I won’t delve into the political realm, so let’s just be grateful for what we have in the United States of America, specifically in Tucson, and Southern Arizona.

Here’s my list of resolutions for the New Year:

– be more patient

– be kind

– be compassionate

I hope I have the patience (Resolution #1) to practice my resolutions beyond tomorrow, but I will try to be kind and compassionate (Resolutions # 2 and 3) to those I encounter in the new year.

And so we end the powerful Year of the Dragon and enter the enigmatic Year of the Snake. I have several “snakes” in my life — three friends and a niece, so it should be an interesting year.

Happy New Year to our readers and fellow bloggers at Tucsoncitizen.com! And if you’re wondering which were my top 5 stories of 2012, four of the five were election news: two on the General Election results (candidates and propositions), the Primary Election results, the list of who was running for 2012 Pima County offices, and only one non-political post about the Powerful Year of the Dragon.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian)!

Of all the 12 Asian zodiac animals, the dragon is the mythical one, and thereby the most powerful & mysterious. Here’s the order of the animals as they finished the race ordered by the Emperor of China: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig/boar.

According to wikipedia, the characteristics of those born in the Dragon years (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012): “magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal,wise, humble, imperious, foresighted, demanding, intolerant, peaceful, impetuous, understanding, and blunt.”

Both of these Lunar New Year events sound like a lot of fun. For more info: www.tucsonchinese.org, 520-292-6900.

Also on Saturday January 28 at Himmel Branch library, from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. — a Chinese New Year Celebration. The library is at 1035 N. Treat Ave. (SW corner of E. 1st Street, south of Speedway) in Himmel Park. More family fun in celebrating the Year of the Dragon:

Join us for light refreshments and fun-filled activities such as Chinese Calligraphy, face painting, and crafts. Music will be provided by the University of Arizona’s Purple Bamboo Ensemble. If the weather is good, the Purple Bamboo Ensemble will perform outside on the lawn in front of the library rather than inside the library.

Happy Year of the Dragon starting today!

For more info on this event and other upcoming programs/classes at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center: www.tucsonchinese.org or call 520-292-6900. The center is located just east of La Canada, on the north side of River Road.

Upcoming next month at the center — a Holiday Party on December 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. and then, the Year of the Dragon in 2012.