Lei Ma performs an energetic Kongfu routine as part of the Chinese New Year Celebration at Edison Theatre Feb. 12, sponsored by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association. Feb. 7 was the first day of the Chinese New Year. 2008 is a Year of the Rat, a time of hard work, activity and renewal. It is the first in a cycle of 12 animal signs. People born in the Year of the Rat are thought to be clever, bright, sociable and family oriented.