This story is going to display my story-telling and a person who has turned my life around. I have known her since 2010/2011 when I was in high school. At that time, I learned about an international writer, William Shakespear, who wrote the novel, Romeo and Juliet. My friend from the next class played a song very loudly, and it seemed everyone in the room enjoyed listening to it, so my classmates and I searched for the name and listened to it. Then I realized that the lyrics of the song were the same as the plot of Romeo & Juliet. It helped us to memorize the whole story by just listening to the song. However, I felt very surprised by the lyrics because there was a happy ending which was different from the novel. At the same time, I jotted down this song “Love Story” into my songbook and tried to interpret the whole song in Lao. By doing this, it inspired me to learn English words more and more.
Not only that song, but I also kept continuing to search for her other songs such as “You belong with me”, “Teardrops on my guitar”, and many many songs. Besides, all her songs were so wonderful and touched my feelings. You would always want to sing along. That was a reason I wrote down almost every song I liked to practice singing and understanding the meaning of. So, I would say I got to learn English from her songs.
Furthermore, I wanted to learn who she was, so I read her story and found out that she was very young with a talent for writing songs. Surprisingly, she is also good at playing different instruments. For instance, guitar, piano, and banjo. “Wow,” I thought, because this person was not only a beautiful singer but also extraordinary. Since then, I have kept following her performances and songs and wished one day I would have a chance to see her concert and meet her in person. From the day I knew about her, I always wanted and still want to meet her in the US. I used to say to my high school classmate that I wanted to see her concert in the US someday. It is undeniable that it is complicated to meet her in person, but hearing your friend say that it is impossible and there is no way you could expect that made me eager to dream bigger. Yeah, I know, because she was/is a top singer and far away from me. However, I still had a desire that in the future I would find a way to meet her in the US or somewhere on this earth.
When I attended university, I still listened to her songs regularly. One time, I remember asking my friend who visited the US to buy a CD (1989 album) for me. Until today (2021), I have not opened it yet 🤣. It was so special that I did not want to open it.
One short story reveals that when I was a 1st-year university student, I got a chance to join the exchange program in Singapore. I had my first historical experience of singing in front of more than 100 people. I know you can guess that I sang Tay’s song haha; the song was “Love Story”. And you know, my English was very poor, plus I was very shy and not confident at all during attending that program, especially when it came to my Lao team presenting about the given project. I did not do well on this. On the other hand, I was put in the position to sing without knowing that. I decided to pick Tay’s song. I did it with full confidence and had no fear at all.
As a result, I discovered that I was not nervous at all if I sang in front of people, but not for giving a presentation, haha. Maybe because I am into music and love singing, it gives me the energy and power of fearlessness. By knowing my advantages in loving music, I turn it into my key knife by singing a song in my mind whenever I have to give a presentation. (Of course, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. It depends). I use Tay’s song to help me all the time. Thank you, Tay. I hope you will not stop creating wonderful music for us.
The next chapter introduces the time I learned about the US Scholarship, namely the “YSEALI Academic Exchanged Program”, which was sponsored by the US. I had tried to apply a few times, and for the 3rd time, I got into the interview round. I remember very clearly when the committee asked me the reason I wanted to go to the US. I said without hesitation that I would like to go to see my role model “Taylor Swift”. The committee laughed out loud with my innocent answers. Here readers please “consider very carefully if you want to copy my answer, haha, because the result might not match your expectation”. You know, the committees told me if I were selected they could not promise that I could meet Tay. That was a very nice response to my over-reacting answer. In the end, even though I was not selected, I was still happy to say those words without any regret:). If I could turn back time, I’d still say the same answer.
This road had not ended yet. I continued applying for the available US scholarships and, at the same time, I knew that I had to develop my English skills, together with my knowledge. Apart from the US scholarship, I also applied for another scholarship to prepare myself. After I failed with the “YSEALI Program”, I applied for the UGRAD scholarship because it came out just the right time. And my friend also motivated me to try. So, I did not hesitate to apply, even if it was a difficult scholarship, because this is a long-term fund that the selected students will have a chance to study at American University. I still had full energy and inspiration to go for it. Students from around the globe apply for it, and only 4–5 students from Laos get this amazing opportunity annually. I knew very clearly that I had to work hard on my essay. There were 2 topics I had to work on. I still remembered at heart that I put the words from Tay in my essay, which was one thing I was really happy about: “There are two ways you can get through pain: you can let it destroy you, or you can use it as fuel to drive you to dream bigger and work harder.” It was very lucky that I got into the interview round. I was more myself and would answer more realistically because I had learned from my failure the last time. Moreover, I felt I had fewer expectations; when you do not have high expectations, you will feel relaxed and be more natural in speaking. I just knew that I did my very best, so I had no regrets if I failed again. And I knew surely that my day would come, sooner or later.
It was correct!!! I was selected as the representative from Laos to study at a US university for two terms at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). You know what? Nashville was the birthplace of country music, where Tay recorded her country music. It was very surprising!!!
To cut the story short, my life experience in the US was filled with so many unforgettable memories. I met many different people who taught me and showed me the nice, beautiful, part of the US and also the lesson learned I got from them. Likewise, it opened my eyes to the new world that I have ever seen in my lifetime. Thank you so much to Tay, who inspired me to dream bigger and work harder until I get what I want.
You might want to ask if I could meet Tay or not?
Tay did not release any new songs or albums between 2016 and 2017, and we did not hear much from her. However, I remembered that when my friends and I traveled to Knoxville, on the way back I heard the news from social media that she was coming to some cafe in Knoxville to play the songs. It was unfortunate for me because we did not share the same parallel.It was not meant to be my good time.
In contrast, I could not meet her in person, but I got a chance to visit a country music museum in Nashville. There was where I could see Tay’s center. It was a very fabulous time. At least I see her big picture, and I remembered to put my “hi” note in the center.
Yet, I still did not lose hope and dream of getting to see her in concert. Perhaps it will be her concert in any country in the world that I can afford the ticket and flight.
While I was writing this story, I hoped that some of my messages would pass Tay’s eyes or ears. If it is possible, I would like to say to Tay that please please continue doing your songs with happiness. You are my inspiration for dreaming about what I can be and what I can do. Your songs give me hope to do things and to never lose belief in myself. I am confident that not only myself, but many other listeners, adore you and look up to you as a role model.
Additionally, …..
While I was writing this, I might have known how to express my feelings and arrange my words, but if you asked what I would say if I met Tay, I might have become blank and just be speechless. haha, but I would want to hug you just one time.
Thus, it would be totally lucky for me if I see the real Tay or her concert. I can feel I will be so so happy because I can sing the songs all (all her songs) along very well. I cannot imagine that day coming.
So, Dear Tay, please have the concert soon when there is an occasion and when the covid-19 situation gets better. I am waiting and ready for it.
Thank you so much, Tay, for making a master piece of art that paints the beautiful color of the music. I will always be your biggest supporter and forever fan.
I wish you a very happy life with your true love and your work.
Last but not least, I cheer you up for your current project of re-recording albums. I am extremely excited and waiting for the upcoming songs and events.
Love you to the moon and back <3
THE END
P.S 1: I apologize if there is an inappropriate word.
P.S 2: I am a beginner at writing
written by Mabelle23
September 25, 2021
