Anyway, I wanted to tell you a little story. Our story in Australia which started with a bet. A bet between a mother and daughter...
After confirming our holiday plans in Melbourne, we realised that Taylor Swift will perform in Melbourne a mere 4 days before our arrival! Of course, Big Bee was quite beside herself, so I cheekily betted with her that I would bring her to Taylor Swift's concert - on the condition that she scored certain targets in her final exams. These targets were set deliberately high (so I could wriggle out of my bet!), and I was confident that Big Bee would not be able to achieve these targets.
However, the carrot that I dangled in front of Big Bee was truly alluring and highly effective. Throughout the months before the exams, Big Bee was diligently burying her nose in revision independently. I had never seen her devote so much zeal nor passion into her studies. And when the results for her final exams were out, she was jumping around, squealing that she would be going to Taylor Swift's concert! And that was when I knew I lost the bet.
We left for Melbourne 4 days before Hubby and Little Bee - which was heartbreaking. The instant our taxi drove off towards the airport, Little Bee called me and sobbed, asking me why we had to leave earlier than them. My heart shattered into a zillion pieces :(
On the positive side, Big Bee and I were like giggling best friends going on holiday together. We took the red-eye flight to Melbourne and were gossiping eagerly on the plane about how we should dress up for the concert.
We arrived in Melbourne, bright and early, full of excited anticipation for a big big day! Big Bee spent a large part of the day brainstorming on how she can get to meet Taylor in Club Red. Essentially, fanatic concert go-ers who are dressed up in all kinds of bizarre costumes are invited for a private session with Taylor after the concert. Of course, one can imagine all the young girls dressing up outlandishly, just to attract Taylor Swift's mother who is usually on the look-out for these creative costumes throughout the concert.
So, here was what Big Bee's outfit looked like, with her home-made posters and hairband :)
When we reached Etihad Stadium 2 hours before the designated time of the concert, there was already a flurry of excitement in the air. There were also lots of mothers with young ladies (and younger girls!) there, and many concert-goers were decked out in brilliant red, fairy lights and self-made posters.
That electrifying sense of anticipation and exhilaration was dense, and Big Bee was totally overwhelmed. It was quite an eye-opener for me as I had never been to a concert where people really decked up in lights and costumes.
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| These lucky girls were invited into Club Red after the concert, where they could hug and converse with Taylor Swift! |
We spent a lot of time people-watching and strolling around the entire stadium. Lots of girly gossips and excited giggling. This stage of parenting - where we can finally be friends with our children and enjoy all sorts of activities together - is truly one of the most fulfilling and rewarding.
Taylor Swift appeared on stage at 8.30pm, and the entire stadium became an intense hive of pure, unadulterated elation. It was a rousing concert where the spectators screamed, sang along to every ounce of lyrics, danced endlessly. The energy was overpowering and invigorating.
Taylor Swift is an admirable public figure - one of the youngest and certainly one of the most wholesome. It was heartening to hear her talk to her fans about life, about respecting yourself, about dispelling emotions positively. All really good values for her devoted fans who are mainly young girls.
Big Bee never sat down throughout the concert - preferring to dance, sing and scream all throughout. Even this mum here sang and revelled in the jubilation of her daughter's adoration. Big Bee was thrilled that her own mum is fast becoming a "Swiftie" just like her!
We ended the memorable night with a midnight train ride home and gushed like good buddies until 2am. What a night indeed!
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| The concert merchandise! |
2 comments:
Confession: I read the gossip sites more than I should and Taylor Swift pops up pretty often. But no drug rumours, no arrests, and she maintains decorum in public so I agree that she makes a pretty good role model, compared to some of her peers. Her songs are catchy and I've found myself humming that particular never-ever-ever one at home myself! Two fans at home too (Layla + hubby).
It's great that you girls attended a concert together, really enjoyed reading about how you bonded. (Hope Little Bee didn't stay sad for long.) My mom and I didn't really hang out together much once I entered teenhood, but we watched When Harry Met Sally together when I was 12. I think she regretted letting me pick the movie and wondered how much of it I understood! :)
Evelyn: Sorry for the immensely late reply but I think I missed your comment back in Jan! Update - we eventually attended another Taylor Swift concert in June when she was here...and brought Little Bee along too! I am a little bit of a rock concert geek, but have to consider the musical tastes of my girls...so the next one might be One Direction. Is Layla interested?? :)
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