Nelson's Blog: January 2009

A peek at what’s in store for this year.

At a glance
Lucky: Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Ram, Rooster, Dog, Pig
Not so lucky: Horse, Monkey, Rat

THE wheel of fortune changes every year. You could be down one year, on top of the world, the next. So what does the Year of the Earth Ox hold for the 12 Chinese zodiac signs? Feng shui master Wong Keen Ming clues you in:

Ox

This is your lucky year; everything is favourable. You’re probably the luckiest of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. You’ll make significant progress in your career. Big money comes your way and you’ll enjoy good health.

Career: You have two important lucky stars. You could be promoted and can expect a windfall.

Love life: You’re not so lucky in love this year. The female Ox wants to bask in luxury, while the male Ox is in a foul mood. Relationships may turn cold.

Health: The Ox loves sports and healthy food, and rarely gets sick. In fact, the Ox will enjoy better health this year. The young Ox should not have too much of a good time lest he/she gets into trouble.

Take note: Remember the old Chinese saying: Never forget the hard times when you’re lucky.

Tiger

You have no lucky or unlucky stars. Work hard and you’ll be rewarded. It’s a year of changes; whether these are good or bad depends on you.

Career: You have more chances to go abroad this year. You’ll impress your clients and co-workers with your performance. Your boss will appreciate your efforts.

Love life: There’s a lonely star influencing you. Married Tigers may have little time to talk to their spouse, so there may be a communication breakdown. Single Tigers can hardly find any new love interest.

Health: Young Tigers will have a common health problem this year. Old Tigers should take good care of their health because of two unlucky stars.

Take note: It’s an average year – the outcome will depend on your attitude. Work hard and don’t miss good opportunities.

Rabbit

The Rabbit is more comfortable with the Pig (which symbolises endings) rather than the Rat (which is associated with new beginnings). You will enjoy good luck, especially in love. But the luck element is missing in health and wealth-related matters.

Career: You’ll meet a strong lucky star that will help you when you’re in trouble. You may make significant progress in your career, and may even get promoted. Be warned that several unlucky stars around you could create obstacles when you’re close to success. Although you’ll make more money this year, be wise in how you use it. It’s not a good year for speculative investments.

Love life: The Rabbit is gentle, talented in art, cares for his friends and makes people feel at ease. The single Rabbit can look forward to an abundance of opportunities. Married Rabbits will find family life is great fun.

Health: Your health is under the influence of an unlucky star, and you may get hurt in an accident. You’re often in a bad mood due to lack of sleep.

Take note: Have enough sleep. Be careful while driving or crossing the road. Focus on your career and love life.

Dragon

It’s a tough year. Three big lucky stars are hanging over you but lots of small unlucky stars are around you, too. Double your efforts to ward off negative elements and you’ll achieve success. With a strong will and hard work, you’ll have a great year.

Career: With strong lucky stars smiling on you, you’ll have success in elections, exams and promotions. However, matters involving documents and contracts may lend you in trouble. Beware of rumours and gossip-mongers.

Love life: The single Dragon will be lonely most of the time. The married Dragon is likely to spend nights alone as your spouse is often away.

Health: You cannot sleep well at night. During the day, you cannot concentrate on your work. Make sure you have ample rest.

Take note: You’re vulnerable to accidents this year, so be alert.

Snake

This is a favourable year because there’s a big lucky star smiling on you although there are also several small unlucky stars in the corner. You can make steady progress.

Career: Arguments with co-workers will slow work down. You may disappoint your boss. Your co-workers might fight with you for a promotion. You can count on your lucky star to help you when you’re in trouble.

Love life: You’ll meet lots of small obstacles. The married Snake will quarrel with his/her spouse. The single Snake will find new love interests. Seize the chance or it will slip away soon enough.

Health: You have an unlucky star influencing your health, and may suffer poor health. It’s not a good time to travel.

Take note: Try to control your desire to shop. Spend more time with your family and play more sports.

Horse

You may be the one with the worst luck among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. You’ve no lucky star but lots of unlucky stars. Tread carefully.

Career : You may make major mistakes at work, so scrutinise contracts and agreements carefully. This is not a good year to make money. Avoid speculative investments.

Love life: The proud Horse does not want to get involved. The old Horse’s spouse is vulnerable to major illnesses. The single Horse may not meet his/her dream date.

Health: As you’re unlucky this year, avoid going to hospitals and funerals. Your health is not too good. You may not have energy left for anything unrelated to your job. Avoid unnecessary social events and take an extended rest instead.

Take note: If you have Ox friends, keep in touch with them as they could pass some good luck to you. Be cautious in everything you do, to avert disasters.

Ram

Generally, it’s a favourable year. You have three big lucky stars but several unlucky stars around you. So you can expect to face some obstacles on the road to success.

Career: This is the time for you to shine. Two lucky stars smile on your career. You should make significant progress and get promoted. Don’t be over-confident when you have achieved success. The salaried Ram may make more than sufficient money. It’s a good time for investments and new business ventures.

Love life: With the influence of two unlucky stars, the Ram is likely to have arguments with his/her love interest. But you get to know each other better and take your relationship to the next level.

Health: Watch out for signs of increased stress or burn-out. Take a good rest.

Take note: Although you may feel like a superhero, you’re definitely not one. Take precautions, like everyone else.

Monkey

This will be a challenging year as all the lucky stars around you are gone. You’re likely to face problems alone.

Career: With the lack of lucky stars, the Monkey can hardly make any significant progress. Although you’re willing to do your best, it’s hard to satisfy the boss. Someone who dislikes you will spread rumours and gossip about you. People around you may misunderstand you. This is not a good time to invest or begin new business ventures.

Love life: You enjoy good luck in matters of the heart. The married Monkey will enjoy a peaceful family life. The Monkey in love will be in for a good time. The single Monkey may find a new romantic interest, depending on his/her attitude.

Health: You’re vulnerable to illness as you’re under the influence of a strong unlucky star. You’re accident-prone too, so be more alert. While walking on the street, be careful of things falling from the sky, which may hurt you badly.

Take note: The Monkey must try to follow the rules. Your foes may want to hurt you; don’t let them.

Rooster

Opportunities await you this year. You should have good luck in career, romance and wealth. But you also have some unlucky stars.

Career: With three big lucky stars smiling on you, you should make significant progress in your career. You need not go out of your way to look for opportunities as they will come to you. If you do your best, you’ll achieve success. The Rooster loves luxury and works hard to procure a better life. A significant amount of money could come your way this year, perhaps an unexpected inheritance.

Love life: The married Rooster will enjoy a wonderful family life. The single Rooster should prepare to begin a new relationship. It’s a nice time for Roosters to get married and have a baby.

Health: If pregnant, the female Rooster must tread carefully. The male Rooster may have liver problems, so watch your health.

Take note: Talk less, work more.

Dog

You’ll enjoy good luck this year as you have two lucky stars. Your career and health should be fine. However, your career can drain you of energy.

Career: You’re likely to be promoted to a position of authority, owing to your loyalty to the company. However, you lack assistants to help you achieve greater success, and you need to work doubly hard.

Fortunately, the Dog is never afraid of hardship. With patience, success is possible. Meanwhile, you have two unlucky stars, so be cautious and abide by the rules.

Love life: The married Dog will find unconditional love within the family. The Dog in love may bring his/her relationship to a new level. The single Dog may find a new romantic interest.

Health: You should enjoy good health as long as you avoid stress-related issues.

Take note: Spend more time with your family. Be careful of being exploited or betrayed.

Pig

It’s an average year. You have a lucky star and several unlucky stars. You’re under the influence of the unlucky stars in the first half of the year. You may get off to a slow start, but the later part of the year will present better opportunities.

Career: You’re likely to get promoted. If you have your own business, chances are you could see an increase in sales or a decrease in debts. It’s not good to make speculative investments in the first half of the year. Do not gamble or buy lottery tickets. You must give up the habit of pursuing a luxurious lifestyle.

Love life: When it comes to love, you’ve the best luck among the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Watch your step so you won’t be caught in the love trap.

The married Pig will enjoy a wonderful family life this year. The Pig in love will take his/her relationship to the next level. The single Pig has great opportunities to meet Mr/Miss Right.

Health: If you push yourself too hard in your money-making ventures, it could affect your health. You could fall sick or have an accident, especially if you’re involved in manual labour.

Take note: Get enough sleep.

Rat

You’re not as lucky as last year. There are several unlucky stars influencing the Rat. However, there are still eight favourable months ahead. Your luck in career and wealth is good, but not in love and health.

Career: You have a lucky star this year. Your boss will appreciate your talents and you will get the promotion you’ve been eyeing. But it won’t happen if you don’t fight for it. For merchants, bankers and sales people, you will make more than sufficient money.

Love life: Rats are not lucky in love this year. For married people, you’ll have frequent quarrels with your spouse. For those in love, it’s not a good time to push the existing relationship to the next level. Your love interest could have a change of heart. For singles, set aside some time for social life and you might find a new love interest, but do not expect things to develop rapidly.

Health: You’re vulnerable to accidents and diseases. Too much pressure and lack of sleep might lead to poor health. Go for an annual medical check-up.

Take note: Remember the old Chinese saying: Having good health is good luck.

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama became the first black US President yesterday, making history before a sea of people and declaring the United States in the midst of a crisis that can be defeated with a united sense of purpose.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,” Obama said in his inaugural speech shortly after taking the oath of office. “They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.”

Hundreds of thousands of people erupted in roars of approval on the broad National Mall grounds as they watched Obama stand with one hand raised, one hand on a Bible used to swear in Abraham Lincoln in 1861, and repeat the brief oath to become the 44th US President and succeed George W. Bush.

The inauguration of Obama, 47, the son of a black Kenyan father and a white mother from Kansas, was steeped in symbolic meaning for African-Americans, who for generations suffered slavery and then racial segregation that made them second-class citizens.

Beaming broadly, the new president had kisses for his wife, Michelle, and his school-age daughters, Malia and Sasha, then he turned to the crowds stretching away into the distance on a cold, wintry day.

“Obama, Obama,” the crowd cheered.

Dispatching quickly with pleasantries, Obama turned to the task at hand and sought to temper the soaring optimism about his leadership with reality. A Democrat, he took over from Republican Bush, who served two terms and whose approval ratings plumbed record lows.

Obama cited the worst US economic conditions in 70 years and US involvement in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as having placed the country “in the midst of crisis.”

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,” he said.

He pledged bold and swift action on the “badly weakened” US economy, a top priority as he works with the US Congress on an estimated US$850bil (RM3.071 trillion) economic stimulus package aimed at jolting the economy back to life.

US stock indexes extended losses and hit session lows after his speech, which provided few details on how to tackle the crisis.

After years of tense relations with Muslims following the Sept 11 attacks seven years ago that prompted Washington’s declared war on terrorism and deeply shaped Bush’s policies, Obama offered conciliatory words to the Islamic community while issuing a warning to those who would wage terrorism.

In a message to the Muslim world, Obama said he would seek a “new way forward” based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

He added: “We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”

In his first act of business, the Obama White House issued a proclamation declaring a national day of renewal and reconciliation and calling on Americans to serve one another.

Highlighting the economic problems Obama will face, major US stock indexes fell yesterday on mounting worries over grim earnings and the health of the banking sector.

Obama said the economic crisis was a consequence of “greed and irresponsibility” on the part of some and vowed that those who manage Americans’ money “will be held to account.”

He also promised a “watchful eye” to ensure financial markets do not spin out of control.

Economic woes – the recession has saddled the country with a US$1 trillion deficit and 11 million people unemployed – have become the top concern of the US public and helped Obama beat Republican John McCain in the November presidential election.

“I don’t care what colour he is,” said Garrell Winstead, a 67-year-old real estate investor who traveled to the Mall from Cincinnati, Ohio to see Obama sworn in.

“If the economy doesn’t improve and if he doesn’t create enough jobs, patience will evaporate.”

About 8,000 police were deployed and a total of 32,000 military personnel were on duty or on standby.

The Homeland Security Depart- ment said authorities were investigating a potential threat of “uncertain credibility” in connection with the inauguration.

Some estimates put the number of people expected to pack the Mall and inaugural parade route at more than two million.

Crowds clogged the city’s metro rail system and thronged the security check-points.

”This is chaos now,” said Judy Bailey, 42, of Cincinnati, Ohio, as police shunted her further and further away from the swearing-in ceremony early in the morning.

“But it is amazing to be here. This is history in the making.” — AP