Over the next few weeks over 1.3 billion Chinese around the globe will be celebrating Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year / Spring Festival). 2009 is the Year of the Ox and for those who believe in this nonsense – The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint. Over the holiday I’ll be taking a trip to the ancient city of Xi’an (pronounced Shee’an), terminus of the…