Saint Brendan's Irish Cream Fudge
2 pkgs. milk chocolate chips (12 oz. each)
1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz.)
2 jars marshmallow cream (7 oz. each)
2/3 c. Saint Brendan's® Irish Cream Liqueur
2 c. chopped nuts
4 ½ c. sugar
1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)
½ lb. butter
Line a 10” x 15” pan with foil and grease lightly with butter.
Combine chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, Saint Brendan's® and nuts in a large bowl and set aside.
Combine sugar, evaporated milk and butter in a medium, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 11 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour milk mixture over chocolate chip mixture and stir slowly by hand. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until set.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Recipe - 5 mintues to chocolate cake
I'm a recipe junkie....and I got this recipe from an email from a
friend...naturally I had to try it.
Now here's some of the things about this recipe that I played with:
1) First try - since I live at an elevation of 3,500 cooking this cake
for 3 minutes made it rubbery. I also didn't have the chocolate
chips....and I tossed it
2) Second try - I cut it back to 2 minutes and 30 seconds...still not
good enough to call a success....I added shaved chocolate hoping for
moisture....and tossed it.
3) Third try - I mixed the ingredients in a bowl....then used a ramkin
instead....put 1/2 the mixture in the bottom...then a dollup of hot
fudge...followed by the remainder of the mix...and cooked for 2
minutes and 15 seconds....this worked wonderful!
I also tried this in a mug...if you decide to use a mug...use a wider
mug as opposed to a taller mug..and yes...it definitely rises over the
top....but don't worry, it won't dribble over the top.
*So keep your elevation in mind in case this doesn't work the first
time around.
5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
1 LARGE (microwave safe) coffee mug
4 T flour (plain, NOT self-rising)
4 T sugar
2 T baking cocoa
1 Egg
3 T milk
3 T oil
3 T chocolate chips (Optional)
Splash of vanilla
Add dry ingredients to the mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix
thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil - mix well. Add the chocolate
chips (if using) and vanilla and mix again. Put your mug in the
microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise
over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!!
(can serve 2 if you want to share).
Enjoy!
deb
friend...naturally I had to try it.
Now here's some of the things about this recipe that I played with:
1) First try - since I live at an elevation of 3,500 cooking this cake
for 3 minutes made it rubbery. I also didn't have the chocolate
chips....and I tossed it
2) Second try - I cut it back to 2 minutes and 30 seconds...still not
good enough to call a success....I added shaved chocolate hoping for
moisture....and tossed it.
3) Third try - I mixed the ingredients in a bowl....then used a ramkin
instead....put 1/2 the mixture in the bottom...then a dollup of hot
fudge...followed by the remainder of the mix...and cooked for 2
minutes and 15 seconds....this worked wonderful!
I also tried this in a mug...if you decide to use a mug...use a wider
mug as opposed to a taller mug..and yes...it definitely rises over the
top....but don't worry, it won't dribble over the top.
*So keep your elevation in mind in case this doesn't work the first
time around.
5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
1 LARGE (microwave safe) coffee mug
4 T flour (plain, NOT self-rising)
4 T sugar
2 T baking cocoa
1 Egg
3 T milk
3 T oil
3 T chocolate chips (Optional)
Splash of vanilla
Add dry ingredients to the mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix
thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil - mix well. Add the chocolate
chips (if using) and vanilla and mix again. Put your mug in the
microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise
over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!!
(can serve 2 if you want to share
Enjoy!
deb
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Interview with a psychic and author - Melissa Alvarez - Part II
Deb's personal reading (this reading happened on Tuesday 11/27/07. I'd been emailing Melissa with questions about this interview so I'm not thinking anything about it when she asks for my number...she calls and come to find out she said she just felt like she had to talk to me...she thought maybe I was being pressured to get this interview done...during out conversation, I mentioned to her that I wanted to go see John Edward because of some unresolved issues I have with my mom.
Deb) I know you're going to laugh, but I can't wait to meet John Edwards...I have some issues regarding my mother who's passed on, that haven't been dealt with.
Melissa) Well, I'm not John Edwards, but I can give you messages from her if you want me to, she's her with me now.
Deb) silence
Melissa) She's here with me now. Can I pass along the messages?
Deb) Sure
Melissa) She says “Hi Honey.”
Deb) silence...ahh...Hi Mom (Deb is freakin' out about this time)
Melissa) She's showing me a rag doll.
Deb) That's funny, I just bought my granddaughter, Kylie, one at the grand opening of the Reno, Cabela's, the day after Thanksgiving.
Melissa) She says, “Yeah, I know, I was there with you.”
Deb) silence ..okay...
Melissa) She says, she kept pulling you back to the one with the silk stitches on the britches. She wants to know why you didn’t wait until Christmas to give it to her.
Deb) silence...(I had been going back and forth between these two dolls and even asked my cousin which she thought...but always kept leaning back to the silk drawers...because they were so cute and had planned to give it to Kylie for Christmas, but is was so cute I couldn't wait.)
Melissa) She says you never could wait.
Deb) silence (Deb feels scolded)
Melissa) She's showing me a box of Quaker Oats and laughing...what's that about?
Deb) Chuckle....this is funny because I was just thinking about that. I've been looking for this recipe...it's for Dunkin Platters. These were our favorite cookies...only we called them Dunkin Splatters because they gave us the trots, but were so good we couldn't stop eating them until they were gone....yeah I know TMI. Too bad I lost that recipe...
Melissa) She says it’s in your recipe card index box, stuck to the back of one of the cards.
Deb) I've already checked the two index boxes.
Melissa) she says, mom is saying no, there's a third.
Deb) No, I only have two...two metals tins...
Melissa) she says, no, your mother says you have a wooden one
Deb) Oh no I don't. (Even from the grave I get bitched at)
Melissa) ”yes you do--the one you got for your wedding shower present from her friend.”
Deb) Oh crap...I forgot about that one...I can't wait to get home and see if it's there..sorry about that Mom's like that...has to be right and get the last word.
Melissa) By the way, she says your sweet potatoes weren't sweet enough this year.
Deb) Did you forget Mom, Paul's a diabetic?
Melissa) she say, “I know, next time make a special batch for me...the way I like them.”
Deb) silence
Melissa) She says to tell you her black and white dog is there with her.
Deb) Mei-ki?
Melissa) Yes.
Deb) silence
Melissa) She wants to know why you moved her rocking chair out of the room and put her in the corner?
Deb) silence...aah...I don't have her rocking chair.
Melissa) She says fine, semantics, YOUR chair, the one she always used to sit in...when she visits you, that's where she sits, but on Thanksgiving, the chair was gone.
Deb) ahh...We had company for Thanksgiving and the chair was broken, so we moved it into my daughter's room, in the corner. (oh crap, I'm going to get it now.)
Melissa) She says, “ put it back because that's where she'll be at Christmas.”
Deb) sigh...okay Mom, I'll move it back.
Melissa) She says to tell you she visits with you often, especially in the kitchen...that certain smells call her.
Deb) That's funny, because that's when I think of her the most is when I'm cooking. We had some wild times in the kitchen that left us in laughing fits or damn near killed us.
Melissa) She wants to know why you're hesitating...what do you want to ask her?
Deb) Huh?
Melissa) She says she knows you want to ask her something and to just ask.
Deb) gulp...swallow...breath...Why did you have such a hard time getting along with me. Why couldn't you tell me you loved me?
Melissa) She says, “You know I don't have favorites, but I loved you best. You were always there for me, did for me, I just thought you knew.
Deb) No. I didn't! (the tears are starting)
Melissa) She says, “I'm sorry.”
Deb) deep breath....This is wild because if mom were here now I'd catch hell for even talking to a psychic...she didn't believe in them.
Melissa) She's waving her hand, and says, “Sorry, I'm a believer now....too little too late, as usual.”
Deb) sniff...
Melissa) She's showing me a trinklet.
Deb) A what?
Melissa) I know it's not a word, but that's the only way I know to describe it and it's the word I'm hearing...it's a silver bracelet...she said to tell you that it was her favorite possession.
Deb) more sniffs...(That was the first present all us kids got together to give her...it was a charm bracelet, one head for each kid, including spouses and her only grandson at the time...our names and birth dates were on them, plus a charm for their 25th anniversary...we gave dad a sterling silver lighter with an emerald on it and the date.) I didn't think you even liked it...you never wore it.
Melissa) She says, “That's because it didn't fit. Why I kept trying to lose weight so I could wear it...it's the only thing you kids ever did together and for me.
Deb) I'm glad it meant so much to you...I have it now.
Melissa) Okay you have to explain this one to me....she says to tell you she doesn't stink anymore. ..and she's laughing about it.
Deb) Mom had a kidney transplant and the anti-rejection meds she took for it smelled like skunk....I could always tell when she was getting too much because the scent would come through her skin. It got to be a joke between us because by the time I smelled it and told her about it, she'd walk into the doctor’s office and say, time to lower the dosage, my daughter says so....they'd give me a dirty look, read her chart and sure enough, lower the dosage. When they finally got around to asking why I was asking for her blood report she laughed and said she doesn't need the report, she smells it on me.
From Melissa: I just wanted to add that this was an instance when the reading really affected the psychic too. When I asked Deb for her phone number I didn’t know why I needed to talk to her (other than I just like to talk and figured it would be easier to talk about the interview than to do it all by email) and I wasn’t expecting to do a reading for her when I called. As soon as she said she wanted to meet John Edwards so she could resolve things with her mom, and then her mom showed up with me, I wasn’t sure if I should approach it or not. As a psychic you never know how a person will react to something like that, but Mom wasn’t going anywhere else until I delivered the messages so I got permission. Deb’s silence during the reading was very powerful. I could feel when the messages had hit home with her just from her energy over the phone. Her mother had a lot to say, but the main message that came through was the overwhelming feeling of love that I felt from mother to daughter and the importance that I get this feeling across to Deb so that she understood how real her Mom’s love for her was and still is, even on the other side. I know I said many more words than are included in this retelling of the story but they were words to comfort a daughter and words to pass along the tremendous love of the Mother from the other side. I did the best I could and I have to tell you, this reading left me in tears. It stayed with me for weeks afterward and I kept thinking about it. This is why I do readings. When I’m able to pass along messages that help both those on the other side and those of us still here that resolve hurts from the past and give others peace, then I know I’m doing my job as a clairvoyant advisor and it makes all the ridiculing and name calling that I’ve had directed at me over the years worthwhile. Deb – thanks for letting me pass along your mother’s messages – this was truly an experience I’ll never forget. ~ Melissa
Two personal questions from Deb to Melissa
Deb) Our family, my husband, the kids, and I, have been talking about leaving California. We'd like to move and get some acreage and have talked about Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. We'd like to start a family business. I'd still need to work to keep the insurance, but Paul and the kids would have the family business until things take off...Is this something that is in our futures? If so, when, (how are in the future) and where (which state)?
Melissa) The first thing I saw when I read this was the order of the states. From most likely to least they popped out like this: Wyoming (1), Colorado (2), Montana (3), Oregon (4). I sense this will happen within two years. There are some loose ends that you need to tie up in California before you go and it will take a little longer than you think once you actually get past the “talking about it” stage into the “planning” stage. So, try to move into the planning stage sooner than later so it takes less time in the long run.
Deb) On my own personal request, regarding my writing. I love it and all, but is being a published author in my future...I've written articles that were published, but for my fictional stories, is it ever going to happen? If so, how soon or how long? And is my problem that I write Romantic Suspense and Romantic Comedies...going back and forth between them or should I stick to one...and which should that be?
Melissa) My first impression about this is that it will happen and you’re in the right genre – but there is something within the text that is a little off kilter. I’m not sure if its characterization or plot but check those two things out and make sure that you have fully developed characters and no holes in the plot. Of the two genres I sense that you’re very talented in romantic comedies and that you will make that sale before romantic suspense. You have a knack for making people see the light side of life even when things are looking their worst and you carry this into your writing. If you were to stick to one I couldn’t tell you to do that because I’m seeing you writing both. So I’d have to say to start with romantic comedies but don’t give up on the romantic suspense.
I hope the impressions I’ve received are helpful.
Additional questions to understand what Melissa sees:
Deb) Stupid question time....this is just an "I'm curious"....below, you say you see Wyoming as first...the funny thing is that's where I'd REALLY like to go, but job wise, Colorado is the place "I" see more opportunities for my kind of work. I'm an administrator in a computer corporation...I know my company has a location in Broomfield, Colorado, and I've actually applied for a job transfer......so when you got this email from me...how is it you see, what you see? How was it that Wyoming came in first....is it that my energy came through as where I want to go...or is it an actual job you see in Wyoming....remember, I told you I was blonde...so there's no telling what my questions will be once I get started.
And please note, this isn't me testing you, I really want to understand what it is that comes through to you...because I'm getting an idea for a character..and the more you tell me the clearer she becomes.
Also, along those same lines...when my Mom came through to you...is it like she just suddenly appears....did/does she actually talk to you, do you see images, no sound, what? My imagination is totally running amok here on this....so I gotta ask.
This is so fascinating, I feel bad, like I'm bothering you, but I'd so darned curious that I can't stop myself...so please accept my apology for being a pain in the patoot!
Melissa) When I read your email and the list of four places, the way it looks to me is as if the word raises from the screen - it looks three dimensional for a moment. As they do this, I list the places in the order that I see it raise up, which is the place that is most likely to be where you move to the area that is least likely. I didn't see whether or not there was a job opportunity there or not but only saw them pop up in order from strongest to weakest. I actually don't know why they come up in the order that they do - I just see the question and then they rise up one after the other and I put them down in the order that I see them rise up. This has happened to me before when I was looking for a job - I'd look through the newspaper and the job I'd get would look three dimensional to me - as if it is raised up off the page. I've always been offered the job when that's happened. I wish I had a better answer for you but that’s how it happens. Your energy doesn't really factor into this because when I see that happen I'm not actually reading your energy.
Oh - I completely understand you're not testing me. Your questions are fine.
Yes, it's like she suddenly appears - not in front of me but in my mind's eye. I saw her standing off to my right and talking. I just listen and pass along what she's saying to you. I both see her and hear her telepathically. You know how it feels to you when you're thinking? You hear yourself in your mind sorting out things? Well, when spirit appears to me I hear them in the same manner and get an image of them in my mind (usually but not always) and I listen to what they say and pass it along. Does that make sense to you? Or did I just muddy the waters? LOL
You're not bothering me. I really appreciate the opportunity you're giving me so I'm very happy to answer.
Deb) Okay so then the three dimensional word that raises the largest is what...the best chance, meaning look there first, not sure I'm getting this clearly, what is raising these words....that's why this is so fascinating to me. I could talk to you for years, and never get bored...look out if I ever get you alone in a room, I'll talk your ear off trying to understand and pick your brain....so remember you were warned :-P
And what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes...that's why I'm saving my pennies so I can take your class...I'd give anything to hear my mom's voice again.
Do relatives/friends who have passed on for you ever come to you? Is it like old home week or what?
Melissa) It's that they rise in the order from strongest to weakest with the strongest having the highest possibility of success, the second is the second strongest etc. Just because this has happened to me so many times I know that when someone gives me a list I'll see the words rise in the order of best to worst. With the first one that rises being the one that is in the number one spot (strongest) to the last one that is the weakest.
Well, it's not always fun. There are times that I see things that I really don't want to know. The class isn't a structured class - it's more like what we're doing right now - in mentoring the person I'm mentoring gets my undivided attention for a month and can ask as much or as little as they want and I also ask things of them.
Not usually - it has happened a few times but I usually have other people's families show up.
Deb) I know you're going to laugh, but I can't wait to meet John Edwards...I have some issues regarding my mother who's passed on, that haven't been dealt with.
Melissa) Well, I'm not John Edwards, but I can give you messages from her if you want me to, she's her with me now.
Deb) silence
Melissa) She's here with me now. Can I pass along the messages?
Deb) Sure
Melissa) She says “Hi Honey.”
Deb) silence...ahh...Hi Mom (Deb is freakin' out about this time)
Melissa) She's showing me a rag doll.
Deb) That's funny, I just bought my granddaughter, Kylie, one at the grand opening of the Reno, Cabela's, the day after Thanksgiving.
Melissa) She says, “Yeah, I know, I was there with you.”
Deb) silence ..okay...
Melissa) She says, she kept pulling you back to the one with the silk stitches on the britches. She wants to know why you didn’t wait until Christmas to give it to her.
Deb) silence...(I had been going back and forth between these two dolls and even asked my cousin which she thought...but always kept leaning back to the silk drawers...because they were so cute and had planned to give it to Kylie for Christmas, but is was so cute I couldn't wait.)
Melissa) She says you never could wait.
Deb) silence (Deb feels scolded)
Melissa) She's showing me a box of Quaker Oats and laughing...what's that about?
Deb) Chuckle....this is funny because I was just thinking about that. I've been looking for this recipe...it's for Dunkin Platters. These were our favorite cookies...only we called them Dunkin Splatters because they gave us the trots, but were so good we couldn't stop eating them until they were gone....yeah I know TMI. Too bad I lost that recipe...
Melissa) She says it’s in your recipe card index box, stuck to the back of one of the cards.
Deb) I've already checked the two index boxes.
Melissa) she says, mom is saying no, there's a third.
Deb) No, I only have two...two metals tins...
Melissa) she says, no, your mother says you have a wooden one
Deb) Oh no I don't. (Even from the grave I get bitched at)
Melissa) ”yes you do--the one you got for your wedding shower present from her friend.”
Deb) Oh crap...I forgot about that one...I can't wait to get home and see if it's there..sorry about that Mom's like that...has to be right and get the last word.
Melissa) By the way, she says your sweet potatoes weren't sweet enough this year.
Deb) Did you forget Mom, Paul's a diabetic?
Melissa) she say, “I know, next time make a special batch for me...the way I like them.”
Deb) silence
Melissa) She says to tell you her black and white dog is there with her.
Deb) Mei-ki?
Melissa) Yes.
Deb) silence
Melissa) She wants to know why you moved her rocking chair out of the room and put her in the corner?
Deb) silence...aah...I don't have her rocking chair.
Melissa) She says fine, semantics, YOUR chair, the one she always used to sit in...when she visits you, that's where she sits, but on Thanksgiving, the chair was gone.
Deb) ahh...We had company for Thanksgiving and the chair was broken, so we moved it into my daughter's room, in the corner. (oh crap, I'm going to get it now.)
Melissa) She says, “ put it back because that's where she'll be at Christmas.”
Deb) sigh...okay Mom, I'll move it back.
Melissa) She says to tell you she visits with you often, especially in the kitchen...that certain smells call her.
Deb) That's funny, because that's when I think of her the most is when I'm cooking. We had some wild times in the kitchen that left us in laughing fits or damn near killed us.
Melissa) She wants to know why you're hesitating...what do you want to ask her?
Deb) Huh?
Melissa) She says she knows you want to ask her something and to just ask.
Deb) gulp...swallow...breath...Why did you have such a hard time getting along with me. Why couldn't you tell me you loved me?
Melissa) She says, “You know I don't have favorites, but I loved you best. You were always there for me, did for me, I just thought you knew.
Deb) No. I didn't! (the tears are starting)
Melissa) She says, “I'm sorry.”
Deb) deep breath....This is wild because if mom were here now I'd catch hell for even talking to a psychic...she didn't believe in them.
Melissa) She's waving her hand, and says, “Sorry, I'm a believer now....too little too late, as usual.”
Deb) sniff...
Melissa) She's showing me a trinklet.
Deb) A what?
Melissa) I know it's not a word, but that's the only way I know to describe it and it's the word I'm hearing...it's a silver bracelet...she said to tell you that it was her favorite possession.
Deb) more sniffs...(That was the first present all us kids got together to give her...it was a charm bracelet, one head for each kid, including spouses and her only grandson at the time...our names and birth dates were on them, plus a charm for their 25th anniversary...we gave dad a sterling silver lighter with an emerald on it and the date.) I didn't think you even liked it...you never wore it.
Melissa) She says, “That's because it didn't fit. Why I kept trying to lose weight so I could wear it...it's the only thing you kids ever did together and for me.
Deb) I'm glad it meant so much to you...I have it now.
Melissa) Okay you have to explain this one to me....she says to tell you she doesn't stink anymore. ..and she's laughing about it.
Deb) Mom had a kidney transplant and the anti-rejection meds she took for it smelled like skunk....I could always tell when she was getting too much because the scent would come through her skin. It got to be a joke between us because by the time I smelled it and told her about it, she'd walk into the doctor’s office and say, time to lower the dosage, my daughter says so....they'd give me a dirty look, read her chart and sure enough, lower the dosage. When they finally got around to asking why I was asking for her blood report she laughed and said she doesn't need the report, she smells it on me.
From Melissa: I just wanted to add that this was an instance when the reading really affected the psychic too. When I asked Deb for her phone number I didn’t know why I needed to talk to her (other than I just like to talk and figured it would be easier to talk about the interview than to do it all by email) and I wasn’t expecting to do a reading for her when I called. As soon as she said she wanted to meet John Edwards so she could resolve things with her mom, and then her mom showed up with me, I wasn’t sure if I should approach it or not. As a psychic you never know how a person will react to something like that, but Mom wasn’t going anywhere else until I delivered the messages so I got permission. Deb’s silence during the reading was very powerful. I could feel when the messages had hit home with her just from her energy over the phone. Her mother had a lot to say, but the main message that came through was the overwhelming feeling of love that I felt from mother to daughter and the importance that I get this feeling across to Deb so that she understood how real her Mom’s love for her was and still is, even on the other side. I know I said many more words than are included in this retelling of the story but they were words to comfort a daughter and words to pass along the tremendous love of the Mother from the other side. I did the best I could and I have to tell you, this reading left me in tears. It stayed with me for weeks afterward and I kept thinking about it. This is why I do readings. When I’m able to pass along messages that help both those on the other side and those of us still here that resolve hurts from the past and give others peace, then I know I’m doing my job as a clairvoyant advisor and it makes all the ridiculing and name calling that I’ve had directed at me over the years worthwhile. Deb – thanks for letting me pass along your mother’s messages – this was truly an experience I’ll never forget. ~ Melissa
Two personal questions from Deb to Melissa
Deb) Our family, my husband, the kids, and I, have been talking about leaving California. We'd like to move and get some acreage and have talked about Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado. We'd like to start a family business. I'd still need to work to keep the insurance, but Paul and the kids would have the family business until things take off...Is this something that is in our futures? If so, when, (how are in the future) and where (which state)?
Melissa) The first thing I saw when I read this was the order of the states. From most likely to least they popped out like this: Wyoming (1), Colorado (2), Montana (3), Oregon (4). I sense this will happen within two years. There are some loose ends that you need to tie up in California before you go and it will take a little longer than you think once you actually get past the “talking about it” stage into the “planning” stage. So, try to move into the planning stage sooner than later so it takes less time in the long run.
Deb) On my own personal request, regarding my writing. I love it and all, but is being a published author in my future...I've written articles that were published, but for my fictional stories, is it ever going to happen? If so, how soon or how long? And is my problem that I write Romantic Suspense and Romantic Comedies...going back and forth between them or should I stick to one...and which should that be?
Melissa) My first impression about this is that it will happen and you’re in the right genre – but there is something within the text that is a little off kilter. I’m not sure if its characterization or plot but check those two things out and make sure that you have fully developed characters and no holes in the plot. Of the two genres I sense that you’re very talented in romantic comedies and that you will make that sale before romantic suspense. You have a knack for making people see the light side of life even when things are looking their worst and you carry this into your writing. If you were to stick to one I couldn’t tell you to do that because I’m seeing you writing both. So I’d have to say to start with romantic comedies but don’t give up on the romantic suspense.
I hope the impressions I’ve received are helpful.
Additional questions to understand what Melissa sees:
Deb) Stupid question time....this is just an "I'm curious"....below, you say you see Wyoming as first...the funny thing is that's where I'd REALLY like to go, but job wise, Colorado is the place "I" see more opportunities for my kind of work. I'm an administrator in a computer corporation...I know my company has a location in Broomfield, Colorado, and I've actually applied for a job transfer......so when you got this email from me...how is it you see, what you see? How was it that Wyoming came in first....is it that my energy came through as where I want to go...or is it an actual job you see in Wyoming....remember, I told you I was blonde...so there's no telling what my questions will be once I get started.
And please note, this isn't me testing you, I really want to understand what it is that comes through to you...because I'm getting an idea for a character..and the more you tell me the clearer she becomes.
Also, along those same lines...when my Mom came through to you...is it like she just suddenly appears....did/does she actually talk to you, do you see images, no sound, what? My imagination is totally running amok here on this....so I gotta ask.
This is so fascinating, I feel bad, like I'm bothering you, but I'd so darned curious that I can't stop myself...so please accept my apology for being a pain in the patoot!
Melissa) When I read your email and the list of four places, the way it looks to me is as if the word raises from the screen - it looks three dimensional for a moment. As they do this, I list the places in the order that I see it raise up, which is the place that is most likely to be where you move to the area that is least likely. I didn't see whether or not there was a job opportunity there or not but only saw them pop up in order from strongest to weakest. I actually don't know why they come up in the order that they do - I just see the question and then they rise up one after the other and I put them down in the order that I see them rise up. This has happened to me before when I was looking for a job - I'd look through the newspaper and the job I'd get would look three dimensional to me - as if it is raised up off the page. I've always been offered the job when that's happened. I wish I had a better answer for you but that’s how it happens. Your energy doesn't really factor into this because when I see that happen I'm not actually reading your energy.
Oh - I completely understand you're not testing me. Your questions are fine.
Yes, it's like she suddenly appears - not in front of me but in my mind's eye. I saw her standing off to my right and talking. I just listen and pass along what she's saying to you. I both see her and hear her telepathically. You know how it feels to you when you're thinking? You hear yourself in your mind sorting out things? Well, when spirit appears to me I hear them in the same manner and get an image of them in my mind (usually but not always) and I listen to what they say and pass it along. Does that make sense to you? Or did I just muddy the waters? LOL
You're not bothering me. I really appreciate the opportunity you're giving me so I'm very happy to answer.
Deb) Okay so then the three dimensional word that raises the largest is what...the best chance, meaning look there first, not sure I'm getting this clearly, what is raising these words....that's why this is so fascinating to me. I could talk to you for years, and never get bored...look out if I ever get you alone in a room, I'll talk your ear off trying to understand and pick your brain....so remember you were warned :-P
And what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes...that's why I'm saving my pennies so I can take your class...I'd give anything to hear my mom's voice again.
Do relatives/friends who have passed on for you ever come to you? Is it like old home week or what?
Melissa) It's that they rise in the order from strongest to weakest with the strongest having the highest possibility of success, the second is the second strongest etc. Just because this has happened to me so many times I know that when someone gives me a list I'll see the words rise in the order of best to worst. With the first one that rises being the one that is in the number one spot (strongest) to the last one that is the weakest.
Well, it's not always fun. There are times that I see things that I really don't want to know. The class isn't a structured class - it's more like what we're doing right now - in mentoring the person I'm mentoring gets my undivided attention for a month and can ask as much or as little as they want and I also ask things of them.
Not usually - it has happened a few times but I usually have other people's families show up.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Interview with a psychic and author - Melissa Alvarez - Part I by Deb Julienne
Understanding psychic abilities with Melissa Alvarez
Do you believe in psychics? Have you ever read a book with psychic characters and wondered if they were portrayed realistically? In this interview with internationally renowned clairvoyant advisor and paranormal romantic suspense author, Melissa Alvarez, who writes as Ariana Dupré, we’ll delve into what it’s like to be psychic and how this one author portrays these abilities in her novels.
Melissa has worked in the publishing industry in many different roles. She was the Guide To Romance Fiction at About.com for a year and a half before she expanded her self-publishing company, New Age Dimensions. During the two years that the company operated as a small press Melissa published all genres of books with a focus on psychic fiction and paranormal romance. After Hurricane Wilma forced her to revert the company back to a self-publishing entity, Melissa began writing full time. She’s has two books available from Cerridwen Press and another scheduled for release next year. Melissa is also listed as a psychic with The Lotus Circle and has a couple of nonfiction metaphysical titles in the works.
When it comes to psychic abilities, a person may tap into one or two specific abilities while others may utilize many more depending upon their vibrational level. In Melissa’s case she is able to use many different abilities. I asked Melissa if she could tell us about some of the different types of psychic abilities that she is able to utilize when she does readings for others. Here’s a listing of some of the abilities she uses on a daily basis.
Clairaudience: Clear audio/hearing—intuitively hearing from the spiritual realm that which isn’t normally audible in the everyday physical world.
Clairempathy: Clear emotion—to actively feel/sense the emotions/attitudes of another.
Clairscent: Clear smelling—to smell odors or fragrances from the spirit/ethereal realms.
Clairsentience: Clear feeling/sensations. In this instance, the psychic has an insight or “knowing” of a hidden or forgotten fact. They feel it throughout their whole body without any outside stimulation.
Clairtangency/Psychometry/Object Reading: Clear touching—to hold or touch an object or area and perceive information about the article, such as its history and owner, which wasn’t previously known. Psychometry enables a psychic to pick up vibrations left on an object by someone connected with it. Someone with this ability could use an unfamiliar object to reveal much about its owner.
Clairvoyance: Clear vision—the psychic ability to see visions without using your eyes; an intuitive knowledge of people and things; to perceive within the mind’s eye something that exists in the spiritual or ethereal realm.
Conscious Channel Medium: One who receives messages from the spirit realm through any psychic ability without going into trance.
Empathy: The talent to sense the needs, drives, and emotions of another.
Past-Life Regression/Future Progression: The recall of a past-life or lives—information about different incarnations, through the subconscious mind, by the use of techniques such as hypnosis or through conscious channel. Also the obtaining of information regarding simultaneously existing future lives through the same methods.
Precognition: Quite simply, “knowing.” Since no one psychic can ever know every detail about the future, this ability refers to knowing general outcomes of specific courses of action, with occasional flashes of detailed insight. (In other words, no one can ever really “know” the future, only that a certain path will lead to a certain place—but if that “path” changes, the predicted outcome can change, as well.)
In order to understand more about the way psychic abilities work, I asked Melissa some very specific questions about her background and experience with being a clairvoyant advisor. I also wanted to know how she portrays psychic characters in fiction. My interview with Melissa follows:
Deb) How old were you when you first began to see there was something different about you?
Melissa) When I was fourteen I experienced a sudden illness. It was very much like the flu but I was unable to raise my head from my pillow without feeling intense pain. The doctor couldn’t give us a diagnosis other than what wasn’t wrong with me. Oddly enough, I saw an elemental spirit that morning who told me that I would get very ill and afterwards I would be able to "know" things. This was very strange for me because I really thought I was hallucinating. It was the first time I’d ever seen a spirit manifest and I didn’t know that was what had happened until later on in my life. After the illness ran its course I started to know things. I’d have a certain feeling about people and would get glimpses of things that had happened to them or that didn’t make sense at the time but would later happen to the person. This was when I realized that something was different. Since then, I found out that psychic abilities run on both sides of my family for many generations and that the illness just brought out the abilities that I'd had since birth. When I was younger my parents had noticed that I saw life differently but just attributed it to a "vivid imagination". It was only when I became an adult and talked openly about my abilities that they told me about relatives in our family tree that also had abilities similar to mine.
~~~
Deb) What was that one defining moment when you had to stop and realize there was something different about you. What was it? Where did you go to find answers?
Melissa) When I began to know things that would happen after my illness. Once I realized that people looked at me differently when I talked about the things that I saw, felt or just knew, I decided to keep my mouth shut. As a teenager, I didn’t want to be different from my peers, and my abilities not only made me different in their eyes but made me just plain weird to them.
For many years I tuned it out, thinking it would go away, but it didn’t. In my twenties, when the abilities started getting stronger and I was at even more of a loss as to why this was happening to me, I read as much as possible to try to figure it out.
~~~
Deb) How did you learn to cope with it?
Melissa) It was very difficult. I had to learn to accept the abilities and claim them as my own, which took me a long time to do. I’m skeptical by nature and always look for a logical answer first but when things happen to you that don’t have a logical explanation you learn that there is more to life than what you can see with your eyes. In my case, I had things happening to me on almost a daily basis. I learned to live with it after a while because I realized it wasn’t going away. I’m not one to quickly say that everything that happens is truly of a metaphysical nature. I decide if it is or not by ruling out the normal and logical possibilities first.
~~~
Deb) How did both affect/effect you and how do you see this "gift" you've been given.
Melissa) At first I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then, when people made fun of me because of the things I said and when I couldn’t explain the why of some of the things I saw, I became afraid of my abilities and tried to ignore them. Eventually, when I had no other choice but to learn or stay afraid, I studied on my own by reading metaphysical books. I took what made sense to me and discarded the rest. The more I grew spiritually and understood that this was a gift to use to help others then I became less afraid. For me I went through an array of emotions – hated it, loved it, feared it, wished it would go away and then when I was pregnant they did go away and I wished they would come back. LOL Now, I see my abilities as a gift that I’ve been given to help others. This was the elemental’s message all along, but it took a long time for it to sink into my thick skull. The emotional responses from the people I read for telling me how much I helped them and how accurate the reading was for them is what keeps me doing readings.
~~~
Deb) What was the best bit of information you got to pass on to someone?
Melissa) There have been so many amazing readings over the years but I think the best is when I’m able to give messages to someone that they really connect with by offering information that there is no way I could have known except to get it through the use of my abilities. When those impressions help them through a difficult time it means the world to me. I never discuss specifics of readings because I feel the information is private and only for the person I receive it for. I’m just the delivery girl. Normally I don’t remember specifics of readings after I’ve done them so I always tell people to write down what I saw or print out their readings because I will surely forget them.
~~~
Deb) What was the worst?
Melissa) Anytime I see bad things happen it’s difficult. It’s really hard for me to see missing people on television or crimes because I’ll get impressions about them and sometimes it’s not things that I particularly want to know.
~~~
Deb) What absolutely scared the bejesus out of you?
Melissa) I was a teenager and I was talking on the telephone in our pantry. It was the only place you could have any privacy in a large family and the room was only about 10 x 10. There was one chair in the room so you could sit and talk on the phone with your back against the shelves. I was sitting there blabbering away with my best friend when I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder and squeeze. My back was against the shelves and it scared me half to death. There was absolutely no way anyone could have been behind me. I dropped the phone and ran out of the room and left my friend just hanging. I wouldn’t go back in there for a while. Thank goodness she hung up when she figured out I wasn’t coming back to the phone.
~~~
Deb) What do you wish people would ask you?
Melissa) I don’t really wish for anything specific. I think people should ask what is on their mind and what they’re having a problem with to see if I can get any impressions that will help. I think that if people would ask more about their life purposes instead of worrying so much about the mundane little things in life that it would be very helpful to them. I think once we understand the bigger picture than the smaller worries fall into place.
~~~
Deb) What do you wish people would not ask you?
Melissa) Questions about other people, medical questions or ask me to read their children. I have very few rules about my readings but people always ask me to do these types of readings when I state very clearly on my website that I won’t read do them. Other than that, any question is okay with me because I feel that I will be shown what will help them the most and what they need to know – even if what they need to know isn’t what they want to hear. I don’t sugarcoat my readings, but I do deliver them in a kind and hopefully helpful manner. And I’m not 100% accurate so I wish people wouldn’t expect that or base major decisions only on what I say. You always have free will to change what may come through in a reading. I’ll be the first one to tell you that no psychic is 100% accurate. If they say they are – run away as fast as you can because they’re not telling you the truth and if they lie about that they’ll lie about other stuff.
~~~
Deb) What one thing about psychics do you wish you could educate people about?
Melissa) I’d want them to know that there are a LOT of frauds out there who make those of us who truly have gifts and use those gifts to help look bad. There are some psychics who are gifted but who do readings for self-glory instead of just to help. I don’t think that’s the right way to present yourself or your abilities, but that’s just my opinion. I’d also like for them to know that just because someone is psychic doesn’t mean the automatically know your deepest darkest secrets. I only look into situations when I’m asked or if I’m suspicious about someone in my daily life. I learned a huge lesson about this recently. I used to never look when it came to people in my daily life because I felt it was an invasion of privacy. Recently someone we trusted abused our horses when he was supposed to be caring for them, which taught me that it’s okay to look to protect your own.
~~~
Deb) Have you ever gone to a psychic? About what? Did you feel better after talking to them?
Melissa) I sure have. Sometimes I’ve felt better, sometimes I’ve felt worse and some of them scared me half to death with their negative readings. Other times I’ve turned the tables on fraudulent psychics and read them (with their permission of course) and left them speechless. Now that I know better, a psychic has to prove themselves to me. They have to prove that they’re accurate, grounded and are truly trying to help others. I’ve been scammed just like most people by fraudulent psychics, but that happened more when I was still learning about and understanding my abilities.
~~~
Deb) What should we know about a specific psychic before we ask for their services. (i.e...is there a group they should be registered to prove they are legit...like the AMA?)
Melissa) Well, if it’s someone you’re going to visit in person check their references. And NEVER believe everything they say. You really have to feel a psychic out – if they’re online do they have a good reputation? What are their business practices? Are they fair and honest on their website? Write to them and ask about the readings and see how they respond. I’d really be wary of people who claim that they can make someone love you, return a lost love, or get even with someone for you. I also can’t stand it when psychics give someone a negative reading then tell them to come back for another reading that will cost an arm and a leg. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve helped people who another psychic has scared with a terribly negative reading and told them to give them a stupid amount of money for them to fix things for them. That’s a rip off artist and if you ever have a reading like that demand a refund immediately or refuse to pay and report the person. There really aren’t a lot of places that certify psychics that I know of unless they certify you and then want you to only work for them. I was certified years ago but the company has since gone out of business. During the certification I had to provide accurate readings and prove my abilities. I’d also look at the organizations that the psychic is a member of, if any, and if they had to prove themselves as accurate in order to become a member. To me that holds more weight than a certification after their name.
~~~
Deb) Can you give us some reputable names as an example?
Melissa) First let me say that for me to recommend a psychic it has to be someone that I personally know whose business practices are ethical whose accuracy level is very high and who will stand by their readings. They must be someone that I would let read me and would trust that what they saw was accurate. They have to have proven to me that they are a trusted and accurate psychic.
When it comes to individual psychics – I know a lot of them who are very good but again – if I’m going to put my name behind someone as a recommendation it has to be someone that I know is ethical and accurate and I have to say there are only two of them that meet all of my personal criteria in what I look for in a psychic. So, my recommendations for other reliable, accurate psychics are:
Sally Painter – Sally is just starting to give readings to the public in 2008. She is probably the most accurate psychic that I know. She’s very ethical, grounded in her approach to both things of a psychic nature and the paranormal. I trust her readings without question because she’s read for me so many times and has been accurate in the messages she’s seen. She’s the only psychic I know who can truly read the Akashic Records and is accurate in her delivery of the text. Sally’s using her blog for readings right now until her psychic site is launched. The link is http://www.sallysmidnightnews.blogspot.com .
Annette Martinez – I’ve known Annette for many years. She started out as one of my clients for psychic readings and over time became a good friend. She learned to develop her own abilities and is now doing readings on her own website located at http://www.freewebs.com/missannette80/index.htm . Annette is very accurate in what she sees and is an ethical psychic. She offers affordable readings via email and chat on her site.
As far as organizations go I’d recommend the OPDR which stands for Online Psychics and Divination Readers. The directory is located here: http://www.opdr.net/directory/members.html The owner has branched out into phone readings and while I can’t speak for the psychics he has on the phone lines, and I’m not recommending his phone psychics, I can tell you that the ones listed in the directory are the original members of OPDR (I’ve been a member since 1999 or 2000) who had to give accurate readings to the owner before they could be listed in his directory. So, I’d recommend the ones listed here because I know what I had to go through to become a member and they went through the same process. There aren’t any other “groups” of psychics that I’ll put my name behind.
~~~
Deb) What do you absolutely hate reading in a story, on how psychics are perceived.
Melissa) What bugs me more than anything are authors who write about psychics and don’t believe in anything of a metaphysical nature. To me that just says “Hey look, I jumped on the psychic fiction/paranormal bandwagon to sell a book.” Even if someone hasn’t had an experience yet that’s fine but they should believe it’s possible and they should really do their research to make sure the psychic sounds true to life and not too stupid to live. Because, believe me when I say that someone reading it will be able to see right through things that aren’t researched accurately. It also bugs me when authors make the psychic look like an idiot and a flake that doesn’t have a brain but relies on their “powers”. I personally never call psychic abilities “powers” because to me that isn’t what they are. Super heroes have powers, not psychics. It’s bad enough that psychics have to deal with those kinds of labels in our everyday lives but to have to read it in the books we purchase is just downright annoying. Usually when I run across a book like this I just give it away after only getting partly into the story.
~~~
Deb) I guess now is the time to admit I'm totally awed by you and your gift ,so if some of my questions seem stupid or ignorant...just know that...and of course, I'm blonde...that should cover everything else :-P ...and yes I love poking fun of myself...no one does it better than me, as you'll come to find out.
Melissa) Awww…..thank you. But you don’t have to be awed. This is just something that I do. It’s a part of me that I’ve had to learn to embrace and it wasn’t a piece of cake to do at times. Thank you for the complement. I really appreciate it. You don’t sound stupid or ignorant at all. The only way people can learn is to ask questions. Besides, I know some great, smart, intelligent blondes – just like you.
~~~
Deb) If you use Tarot, what decks do you like?
Melissa) I only use one deck. I was in a bookstore when I was in college and they had some decks in a glass display case. I looked around the store and kept being drawn back to the deck. At that time I didn’t even know what the cards were for, but knew that I was supposed to have that one deck. So I bought it. It’s the Rider Deck and the only one I use for readings but I have several other decks now that I use for myself.
~~~
Deb) Do you find it hard to read for people you are close to?
Melissa) I find it easy to read people whether they’re close to me or if I’ve never met them before. It’s just the way I receive the information.
~~~
Deb) I have a character in a new book I'm writing...with her she only has a dream...and only occasionally...until one night the dream gets all the way up to when she gets burned in a previous life...in my case I had her waking up startled and in pain..with a burn/blister becoming pronounced....First off, is this even possible...second? Second...this specific event has her going to shrink...so upon seeing the burn and hearing what she has to say, send her to a regressionist. That said...what would her specific experience be called?
Melissa) Well, I guess anything is possible. I’ve never experienced a dream where I woke up with something on me but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I’ve never really heard of that though so I don’t really know what you’d call it. I’ve recalled past lives through dreams but never with a physical result. If I had to put a name on this I’d probably call it past life recall with physical manifestation. I recently read a book that had this happen in it. With fiction you have creative license in the world you create. With me the one thing I always try to portray accurately is how a psychic’s abilities work and how they act and react regarding them. In my February release, Talgorian Prophecy, I have shape-shifters. I’ve never known anyone that could do this so for me it’s creative license regarding them. If I ever meet someone who can shape-shift then I’ll have to change the way I portray them to reflect how it really happens. In life, as in fiction, anything is possible.
~~~
Deb) How to ask an appropriate question to a psychic.
Melissa) Basically you just ask it with an open mind. When a person is clear they’re easier to read than if they’re trying to block the psychic. Most people who go to a psychic do so because they need help. When they block, it’s harder to help. I’ve had to tell people in the past to relax and stop blocking so I could read them. Then you also get people who intentionally try to trick you or to prove you wrong. I won’t even read people like that anymore if I sense that’s what they’re doing. I don’t mind people testing me but I don’t like people trying to trick me.
On my website under the FAQ’s section I have a question called “What do I have to do for a reading?” Here’s what I tell people who are seeking guidance from me:
First you should relax then clear your mind and focus on your question and the situation surrounding your request for a reading. Then imagine the energy that you have created from around this question flowing into the computer screen. Focus the energy into the screen detaching it from yourself, then release it while imagining that it is traveling to me. That's it!
For best results from your reading I do ask that you follow these guidelines:
1. Request a reading with an open mind. No psychic on this earth is 100% right and although we may be very accurate not everything is going to be perfectly matched to your life. I will not have every answer that you are looking for, but I may have several that will help you. God gave us all free will and it is up to us to do with our lives as we see fit. I can't fix all of your life's problems, nor can anyone else, but I can offer the impressions that I receive as possible solutions. Ultimately, it's all up to you and how you react to your situation and the decisions you make in your life. Your destiny is in your control. It's your choice as to how you will use the information you receive in your reading, whether that means keeping it or discarding it.
2. Remember that some of the things that I receive may not be happening right at this specific moment in your life, but I am being given the information because you are supposed to have it. It could be an event that will be coming up in your future or what I am seeing may be a variation of a situation you're currently experiencing. For instance - I may see you looking for a new car and I see it as white when you are actually looking for a tan car. The fact is you are looking for a car - right? Or you may be looking for a new job and I see you working as an attorney. But you're a secretary at a doctor's office and have no interest in the legal field. So you think this could never apply to you. But say in six months the doctor moves to another state and closes his office and you are offered a position as a paralegal in an attorney's office? Well, that part of your reading didn't apply to you six months ago but it sure applies now doesn't it? Those are the kind of things I'm talking about and why it's important to keep an open mind.
3. Don't try to purposefully trick me just to prove me wrong. What good is that going to do? Make you feel proud so you can call me a fake? That's ok if you want to have an attitude like that but if that is your attitude I am requesting that you do not order a reading from me. As I have just said - there are no psychics that are 100% accurate. Only God knows all. If you come into the reading thinking that I'm going to be wrong then you are blocking your vibrational energy and it makes it harder for me to do your reading.
4. Don't expect me to tell you only what you want to hear. I will give you all the information that I receive because I feel that is my duty. I don't think that I would be given the information if it is not important and relevant to your life. I made an agreement with myself many years ago that I would tell everything that I received even if the information isn't that great. I can only be true to myself and my gift by being truthful and honest with you and I believe that this is how God wants me to use this gift.
5. Enjoy your reading, print it out and save it for future reference. And if you feel that I was of help to you then send me an email to let me know or come back and see me again in the future.
~~~
Deb) Define open mind and remember, I'm a blonde...so what do you mean when a person is clear???? Define Block?
Melissa) Open minded means that you’re able to consider all the possibilities instead of just thinking “no way”. When a person is blocking they subconsciously or consciously put up a wall of energy around them to keep others out including the psychic that is reading them. This actually happened on my November 30th show so if you listen to the end of it you’ll hear what I mean. The reading section starts around 60:00 on the counter on the show page. You let it start playing then click on the bar under my picture about 2/3 of the way across. In this situation, Sally was unable to read the caller at all and I just got lots of scattered energy. She didn’t like it when I told her to drop her defenses and she said “interesting” and then the call disconnected but I didn’t know it and kept talking. LOL I’m not sure if she hung up or the call dropped. My impression was that she hung up because I got other impressions that someone else put her up to calling in and that it was a test of sorts. Anyway, I hope the call just dropped. When I say a person is clear that means they’re open minded and are interested in what I have to say. They don’t block and have an open mind about the reading.
~~~
Deb) How to use a psychic and the information they give you to better yourself...or better your career, etc.
Melissa) Well, I wouldn’t “use” the psychic – we’re people too and being psychic is just a gift we’re given. What I always tell people is that they should take the reading, print it out and refer back to it. They should also take what applies to them right now and work on those areas by looking deeper into them and following any guidance that the psychic has given you that feels right to you. People shouldn’t blindly follow a psychic’s advice. Leave the things that don’t apply right now for another time because they may come into play later. There have been plenty of times that I’ve read for someone and they’ll tell me “Oh this will never happen because of so and so and such and such”. Then six months later they’ll write back to tell me that what I’d predicted just happened. I love that kind of feedback.
~~~
Deb) See for me I just don't know enough to know how to ask the right questions....I wouldn't know how to define or refine a question to have it say what I mean and mean what I say...I know...just remember I'm the blonde...bottled these days, but just as blonde!
Melissa) It’s really just asking what you want to know. Make sure the psychic knows what you’re saying before they start the reading. If you’re having a hard time getting the question out just make sure they understand, at least generally, what you’re looking for before they go searching for the answer on your behalf.
Message from Melissa: I wanted to add that the feedback from the people I read for is what keeps me doing the readings for the public. When people tell me that what I saw made sense to them and affected or helped them in some way, then I know that I’m on the right track with what I’m doing. There are also times when readings may mean a lot to a person but they also mean a lot to me as the person receiving the impressions. It’s those intense readings that stay with me and I keep thinking about them later. While readings can often be just an answer to a question they can also be very emotional and touch the person and me on a deep level. I hate to make people cry but there have been readings that not only make the person I’m reading for cry but make me cry as well. Those are the best. When this happens it totally outweighs any negative things people may say to me or about me regarding my abilities. It’s why I keep doing them and why I feel they’re important.
Thank you for interviewing me. I hope what I’ve said has been helpful. I’ve really enjoyed our communication as we worked on this and it was a pleasure meeting you, Deb.
Feel free to check out Melissa's many sites and please note she's doing a radio show through May where you can call in and get a free one question reading at the end of her show:
Her psychic reading website - http://apsychichaven.com
Her author website - http://melissaa.com
Her online show The Reader’s Round Table - http://blogtalkradio.com/MelissaAlvarez
Her page on Cerridwen Press’s website - http://www.cerridwenpress.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=ADup
Her myspace page – http://myspace.com/arianadupre
Do you believe in psychics? Have you ever read a book with psychic characters and wondered if they were portrayed realistically? In this interview with internationally renowned clairvoyant advisor and paranormal romantic suspense author, Melissa Alvarez, who writes as Ariana Dupré, we’ll delve into what it’s like to be psychic and how this one author portrays these abilities in her novels.
Melissa has worked in the publishing industry in many different roles. She was the Guide To Romance Fiction at About.com for a year and a half before she expanded her self-publishing company, New Age Dimensions. During the two years that the company operated as a small press Melissa published all genres of books with a focus on psychic fiction and paranormal romance. After Hurricane Wilma forced her to revert the company back to a self-publishing entity, Melissa began writing full time. She’s has two books available from Cerridwen Press and another scheduled for release next year. Melissa is also listed as a psychic with The Lotus Circle and has a couple of nonfiction metaphysical titles in the works.
When it comes to psychic abilities, a person may tap into one or two specific abilities while others may utilize many more depending upon their vibrational level. In Melissa’s case she is able to use many different abilities. I asked Melissa if she could tell us about some of the different types of psychic abilities that she is able to utilize when she does readings for others. Here’s a listing of some of the abilities she uses on a daily basis.
Clairaudience: Clear audio/hearing—intuitively hearing from the spiritual realm that which isn’t normally audible in the everyday physical world.
Clairempathy: Clear emotion—to actively feel/sense the emotions/attitudes of another.
Clairscent: Clear smelling—to smell odors or fragrances from the spirit/ethereal realms.
Clairsentience: Clear feeling/sensations. In this instance, the psychic has an insight or “knowing” of a hidden or forgotten fact. They feel it throughout their whole body without any outside stimulation.
Clairtangency/Psychometry/Object Reading: Clear touching—to hold or touch an object or area and perceive information about the article, such as its history and owner, which wasn’t previously known. Psychometry enables a psychic to pick up vibrations left on an object by someone connected with it. Someone with this ability could use an unfamiliar object to reveal much about its owner.
Clairvoyance: Clear vision—the psychic ability to see visions without using your eyes; an intuitive knowledge of people and things; to perceive within the mind’s eye something that exists in the spiritual or ethereal realm.
Conscious Channel Medium: One who receives messages from the spirit realm through any psychic ability without going into trance.
Empathy: The talent to sense the needs, drives, and emotions of another.
Past-Life Regression/Future Progression: The recall of a past-life or lives—information about different incarnations, through the subconscious mind, by the use of techniques such as hypnosis or through conscious channel. Also the obtaining of information regarding simultaneously existing future lives through the same methods.
Precognition: Quite simply, “knowing.” Since no one psychic can ever know every detail about the future, this ability refers to knowing general outcomes of specific courses of action, with occasional flashes of detailed insight. (In other words, no one can ever really “know” the future, only that a certain path will lead to a certain place—but if that “path” changes, the predicted outcome can change, as well.)
In order to understand more about the way psychic abilities work, I asked Melissa some very specific questions about her background and experience with being a clairvoyant advisor. I also wanted to know how she portrays psychic characters in fiction. My interview with Melissa follows:
Deb) How old were you when you first began to see there was something different about you?
Melissa) When I was fourteen I experienced a sudden illness. It was very much like the flu but I was unable to raise my head from my pillow without feeling intense pain. The doctor couldn’t give us a diagnosis other than what wasn’t wrong with me. Oddly enough, I saw an elemental spirit that morning who told me that I would get very ill and afterwards I would be able to "know" things. This was very strange for me because I really thought I was hallucinating. It was the first time I’d ever seen a spirit manifest and I didn’t know that was what had happened until later on in my life. After the illness ran its course I started to know things. I’d have a certain feeling about people and would get glimpses of things that had happened to them or that didn’t make sense at the time but would later happen to the person. This was when I realized that something was different. Since then, I found out that psychic abilities run on both sides of my family for many generations and that the illness just brought out the abilities that I'd had since birth. When I was younger my parents had noticed that I saw life differently but just attributed it to a "vivid imagination". It was only when I became an adult and talked openly about my abilities that they told me about relatives in our family tree that also had abilities similar to mine.
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Deb) What was that one defining moment when you had to stop and realize there was something different about you. What was it? Where did you go to find answers?
Melissa) When I began to know things that would happen after my illness. Once I realized that people looked at me differently when I talked about the things that I saw, felt or just knew, I decided to keep my mouth shut. As a teenager, I didn’t want to be different from my peers, and my abilities not only made me different in their eyes but made me just plain weird to them.
For many years I tuned it out, thinking it would go away, but it didn’t. In my twenties, when the abilities started getting stronger and I was at even more of a loss as to why this was happening to me, I read as much as possible to try to figure it out.
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Deb) How did you learn to cope with it?
Melissa) It was very difficult. I had to learn to accept the abilities and claim them as my own, which took me a long time to do. I’m skeptical by nature and always look for a logical answer first but when things happen to you that don’t have a logical explanation you learn that there is more to life than what you can see with your eyes. In my case, I had things happening to me on almost a daily basis. I learned to live with it after a while because I realized it wasn’t going away. I’m not one to quickly say that everything that happens is truly of a metaphysical nature. I decide if it is or not by ruling out the normal and logical possibilities first.
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Deb) How did both affect/effect you and how do you see this "gift" you've been given.
Melissa) At first I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then, when people made fun of me because of the things I said and when I couldn’t explain the why of some of the things I saw, I became afraid of my abilities and tried to ignore them. Eventually, when I had no other choice but to learn or stay afraid, I studied on my own by reading metaphysical books. I took what made sense to me and discarded the rest. The more I grew spiritually and understood that this was a gift to use to help others then I became less afraid. For me I went through an array of emotions – hated it, loved it, feared it, wished it would go away and then when I was pregnant they did go away and I wished they would come back. LOL Now, I see my abilities as a gift that I’ve been given to help others. This was the elemental’s message all along, but it took a long time for it to sink into my thick skull. The emotional responses from the people I read for telling me how much I helped them and how accurate the reading was for them is what keeps me doing readings.
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Deb) What was the best bit of information you got to pass on to someone?
Melissa) There have been so many amazing readings over the years but I think the best is when I’m able to give messages to someone that they really connect with by offering information that there is no way I could have known except to get it through the use of my abilities. When those impressions help them through a difficult time it means the world to me. I never discuss specifics of readings because I feel the information is private and only for the person I receive it for. I’m just the delivery girl. Normally I don’t remember specifics of readings after I’ve done them so I always tell people to write down what I saw or print out their readings because I will surely forget them.
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Deb) What was the worst?
Melissa) Anytime I see bad things happen it’s difficult. It’s really hard for me to see missing people on television or crimes because I’ll get impressions about them and sometimes it’s not things that I particularly want to know.
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Deb) What absolutely scared the bejesus out of you?
Melissa) I was a teenager and I was talking on the telephone in our pantry. It was the only place you could have any privacy in a large family and the room was only about 10 x 10. There was one chair in the room so you could sit and talk on the phone with your back against the shelves. I was sitting there blabbering away with my best friend when I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder and squeeze. My back was against the shelves and it scared me half to death. There was absolutely no way anyone could have been behind me. I dropped the phone and ran out of the room and left my friend just hanging. I wouldn’t go back in there for a while. Thank goodness she hung up when she figured out I wasn’t coming back to the phone.
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Deb) What do you wish people would ask you?
Melissa) I don’t really wish for anything specific. I think people should ask what is on their mind and what they’re having a problem with to see if I can get any impressions that will help. I think that if people would ask more about their life purposes instead of worrying so much about the mundane little things in life that it would be very helpful to them. I think once we understand the bigger picture than the smaller worries fall into place.
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Deb) What do you wish people would not ask you?
Melissa) Questions about other people, medical questions or ask me to read their children. I have very few rules about my readings but people always ask me to do these types of readings when I state very clearly on my website that I won’t read do them. Other than that, any question is okay with me because I feel that I will be shown what will help them the most and what they need to know – even if what they need to know isn’t what they want to hear. I don’t sugarcoat my readings, but I do deliver them in a kind and hopefully helpful manner. And I’m not 100% accurate so I wish people wouldn’t expect that or base major decisions only on what I say. You always have free will to change what may come through in a reading. I’ll be the first one to tell you that no psychic is 100% accurate. If they say they are – run away as fast as you can because they’re not telling you the truth and if they lie about that they’ll lie about other stuff.
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Deb) What one thing about psychics do you wish you could educate people about?
Melissa) I’d want them to know that there are a LOT of frauds out there who make those of us who truly have gifts and use those gifts to help look bad. There are some psychics who are gifted but who do readings for self-glory instead of just to help. I don’t think that’s the right way to present yourself or your abilities, but that’s just my opinion. I’d also like for them to know that just because someone is psychic doesn’t mean the automatically know your deepest darkest secrets. I only look into situations when I’m asked or if I’m suspicious about someone in my daily life. I learned a huge lesson about this recently. I used to never look when it came to people in my daily life because I felt it was an invasion of privacy. Recently someone we trusted abused our horses when he was supposed to be caring for them, which taught me that it’s okay to look to protect your own.
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Deb) Have you ever gone to a psychic? About what? Did you feel better after talking to them?
Melissa) I sure have. Sometimes I’ve felt better, sometimes I’ve felt worse and some of them scared me half to death with their negative readings. Other times I’ve turned the tables on fraudulent psychics and read them (with their permission of course) and left them speechless. Now that I know better, a psychic has to prove themselves to me. They have to prove that they’re accurate, grounded and are truly trying to help others. I’ve been scammed just like most people by fraudulent psychics, but that happened more when I was still learning about and understanding my abilities.
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Deb) What should we know about a specific psychic before we ask for their services. (i.e...is there a group they should be registered to prove they are legit...like the AMA?)
Melissa) Well, if it’s someone you’re going to visit in person check their references. And NEVER believe everything they say. You really have to feel a psychic out – if they’re online do they have a good reputation? What are their business practices? Are they fair and honest on their website? Write to them and ask about the readings and see how they respond. I’d really be wary of people who claim that they can make someone love you, return a lost love, or get even with someone for you. I also can’t stand it when psychics give someone a negative reading then tell them to come back for another reading that will cost an arm and a leg. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve helped people who another psychic has scared with a terribly negative reading and told them to give them a stupid amount of money for them to fix things for them. That’s a rip off artist and if you ever have a reading like that demand a refund immediately or refuse to pay and report the person. There really aren’t a lot of places that certify psychics that I know of unless they certify you and then want you to only work for them. I was certified years ago but the company has since gone out of business. During the certification I had to provide accurate readings and prove my abilities. I’d also look at the organizations that the psychic is a member of, if any, and if they had to prove themselves as accurate in order to become a member. To me that holds more weight than a certification after their name.
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Deb) Can you give us some reputable names as an example?
Melissa) First let me say that for me to recommend a psychic it has to be someone that I personally know whose business practices are ethical whose accuracy level is very high and who will stand by their readings. They must be someone that I would let read me and would trust that what they saw was accurate. They have to have proven to me that they are a trusted and accurate psychic.
When it comes to individual psychics – I know a lot of them who are very good but again – if I’m going to put my name behind someone as a recommendation it has to be someone that I know is ethical and accurate and I have to say there are only two of them that meet all of my personal criteria in what I look for in a psychic. So, my recommendations for other reliable, accurate psychics are:
Sally Painter – Sally is just starting to give readings to the public in 2008. She is probably the most accurate psychic that I know. She’s very ethical, grounded in her approach to both things of a psychic nature and the paranormal. I trust her readings without question because she’s read for me so many times and has been accurate in the messages she’s seen. She’s the only psychic I know who can truly read the Akashic Records and is accurate in her delivery of the text. Sally’s using her blog for readings right now until her psychic site is launched. The link is http://www.sallysmidnightnews.blogspot.com .
Annette Martinez – I’ve known Annette for many years. She started out as one of my clients for psychic readings and over time became a good friend. She learned to develop her own abilities and is now doing readings on her own website located at http://www.freewebs.com/missannette80/index.htm . Annette is very accurate in what she sees and is an ethical psychic. She offers affordable readings via email and chat on her site.
As far as organizations go I’d recommend the OPDR which stands for Online Psychics and Divination Readers. The directory is located here: http://www.opdr.net/directory/members.html The owner has branched out into phone readings and while I can’t speak for the psychics he has on the phone lines, and I’m not recommending his phone psychics, I can tell you that the ones listed in the directory are the original members of OPDR (I’ve been a member since 1999 or 2000) who had to give accurate readings to the owner before they could be listed in his directory. So, I’d recommend the ones listed here because I know what I had to go through to become a member and they went through the same process. There aren’t any other “groups” of psychics that I’ll put my name behind.
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Deb) What do you absolutely hate reading in a story, on how psychics are perceived.
Melissa) What bugs me more than anything are authors who write about psychics and don’t believe in anything of a metaphysical nature. To me that just says “Hey look, I jumped on the psychic fiction/paranormal bandwagon to sell a book.” Even if someone hasn’t had an experience yet that’s fine but they should believe it’s possible and they should really do their research to make sure the psychic sounds true to life and not too stupid to live. Because, believe me when I say that someone reading it will be able to see right through things that aren’t researched accurately. It also bugs me when authors make the psychic look like an idiot and a flake that doesn’t have a brain but relies on their “powers”. I personally never call psychic abilities “powers” because to me that isn’t what they are. Super heroes have powers, not psychics. It’s bad enough that psychics have to deal with those kinds of labels in our everyday lives but to have to read it in the books we purchase is just downright annoying. Usually when I run across a book like this I just give it away after only getting partly into the story.
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Deb) I guess now is the time to admit I'm totally awed by you and your gift ,so if some of my questions seem stupid or ignorant...just know that...and of course, I'm blonde...that should cover everything else :-P ...and yes I love poking fun of myself...no one does it better than me, as you'll come to find out.
Melissa) Awww…..thank you. But you don’t have to be awed. This is just something that I do. It’s a part of me that I’ve had to learn to embrace and it wasn’t a piece of cake to do at times. Thank you for the complement. I really appreciate it. You don’t sound stupid or ignorant at all. The only way people can learn is to ask questions. Besides, I know some great, smart, intelligent blondes – just like you.
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Deb) If you use Tarot, what decks do you like?
Melissa) I only use one deck. I was in a bookstore when I was in college and they had some decks in a glass display case. I looked around the store and kept being drawn back to the deck. At that time I didn’t even know what the cards were for, but knew that I was supposed to have that one deck. So I bought it. It’s the Rider Deck and the only one I use for readings but I have several other decks now that I use for myself.
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Deb) Do you find it hard to read for people you are close to?
Melissa) I find it easy to read people whether they’re close to me or if I’ve never met them before. It’s just the way I receive the information.
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Deb) I have a character in a new book I'm writing...with her she only has a dream...and only occasionally...until one night the dream gets all the way up to when she gets burned in a previous life...in my case I had her waking up startled and in pain..with a burn/blister becoming pronounced....First off, is this even possible...second? Second...this specific event has her going to shrink...so upon seeing the burn and hearing what she has to say, send her to a regressionist. That said...what would her specific experience be called?
Melissa) Well, I guess anything is possible. I’ve never experienced a dream where I woke up with something on me but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I’ve never really heard of that though so I don’t really know what you’d call it. I’ve recalled past lives through dreams but never with a physical result. If I had to put a name on this I’d probably call it past life recall with physical manifestation. I recently read a book that had this happen in it. With fiction you have creative license in the world you create. With me the one thing I always try to portray accurately is how a psychic’s abilities work and how they act and react regarding them. In my February release, Talgorian Prophecy, I have shape-shifters. I’ve never known anyone that could do this so for me it’s creative license regarding them. If I ever meet someone who can shape-shift then I’ll have to change the way I portray them to reflect how it really happens. In life, as in fiction, anything is possible.
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Deb) How to ask an appropriate question to a psychic.
Melissa) Basically you just ask it with an open mind. When a person is clear they’re easier to read than if they’re trying to block the psychic. Most people who go to a psychic do so because they need help. When they block, it’s harder to help. I’ve had to tell people in the past to relax and stop blocking so I could read them. Then you also get people who intentionally try to trick you or to prove you wrong. I won’t even read people like that anymore if I sense that’s what they’re doing. I don’t mind people testing me but I don’t like people trying to trick me.
On my website under the FAQ’s section I have a question called “What do I have to do for a reading?” Here’s what I tell people who are seeking guidance from me:
First you should relax then clear your mind and focus on your question and the situation surrounding your request for a reading. Then imagine the energy that you have created from around this question flowing into the computer screen. Focus the energy into the screen detaching it from yourself, then release it while imagining that it is traveling to me. That's it!
For best results from your reading I do ask that you follow these guidelines:
1. Request a reading with an open mind. No psychic on this earth is 100% right and although we may be very accurate not everything is going to be perfectly matched to your life. I will not have every answer that you are looking for, but I may have several that will help you. God gave us all free will and it is up to us to do with our lives as we see fit. I can't fix all of your life's problems, nor can anyone else, but I can offer the impressions that I receive as possible solutions. Ultimately, it's all up to you and how you react to your situation and the decisions you make in your life. Your destiny is in your control. It's your choice as to how you will use the information you receive in your reading, whether that means keeping it or discarding it.
2. Remember that some of the things that I receive may not be happening right at this specific moment in your life, but I am being given the information because you are supposed to have it. It could be an event that will be coming up in your future or what I am seeing may be a variation of a situation you're currently experiencing. For instance - I may see you looking for a new car and I see it as white when you are actually looking for a tan car. The fact is you are looking for a car - right? Or you may be looking for a new job and I see you working as an attorney. But you're a secretary at a doctor's office and have no interest in the legal field. So you think this could never apply to you. But say in six months the doctor moves to another state and closes his office and you are offered a position as a paralegal in an attorney's office? Well, that part of your reading didn't apply to you six months ago but it sure applies now doesn't it? Those are the kind of things I'm talking about and why it's important to keep an open mind.
3. Don't try to purposefully trick me just to prove me wrong. What good is that going to do? Make you feel proud so you can call me a fake? That's ok if you want to have an attitude like that but if that is your attitude I am requesting that you do not order a reading from me. As I have just said - there are no psychics that are 100% accurate. Only God knows all. If you come into the reading thinking that I'm going to be wrong then you are blocking your vibrational energy and it makes it harder for me to do your reading.
4. Don't expect me to tell you only what you want to hear. I will give you all the information that I receive because I feel that is my duty. I don't think that I would be given the information if it is not important and relevant to your life. I made an agreement with myself many years ago that I would tell everything that I received even if the information isn't that great. I can only be true to myself and my gift by being truthful and honest with you and I believe that this is how God wants me to use this gift.
5. Enjoy your reading, print it out and save it for future reference. And if you feel that I was of help to you then send me an email to let me know or come back and see me again in the future.
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Deb) Define open mind and remember, I'm a blonde...so what do you mean when a person is clear???? Define Block?
Melissa) Open minded means that you’re able to consider all the possibilities instead of just thinking “no way”. When a person is blocking they subconsciously or consciously put up a wall of energy around them to keep others out including the psychic that is reading them. This actually happened on my November 30th show so if you listen to the end of it you’ll hear what I mean. The reading section starts around 60:00 on the counter on the show page. You let it start playing then click on the bar under my picture about 2/3 of the way across. In this situation, Sally was unable to read the caller at all and I just got lots of scattered energy. She didn’t like it when I told her to drop her defenses and she said “interesting” and then the call disconnected but I didn’t know it and kept talking. LOL I’m not sure if she hung up or the call dropped. My impression was that she hung up because I got other impressions that someone else put her up to calling in and that it was a test of sorts. Anyway, I hope the call just dropped. When I say a person is clear that means they’re open minded and are interested in what I have to say. They don’t block and have an open mind about the reading.
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Deb) How to use a psychic and the information they give you to better yourself...or better your career, etc.
Melissa) Well, I wouldn’t “use” the psychic – we’re people too and being psychic is just a gift we’re given. What I always tell people is that they should take the reading, print it out and refer back to it. They should also take what applies to them right now and work on those areas by looking deeper into them and following any guidance that the psychic has given you that feels right to you. People shouldn’t blindly follow a psychic’s advice. Leave the things that don’t apply right now for another time because they may come into play later. There have been plenty of times that I’ve read for someone and they’ll tell me “Oh this will never happen because of so and so and such and such”. Then six months later they’ll write back to tell me that what I’d predicted just happened. I love that kind of feedback.
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Deb) See for me I just don't know enough to know how to ask the right questions....I wouldn't know how to define or refine a question to have it say what I mean and mean what I say...I know...just remember I'm the blonde...bottled these days, but just as blonde!
Melissa) It’s really just asking what you want to know. Make sure the psychic knows what you’re saying before they start the reading. If you’re having a hard time getting the question out just make sure they understand, at least generally, what you’re looking for before they go searching for the answer on your behalf.
Message from Melissa: I wanted to add that the feedback from the people I read for is what keeps me doing the readings for the public. When people tell me that what I saw made sense to them and affected or helped them in some way, then I know that I’m on the right track with what I’m doing. There are also times when readings may mean a lot to a person but they also mean a lot to me as the person receiving the impressions. It’s those intense readings that stay with me and I keep thinking about them later. While readings can often be just an answer to a question they can also be very emotional and touch the person and me on a deep level. I hate to make people cry but there have been readings that not only make the person I’m reading for cry but make me cry as well. Those are the best. When this happens it totally outweighs any negative things people may say to me or about me regarding my abilities. It’s why I keep doing them and why I feel they’re important.
Thank you for interviewing me. I hope what I’ve said has been helpful. I’ve really enjoyed our communication as we worked on this and it was a pleasure meeting you, Deb.
Feel free to check out Melissa's many sites and please note she's doing a radio show through May where you can call in and get a free one question reading at the end of her show:
Her psychic reading website - http://apsychichaven.com
Her author website - http://melissaa.com
Her online show The Reader’s Round Table - http://blogtalkradio.com/MelissaAlvarez
Her page on Cerridwen Press’s website - http://www.cerridwenpress.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=ADup
Her myspace page – http://myspace.com/arianadupre
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