Cecil Lee

1. This is called "petai" or scientific name is: Parkia speciosa 2. Each pod contains around 15 to 20 beans. The beans are bright green in colour and covered with a brownish membrane. 3. The beans have a peculiar smell. Some mistaken the smell for methane gas. As such some literally call it the "stink bean". 4. To any novice; it is bitter and due to the strong smell; the smell lingers in one's mouth after eating in quantities. 5. As this bean contains amino acids; it's strong smell can be detected in one's urine even after two days of consuming it. And please don't stand near-by to anyone who had given off "german gas" after eating it... 6. Some say that it helps to control diabetees. 7. Often, one can find worms embedded into some of the beans. Apparently, worms do love them also. 8. Most Indonesians are familiar with it. Recently, it has become very popular in Singapore especially with the Malays and the baba's.

These photos were taken on a recent re-visit to the Rivervale Crest condo

Source & Credit: The Sunday Times APRIL 10, 2011 GRAVE TOURS BUKIT BROWN CEMETERY (LORNIE ROAD) Bukit Brown holds the remains of many Singapore pioneers including Chew Boon Lay, Lim Chong Pang and Lim Nee Soon as well as Tan Kim CHing, eldest son of Tan Tock Seng. It also includes what may be the oldest grave in Singapore - the final resting place of a certain Fang Shan who died in 1833. CHUA CHU KANG CHINESE CEMETRY Many graves here are built in the shape of animals such as fish or snakes, in accordance with feng shui principles. In the night, it also attracts many mediums and their followers, who conduct regular seances there. JAPANESE CEMETRY PARK (CHUAN HOE AVENUE) The land was donated by brothel owner Tagajiro Fukaki in the 19th century as a burial ground for Japanese prostitutes and is now maintained by the Japanese Association of Singapore. No one has been buried there since 1973. Famous names interred there include field marshal Count Terauchi Hisaichi supreme commander of Japanese forces in South-east Asia during WWII. The graves of the Japanese prostitutes, their children and their mama-sans range from simple grave markers to elaborate tombstones.

Please don't think of Feng Shui as monotone. In fact, there are so many flavours of Feng Shui:- http://www.geomancy.net/events/CDL_FS_Talk/talk_1_slide_19.htm Unfortunately, many think that Feng Shui is Fung Sway and think in terms of the myopic tunnel. And it is also does not revolve around the ba gua mirror. Where some think that it is the mother of all cures. Furthermore, without the ba gua mirror is not like armageddon...

Further to what I had mentioned; even within one school of Feng Shui; for example: Flying Star; besides; looking at #3 there is a need to look into other of it's sub-modules e.g. Eighty one combinations of the mountain and water stars to look for clashes relating to that issue u wrote. In the past I elaborated; that Feng Shui and not the kindergarten type of Fung Sway; has different styles. Kung Fu, also has many techniques and styles: tiger, crane, snake, monkey, etc etc.....

There are two components; here. 1. Earth luck or Feng Shui. 2. Human or Man luck. Under Feng Shui; please note that it is not just above those ba gua mirrors, please. There are other theories. Clue: one theory has info about such thing as #5 and #3. Go find out what #3, is about...... Unbelievable that Feng Shui being a holistic approach can be misused or rather abused; to rely on a mirror?? The holistic approach even extends to Shapes and Forms and fixing the leak. As mentioned, above, the other component is Human factors. This is not Fung Sway.

1. You can check out the free compatiblity based purely on Chinese Astrology via this url: http://lovesigns.net Prior to checking out the compatibility; go to the above link to find out both partner's sign http://www.lovesigns.net/horoscope/acompare/acompare.htm 2. The above method is or used to the most popular - simplistic model. 3. The other model is based on bazi analysis. The free reports can be found under http://geomancy-online.com This is a self-help site; the tools are given to you; You have to use your fingers to do the walking.

Traditionally, a Geomancer scans the external environment, the site and even the type of sand on site to determine whether the piece of land is good or not. As for the anthill; this can be subjective. As a Geomancer is also considered with whether there may be underground water courses below the plot and how deep it is. Here, logically if there is an anthill; most likely the ground just above the plot is not damp. Contrast this with white ants. White ants prefer damp soil. And if the soil is damp; most likely the plot is close to a canal or waterway. Another far off thinking is; since ants live in a harmonious settlement; to some; it is a good sign.. (This is not Feng Shui, thou)

1. In general; determing the suitable job looks more at the OVERAL element. For example, if one is considered as a WEAK wood person; then Water is the best element to improve weak wood. While wood career is like adding wood to wood..vs water that gives it a boost. As a weak wood person, there is another type of career known as "Power and Authority". Here, one can rise to high positions if say: the element is Earth. However,being a weak wood person;this earth element is not suitable unless the career has "water" element in it. 2. You wrote: "I am lack of Fire element(Fire:0.5%;Wood:10%;Water:12.5%; Soil:22%;Metal:54%)," Please note that breakdown of the five element changes depending on one's age. Thus for some; it can even change drastically between periods. 3. Please see attached illustration. This sample person's percentages between age 11 to 20 is different from his percentage when he is 31 to 40. Look at his Earth percentage and Wood percentage. As mentioned under Para 2, above; there are some who has a higher change of percentages for different elements every 10 years of their life span. 4. Therefore; realistically, most geomancers would based the career on their element and strength. For example: weak wood or strong wood or weak earth or strong earth person; etc...

The 2012 forecast can be found under this link:- http://www.geomancy.net/resources/yearly-forecast/fortunes-2012.htm

This condo, nestled on a tranquil and serene site at Aracdia Road - off Adam Road was unsuccessful in topping up the lease to 99 years. As in Singapore, when a development reaches 60 years or less of lease; it is difficult for potential buyers to seek loans and this leads to plummeting price for the development. This is an extract: Source: The Sunday Times April 10, 2011 INSPIRED BY THE HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON Arcadia belongs to the old generation of private condominiums in Singapore which began to appear in the late 1970s. It was designed by local architect Chua Ka Seng, the design consultant who also left his mark on Shangri-la Hotel's garden wing. Arcadia was completed in 1983. When contacted, Mr Chua, who is still working at his firm Chua Ka Seng & Partners Chartered Architects, told The Sunday Times the condo took its inspiration from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and was a modern take on it. It has big, spacious garden terraces on every level with central courtyards within each building block for cross ventilation. "We were the first to set the scene for vertical landscaping in buildings. If this condo is demolished or torn down later, it will be a tremendous loss," he said. Aracdia features three blocks; each has four wings arranged in a cruciform plan. This unique design gives every apartment at least three exposures to light and ventilation - two facing outwards and one facing the internal courtyard. The design was ahead of its time and represented the best in class in tropical architecture that minimised the need for artifical cooling such as air-conditioning. In two of the blocks, the perimeters of the floor plates become progressively smaller as the blocks increase in height. The floor plates, slightly offset inwards over a large central open landscaped atrium, converge at the seventh storey. From there, the converged wings form a compression ring before continuing to rise vertically. Mr Chua said he felt that unless the site is in the way of a major highway or public project, it should be kept, as it was one of the landmark buildings completed in Singapore's formative years. "Nobody can say this building is obsolete. I don't think it will ever be outdated." Mr Chua is also behind other notable buildings such as 50 Keong Saik Road, which is a conserved shophouse that has been convered into a hotel.

Frankly, as I had mentioned earlier: 1. Based purely from the photos; the frontage (main entrance area) seems "dim" and "yin". It also seems that the home lacks the "yang" factor. 2. Other than that; You said" I sincerely believed that its best time for us to move to another house but let me hear your suggestions first." 2.1. In a previous thread; I mention about the question mark: whether the next home can be better or even worse-off. No-body knows. And the thing about placing something on my temple.. also.. I won't know... 3. Locally, even in Singapore; unfortunately; only the lower class or their homes are littered with similar objects such as those shown in the pictures..

These are some considerations: 1. The two charms: one top; one bottom on the wooden door. 1.1. In my opinion; charms are alwayson YELLOW paper. 1.2. Thus, I personally feel that it is kinda "weird" to see charms in that colour. Furthermore, weird to see charms placed on a door (facing inwards? = if so weird). Often if it is EVER placed only a single charm is placed above the door. Kinda of like at the existing "Bagua mirror area". 2. The Bagua mirror is also kinda non authentic ones.. Frankly, if your "ba gua" mirror is placed above a door in the Far East: Singapore, Malaysia etc... it would become a laughing stock as no one use this "kitty" or "tourist attraction" material. 3. From a Shapes and Forms Feng Shui; I would certainly see a major issue if this is the only main entrance door! Very poor or minimal "ming tang" or bright hall effect. Thus, in my opinion; this mouth (main entrance) don't seem appealing from a good Feng Shui perspective. 4. I wonder why the "tourist" type of ba gua is hung above the door. Contrary to popular "western" beliefs; not every door should have one. Furthermore; kinda wierd type of unfortunately have to be frank: the "laughing" stock type of ba gua mirror. Gosh! 5. In my country, (sad to say) anyone walking into your home and seeing these items.. would reason that they had walked into a tourist shop meant for tourists only...(No offense - just my frank opinion only).

In my opinion; although you have faced lots of issues; this house can even have greater issues than your current home:- http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=19&mid=11582&new= Thus, if there is no comparison; some of us may even land into further deep-shit...

Further to what I had mentioned; this relates to "commonsense or cowsense". 1. It is only commonsense that it is so easy to say: move house!. 2. However, many times; I have to remind that; no comparison has yet being made at all of the existing home with a proposed new home etc.. 3. Of course; one would think or feel; that how bad can it be of another home as compared to this. 4. But, in reality; what happends IF; the new home's Fung Sway is WORSE than the one that you are currently staying! 5. I also heard this excuse by many geomancers; Yes, move house! 6. Well; ponder over the above statement. It seems so easy to utter such words! Don't need a geomancer to say these words.. any Tom, Dick or Harry can say it!

These are further considerations: 1. Sorry to hear that you had to find out the "hard-way" that many so called Feng Shui masters have only one agenda: to suck one dry with FS items. 2. Frankly; Feng Shui is a holistic approach; 3. And it involves certain stages: 3.1. The Triage 3.1.1 This stage is about finding out any "leaks" in the home; 4. Study and looking at ways to improve: fix the leaks and/orimprove luck. 5. Unfortunately;especially only if Para 3 and 4 are done properly; then one can; realistically saywhether a homecan be improved(and this could even range from minor to major improvements!) 6. As I had mentionedin many past forum messages: 6.1. Some homes are like an "unpolished" gem. 6.1.1 It takesone (beit a geomancer or DIY) to discover and quickly fix leaks and insome cases; simple"adjustments" could turn a home from this "unpolished" gem! 7. However, some homes are like a 10 year run-down car. Even with Feng Shui adjustments; don't expect this 10 year run-down car to turn into a Mercedes SLK or BMW-M-sports series of sorts. You said "1. Do we need to move to other apartment which suits our Kua and find a house that favors our 4 good directions?" 8. Thus, as I had mentioned, in the last forum message; there is a large Question mark as to the state of your home's Feng Shui. 9. Even if you place a gun on my temple also no use. First and foremost; your home has not even gone thru a proper Feng Shui Triage. Got it? Get it?

These are some considerations: 1. As it is we are not sure what is the overall Feng Shui of your home; 2. Feng Shui is both about taking in information, analysing both the external and internal "threats" and "opportunities". 3. Thus; really; and realistically speaking; we are not sure whether what has happened to you are coincidential or not. 4. You wrote " I bought so many feng shui items just to cure it like fuk luk shou, complete buddha, pi yao, incenser, hu lu, aquarium in the southeast with 1 flowerhorn fish, windchime etc." 4.1 However, what you wrote under Para 4; is both a red-flag and a concern. 4.2 For you information; the Fuk Luk Shou orFu LuoShoufigurines to the Chinese are just mere decorative items.. and never used in the name of Fung Sway. Neither is thecomplete buddha. 4.3 While placing so many "Feng Shui" items... is deep worry....I mean I am not worried.. but unfortunately... you should...

In Singapore, it is illegal for school children to enter the premises of an arcade game kiosk / store or area. However, it can be ambigious if we have a grand-mother who loves the arcade sharing her love of it with her beloved toddler! This grandma seems to love playing a game with her friend at an arcade at basement 1, Compass-point, Singapore. Let's hope her charge does not one day; become addicted to the arcade; thanks to her grandma!

Nowadays, offerings on Qing Ming includes:- Source and Credit: REUTERS Paper replicas of first-generation iPads and iPhones sit on a shelf among other electronic gadgets for sale for the Chinese Qingming festival or Ancestors Day at a prayer supplies shop in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Ethnic Chinese flock to cemetries during Qingming Festival and honour the dead by offering prayers, food, tea, wine, as well as paper replicas of bungalows, flashy cars, technological gadgets and Louis Vuitton bags, for their dead to enjoy in the afterlife. REUTERS

There are a few considerations: 1. In countries that have "street-smart" Chinese especially in the Far East; hanging a bagua could invariably lead to a "ba gua war". Where one's neighbour also hangs a ba gua. Get it? 2. Traditionally, a bagua is used specifically for THREE major reasons:- 2.1. "Protection" again spirits ... and not that silly kind of protection relating to protection against one's neighbours 2.2. To deflect poison arrows VIA a conVEX mirror 2.3. A conCAVE mirror can or may be used to capture good scenery or at a missing corner. Now, can you honestly tell me: where the "crab" does this silly idea of hanging bagua because of trouble with neighbours flow in the above. 3. I know; even in my country; there may be the rare few; but these are the exceptions or the "low, low class" or considered as such people around... These are the people who most likely are struggling with their lives; and for some who says there is such thing as "karma"; then; it may befall them. 4. Why go so low as to become one of these "scumbags?". So does one think that if there are lots of tailgaters in our life; do you go and place a bagua mirror at the rear of the vehicle? 5. Furthermore; another group of "scumbags" are worst. These are the parasites of Fung Sway. They are simply known as "The Feng Shui Emporium" kind. These people want to sell you nearly anything but everything... GOT IT? GET IT? STILL WANT IT????????????? THE MORALE OF THE STORY CAN BE FOUND, HERE:- http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=29&mid=26566&new=

Thanks for the photos. These are some considerations: 1. Since the offending post is "smack" against the main entrance door; thus the best "solution" is to consider a potted plant with lots of leaves (not another barren tree trunk type of plant) against this post. Ideally the potted plant is plus or minus = around 3/4 height of the entire entrance door. 2. The weak alternative is hanging a 6 hollow rod wind chime. 3. The rest of the concern like railings.. no choice. Thus, in my opinion, therefore, if you are allowed to place a potted plant; then this can be the best solution.

Do a Search for "The Sterling" and there are several resources on "Triangular Land" This message was posted donkey years ago i.e. Year 2000. That was Twelve Years ago.... http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=1&mid=5833&new=

These are some of the considerations:- 1. Priority should be given to the Water and Mountain stars. 2. If I read you correctly; when you mention "sitting" star; I believe you are refering to the base star or some call it the palace star. 3. Well, it is preferred to look more closely at the both the Water and Mountain stars vs just only the "sitting" star(s).

Further to what I had mentioned; go check out my past review of "The Sterling" condo. Here, the excellent unit(s) are at the apex or the TIP of the "ice-berg". The apex are the two units right at the top stacks of TOWER B.... Thus, cannot generalise to say that all triangular sites ain't good. This is totally unfair or "uncalled for". As it depends!