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Friday, January 5th, 2007
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3:54 am - Finally! Czech photos for you!
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| Monday, June 26th, 2006
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10:41 am
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Hello everyone! Time for another update.
This city is always full of surprises. Saturday, I went to meet up with my friend Joey to watch "Karla" at the local cinema... but I was running late and completely forgot how to get to that theatre (those who know me well, know how unclear my thought process can be once I start panicking about getting to a destination on time). Asking the locals wasn't any help... with my accent, they could not understand me when I was saying "Palace Cinema" so I was being lead a stray towards the direction of another smaller cinema which shows older films like "Capote," "Match Point," and "Motorcycle Diaries." With my adventurous journey to the theatre, I stumbled upon a rose garden completely hidden by overbearing shops and flats in Wenceslas Square. Now that I think about it... I think I was the only foreigner in that area. The Czechs are completely in love with parks and nature... so I was surrounded by locals sitting on benches making out (quite a common thing to see here in the Czech Republic) and reading their books.
In the end, I made it to theatre... but I missed the movie start time... so instead... I just stuck around for the next showing.
What a disturbing film… It reminded me a lot of "Monster"... so if you enjoyed that... I
would recommend "Karla." I suppose I have to have some dose of crime films since I
am unable to watch Law & Order SVU anymore.
Summer is finally here. I never thought it would show up. Prague is similar to Boston in that way... The weather would finally get warm in the middle of June. Of course, now that it is here and with my lack of air conditioning and a fan, I can't help but long for the dreary rain that we used to have on a daily basis.
In my new flat, my bed sits along side of the window. I usually know its time to get up when my legs start to burn. Its getting to the point where I feel I should put on sun block in the evenings before I go to bed to avoid things that a future case of skin cancer.
The sun... I had no idea before I arrived here... but this place is very similar to Iceland and Finland with the amount of time of sunlight we get. There is a grand total of about 6 hours of night here. Asking my roommates who have lived here for a while, they have told me that in the winter it is completely the opposite, we only get 6 hours of sunlight. Talk about wilting flowers here in Europe. I can remember meeting this Finish man once when I was staying the hostel... he was always telling people how depressing Finland is, strictly because of the lack of sunlight... Apparently there is a large number of suicides every year. It's sad, you never realize how much you need the sun... then its taken away from you... and it makes the world of difference.
My birthday is tomorrow... I'm not sure exactly what I am going to be doing. I have a few friends here in Prague but most of them are travelers (so they might not be here) or work in the fashion industry so they are too busy with photo shoots throughout the week. So, I was thinking about making a day trip to Cesky Krumlov, which is about 3 hours outside Prague. Of course, I would LOVE to go to Austria for a few days, but I don't think my finances would allow me to do that. Traveling within the country would be much more manageable. You never know though... I might be lazy and decide not to celebrate my 26th birthday and just stay indoors... What am I saying? There's always room for an adventure? :)
...but of course if I don't receive my debit cards today... I'll just see what Prague has in store for me.
If there is anyone who was thinking about getting a gift for me... I could use:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1405811269/sr=8-1/qid=1151324342/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-0961860-2546315?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0194386244/qid=1151324531/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-0961860-2546315?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
DVDs (widescreen please), English Books, Carmex Chapstick, Spices (The Czech loath
spices), and Compilation CDs.
I know that some of you have been asking about my mailing address... Here is the situation. I don't think I have access to a mailbox here in my flat. My landlord never gave me a key for one and never explained out it worked… So until further notice please send any post to the school:
Next Level Language
Monique Brewer
Pohorelec 147/8
118 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic
I'm probably going to have to look for another flat... I feel like I live in a NYC apartment where the landlord just shows up to collect money and doesn't fix anything around the place. My hot water has been out for about a week... Apparently, he's going to come by today to fix it... but it seems that he's good at making promises that he doesn't keep... He's one of those guys that when you call about a problem he'll tell you that South Africa is playing rugby right now, and he'll deal with the problem decisively tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns into 3 or 4 days later... Its just, I'm paying too much rent for Prague to have a landlord behave in such a manner.
There's a chance that I might be changing my phone number... Vodafone is cheaper than T-Mobile... I'm going to visit the store today to see how much it would cost... I will
email you with my new information ASAP.
So, the English during the World Cup are the most disgusting creatures I have ever seen. Its true, I wish you could have seen the show! I'll try my best to sum it up. It started off with just a miniature football being kicked around. I used my super ninja skills to block it when it was heading directly for my face. It was a total Marsha Brady moment... except unlike her... I know how to block. So instead the football bounces off my wrist and went flying into the air.
England won! One to zero... After the game this man was wearing a Switzerland shirt, which he attempted to rip off of him. With the material of the jersey it was impossible unless you had a starting tear. So he took it off, and then processed to attempt to burn it. This of course attracts a huge crowd of people chanting and cheering on such an occurrence. Again, with the material... it would not burn. So instead, someone shows up with scissors and cuts the shirt in half. One man striped down completely naked... and... do I have to tell you what he did with the sharps of material left over? I can tell you it had to do with his bum. It was a charming sight. After it was completed I hear this man state, wow, the English are so charming... Now, who wants a shag? Looks and me, and points, I know you do lass... I said, no, I'm fine thank you.
Hahaha, I wish you could have seen it. The World Cup is completely out of this
world.
I miss all of you enormously.
I'll talk to you again soon.
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| Wednesday, June 14th, 2006
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10:35 am
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I wanted to give a quick update while I still have Internet access...
I have moved into a new flat as of this week! Its nice flat... but a little ran
down only because my other flatmates do not put a lot of pride into their living
quarters.
I also only live 1 metro stop away from the national museum... which is right in the
center of the city.
I dont know my full address yet... but I will update you as soon as it comes in.
The world cup is here! YEEHA! What an exciting time! I feed off of the energy
that is displayed here every single night.
There is a HUGE screen that is planted in the middle of old town where the homeless
and the rich alike all gather together to support their favorite teams and drink
their $1 beer.
The chants still linger in my head hours after the game ends!
Of course, I still can't believe USA lost against Czech Republic... We have another
shot though... On Saturday we will be playing against Italy. Yikes!
I have 4 students at the moment... 1 student who sees me on a regular basis... I'm
still on just a trial basis... so as soon as the children take to me, I will be
receiving more phone calls.
I have my first adult student that I am working with on Friday... ugh... the stress
of lesson planning and grammar. It should be good though... She is paying me the
most out of all my students. 600kc for 2 hours... while I only get 500kc from the
families.
I'll be teaching at a summer camp in August... so that will allow the money to pore
in better... and of course, I'll be attending a job fair next week... so I really
hope everything will come together better...
Its such a hassle having your wallet stolen and needing your family to wire you
money. I am eternally grateful... Please know it means the world to me.
For those who are visiting me next month... Just curious? Do you have an air
mattress? My bed is so small... so there would hardly be room for another to share
with me. (how european is that?!) I'm going to try to invest into one for you... but
email me before you left to make sure I have one set up for you.
There's so much happening... but I can't remember a thing right now.
I'm so happy to NOT be living in the hostel... but I do long for the immediate
friendship that usually comes along with it.
The clubs here are interesting... ALL TECHNO! Blah! I miss rock n roll so much! If
you are feeling creative... I would always love a mix CD :)
I'll talk to you soon!
Please know much I love you and wish you were here.
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| Tuesday, May 30th, 2006
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10:29 am - Un Update
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I have to make this email quick.
I only have 15 minutes of access.
I graduated from school. What a relief... That was a terribly stressful situation and I am glad that it is done.
I have been hired on by a family to teach English to a 4 year old. New families should be coming my way soon.
I am living in a hostel right now until I find an apartment...
In which I'm miss popularity... I am mostly spending time with English blokes... My roommates from school make fun of me all the time... I think they are just jealous. :)
I'm in love with a Colombian/English man out here named Lawrence. Were inseparable... but I nothing will happen... but crushes are always fun.
Tonight I am going to a football match... England vs. Hungary.
Let me see... what have I done? I went to the John Lennon wall which has been destroyed... but pictures will come soon.
I'm off to watch football now... but I promise to write more soon.
I miss you and love all of you dearly.
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| Tuesday, April 25th, 2006
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10:24 am - The Prague Life
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Hello everyone......
I'm trying to think of things that I can tell you about this place to kind of catch you up.
Prague is a beautiful priceless environment. I'm really trying to involve myself into the culture as much as possible. Its hard because I can not understand the language... but I have started my Czech lessons... As hard as they are... I feel that I understand things much better.
Classes are intense... I'm already overwhelmed... were talking about identifying things such as "past perfect continuous"... I dont recall ever studying that in classes... and here we jump right into it as if we have known about it for years. ::stress::
Today, I taught our small little class for 10 minutes... I was able to teach them anything I wanted... so I decided to teach them how to make a frog (oragami) which is able to jump... then we all participated in frog Olympics... Lucy the Frog did not win... but thats okay... she at least came in 3rd.
Its interesting being here... I actually feel like the most overweight person here. People are very tall and very very thin. Those people can drink too... so I dont know how they keep their figure.
Last night was our welcome dinner with the school. We went to this underground hut of a place that was completely decorated in the medieval style. It was good food... and the school basically gave us as much to eat and drink as we wanted too.
All of us took complete advantage... We were probably there for about 5 hours.
I know in my last email I sent out I was a bit annoyed with my roommates... but I can tell you, after a few drinks and confessions... we are on a much better pages as of this morning.
I'm feeling happy that I am here... I can tell somewhere deep inside that this trip will change me quite a bit. As much as I miss my friends, family and of course my dear sweet cat Lucy... I'm continuing to improve myself daily.
I am officially out of class for the day if anyone would like to call... ::hint hint::
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| Wednesday, April 12th, 2006
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8:23 pm - New Project:
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I would very much like to put together a mix comp filled with music that changed America........
I'm looking for 1950s/EARLY 1960's ROCK N ROLL.
This is what I have so far:
Bob Dylan (a hard rain's going to fall; Subterranean Homesick Blues)
Elvis (That's alright mama; Blue Moon of Kentucky)
Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire; Whole Lota Shakin Goin On)
Johnny Cash (Folsom Prison Blues; Get Rhythm)
Chuck Barry (Johnny B Good)
Dick Dale (Misirlou)
Link Wray (Rumble)
Buddy Holly (Peggy Sue; That'll be the day)
Eddie Cochran (Twenty Flight Rock)
Gene Vincent (Be Bop A Lula)
I want a feet thumping good time...
Help a girl out... what do you suggest?
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| Wednesday, February 8th, 2006
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11:15 pm - :(
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Nick was voted OUT on Project Runway.
Thats so not fair.
current mood: grumble grumble
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| Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
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10:23 pm
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After you die...
Guardian Angel
After death, you will exist as a guardian angel in order to protect your still-living loved ones. You might even inspire a classic Christmas movie.
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Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com
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current mood:  calm
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| Wednesday, January 11th, 2006
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12:44 pm - The end to all things..........
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Bear is sick. (my family's dog)
I woke up this morning around 4:00am to hear Bear vomiting outside of my room. When I opened the door to see if he was okay, I saw nothing but Bear sitting in the hallway.
During my 4:00am state of mind, my first thought was that he just ate it back up. *gross*
What I didnt realize until I woke up that Bear had vomited up blood......... twice.
Once in the living room... and the other was right in front of my door.
My mom and I took Bear to the clinic right away........
Where we discovered that Bear is also bleeding from his rectum when the assistants where attempting to get a temperature.
Dr. Graham suspects that Bear has an ulcer within his stomach that is bleeding into his abdomen. Without 24 hour care at an emergency hospital and possible surgery...Bear will die.
The price in full: around $4,500....
Stephanie and I cried and cried... but left the decision up to my parents.
He's sitting next to me here at the clinic right now..... the procedure to euthanize will take place at 5:30pm.
current mood:  sad
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| Monday, January 9th, 2006
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10:47 pm - A Response from my cousin Linda Lopez-Rath
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well here's what you need to know about the rath-lopez family vs. the vandervloetd-rath family....
we the rath-lopez family love you to death. we do not think of you and stephanie in any way different than we think about any other cousins (except you're older and nice and you shower). hell, i didnt even know you guys werent blood related to me until i was probably....9 or 10 or something. it just never seemed like a big deal.
on the other hand the vandervloetds are very close-minded (i dont mean to start drama in the family, i love them to death) and they seem to be too into their religion to think about anything else.
but the rest of the rath family does not think about you this way at all. i know for sure barb and michael and them love you. how could they not??
besides joe is jank and jokes around alot, hopefully he didnt mean what he said. ...
current mood: feeling better
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9:21 pm
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My co-worker/friend Amy went over to Walgreen's this evening to pick up a few things and ran into my cousin Joseph who works there.
They have been giggling around and talking to each other for a few months now.
Amy made the comment tonight that Monique will be on her way to pick me up any minute now... and if we have the same great conversations that they share.
Joseph made this response:
"Monique never talks to me. Were not blood relation. Were what you call distant relatives."
Here is the facts:
I have been involved with the Rath family since I was 2 years old. I have never been accepted within the family. (my great grandparents were the only ones who did) They treat Stephanie and I as an insult upon their great and powerful family.
I am completely hurt and insulted about this...
I'm not sure what I have to do to be accepted into this family. Apparently, 23 years of loving them is not doing any good.
current mood:  stressed
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| Saturday, January 7th, 2006
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10:18 pm - Loving on Santino, Nick and Chloe
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| Thursday, January 5th, 2006
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11:10 am - Traveling with CDs and DVDs....
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Its impossible to find a traveling case to store my DVDs and maybe a few CDs.......
The thing is... all traveling storage cases scratch up your CDs and DVDs.
Then they start skipping and its just a big mess.
and of course, when you need to sell a few of your products because your tight for cash... companies will often not purchase them off of you because they see these scratches.
I'm not too worried about my CDs... only because I was planning on burning them to CD-R so if I lost it abroad I still have the original back home.
Its the DVDs I'm more worried about........ I can't afford for them to get scratched up.
Any suggestions?
current mood:  cynical
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| Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006
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5:21 pm - Sean Lennon Continued...
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ALL you lonely hearts club members out there can stop asking us how to get in touch with Sean Lennon. Ever since PAGE SIX ran an item last week in which Lennon half-seriously complained he needs a girlfriend, we've been inundated with e-mails and phone calls from women desperate to date the singer/songwriter son of John Lennon. But while Sean tells us he's very flattered, he says it's unlikely he'll be answering any of the dozens of e-mails we have forwarded to him. Sorry, ladies!
source
current mood:  sick
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| Monday, January 2nd, 2006
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12:34 pm - from my uncle:
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Hey Monique,
I definitely have an imac laptop you could have. My computer guy will be at my NYE party. I'll have him load it up with software and I'll give it to Stephanie. I also have a therma-rest (the small backpackers air mattress I was telling you about).
Got get back to cooking.
I am so excited for you and your trip to Prague. As you know, my feelings are that you definitely need to go for it, even if you have to go a little in debt.
Ray
current mood:  happy
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| Wednesday, December 28th, 2005
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1:51 pm
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I've been banned from work until tomorrow.
I went to the doctor yesterday because I can't seem to kick off this cold.... it has been going on for a week now.... Coughing attacks are NEVER a good thing.
The doctor didn't tell me that it’s a good idea to take off of work... but I thought I deserved the day off... so I called in... Telling Caring Hands Pet Hospital that I have bronchitis (which I do) and I should stay away from the public for 24 hours (just enough time for my antibiotics to kick in).
The staff understood and told me to feel better.
I received a phone call last night from T.C. (team leader), asking me if I would feel well enough to come in this morning at 7:30am as scheduled. I told her that I could probably come in... but whenever anyone talks to me these days... I have that voice where you clearly need to clear your throat... but no matter how many times you cough or attempt to clear it up... it never goes away until the infection starts to diminish... so this is what T.C. hears... her response:
ummm... No... I don't want you to come in... I don't want to get sick.
So my phone call not only got me off from yesterday's work... but also today's.
woo hoo.
but I can't help but feel bad for screwing over the ladies there... this week is one of the most busiest for boarding...
ahhh... I'm sure they'll be fine.
current mood: sick
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1:49 pm - Lonely Lennon.....
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December 28, 2005 -- SEAN Lennon is determined to kick off the New Year with a new girlfriend - and he's asking PAGE SIX to help him find one. "Any girl who is interested must simply be born female and between the ages of 18 and 45," John Lennon's singer/songwriter son, 30, told us. "They must have an IQ above 130 and they must be honest. They must not have any clinical, psychological disorders . . . and a kind heart. Clearly beautiful - but beauty on the inside is more important - but no deformities, third legs, fifth nipples . . . I'm completely alone and I'm completely miserable. So please send your request to [PAGE SIX]." Ladies, we await your responses.
Source: New York Post - Page Six
http://www.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix/59541.htm
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Too bad I don't live in New York City.....
current mood: calm
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| Tuesday, December 27th, 2005
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11:43 pm
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| Sunday, December 25th, 2005
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6:54 pm - Christmas 2005
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The Christmas spirit never really entered me this year... I almost forgot it was Christmas until the fam and I went to Stephanie and Ryan's house to have breakfast and to open presents.
I feel like such a scrooge. There's been a lot of programs on the Discovery Channel about archology from the 1st - 5th century that I have been more interested in.
I woke up this morning with this terrible head ache and a cough. So I was trying my best to have a good game face through out the entire thing. Sometimes it was okay and I was able to laugh and smile... and then sometimes I wondered if it would be better to just smash a hammer against my head.
I was given pretty good presents this year. My parents got me a backpackers pack... which if you dont know that that is... you can look at this site. ......That is not my exact bag... but it will give you an idea of what were talking about.
Stephanie gave me an H&M gift certificate and a John Lennon book.
Ryan gave me these cute little twin pictures of a fashionable girl saying, "hello." in one and "bonjour" on the other. Frames to go with of course....
Then I received great little family photographs with the kids, Ryan and Steph.
It was so sweet. I dont think I've gasped over presents as much as I did for quite some time.
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Probably my favorite part of Christmas is giving presents....... I love seeing the reactions from people. Steph looked more confused over everything that she received from me... but she said she liked all the gifts.
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I had to skip my uncle's Christmas party tonight.... but after having some coffee, I'm feeling much better.....
Lori and I are off to see The Family Stone.
xo and Merry Christmas
current mood: calm
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| Sunday, December 18th, 2005
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12:04 pm - How is my Numerology Portrait calculated?
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The ancient science of numerology offers insight into the personality by assigning numeric values to names and birth dates, calculating numerological values and then interpreting the results.
To calculate the values used in numerology, all digits of a number are first added together. If the outcome is a number with more than one digit, the resulting digits are added together again until they are reduced to a single digit. For example, the number 27 is reduced by adding 2 + 7 to get 9. The number 1974 is reduced by adding 1 + 9 + 7 + 4 to get 21; then 21 is further reduced by adding 2 + 1 to get 3. All numbers are reduced to single digits between 1 and 9 except the special master number 11, which is not reduced in numerological calculations.
Letters are first converted into numbers, which are then added together until they become a single digit. The letter A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, etc.; M = 13, which becomes 1 + 3 = 4. For example, the name Amy is equal to 1 + 4 + 7 = 12. 12 is then further reduced by adding 1 + 2 to get 3.
Your Numerology Portrait applies the results of several calculations to provide insight into the most important aspects of your personality. If you have a Y in your name, please consult the table for further information on how we treat that letter's dual nature as consonant and vowel.
Your soul number reveals your inner, private self, the underlying motivations that influence your decisions and actions, your subconscious desires and your most deeply ingrained attitudes. (It is determined by adding the values for the vowels in your full birth name.)
Your Numerology Portrait is based on the following calculations:
Is Y considered a consonant or a vowel?
- If your first name begins with Y, then Y will appear in the "first vowel" section of your portrait. All other sections of your portrait will treat that Y as a consonant.
- If a Y appears in any other position in your first, middle or last name, it will be considered a consonant if preceded by a vowel and vice versa.
Total for each letter:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A=2 B=1 C=0 D=0 E=5 F=0 G=0 H=0 I=2
J=0 K=0 L=2 M=2 N=1 O=1 P=0 Q=1 R=3
S=0 T=0 U=1 V=0 W=1 X=0 Y=0 Z=0
Consonant Total: 7 (61)
Vowel Total: 9 (54)
Grand Total: 7 (115)
Date Total: 6 (33)
No Missing Numbers
First letter is M
First vowel is O
Your Soul Number is NINE.
You are a very loving person whose compassion and concern is not limited only to your own family and personal circle. Kind and generous in your sympathies, you are motivated to a large degree by humanitarian ideals, altruism, and a desire to make the world a better place.
Translating your charitable impulses into some definite, concrete expression is one of your greatest challenges. You are sensitive, gentle, and impressionable (especially in early years), and you may lack the drive to bring your dreams down to earth. However, aggressive ambition is not your path to success. If you learn to have confidence in yourself and maintain a positive attitude, you will do much good and enjoy true success.
current mood: calm
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