humanity is something that has been bothering me for years, but that is beside the point. The fact is that for a great portion of my life I was always trying to please other people. I was so concerned with what everyone thought of me that I remained quite and hid my true self from the world. Well I’ve come to the point in my life where I don’t give rat’s ass what people think of me; and that’s the truth. I’m going to be my blunt, strong, stubborn self and say what I feel like saying. I’m going to live each day to the fullest and take advantage of every waking moment of my life. I’m tired of being the “good girl.” I’m tired of being put in a box; that’s just not the type of person that I am.

I am a capable young lady with strong ambitions for the future, a good head on her shoulders and a mind of her own. I don’t feel the need to put on a performance for people anymore. People can take me or leave me for what I am, but I am tired of making my whole life politically correct. From now on I am going to say what I want to say and I am going to be PROUD of it. I’m going to live each moment life it is my last and be proud to be me. I’m actually excited to have enemies. Maybe that sounds weird to you, but I’ve learned that diverse opinions help me grow as a person (spiritually and mentally). I’ve learned that some of the best things I’ve discovered about myself have come from the negative statements of my enemies. You can’t change the opinions that people have of you no matter what you do, so it’s better to be yourself. It’s more rewarding in the long run and you don’t have to feel like you are putting a mask on to have the courage to face world. I’m tired of that mask. I’m tired of everyone else’s mask.

In fact, if I meet someone and they are putting on a show for me, I just tell them to be blunt. I’m so sick of shallow statements and broken promises. If someone doesn’t really want to go somewhere with me, I’d rather they tell me the truth than be polite about it. If someone doesn’t like the way I look, the way I am, I’d rather they be blunt about it (in a civil way) than keep pretending to be my friend. Maybe that sounds weird, but when you get to me my age, there are more important things to worry about than what people think about you. I personally like everyone, but that’s a choice that I’ve made long ago. I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone will not feel that way, and it’s ok. People are entitled to their opinion. After all, opinions are like noses; everyone has one. It’s what makes us diverse and capable of learning new things from others. So anyways you get what I’m saying, so I digress. Enough said about that.

Well this entry has officially become four pages long in Microsoft word, so I think it’s time for me to go, but I wish all of you a great week full of new experiences and accomplishments. Have a good day everyone and I’ll write again soon! I love you all! (And I’m not just saying that. I’m blunt and I’d tell you if it wasn’t true. I think I’ve established that. LOL) Big hugs and kisses go out to all of my loyal Deviant Art watchers, Fiction Press fans, You Tube watchers, Fiction Press people and readers of my various journals. You guys have helped me grow so much over the years and I appreciate and admire you all. Also, lots of love goes out to my friends and internet brothers and sister. You know who you are. ^_- Know that you are loved and thought of often. “Now my entry’s running thin, I’ve run out of luck, time for me to retire now, and become a duck.” See you around everyone! *More big hugs and kisses*