2004 Filipino film

Feng Shui is a 2004 Filipino supernatural horror film starring Kris Aquino. Co-written and directed by Chito S. Roo, it centres on a cursed Bagua mirror that brings death to those who stare it, with the circumstances of their death relating to their Chinese zodiac. Its screenplay was written by Roy Iglesias. The film grossed 114,236,563.00 and was the highest-grossing film of 2004 in the Philippines. The Hollywood version of the movie is still frozen and it is unknown if Star Cinema have decided to have a contract with Hollywood. A sequel, Feng Shui 2, was released on December 25, 2014 as the official entry to the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival.[2]

In 2022, Feng Shui has been digitally restored and remastered for viewing on Netflix in Southeast Asian regions beginning October 14, 2022.[3]

While on a bus, Joy Ramirez (Kris Aquino) finds a package left by a man (Emil Sandoval). She visits Aling Biring (Luz Fernandez) at the latter's bakery and shows her the package: an antique bagua mirror. Following feng shui tradition, Biring thinks that the mirror will drive away evil spirits and bring good luck to her husband Inton (Jay Manalo) and their children Denton (John Vladimir Manalo) and Ingrid (Julianne Gomez).

Joy places the bagua mirror in her home and a series of fortunate events happen: her friend Alice (Lotlot de Leon) grants her a promotion and she wins the grand prize at a grocery store. This makes Joy suspicious of her luck. The next day, Joy finds out on a newspaper that the man who left the mirror, identified as Evart Mendoza, was run over by a Rabbit Liner bus. She discovers that he was born in the year of the Rabbit after she examines his age. Later, Joy learns that Aling Biring died from leptospirosis; her birth corresponding to the year of the Rat. Denton's friend Billy (Ernesto Sto. Tomas) tells Joy about the omens and deaths occurring in their neighborhood. Joy sees tricycle driver Mang Nestor, who was killed earlier in a brawl at a cockfight, having been born in the year of the Rooster. She is later haunted by the ghosts of Nestor, Biring, Evart, and a woman. Their deaths are connected to the Chinese zodiac of their birth year.

Joy visits Evart's wife Lily (Cherry Pie Picache), who tells her about the bagua's history; Lily found the bagua in a house during her years as a real estate agent and decided to keep it. The mirror brought her good luck, but like Joy, also left a series of deaths. Lily reveals that anyone who owned the bagua would receive good fortunes, but for each stroke of luck, a death would always follow afterward, with her husband's death occurring after he tried to dispose of the mirror once and for all. She urges Joy to return the mirror to her, but the latter refuses and leaves. Later, after Joy accepts an inheritance from her late client, she learns that the subdivision's security guard, whose reflection he had seen in the bagua mirror, has been found dead from a snakebite. The security guard was revealed to be born on the year of the Snake.

Joy, along with Alice and their friend Thelma (Ilonah Jean), seeks help from a local geomancer Hsui Liao (Joonee Gamboa). Liao reveals to them that the bagua was once owned by siblings belonging to a wealthy Chinese family in ancient Shanghai during the Qing Dynasty and Republican eras. During the revolution of Sun Yat-sen, and communist takeover by Mao Zedong, the family was forced to evacuate, wherein the brother abandoned his foot-bounded sister, nicknamed "Lotus Feet",[4] referencing to the Chinese tradition of binding the feet of young girls to avert its physical growth. Because the brother had thought of her as a burden, her servants joined the Chinese Communist Party, betrayed and killed her by burning her at the stake. Before her death, she took the bagua and placed a curse on it, claiming that she will take the soul of anyone who sees their reflection on the mirror.

Before they leave, Alice realizes that she had glanced at the mirror earlier. Having suspected her husband's affair with his former lover Dina (Jenny Miller) at work, Joy begrudgingly confronts him. She later realizes after accepting the prize she won at the grocery store that Alice is the next victim. After an argument, Alice, who was born in the year of the Horse, is assaulted by a drunk neighbor and dies after falling on a stack of crates of Red Horse Beer bottles from her window. The ghosts of all the victims haunt Joy's house and her family is forced to leave. Joy attempts to destroy the mirror, but is stopped by Alice's spirit. Joy eventually faints, overwhelmed by all the ghosts.

The next morning, Master Liao calls Joy and tells her the key to end the curse: she must reject offers of good luck and then destroy the mirror and save the next victim. Just before they leave, Billy gets involved in an accident and Joy volunteers for a blood transfusion to save him. She then realizes that Inton is the next victim after accepting an offer from Billy's uncle to stay at a relative's condominium. Joy arrives at the motel where Inton and Dina are to warn them but arrives too late as Dina's husband Louie arrives at the parking lot and kills his wife and Inton, both born in the year of the Dog. Joy successfully pleads Louie for her life as both of them were cheated on by their spouses, only to witness Louie shoot himself with the last bullet of his shotgun. Meanwhile, Thelma takes Denton and Ingrid with her in the hopes of taking them to their mother. Thelma sees a truck of cows and chickens in front of her car. She comes to the realization that Ingrid was born in the year of the Rooster, and Denton and herself were both born on the year of the Ox. Horrified, Thelma tries to alert the truck but an oncoming vehicle speeds towards them.

Joy arrives home and is greeted by Regalado, a lawyer sent by Lily to recover the bagua from Joy in exchange for money. Joy refuses the offer. Distraught by the string of deaths that followed her, Joy finally destroys the mirror. Thelma arrives with Denton and Ingrid. Joy is filled with relief thinking that she has finally broken the curse and saved her kids, but she soon discovers that they were all killed earlier in the truck accident along with Thelma, which happened after she was spared by Louie. Joy then sees her dead husband joining them as she screams in horror.

A family is shown moving into their new house and the family's twin daughters wander into Joy's former home while playing. They find the restored bagua and decide to show it to their parents. From Joy's house's window, the Lotus Lady watches over them, awaiting her next victim.

The film was released at the time that 'Asian horror' gained popularity. It was a critical and commercial success, receiving positive reception from critics and audiences alike, and grossing 114,236,563[5] at the box-office making it the first local horror film to breach the 100 million pesos milestone at the box office.[1] The film was the first in the line-up of box-office horror hit that Kris Aquino did under Star Cinema in which she was tagged as "Philippine's Box-office Horror Queen". It was followed by Sukob (also directed by Roo), Dalaw, and Segunda Mano.

A sequel was confirmed by Kris Aquino, and the cast includes Coco Martin, Carmi Martin, Ian Veneracion, Beauty Gonzalez, Rez Cortez, Ian de Leon, Martin Escudero, Elizabeth Chua, Diana Zubiri, Francine Prieto, Pinky Marquez, Raikko Mateo, Kych Cyl Minemoto, Randy See, and Teodoro Baldomaro. Roo returned to direct the film. It served as Star Cinema's official entry to the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film focused on Coco Martin's character who, upon getting the cursed bagua, starts to get all the luck and prosperity he could get in his life, but with deadly consequences. Kris Aquino reprised her role as Joy Ramirez to save him from the curse. Filming of the film commenced by late August 2014.[2]

The rest is here:
Feng Shui (2004 film) - Wikipedia

Table Of Contents In 2022, the nine flying stars fly to the new positions from February 4, 2022. If you want to make the fortune of yourself and your family smoother, you need to take some favorable measures in the corresponding direction based on 2022 Fengshui Flying Stars Chart. CENTRAL PALACE: FIVE YELLOW STAR (EXTREMELY OMINOUS)The Five Yellow Star will fly to the Central Palace in 2022. The Five Yellow Star is the most ominous star, representing accidents, bad luck, illness, injury, death and other bad things. As such, the position of the Central Palace will be inauspicious this year. If the direction and orientation of the door, bedroom, sofa and so on fall exactly in this position, it will cause all kinds of catastrophic events, resulting in damage to your health, which is not good for maintaining good health.

Fengshui Cures: In order to avoid injury, special care should be taken to improve the layout of the home, or place some white or gray ornaments to drive away the evil spirits of the Five Yellow Star, and for the daily activities, it is advised to stay away from the position of the Central Palace in your home.

The Three Blue Star will fly to the due east in 2022. It is a quarrelsome star may lead to competition, lawsuit, dispute, quarrel and theft. In the living rooms of some large houses, sofas or dining tables are often placed in the due east. Such a layout will often trigger family quarrels in this area this year. However, it will be beneficial for people in special professions, such as judges, lawyers, debaters, athletes and other professions.

Feng Shui Cures: This year, you should not break ground or make decorations at the due east in your home, and green color, blue color or green plants should also be avoided. If the front door, bedroom and office are all in this location, you can place a red or purple carpet at the door to help solve the problem. In addition, it will be a year of official trouble and disputes. So, you should abide by the law and handle the documents carefully. In 2022, you may wish to hang a string of peach wood axe or sword at this position to avoid dubious talk and disputes, which will help keep your family away from the villains, work smoothly, and have a good life.

The Four Green Star will fly to the southeast, which is the Wenchang Direction (direction of Wenchang Star) according to Feng Shui (the Chinese Geometry) in 2022. Although the Four Green Star is also the retreating star of the current luck, the Five Elements of the Four Green Star belong to wood, and the Five Elements in the southeast are also wood. This year, the five elements of the star palace are superimposed, but there is an advantage that it can improve learning, culture, official status and career, which is very beneficial to families with students.

The Wenchang Position/direction of the year will be in the southeast. You can put the desk or bed of your student child in the southeast, which can help improve their efficiency of learning, especially for the boy student in the family.

Fengshui Cures: Place four evergreen plants in the southeast to create a Feng Shui cluster of Wenchang. You can also place the Wenchang Pagoda on the table for a better effect on Wenchang Feng Shui. During this year, it is not advisable to break ground in the southeast of your home, or place red or yellow objects.

The Nine Purple Star will fly to the south of Li Palace, and the south is Feng Shui position for happy god in 2022. The Nine Purple Star is a lucky festive star, representing a variety of happy events, marriage and relationships. For example, if the south area in your home is well arranged, happy events will come to the family this year, such as marriage, popularity, engagement, breeding of children, joy, and recognition. The south side should be kept neat, clean, ventilated and with sufficient light, which will be conducive to occurrence of happy events. It is particularly fit for the mistress of the family.

Fengshui Cures: You can place the Qilin (Kylin/unicorn) ornaments in this direction/position. It will be conducive to boost the auspicious effect of the Nine Purple Star, resulting in the advent of happy events, promoting the development of career, and the prosperity of home. Improving the lighting in this area and placing a red carpet will have the effect of promoting Feng Shui.

The Two Black Star will fly to the southwest, which is a symbol of disease according to the Feng Shui (Chinese geometry) in 2022. The Two Black Star, also known as the Sickness Star, will bring illness and injury everywhere. Any residence with a seat, bed, or stove located in the Sickness position will be much more likely to deal with hospitals. It is necessary to pay close attention to the changes in your own health and that of your family members, and have a comprehensive medical checkup as early as possible to prevent any problems. The southwest area should not be piled up with debris or rubbish, and it should be kept neat and tidy.

Fengshui Cures: Air conditioners, fans, and windows located in the southwest will blow sickness air into the room. If the door, bedroom, kitchen and so on are situated exactly in the direct north, you can put a gray or white carpet in the doorway to help solve the problem. In addition, you and your family can have a health check-up to prevent illness and also imply that you have already been to the hospital. You can also make some charitable donations to accumulate good fortune for yourself and your family.

The Seven Red Star will fly to the west in 2022, which is the location of broken wealth fortune in Feng Shui in 2022. The Seven Red Star is also the retreating star of the current luck, which dominates the bad luck in loss of wealth. Therefore, the due west is not a favorable direction for the Year of the Tiger. The Seven Star represents the events of ruin, loss, gossip, drunkenness and scandal. Moreover, the west area of the house should not be stacked with all kinds of sundries, and should not be placed with knives, swords and other dangerous items, so as to avoid the bleeding disaster, injuries, family health problems.

Fengshui Cures: To solve the problems caused by the Seven Red Star, you are advised to place a black crystal ball in the west, which can better drive away the evil spirits of the Seven Red Star.

The Six White Star will fly to the northwest, which is the location for wealth luck from sideline sources according to the Feng Shui in 2022. As the Six White Star is the retreating star of the prevailing luck, there is still residual energy compared to the Eight Luck Star. And the Six White Star rules the luck in wealth and official promotion. Therefore, this year, the northwest location will be favorable to promote wealth accumulation.

If sundries and debris are piled in the northwest chaotically, the luck of the owner will be easy to decline this year, and especially for people engaged in technology, real estate, mining, agriculture and other industries, this trend will be more obvious. If the seat or bed is in the northwest, you should change its orientation when conditions permit. Otherwise, in this Feng Shui environment, both work and life, will be prone to some lowly mistakes, causing minor trouble. So, you should be careful not put to red products in the northwest.

Fengshui Cures: If you want to promote the Feng Shui of the Central Palace position, you can place a treasure pot in this position to promote auspiciousness fortune of the Six White Star, which will enhance the financial luck and promote the prosperity of wealth.

The One White Star will fly to the due north, which is the position of luck in romance and relationship in 2022.

If you want to find someone you like, you can place a photo of your favorite celebrity on the romance-lucky position at home and put a lucky Feng Shui mascot, then your luck in romance and relationship will proper soon. Married families need to pay attention to dissolving this Feng Shui atmosphere and avoid extra-marital affairs. It is especially bad for the eldest daughter and young housewife in the family. Pregnant families need to pay attention to protecting the fetus, and unmarried men and women need to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancies. For those who are involved in sales industries and need to deal with people, they should take advantage of the due north direction of the home. If you can promote prosperity in this direction, it will help improve performance and harmony in interpersonal relationships.

Fengshui Cures: No pile of debris and garbage in the due north position, keep it neat and tidy.

The Eight White Star will fly to the northeast, which is the favorable position for obtaining wealth from full-time business in 2022 according to the Feng Shui (the Chinese geometry). The Eight White Star is beneficial for promotion in career and wealth, etc. The Eight White Star belongs to earth in the Five Elements. In the eight lucky stars of the Feng Shui, it is considered the lucky star for boosting the financial luck.

Fengshui Cures: It is appropriate to set the door, windows, seats, bed, and stove in the northeast. If the main gate, bedroom and office are located in this position, red or purple carpets can be placed at the door to help promote the prosperity and luck.

Read more here:
2022 Feng Shui Flying Stars Chart, Feng Shui Directions with Cures

The attraction behind a mirror in any room of the home is understandable. This timeless staple is admired for its ability to reflect light around a space, whilst making it feel larger but in all its aesthetic qualities it may be better to avoid having one in the bedroom.

While it is true that the right bedroom mirror ideas are both good-looking and practical, Feng Shui experts have warned that the existence (and the placement) of a mirror can have an impact on your sleep and consequently your wellbeing. So, if you're wondering how to sleep better, removing your mirror could be the answer.

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

The question of whether you should have a mirror in your bedroom comes down to the energy in your space. If the space has negative energy, it should be avoided.

'Mirrors can readily make your room feel larger but at the same time they tend to reflect much energy throughout the room. This will affect and deplete [the room's] energy,' says expert Nishtha Sadana from Decorated Life (opens in new tab). This can 'impact your health and wellness by disturbing your sleep and fostering insomnia.'

How can you tell if your bedroom has negative energy and where does it come from? Negative energy or qi may already be in your home, inherited from previous occupants. Feng shui principles also suggest a difficult period for a person's astrology can create negative energy. Or a person's negative attitude can invite in negative energy. All of this be felt in a room.

So, while it has its benefits in terms of decoration, it is better to avoid all mirrors when following bedroom Feng Shui principles.

(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)

And Nishtha is not alone in her teachings. Professional astrologer and numerologist Johanna Agusta (opens in new tab) similarly explains that a mirror reflects the energy around your room so if you decide you need a mirror it's important to assess the space.

'If [a mirror] is placed opposite your bed, then it will reflect back the energy you emit while you sleep,' she says. Therefore, 'if you have a lot of negative energy in your bedroom, it is said that mirrors can amplify this and make it worse.'

However, if you have good energy in your bedroom, mirrors can help to magnify this and create a more positive space.

'It is thought that at night, when the bedroom is reflected in the mirrors, all kinds of energies are reflected back, which might even sap your own energies,' adds certified life coach, Jod Kapilakan. 'They could thus encourage insomnia and interfere with the quantity and quality of your rest.'

(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)

So should you have a mirror in your bedroom? There is no definitive answer as the atmosphere in your space is subjective. If you feel as though your room has a good energy, then it may be possible to continue decorating with mirrors. However, if your space has negative energy, it should be avoided.

Read more:
Should you have a mirror in your bedroom? Why Feng Shui experts warn against it - Homes & Gardens

Cho, Levinger, and professional intuitive and author of Angel Intuition Tanya Carroll Richardson are all open to the idea of ghosts. Levinger and Richardson, in fact, both say they've experienced ghostly energy firsthand.

However, Richardson caveats, "When discussing topics like ghosts, I think it's important to note that no one has all the answers, and I encourage people to make up their own minds. I have seen ghosts a few times with my physical eyes, but they can also be sensed with your feeling or clairsentient psychic pathway."

Levinger concurs, noting that after working as a medium and intuitive for years, she's received enough validation through her readings to believe the information that comes through to her. "If this isn't your line of work or if you aren't used to trusting your intuition, it can be hard to believe that ghosts, which live in a realm where the only way to be aware of them is to trust that intuition exists."

She adds that, again, some people just don't believe that there is an afterlife. "There are so many religious and belief systems that don't include ghostsand I personally respect that, even if that's not what I believe."

Ultimately, though, the experts in the fields of mysticism, the occult, and the paranormal are (more than likely) going to believe, or at least be open to, the idea of ghosts. Those who are more concerned with the physical realm, and prefer to base belief on science (as well as proof), are going to have a hard time warming up to the ideaunless, of course, they were to experience something ghostly themselves.

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So, Are Ghosts Real? Here's What Spirituality Experts Have To Say - mindbodygreen.com

The authors perfectionism counted for everything in the meticulousness of the novels conception, the confidence of its structural devices and especially in the lavishness of its rhetorical displays. A summary of the book does not really give a sense of its constant alertness, its insistent attention to the smallest detail in a scene. Moreover, Ellison succeeds in getting the reader to wear the invisible mans mask, to look through the eyeholes he provides. Sinister forces want people in Harlem to be guilty of their own deaths. In the end, the invisible man has fallen into a manhole, where he takes up residence to wait out the chaos, to learn to live with his head in the lions mouth.

Dancer From the Dance by Andrew Holleran, 1978: Set largely in New York in the early 1970s, Dancer From the Dance is a hymn to gay liberation in the city, and to male beauty. Cruising is an honorable quest, no matter how sordid the baths or open the subway station. Magic can happen see the dark-eyed, grave young man who might stay beyond morning. Beautiful, enigmatic Malone has such a face; hes a Midwesterner who has made, or is trying to make, his peace with being gay, his constraint. It is hard for him to be faithful to one man or to hang on to what he says he wants, and when he meets Sutherland, a veteran of every conceivable high who challenges Malone to be real, not to fool himself, he has already lost one true love.

We watch Malone in his travels from door to door to door, and New York City gay nightlife is rendered in shimmering prose. The novel is saturated with the homoerotic, too mesmerized by the cohorts of the brave to be sorry. Holleran was part of a new wave in American literature that said the gay character didnt have to die at the end of the book anymore. To bring up the subject of same-sex love no longer meant that a dream hunk had to pay for the vision by getting murdered. No one knew when it was published that Hollerans was to be a portrait of a gone world, a vanished city: We lived only to dance. The best fiction turns into a work of history as time goes by.

Sleepless Nights by Elizabeth Hardwick, 1979: New York City is the best place for Elizabeth, the first-person narrator of Hardwicks Sleepless Nights (1979), as she concludes early on in the book. We know that she is a reader of profound intensity, and that she is alone but was once part of a we. Hardwicks husband, the poet Robert Lowell, had treated their marriage and divorce at length in his work. Sleepless Nights has telling omissions. The novel is a meditation on a life, and has the feel of lyric poetry in that the I is perhaps meant to stand for the general significance of the solitary self.

Hardwicks I is a woman, and the experiences of others that she is drawn to wonder about tend to be those of women. Her social range is broad: a rich girl is a Stalinist with a boyfriend who wont shape up; here is the sad arithmetic of a drawn-out love triangle, and here are the cleaning women she has watched go about their work. Hardwick remembers from her youth the women alone in their rooming houses. Or she encounters on the street older women at the mercy of their decay. Joan Didion noted that Hardwicks method was like that of the anthropologist Claude Lvi-Strauss in her hunt for the revealing detail. But Hardwicks freedom of speculation about the people she meets comes from her ability to achieve parity with whomever she is thinking about or talking to. She never talks down; shes never bamboozled. It is a great historical pageant that New Yorkers are a part of, they who live in this place where people come to get away from somewhere else. In Hardwicks work, the city is a drama of those who dont fit elsewhere, a cast of souls calling out for memorial.

Latin Moon In Manhattan by Jaime Manrique, 1992: A droll picaresque like no other. Manriques fabulous cast of characters includes artists, hustlers and a cat living la vida loca in the lowdown Times Square of the 90s.

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Candace Bushnell, Hanya Yanagihara and More on Their Favorite New York City Novels - The New York Times

Each fortune comes with a story, and mine is a tale about when a primordial being named Pangu visited Earth during a time when humans werent created. During his visit, he separated heaven and earth, creating the in-between space for humans to live.

Much like the in-between, my luck will hover in the middle as well, explained Master Tsang. Youll be under a lot of pressure at work, and will be surrounded by lots of gossip in your daily life, he says. However, after June of this year, the pressure will ease at work and in your personal life.

Aside from the slight worry about my work, everything else seems like itll be more or less stable. However, Master Tsang did note that Ill be going through fan tai sui, and reminded me to follow the following core steps to invite better luck in my life this year.

See also: 5 Best Astrology Apps To Try In 2021

Visit a temple

Visit a Taisui temple to pay respects to Tai Sui to ask for the Gods blessing. You can prepare a package containing a piece of paper with your name and date written on it. Pray, and kau tau (), which means bowing your head to the ground to all of the 60 Tai Sui Gods to show respect, and burn the package afterwards.

Avoid funerals and hospitals visits

Funerals and hospitals are the hotspot for evil spirits, which will add on to the bad luck youre already suffering due to fan tai sui. Attending funerals and visiting patients at the hospital are highly discouraged, and if its an unavoidable situation such as a family members death, try and avoid seeing the body and wait outside the room after offering incense.

Attend more red events

To absorb more positive energy, attend more red, joyous events such as weddings and birthday celebrations.

Carry a Tai Sui protective amulet

While wearable jade objects such as pendants, earrings and rings are recommended, other Tai Sui protective amulets are also able to help protect yourself against Tai Suis fury. Many temples also sell protective blessing cards that you can tuck away in your wallet to give yourself 24/7 protection against fan tai sui.

See also: How To Create Good Feng Shui In The Year Of The Ox: Expert Tips From Thierry Chow

Continued here:
Year of the Ox: What A Feng Shui Master Taught Me About Battling Fan Tai Sui - Tatler Hong Kong

Make sure you have plenty of light

Lighting is essential when it comes to preventing eye strain and headaches. Natural light is best, so ensure your window treatments allow sufficient daylight through. In the evenings, you will need both general and task lighting. Opt for warm white, which best mimics natural daylight.

Studies have shown that temperature can have a significant impact on your concentration and memory. The optimal temperature for focused work is 23-25 deg C. While this varies between individuals, it is generally agreed that a working space that is too warm can be most detrimental, causing alertness and energy levels to plummet.

Keep your study cool with air-conditioning or a standing fan next to your desk.

A clean study helps the mind focus. Keep essentials organised on your desk. The rest of the clutter should be stored out of sight.

It is also a good habit to set aside time for tidying your study after you complete your work. This simple routine ensures you start each day on a fresh, distraction-free note.

One of the best places to position your desk is next to a window. It ensures sufficient natural light and air circulation.

However, veteran feng shui practitioner Liu Tian Huang cautions against placing young children directly in front of the window as it can result in them being distracted. Similarly, avoid placing your desk too close to high-traffic places like a doorway.

Feeling sleepy? That could be due to poor ventilation. Maintain constant air circulation in your study with a fan and open window.

Alternatively, invest in an air purifier that helps filter out allergy-causing particles and microbes. The best ones have a HEPA filter, which can trap harmful particles such as pollutants, pollen, pet dander, dust mites and tobacco smoke.

In feng shui, paintings depicting mountain and lake sceneries are good in a study as they symbolise academic excellence.

"They are a representation of knowledge, wisdom and problem solving," said Mr Liu, who is also the author of a best-selling Mandarin book, Mastering Eight Characters: Practical Case Studies.

Fragrances like peppermint and citrus can improve concentration and lift spirits, making it easier to focus.

Add scent to your study in the form of a low-maintenance reed or electric diffuser.

Adding greenery instantly enlivens your study or home office. Shop for low-maintenance plants that do not require frequent watering.

For the feng shui-conscious, Mr Liu suggests the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum or chamomile.

In Chinese culture, these are associated with qualities of uprightness and perseverance. Artwork depicting these plants work just as well.

He added: "Avoid plants that have an overly strong scent or are sharp and pointy, like cacti, since they create negative energy (she qi)."

Colours set the tone and mood of a space. In a study, where calmness for a focused state of mind is needed, it is recommended that you use tranquil, earthy tones such as pale green and eggshell blue.

Stimulating colours, like red, are great for promoting creativity, but should be used sparingly.

Ms Lynn Lee, senior product specialist at Nippon Paint, advises balancing strong colours with a neutral palette of whites and greys.

Avoid aches and strains by ensuring your furniture gives you adequate support. This means adjusting your desk height or adding a laptop stand so that your screen is at eye level for comfortable viewing, as well as investing in a chair with good lumbar support.

This article was first published in Home & Decor Singapore (homeanddecor.com.sg)

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Design and feng shui tips for a productive home office - The New Paper

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Your bathroom gets a lot of action. One minute its tidy, the next its a mess so its probably not your favorite room in the house to clean.

But were of the mind that when kept neat, this personal space can actually be an oasis a place to disconnect and recharge while you shower, soak in the bath, or stand in front of the mirror for your daily pep talk.

So instead of letting your anxiety about cleaning this well-visited space build up until you have to do a serious, time-consuming deep clean, we suggest staying ahead of the grime and clutter with little weekly or daily cleaning habits like the ones below.

Here, weve rounded up the cleverest cleaning hacks for each part of your bathroom plus how often you should do each one.

Some of whats inside

Here are a few of the bathroom cleaning secrets were excited to let you in on:

Even though your toilet is one of the germiest places in your house, you dont actually need pricey products to make it gleam. Heres what we mean.

Frequency: Once a week

This hack is great for those trying to switch to natural cleaning products. Combine 1 part baking soda and 1 part white vinegar. Pour the mixture in and around the bowl, using your toilet brush to push it up under the rim. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then scrub and rinse clean.

If you build this into your weekly routine, youll stay ahead of the buildup and wont need to intervene with harsh products.

Frequency: After every use

You know how, over time, that little puddle of disgusting water accumulates at the bottom of your toilet brush holder? Avoid this ick factor by letting your toilet brush drip dry after you use it.

An easy way to do this is to close the toilet seat and lid onto the handle of the brush so the brush part is hanging over the bowl.

Frequency: Daily

Cleaning with baking soda is so effective because baking soda is abrasive. This means you can also use it cut down on toilet bowl cleanings. Simply sprinkle a dash of it into the bowl daily.

Bonus tip: Find a cute salt or pepper shaker to fill with baking soda and leave it within reach of your loo.

Your shower should be a Zen place. Its where you wash away the day, not to mention where you sing your best. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep it spick-and-span.

Frequency: Once a week

Glass showers exude luxury, but theyre also notorious for pesky lime deposits. Luckily, you probably have something in your pantry that can beat the grime: black tea!

Using two or three tea bags, make hot tea in a bowl. Let it cool enough so that you can dip a microfiber towel into it. Then watch in awe as it cuts right through the film.

Frequency: Every time you shower

Wiping down shower walls with a squeegee after each shower is a common practice in Scandinavian countries, where the water is rich in calcium and leaves a white residue. It takes just a few seconds and will drastically cut down on how often you have to scrub the lime from your shower walls.

Frequency: Every time you shower

Is there anything vinegar cant fix? We think not. If you want to work through grime in your shower, keep a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle in the bathroom. Spritz the walls generously after each shower, and youll soon notice a mega difference.

Frequency: Whenever you notice buildup

If you have grout between tiles or in other nooks and crannies in your shower that are tricky to scrub, baking soda may be the answer. To start, wet your shower and sprinkle all the problematic areas with baking soda. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub with an old toothbrush.

Frequency: Once every 2 weeks

Fess up: When was the last time you washed your shower curtain? If you cant remember, heres your gentle reminder to add it to your next load of laundry.

To eliminate the mildew, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry detergent. Run the machine on its hottest cycle, and then add 1/2 cup of white vinegar right before the rinse cycle starts.

Frequency: Once a month

Another item in your shower that you likely dont clean enough is your showerhead. Were all guilty of neglecting it, but it does need occasional attention.

To give the showerhead a thorough clean, remove it and place it in a bowl full of white vinegar. If its super gunked-up, add some baking soda. If your showerhead doesnt detach, fill a plastic bag with the same mixture and secure it with a rubber band. Either way, let it soak for an hour, and then rinse.

Frequency: Whenever you see lime deposits build up

For quick spot cleans and buildup removal, a Magic Eraser is a miracle worker. Because a Magic Eraser is activated by water, its handy to keep one in the shower to use when youre finished.

Thanks to stray hairs, leftover toothpaste, and makeup residue, sinks get dirty fast. Keep them clean with these methods.

Frequency: Whenever you notice deposits

First things first: If you have a porcelain or ceramic sink, scrub away any dirt with soap, water, and a sponge. Then, line your sink with paper towels soaked in white vinegar and let them sit for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Frequency: Once a week

Theres no trick to it: Just cut a lemon in half and rub it over all the chrome parts of your sink (and your shower!). Rinse it off, and then buff with a towel. Magic!

Frequency: Once a week, or whenever buildup appears

For faucets that need a deeper clean, sprinkle baking soda on the chrome. Then, wet an old toothbrush and scrub it clean. Rinse when youre done.

Frequency: Once a week

For those hard-to-reach spots in your sink, you may need an even smaller tool. Consider wrapping a cloth around the tip of a chopstick to get into even the tiniest areas. If theres tons of gunk, sprinkle the area being cleaned with water and baking soda first for an extra-deep clean.

Frequency: Once a week

Cooking spray does more than grease your grill or frying pan it can also shine those faucets to look brand new. Its easy: Spritz, then wipe down with a rag.

From soothing sore muscles to catching up on me-time to diving into a book, baths are a time to recover. To ensure your tub time is spa-like, keep it sparkly with these tricks.

Frequency: As needed

Clogged drain got you down? Tums to the rescue! Drop four tablets and 1/2 cup of white vinegar down the drain. Leave it for 10 minutes before pouring boiling water over top.

Note: This probably wont work on clogs involving hair youll likely need a snake for that task.

Frequency: Once every 2 weeks

Truth be told, you can use any type of citrus fruit to clean your tub, but grapefruit is ideal since itll cover more surface area.

To start, splash water all over your tub and the walls surrounding it. Cut the grapefruit in half and sprinkle each half with coarse sea salt. Then, scrub every inch before rinsing.

Frequency: Whenever you see lime deposits start to build up

Fun fact: Oil cuts through lime deposits! Pull out that cooking spray again and give your tub a good spray. Rinse with very hot water.

Giving the mirrors and windows in your bathroom some weekly love can make all the difference especially if you or someone you live with brushes their teeth vigorously!

Frequency: Once every 2 weeks (or after every each mirror cleaning)

Apply a thin layer over the entire mirror, and then wipe off with a cloth. This will keep your mirror from becoming cloudy for 2 weeks or until you wash it off with glass cleaner.

Frequency: Once a week

To keep the windows transparent and sparkly, combine 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part rubbing alcohol and use a microfiber cloth to clean the glass with this mixture. For the best results, clean at a time when direct sunlight isnt hitting the glass, so you can better look out for streaks.

Yes, your bathroom trash can needs a little TLC from time to time or every time you take out the trash! Here are some hacks.

Frequency: Whenever you take out the trash

When you remove the plastic trash bag, rinse the can with warm water, and then sprinkle baking soda on the bottom. This will help prevent an unwanted stench.

Frequency: Only once!

Is there anything more annoying than a trash bag that falls into the bin, creating a big mess? To the rescue are 3M Command hooks that ensure the bag stays in place.

Frequency: Whenever you take out the trash

Choose your favorite essential oil and drip 10 drops onto 3 cotton balls. Then, place them in the bottom of your trash can. Repeat this each time you take out the trash.

To go the extra mile, these mind-blowing tricks will really upgrade your bathroom experience. Challenge yourself to try one per month!

Frequency: Once a month

Did you know that rice naturally absorbs smells and soaks up moisture in the air? To help prevent mildew and odors, add 2 cups of rice and 10 drops of an essential oil to a wide-mouthed mason jar. Cover the jar with thin fabric or cheesecloth and place it in your bathroom.

Frequency: As needed

Out of baking soda? No prob. Simply crush some aspirin and combine it with water to create an abrasive paste.

Frequency: As needed

To get extra crafty, you can take that cheap toothbrush and melt it into any shape you need to reach small areas of your bathroom. Just boil it, and then while wearing protective gloves! bend it into the shape you need.

Frequency: As needed

Rather than throw away an old kitchen sponge, repurpose it for cleaning the bathroom. This is a small way to cut back on waste and save money. Just cut off one corner, so you dont get it confused with a new sponge!

Read the original:
Cleaning Hacks for the Bathroom: 27 Ways to Stay Ahead of the Grime - Greatist

According to Cho, to understand why the Rat is a lucky symbol in Chinese astrology, you need to know the story of the Great Race.

"There was a wise empress in Ancient China," Cho explains, "and she and the emperor had decided they'd like to have a great race where they would invite all the animals in the kingdom to participate, in order to determine the order of the Chinese zodiac animals."

The Rat, which was quite smallbut also quite clevercalled on his friend the Ox and said they should win the race together. The Ox agreed, and so the Rat rode the Ox through the entirety of the race, through rivers and over mountains. "As they approached the finish line," Cho says, "the Rat jumped off the Ox and came in first place. And that's the story of how the Rat came in first and the Ox came in second."

Now, it might sound like trickery on the Rat's part, but Cho says the Ox was happy to come in second, and they're still considered friendly zodiac signs. "They're actually the most compatible relationship in the Chinese zodiac system," she adds.

So, in the Year of the Ox, embracing the symbolism of the Rat is thought to help ward off bad luck.

View original post here:
The Lucky Chinese Zodiac Symbol You'll Want To Carry Around This Year - mindbodygreen.com

No matter what language she's speaking in, Selena Gomez sure knows how to command a stage even when it's done virtually. Celebrating the best of Latin music, the singer made her Premio Lo Nuestro debut on Feb. 18. Joined by Rauw Alejandro, Gomez performed their sexy new Spanish-language single, "Baila Conmigo." All about dancing and falling in love, the prerecorded performance is an alternative to the track's official music video, which features snippets of the artists on television screens. While the rest of the show was filmed live from Miami, the duo went virtual for their debut performance.

Though Gomez has been nominated for Premio Lo Nuestro awards in the past for "Taki Taki" with Cardi B, Ozuna, and DJ Snake, as well as for "I Can't Get Enough" with Benny Blanco, J Balvin, and Tainy this performance marks her first appearance at the event. "Baila Conmigo" is off her upcoming Spanish-language EP, Revelacin, which will be released on March 12. Gomez debuted her first-ever Spanish-language single, "De Una Vez," back in January after much anticipation. Above, check out Gomez and Alejandro's performance.

See the original post:
Selena Gomez Really Brought the Heat For Her Debut Performance of "Baila Conmigo" - POPSUGAR