Learning to read music is like learning the alphabet. The basics take a little bit to learn, but are fairly easy, overall. However, there are so many nuances, concepts, and skills that you can learn that it can keep you learning for a lifetime. Some composers even go so far as to write music on staff lines that form spirals or patterns, or the even use no staff lines at all! This article should give you a good foundation to keep growing!

Summary: Keep learning!


Made from real calf leather, Prada leather bags should be supple and smooth. If the leather is stiff or unbending, it’s likely a fake. The interior will either be embossed jacquard nylon fabric or nappa leather. The fabric will have a pattern that alternates a line printed with Prada and a line of rope motif. Every other line with the Prada logo will be printed upside down. Real Prada bags should not have stitching that is crooked, uneven, or sloppy. The stitches will be small and sturdy. If they're frayed in any areas, that’s a sure sign the bag is a fake.  On a leather bag, the stitches should match the color of the leather. Designer bags almost never have seams that are glued.

Summary: Run your hand over a leather bag to see if it’s soft to the touch. Check that the interior fabric is high quality and has the Prada pattern. Look for clean stitching along the seams.


One of the best ways to help you recover after a mental breakdown is to be kind to yourself. This means you shouldn't beat yourself up if you have a hard day or don't feel like getting out of the house. You can only learn to heal if you allow yourself to process everything in your own time. Avoid thinking of yourself as a failure if you need to take a day off or if you don't meet every goal you set. Recovery takes time. A good way to come to terms with your mental issues is through a mood journal. Write down what you feel everyday and what made you feel that way. Go back over your diary at the end of the week to see patterns in your behaviors.  This will help you figure out what thought patterns that lead you to feel certain ways. You can also identify your triggers. Once you learn this, you can work with your therapist to change negative behaviors and avoid triggers. In order to come to terms with your breakdown, you can look for meaning in what happened to you. Think about how you can change and grow after your breakdown instead of focusing on getting back to the way you were. You can use meditation, inspirational or self help books, or religious faith to help with this. Your mental breakdown may have caused you to pull away from those around you. As part of your recovery, reach out to those you may have ignored or lost touch with while you were going through your breakdown. Try to reform or renew these relationships so you can get back part of your life before the breakdown.  This may be hard if you don't want to disclose exactly what happened to you. Be as honest as you are comfortable with. The worst thing you can do is suffer in silence when you are recovering from a breakdown. Reach out to your family and friends for support. Having someone you can count on will help you feel more supportive and positive about your recover.  Start going out to social events again, as long as you feel comfortable in them. If you have to, start small, such as a one on one for coffee, and work your way up. You will not come back from a mental breakdown overnight. It is a long process where you work on yourself, work through your feelings, and pinpoint the underlying conditions that caused your breakdown. Don't be too hard on yourself, though. You need to make sure you take as long as you need to heal. Don't give yourself a time table either. You don't want to stress yourself out by worrying about meeting a schedule of recovery.

Summary: Be kind to yourself. Write in a journal. Find meaning in your breakdown. Rebuild your relationships. Avoid isolation. Realize it will take time.


Most vehicles have the VIN etched or in the form of a sticker on at least two parts of the car. Look for the VIN on:  The driver’s side in the door jamb The driver’s side dash board Metal within the engine compartment Parts of car that can’t be removed While you should be able to find the VIN on the actual car, it might be easier to find it on the car’s paperwork. This will come in handy if you don’t physically have the car, but have some paperwork associated with it. Look on the:  Title Registration Repair records If you don’t own the car yet and can’t access it, you can ask the seller of the car for the VIN. The seller will be able to find the VIN just like you could – through paperwork or by looking on the body of the car.  Make sure the seller provides you with the entire 17-digit VIN number before you commit to buying the vehicle. The seller should happily give you the number so that you can do an independent vehicle history search. If they don’t, they may be hiding something.
Summary: Find the VIN on the car, if you have access to it. Look for the VIN on paperwork associated with the car. Ask the seller for the VIN.