“Beware of the sick buffalo.”

This warning should be displayed in large letters at all entrance to Thailand, for anyone who has lived there long enough has heard the old plea for money, “Buffalo sick.”

“Buffalo?” This is the 21st Century, however nothing Thai farmers love more than buffalo or kwai. The bovine creatures symbolize wealth on the hoof. My father-in-law has a herd of 20. He remains in a ramshackle hut set amongst rice fields to oversee their daily meanderings. Kwai rustlers are always on the lookout for a sleeping farmer. Old Den hasn’t lost one. He’s that vigilant, so I mentioned to him that this Chinese New Year must be good luck. “Year of the Ox lucky for you.”

“Not year Kwai. Year preut.” He corrected my ignorance, for a Kwai is not a Preut or ox, plus the ox symbolizes good luck, but only through hard work. I researched the year of the ox online. Wikpedia mentions that anyone born under this celestial sign in a natural leader; dependable, calm, patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint, although they need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

Unbelievably Barack Obama was born in the year of the Ox 1961.

This is his year.

He is no kwai.

At least as long as he doesn’t fall in love with a Thai bargirl and I don’t see that happening soon. Me on the other hand I’m a total fool or ngao, but I like it.

Moooooooooo!

Happy New Year.