Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.

2008 will be the Chinese Year of the Rat.

Other animals in the 12 year Chinese cycle are – Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, Rooster and this year’s Pig.

The Chinese new year begins on February 7th. Until then, new babies are pigs. Their dad’s, too, some mom’s might say.

How old will you be this year? If your age can be divided by 12 into a round number then you are a Rat.

Too hard? Will you be born, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 or 108 this year?

You are a rat.

What are the attributes of the Rat?

1. First in the Chinese 12-year cycle

2. protector

3. bringer of material prosperity

4. aggressive

5. associated with wealth, charm and order

6. also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence and atrocities

Rats are:

7. leaders

8. pioneers

9. conquerors

10. charming

11. passionate

12. charismatic

13. practical

14. hardworking

15. highly ambitious

16. strong-willed

17. keen

18. unapologetic promoters of their own agenda

19. energetic

20. versatile

21. resourceful

22. adaptable

23. appealing as a friend

24. selective when choosing friends

25. have few close friends

…

26. obstinate

27. controlling

28. strong self-control of emotions

29. can manipulate, control and exploit others

30. master of mind games

31. dangerous

32. calculative

34. quick-tempered

35. quick to exact revenge

—

36. need to learn to relax

37. obsessed with details

38. intolerant

39. strict

40. demanding order, obedience and perfection

41. fair in dealing with others

42. expect fairness from others

43. have expectations of self and others too high sometimes

44. become idealistic and tolerant with age

45. face identity crisis in life

46. feel guilt

47. must work hard and long for everything

48. greatly tempted by gambling, alcohol and drugs

49. are not good friends with horse

50. get along well with monkeys, dragons and oxen

—

If you are still looking for a job, try being a spy, a shrink, a psychologist, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work or pathology.

And, how many of those traits could likely be said about any person/s?

Yeah, I don’t take any stock in the Chinese zodiac or any other zodiac for that matter.

Do you?

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_(zodiac) 

Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.