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| Me trying to score tickets even though I don't have access codes |
But the Lord is good, always. He sent a good person who sold the ticket to me at the same price. Too good to be true, might I say. To be honest, it was kind of sketchy at first because the Twitter account where I saw the post does not have any proper tweets or followers at all. Upon conversing with her, she seemed very nice and even agreed to meet up and to sign a contract. I had to do a contract with her because I'd spending a lot for the flight ticket and accommodation. That's no joke if she left me hanging. Funny because we were at the same departure flight and the same row in the airplane! Fate.
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| Meet up with Oleen and her friend 7 months before the concert |
When I got to Singapore, I couldn't stop shedding a tear and thanking the Lord. I even attended the Sunday worship service in Every Nation Singapore just to give the Lord thanks for the protection and provision throughout this trip. I was very anxious about getting inside the stadium because I heard stories about barcodes not working and two people using the same barcodes and both getting kicked out from the stadium. Thankfully, God got my back.
I was alone most of the time because my friend stayed at her friend's house in Singapore. I stayed in a boutique capsule hostel which was better than I imagined. It was the only reasonably-priced accommodation for a 6-night stay in one of the most expensive countries in Southeast Asia. I booked capsule at 7 Wonders Boutique Hostel at Little India. The capsule was small but the place is neat, and even had free breakfast which works very well for someone who's budget aka me, a solo traveller. The hostel was also just 10-minute walk away from the MRT so it was very convenient for me! Even though I was on my own, I enjoyed every bit of it. I enjoyed the freedom I had just going out and about doing the things I wanted to do without anyone complaining. It was truly one of the most liberating things I've ever done in my life.
Anyway, a lot has change in me ever since I discovered Taylor Swift singing "I was riding shotgun with my hair undone..." on MYX 17 years ago. While I still am that sentimental and emotional girl in high school, I've grown much more aware and in control of my emotions now more than ever. I've never been a natural all i do is try, try, try~ 😌☝️ I mean, who cries to sleep at night listening to Invisible and Teardrops on my Guitar anyway just because some average-looking guy in high doesn't like her back? I know her, but I don't want to remember her. 🙄
In retrospect, despite the cringe, I STILL am just a girl trying to find a place in this world. I don't know what I want so don't ask me! 'cause I'm still trying to figure it out~. It would've been better if I had my friends with me as I celebrate this memorable experience. Some friends were there, but we're just not together in the same show. That's life, I guess? Sometimes, you have to do things on your own. You have to learn to have fun even if you don't have anyone around to share it with. It sounds lonely, but it isn't. It shouldn't be.
Even if I was on my own, it didn't feel like it. I was literally surrounded with fellow Filipinos. Left, right, front, and back! Everyone was speaking my mother tongue. I even met a Filipina who was on her own too. We were together before we parted ways upon entry to the stadium. I was also embraced and comforted by the memories of my youth. With every lyric and strum of the guitar, Taylor allowed me to experience that whimsical and magical feeling of being young again. It's just like the good old days in high school whenever I acknowledge the rush and mess of my emotions because there exists a Taylor Swift song that would babysit me and my crazy. I remember not having enough money to buy me Red Tour Manila tickets back in the day. But here I was witnessing every concert era I missed. This was my main character moment. I wish it didn't end.
It was a fun experience. I'm truly grateful that Taylor Swift allowed me to dive into her magic at a young age. She has continuously added sprinkles of fairy dust to my monochromatic life, and I think that's beautiful. Honestly, it would've been okay if I missed this tour. There will definitely be another Taylor Swift concert, but there will never be another Eras Tour that would walk me through certain stages in my life and unearth certain emotions I felt during those times.
It's true though that when you lose something, you also gain something. I did gain SO MANY THINGS from this trip; a handful of memories, stories, and lessons that I will keep in the corners of my heart forever.
collene is 28-year-old self-proclaimed creative old soul who is deeply fascinated by the beauty of music, arts, books and poetry. Catch her wearing her bluetooth earphones on with either a phone or book on hand.
