1990: The year of the horse

A few weeks ago I was strolling through the 798 art district here in Beijing with a buddy who randomly dropped in town. We were looking through some Tibetan art building (we assumed from the numerous prayer flags.) Anyway, I told him how traveling seems to be the best source of learning for me. I have learned more in the past two years than I ever learned in a classroom. I meet so many people along the way and each one seems smarter than the previous. 
I've decided I learn best through others. I can more easily focus my attention on an interesting human, rather than a school teacher when I was 10. Point is, I'm not just off galavanting and aimlessly wandering the world, I'm really learning a lot. I'm not only learning about China and it's culture and geography, but about other countries through all of the fascinating people I meet. I listen to their stories and in return gain useful, intelligent information, as well as entertainment.
This isn't the point of the blog though. Well, not exactly. The point is I didn't realize when I'd said it how true it was.  
We all know why I initially began traveling, but the point is I did it. And it takes a certain kind of person to just up and leave. Even if only temporarily. I myself had no idea why I boarded a 22-hour flight to Beijing on July 1, but I just did. Sometimes we don't have answers. My worst, yet best quality is that I make impulsive decisions. And although China took planning and work to get here, in the beginning, it was simply an ad I saw in an email. When I was headed here everyone sled, "Why China?" I had no answer for them. Since arriving in Beijing, when I met others they ask the same question, "Why China?" My answer is still the same, "I have no idea." The difference between now and seven months ago is I always add, "but I love it."
Soon to approach is the Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival here in China. The Chinese run on a lunar calendar. This means January 1st is not the first day of their year. This year, the first day of the year is February 19th. I've been learning a lot about the Chinese Zodiac animals through my weekly lunches with Jasmine (my Chinese BFF). She told me I'm a horse, she's a snake and this year is going to be the year of the sheep (also, ram or goat). This was all last week. Today we were walking and I asked her again what the horse meant. It is known for being a free spirit, well-liked, motivated toward constant self-improvement and known as a loyal friend. I was really happy to hear all of this because I like to think of myself as motivated and free-spirited. Not to mention the horse is my favorite animal. Then, I find out this year (the one ending in two weeks) was the year of the horse. As we were discussing this, walking through the miraculously sunny streets of Sanlitun, I shrieked, in excitement, "of course it's the year of the horse! This has been the best year of my life!" I then proceeded to say the Chinese zodiac single-handedly picked me to come to China for this year of the horse. Like destiny. It's hard to put into words what I'm trying to say, but, I am a horse and this was 100% my year! 
I have met some of the most emotionally and spiritually motivating people this year. I made real life changes and I have started over. And I discovered this all the while not knowing it was my year. 
All Chinese Zodiacs, like the Zodiacs we're familiar with, have suggestions for which animals are best for you and which are not, as well as lucky numbers and colors. In addition to all that, each Zodiac has a lucky flower, which for the horse, happens to be Jasmine. Yes, like my wonderful better half here in China, whom I so happened to meet on my fourth day here and have been lucky enough to have by my side this whole time. It was fate. If I didn't already, before today, I can now say I 100% believe that everything, even the little ones, happen for a reason.