The current BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has the concern of the world. The thought of millions of barrels of oil flowing into our natural waters has created a frightening situation for all of nature and mankind. And who knows when they will be able to put a stop to this flow? …
My girlfriend is moving house. The reason for her move is to be closer to her daughter’s new school which is a thirty minute drive one way. Everyone has their own reason for moving. Positive moves are thought of as moving to a better neighborhood or bigger home while negative moves are often when a …
Chinglish is Chinese English. Japlish is Japanese English and Tinglish is Thai English. Singlish is Singapore English. And there must be more. They are all spoken or written English, that is influenced by the local language, and many times they are the result of direct translation. The Asians really try hard to accommodate the foreigner, …
What is Chinglish, Japlish, Tinglish and Singlish? Read More »
In Asian families, food is a very big part of our lives and we often share the table with many friends and family. Often our dining table becomes the center of our family lifestyle. For today’s tips, I am again going to focus on size, shape and material. Size: The first question to ask yourself …
We spend approximately 1/3 of our life in bed. It is a place where we replenish our energy, a place to unwind and relax. So, here are a few tips to help you with the selection process. I’m not going to touch on the subject of mattresses because that is really a personal preference and …
image from freshhome.com Buying furniture can be a very stressful endeavor, as it can be a large amount of money for many people. Unlike clothing, where you can change on a whim, major furniture cannot be switched so easily, plus it will be used on a daily basis for many years and must withstand the …
Form School feng shui principles state, Form Defines Energy. Simply put, if the form changes then the energy changes. Let’s say you have lived in the same house for many years without remodeling, and the basic form of the house remains the same. The energy within your home, is more or less the same. But, …
In Form School Feng Shui, does the Energy of a Home Always Remain Constant? Read More »
Now that you have determined your own Gua trigram, you have to find out your home’s trigram. The home’s trigram is also divided into two groups; East Group and West Group. They believe, if your own trigram belongs to the East Group it is best to live in an East Group house while a West …
The East-West System is a Compass School Feng Shui – Part II Read More »
Although I am not a student of the East-West System, my master always says it is important to understand other feng shui schools. This way we can each make our own judgment on what we wish to practice. So what is the East-West System feng shui? Unlike Form School feng shui which I practice, the …
The East-West System is a Compass School Feng Shui – Part I Read More »
Just as there are many schools of martial arts, there are many schools of feng shui. I studied Form School feng shui and under their principles, they do not consider the birth date of the residents relevant to the feng shui of the home. If the feng shui consultant is from a cosmology feng shui …
Is Your Birthdate Relevant to the Feng Shui of your Home? Read More »
How often do you have soup? In a typical Asian meal, soup is a constant item that completes a meal. However, in the West, soup is most commonly enjoyed for lunch. If you disagree, please correct me! Soup not only warms you up but is very satisfying. The following story may entice you to enjoy …
Here is another great recipe for the versatile Chinese cabbage. This recipe was sent to me by my childhood friend Amy, who lives in Tokyo. I had to modify it a bit because the type of readily available ingredients differ from country to country. In Asia, thinly sliced meat is readily available. However, where I …
This is a special blog article because I am currently passionate about this subject – Blogging! My blog has become a part of me where I can share my little knowledge with everyone. If anyone gets something out of it, there is great satisfaction that I could be of help in some way. In reality, …
Chinese cabbage is also known as nappa cabbage or hakusai. Nappa in Japanese means a leafy vegetable and stems from the word happa that means leaf. Due to the mild flavor and a crunchy yet soft texture, the Chinese cabbage is extremely versatile and absorbs the flavors of any added sauce. It is also regularly …
The traditional concept of multi-functional spaces is deeply rooted in Asian culture. In Japan, the modular rooms would change in size with the use of the shoji sliding doors. Two six mat tatami rooms could transform into a twelve mat room where the family could enjoy their meals together by opening the shoji doors and …
May 5th is Children’s Day in Japan. Originally, the fifth day of the fifth month was Boy’s Day and March 3rd, or the third day of the third month was Girl’s Day. Now the national holiday combines all children to celebrate their health, growth and happiness. But in reality, many still celebrate the days separately. …
