Pila & Our Dog- "Kids" - Carmel, CA

We are formally trained in the Western scientific method, and the Feng Shui approach as taught by the  American Feng Shui Institute  (AFSI) with its scientific, mathematical, and objective slant was particularly appealing to us. Calculus was my favorite subject in college, and Pila works as a scientist. 

Yes, you might say we are nerds. 

nerd:  an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits <computer nerds>
Etymology: perhaps from nerd, a creature in the children's book IF I RAN THE ZOO (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) Date: 1951 ~Merriam-Webster

According to the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, I am an INFJ, and Pila is an ISFJ. Feng Shui-wise, I am K'un - The Receptive and Pila is Sun - The Gentle.  I am a West Group person; he, East.  We are in opposing groups.  In spite of this, we fell in love at first sight. We have had far more ups than downs in our relationship that dates back to 1972.  We are truly each other's best buddy, companion, and romantic interest (blush!).  We celebrated our Silver Anniversary a few years ago, and look forward to our Golden Anniversary. 

>> A brief overview of Feng Shui terminology.

We were born 20 days apart in the same month, 20 miles apart, but did not meet until we were 20 years old.  We were born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Courtesy of iVillage

We are private, behind-the-scenes, quiet-and-effective kind of folks.  We enjoy people, but not all the time, as we enjoy solitude-requiring activities.  We love animals, especially dogs.

We are lifelong learners.  I am the quintessential bookworm, with a passion for books, words, languages, and knowledge.  For fun, I create Web sites for friends and family and I write when the Muse inspires.

 >> September Morn: An Erratic Journal.  

During my spare moments, I am dedicated to perpetuating the language, music, folklore, and culture of my homeland, Hawai`i, by educating those interested via public service language sites on the Web.  

>>  Hawaiian Language, The Hula Pages & Hawaiian Music Directory.

Pila is a gifted musician, playing Hawaiian slack key guitar music, some jazz and classical,  beautifully and with finesse. He is very ha`aha`a -- that means humble or  modest in Hawaiian -- and he would never tell you this, himself.  I will, as I am the proud wife.  

These days,  we are very involved with hula and Hawaiian music with Da' Hawai`i Club.  I am (erratically) chronicling our experiences here: >> Da' Hawai`i Club.

Drawn to nature, we especially enjoy lofty mountains, calm water, and sunny, open spaces.  Mostly, we enjoy long walks in the woods, mountain biking, gardening, lying on the hammock, and reading under the shade of pine trees. 

>> The Woodland Nature Trail

Specifically and emphatically, we are interested in the REAL thing, i.e., classical, traditional Feng Shui with reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary methodology.

The American Feng Shui Institute in Monterey Park, CA, dedicated to teaching the practice of Feng Shui as a scientific discipline, provided the high-integrity teaching that we sought.  Previous to learning of the institute, I was disheartened by approaches that smacked of crass commercialism with "quick, fast, anything goes" dubious methodologies that insult -- and assault -- an ancient, carefully-honed disciplined art and science.

We were also fortunate to grow up with Asian grandparents in our respective homes, who still clung to the "old country ways," incorporating many Feng Shui principles in our everyday lives.

At the same time, we also grew up "American" in Hawai`i with all of its Western programming. While the inclination may have been to regard our grandparents' practices as "quaint, old country" superstitions, this was never the case. Respecting them, we respected their ways. 

We were, however, too young  and perhaps overly enamored with all things "American" to appreciate the richness of their wisdom of Feng Shui and did not acquire detailed knowledge, including the "hows, whys, whens", first-hand.

Well, life is a circle, and we are sometimes given second chances. It's one of those "When the disciple is ready, the guru appears" kinds of things. 

Our grandparents may be physically departed, but I like to think with their guidance, we have reconnected with the wisdom of our ancestors via the American Feng Shui Institute teachings.

Grandfather "O-Jichan" Muraichi Iwata

We hope to consciously incorporate their wise ways into our lives and perhaps even help in passing them on to future generations.

>> Next:  Location

View Our GuestMap

Where are you from?  Please sign our GuestMap, a cool alternative to the GuestBook and LOTS more fun! We'd love to know where you're visiting from. Click on the icon to the left and follow the simple instructions. First, stick a pushpin where you live; then, if you wish, share your thoughts in the comments window. Thank you!

Intro |  Who  |  Location | Chronicle   

Personal Trigrams |  House Trigram  | Advanced Feng Shui:  XUAN KONG

References  | AFSI Grads | Books  | Words of Wisdom 

   What's New:  Chinese New Year Celebration, 2003
The Daffodil Garden 

 "The only gift is a portion of thyself."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson