Happy Birthday to....

...ME!
Hello friends, I completed a quarter century today. I prefer odd numbers to even ones, for some reason, so 25 feels good.
I didn't have the greatest practice this morning, but the day's been really nice.
I had my astrological chart read this morning (more on that momentarily), then I went out for lunch with some people and hung out at someone's house. One girl brought me cake with candles. I was really touched, because she didn't have to go out of her way to do that. It was nice.
I'm making more friends and feeling more comfortable with being here.
I got in an argument with my rickshaw driver today. He brought me to the astrologer last week. He took me the long way there on the meter. Then, he took the short way back without the meter. He asked me to tell him when I was going back to the astrologer so he could take me. I did, but I told him we were going the short way there and the short way back.
So he took me there off the meter again and then I had him drive me to the place where we had lunch. Then he demanded exorbitant sums for waiting for me at the astrologer's, even though the rate is clearly written on the side of the rickshaw. "no, no, that's the old rate..." Yeah right.
So I told him I was angry (without raising my voice) because he was cheating me and demanding a different price from me because I'm a foreigner. Then he got angry and dramatic and told me to keep my money like I'd insulted his honor. Then he told me he was going to tell all his rickshaw driver friends not to drive me anywhere. Whatever. They're a dime a dozen. I'm sure I'll be able to find someone to drive me around. This is why I don't go anywhere. It's always such an ordeal. Sigh.
I asked a woman here who's a dietitian about my chronic iron deficiency (I'm never allowed to give blood, because my iron is always too low). She told me it is not good, asked me about my diet and we concluded I'm eating very few iron-rich foods. The most interesting thing she told me was the deficiency can make me short of breath, because I don't have enough iron for the O2 to attach to in my body. I do get the sensation that I can't take a full, satisfying breath on and off--I always thought it was stress, but it may just be due to lack of iron. The lack of iron could actually contribute to stress if I'm not supplying my body with as much oxygen as it needs as a result.
Now for the juicy stuff.
The astrologer had me take notes and record him giving me my reading on a cassette.
This is astrology in the south Indian, Vedic tradition. My sun is in Taurus, not Gemini. That's ok. I've let go of identifying as a Gemini.
More importantly my ascendant is in Cancer as is my moon which seems to be what plays a dominant role in my personality.
I really didn't tell him anything about myself before the reading.
He told me that I have tenacity of purpose and that I stick to my principles. Cancer is a water sign and is flowing. I'm emotional, excitable, love travel and am interested in international commerce.
I have strong intuitive power and am interested in the healing arts. I like water travel.
I'm interested in yoga and philosophy and seek guidance from yogis.
I will have a love marriage (this is definitely a cultural thing--most people here don't choose their own partner--I will bring home the marriage classified ads from the paper. They're a trip). My partner will be someone who can appreciate the different aspects of my personality and my traits. He said I would find this person or a prospect between August and November of this year. Holy crap. We'll see. Then, later he gave me dates: Aug 6 things will take shape, 25 November things will get decided, by 15 January something will be finalized.
I'm a good artist and have a fertile imagination. I like music, literature, decoration, painting, drama. I'm expressive. I have an idea and I express it through my body--gestures, gait, etc.
I'm very communicative, language flows through me.
I have lots of foreign travels.
He said in school I don't meet my own expectations and something holds me back from manifesting my total capacity.
Then he asked me if I had practiced martial arts. Ummm...yes.
I have a magnetic personality.
He said I'd be successful in the hospitality industry. I like to be pleasant to the customer and to make people feel comfortable. He said I like to make my environment beautiful. He said I want to drive a luxurious vehicle.
He told me my pleasant face and smile are part of my gift of bringing other people joy.
My business will involve pleasing the customer, I'll be a top executive and will be a good manager.
I'm very quick.
I'm a peace-maker and a go-between. Again, my business will involve mediating between parties. Some kind of networking/being a liason. I will eventually work for myself, but it will take time.
I am a good student and teacher of yoga.
He said I had a change in my professional course in 2005/2006--true enough. I got promoted in 2005 and then I quit in 2006.
He told me all this is preparation.
I won't just be a good wife, but I want to be a good mother. I am tender, soft, generous and have affection for all.
I would make a good water-diviner.
I will rise to the top in 2012-2013, professionally. I'll be connected with international tourism. I'll be the boss.
He said I shouldn't wear dark colors. Black makes me shrink, whereas light colors will make me expand. Too bad most of my wardrobe is black...
I'm magnetic and attractive. I will keep the company of people of rank and position.
I would be a good civil engineer.
I will deal with others' money. Their money is safe with me.
The best gem for me is a rosy-colored diamond. He told me it had to be minimum 6 carats and I must wear it on my ring finger on my left hand. Who's going to bankroll that? I won't be able to lift my hand.
I must also have a 3 to 5 carat ruby on my right hand which will give me authority and queenly qualities.
Some people are jealous of me so I have to filter my friendships. He said I will rise very quickly and people will become spiteful.
I should avoid eating potato and onion.
I have the capacity to handle the professional challenges that come my way. August 6 is when stuff in my life begins to take off.
I'm frank. I don't like hypocrisy or flattery.
He said I may have sleeping problems...
I'm responsible, but human.
Anyhoo, I take all this with a grain of salt, but I don't think it's totally invalid. I do think there is some kind of energy that exists in the universe that affects us all. Actually, a lot of it was surprisingly accurate. Especially because he told me that law/international commerce were professions I would have an affinity for. I don't know that I have a need to beautify my surroundings or drive a nice car. I definitely don't need to be wearing a 6 carat rock.
A lot of what he said about my professional life are things I've been discovering about myself over the last few years.
Sorry there's no clear narrative here--I mostly copied the notes I took during the reading.
Well, friends, it's been a good birthday. I hope you are all having a nice Memorial Day!
Hugs,
Lauren