Welcome to the Year of the Dog. Yes, that does mean Baby Shih will be a dog (ç‹—ç‹—!!!). The hilarious thing is that Tam loves dogs and wants one. Same thing for kids. Nothing like killing two birds with one stone!

According to the Chinese Culture Center of SF, this is what to expect from people born in the Year of the Dog:

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people’s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

We had a great time last night at my cousin’s apartment making and eating dumplings. Why dumplings? Because they symbolize wealth. Dumplings happen to be quite similar in shape to gold and silver ingots of China’s imperial past.