MP’s born under this Chinese zodiac contemplate the implications According to the Chinese traditional calendar, the Year of the Rabbit will be officially launched on February 3, 2011. There are eight Armenian MP also celebrating birthdays in such “Rabbit Years” – Artur Aghabekyan, Hrayr Karapetyan, Ruben Hayrapetyan, Davit Haroutyunyan, Edvard Sharmazanov, Karen Saribekyan, Ara Simonyan and Arayik Grigoryan. A quick check on the internet says that attributes of those born in “Rabbit Years” include being articulate, ambitious, affectionate, cooperative and overly sentimental. A few days ago the wife of ARF MP Hrayr Karapetyan told her hubby that 2011 would be his time to shine. The MP said that while he doesn’t believe in such astrological predilections, he has certain grand expectations for the coming year. MP Karapetyan: I hope to be a grandfather “This year my eldest son got married. Hopefully, I’ll be a grandfather in 2011. This is my biggest expectation. We all have hopes for the future and I’m no exception, even though I don’t pin my hopes on the fact that next year is really my year,” said MP Karapetyan. According to the Chinese zodiac, “rabbits” like MP Karapetyan have the characteristics needed to perform well in mid-level government positions. But given that rabbits are seen as fearful animals and quite cautious to boot, the MP says management isn’t his preference. The animal also doesn’t like to assume responsibility or make tough decisions. Thus, Hrayr Karapetyan doesn’t see himself as a rabbit and tries to exude other attributes. “I really see myself as a Leo who was born in a Rabbit Year. Caution isn’t a bad thing per say if it doesn’t lead to fear. I loathe being afraid. A person who is overly fearful cannot be a true patriot,” he says. Turning to the New Year, Mr. Karapetyan says that he always celebrates the holiday at home with family and believes this is the proper way to do so.  When asked about holiday purchases, he said his wife takes care of all of that with the assistance of his middle son. The MP said his salary would be able to cover the costs incurred. “What is bad is that the holidays come and go, but you’re stuck with the bill. The next pay check can’t come quick enough.” MP Haroutyunyan: What, me a rabbit? MP Davit Haroutyunyan also wasn’t aware that he was born in the Year of the Rabbit. “Are you sure I was born a rabbit? Yeah, you’re probably right. I never thought much about it,” he replied. The MP also never asked himself what qualities he shares with rabbits. “To be honest, you were the one who told me about me being born in a “Rabbit Year”.  I’ve never  even pondered whether I act like one or not,” said Mr. Haroutyunyan, adding that he would be spending New Year’s Eve at home with friends and family. It turns out that MP Haroutyunyan has a bit of a superstitious streak to him. He preferred not to speak of his personal hopes for 2011, saying that to do so is “bad luck”. But he did talk about what he would like to see happen in Armenia. “I would hope that things improve in 2011. The government has promised progress in tackling the major issues impacting the country. Then too, 2011 will be a pre-election year. Thus, I hope the coming year will be politically diverse and calm at the same time.” How do “non-rabbit” MP’s celebrate New Year’s? Gagik Minasyan, an MP with Armenia’s Republican Party, also prefers to usher in the New Year at home with family. He says it’s a traditional affair that the family upholds and that he’s never wanted to spend the holiday at a restaurant or hotel.  The MP doesn’t do any of the family shopping but believes they will be spending what an average Armenian family does to celebrate. “The family budget is based on my salary and that of my wife.  My net wag is 240,000 AMD per month. Our shopping bill will fall within this range.” Samvel Nikoyan, the Deputy President of the National Assembly, isn’t entrusted with the holiday shopping by his family.  It’s because he has so little time to shop in general; he not in touch with the market scene. “My wife does all the shopping. I really don’t know how much will be spent. I can only thank her from freeing me from that headache.” Mr. Nikoyan says that he will celebrate New Year’s at home, just like always.  He confesses that the rise in prices just before the holidays has affected his family as well, but that it’s a natural occurrence. “Everyone fells the price rise. There’s a certain logic to it. When there’s a rise in demand, there’s also a rise in prices. It’s nothing new. It happens every year before the holidays. No wonder many people do their shopping way in advance.” Even though Heghineh Bisharyan, a Rule of Law Party MP, wasn’t born in the Year of the Rabbit, she loves the cuddly animal just the same. “Some people enjoy dining on rabbit. I could never bring myself to do so psychologically. I never regarded the rabbit as table fare.” She assured me that rabbit wouldn’t be on the family’s New Year’s menu. “There is a tradition with our Rule of Law Party. Several families of party members get together and celebrate New Year’s collectively; as a big family as it were.” MP Bisharyan estimates that she will spend about 250,000 AMD to celebrate New Year’s. She’s quick to add that the figure might inch up due to the price rise in the stores and marketplaces. “You could say that I’m a spendthrift when it comes to shopping. I always wind up spending more than I had intended to. But we post a daily chart of what needs to be purchased so we can budget accordingly. It helps.” MP Bisharyan has taken the time to do some background reading on the “Year of the Rabbit” and has come up with a prediction or two of her own. “I think that many people will display a certain degree of caution in 2011. And that’s a good thing.  As the saying goes; discretion is the better part of valor. Rabbits should especially shy away from extra races lest they get nipped in the feet by some wily fox.”