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[sakinahhhhh]

Weekly Journal 2

An Enchanting Evening at the West End: Experiencing Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, London

I have been a theatre geek ever since I heard Idina Menzel belt her heart out to "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked”, and when I blasted the "Heathers" soundtrack through my speakers. I am a great admirer of various musical genres, including "Mean Girls," "The Lion King," and "Annie," but one musical that holds a special place in my heart is the heartwarming tale about a certain girl who lives in the Greek Islands with her single mother, "Mamma Mia."

Part of the reason why I think this musical stands out to me so much is because of the unforgettable soundtrack. The musical cleverly adds fresh emotional levels to the plot by incorporating ABBA's greatest tunes into the narrative. Classics like “Honey, Honey,” “Super Trouper,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Mamma Mia” aren't just acts; they play important roles in the lives of the characters.

I have been a great fan of ABBA ever since my mother introduced me to the band when I was 12. We have been blasting their songs ever since. Either it is in the car, the kitchen, or even in the karaoke booth. One of ABBA’s timeless hits, “Dancing Queen,” has been one of our go-to karaoke songs. Their songs make our mother-daughter bond even stronger.

Therefore, when I found out that my family was going to London on my school holiday, I immediately asked them if we could book tickets to watch Mamma Mia! in the West End at the Novello Theatre, London. Naturally, my ABBA enthusiast mother answered "yes"!

London's West End is the epitome of theatre magic, where legendary shows are brought to life. The Novello Theatre is a classic London institution with a long history, situated in the bustling Covent Garden district. As soon as I walked inside, the atmosphere made it obvious this place was the perfect home for Mamma Mia! because its charm adds to the warmth and nostalgia that the music exudes.

Watching the musical unfold at the Novello Theatre brings the story to life in ways that feel immediate and electric. The actors are vibrant, each fully embodying their characters’ quirks and emotions. The audience is drawn in by the emotional depth with which these multi-talented stars conveyed the stories of their characters. It's exciting to hear these songs played live at the Novello Theatre. Moments of sheer ecstasy are created by the dynamic staging, lively dance, and powerful singing.

Attending Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre is not just about seeing a musical; it's about being a part of an experience that makes you smile long after the last curtain rises. It is a must-see for anybody visiting the West End because of the compelling tale, well-known music, and outstanding performances in one of the most exquisite theatres in all of London.

If I were lucky enough to have the option to never leave this amazing theatre, I would. For some reason, when I was inside, I forgot all of my problems and uncertainties. I felt like I was Sophie, a girl living a carefree life on a beautiful island in Greek and sporadically belting out ABBA songs as the crowd joined her in choreographed dances throughout the day.

Nothing could make me feel as elated as I am when I’m watching this spectacular musical. The soundtrack, films, ambience, characters, and lessons told by “Mamma Mia!” are truly exceptional. This indicates that music really does unite people, regardless of who they are or where they are from. As long as they have the same amount of love and passion, we will always be connected through music. Thus, while I'm writing this, I truly want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude, as I would like to say how thankful I am to Mamma Mia, ABBA, and most of all, I would like to say “Thank You for the Music.”

[sakinahhhhh]

Weekly Journal 3

My Love for Disney

Everyone has an inner child who longs to hold on to those nostalgic memories of their childhood; some reminisce about the carefree days of waking up and never having to do anything but play with their favourite toys, while others spent their childhood outside doing family activities with their loved ones. When I was a kid, the thing that was always there and gave me a sense of comfort were Disney films.

I have been a great admirer of their films ever since I was a little girl. My father used to buy movie DVDs that consist of the classic animated Disney movies, series, and even the most recent Pixar movies coming out at the time. I would spend my adolescence watching these movies together with my little sister. And if you were to ask me anything about these movies, such as 'what were the characters names' or 'what song was performed in the movie', I would undoubtedly still be able to answer it accurately since I have every single detail about these movies vividly memorised in my mind to this day. They hold a very special place in my heart, and whenever I watch them, it feels like I'm reliving my carefree childhood days and reconnecting with my inner child.

You can guarantee that the young girl inside of me was just as thrilled as I was when I had the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris during my school break. There is no denying that visiting Disneyland Paris was like stepping into a different world all together. I felt overwhelmed by feelings of thrill and wonder as I walked beyond the entrance that led into the park, with the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle visible from afar. There was something enchanting in the atmosphere that I found impossible to resist.

During the course of the day, Disney Stars on Parade took place. Disney characters, old and new, took part in the parade, riding beautifully decorated floats while waving at the audience below. The procession was led by Mickey, Aladdin, Olaf, and Buzz Lightyear, together with other Disney princesses, villains, heroes, and heroines following them. It was amazing to see these characters, who I had watched from the screen, come to life. I noticed my favourite Disney princess "Belle" waving and pointing at me. All I could think of was how my younger self couldn't believe that this experience had occurred in real life and wasn't a dream.

It was rather devastating for me to leave Disneyland Paris on that evening. Though I was sad that the day was coming to an end, I felt happy that I had these joyful memories that would last a lifetime. The park had proved that it is ‘The Happiest Place on Earth', where every dream comes true. My visit to Disneyland Paris was filled with wonder and happiness. Every experience right from the rides to the parade and fireworks was spellbinding, and the magic I felt over there was only possible because of Disney.

It was not only the rides and the characters that build up the hype on the theme park, but the joy of being immersed in a place where the impossible becomes possible, where childhood dreams become reality, and where every person, no matter the age, recalls the enjoyment of faith in the impossible.

[sakinahhhhh]

Weekly Journal 1

How I Met Taylor Swift !

Have you ever had a favourite musician that you would kill to meet in person? Well, I do, and it is none other than the iconic pop sensation Taylor Swift. I am forever thankful to be blessed to have personally witnessed my long-time idol through my very own eyes!

It all began when I took a vacation to Europe with my family. We visited numerous iconic cities, including London, Paris, and Turkey. The odds were in my favour when Taylor Swift was kicking off her European set of the Eras Tour on the same date as we were in Paris!

We were travelling to Paris on the 5th until the 11th of May 2024; the concert was on the 9th of May. You have no idea how thrilled I was when I learnt that the dates were aligned. So, I told my mother, and she was as psyched as I was. She is also a fan of Taylor Swift, better known as "Swifties." She granted me permission to attend the concert as long as I was chaperoned by my uncle, who in my favour is also a Swiftie.

Asking for permission was undoubtedly the simple part, as my family was very supportive. Now comes the most difficult part of all: getting tickets! Just the thought of not getting tickets was already crushing my spirit. I constantly felt anxious for weeks! Instead of studying, all the information my brain could comprehend was only in relation to finding ways to get my hands on those precious tickets.

Thank God I was able to secure not only two tickets for my uncle and me, but they were also the elusive VIP tickets. When I told my mom and uncle, they were flabbergasted because they had little faith that I was able to do it. But I surely proved them wrong! That's what they get for underestimating a girl who’s been a hardcore Swiftie for 5 years.

Finally, it was time; we took off to Europe in May and safely landed in the City of Lights on May 5th. As time passed, the calendar marked the long-awaited day, May 9th. It was a typical cold, windy morning in Paris, but the gloomy weather didn't stop my uncle and I from gushing about the concert. We headed off to La Défense by bus and walked to the concert arena. We were in line to collect our VIP merchandise. Fortunately, the line was not long, and we ran into many Swifties there. It is tradition in the fandom to trade friendship bracelets with each other, so without hesitation, the Swifties we met traded bracelets with us.

After collecting the merchandise, we went back to our hotel to change into our concert attire. Swifties typically dress like Taylor; sometimes they even go so far as to style themselves in a way reminiscent of one of her album covers. So, while my uncle dressed in black and dark grey to mirror the cover of the album "Reputation," I dressed in pink and pastels inspired by her "Lover" album. When we were all dressed, we returned to the arena. There were a lot of people who were already queuing; the line for the regular tickets was the longest line I have ever seen. Luckily the VIP line was much shorter; we were fortunate enough to enter the arena as soon as we arrived.

As soon as I entered the arena pit, excitement and anticipation filled the air. Swifties, dressed in everything from casual outfits to Taylor-inspired costumes representing various eras, gathered in a sea of glitter and glam. There was a palpable sense of unity and shared passion as fans from all over the world came together to celebrate one artist, Taylor Swift, and her incredible career. I can't explain to you how I was feeling on the inside. Even though I had butterflies in my stomach, it did not stop how ecstatic I was. I felt like I had finally found my people and that this place was truly home. We got to secure a spot right in front of the B stage. 

After a few minutes, her opener took the stage. The famous band 'Paramore' opened for Taylor's European leg. We got to watch live renditions of their iconic hits. This was the first time I heard a live performance. From now on I could clearly distinguish between authentic live vocals, recorded or if the artist is just using backtrack, autotune, or the worst of them all, lip-syncing! Paramore's main singer, Hayley Williams, is undoubtedly a live performer since you could hear her raw and genuine vocals. The crowd was only starting to get hyped. Her performance ended after about an hour, and it was time for the big act to take the stage—the artist who we crossed 6,430 miles just to see perform live—the artist who I was going to see on my first ever concert, Taylor Swift!

As the lights dimmed and the opening notes of "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince" played, the audience erupted in cheers. Taylor emerged on stage, kicking off her set with an energy that electrified the entire stadium. Throughout the night, Taylor's effortless transitions between eras showcased her evolution as an artist. I have never seen any other artist perform a 3-hour show like she does.

And of course, there were the surprise songs. As Paris Night 1 was a major stop on her European leg of the tour, there was much anticipation surrounding what song she might pull out of her discography. When she surprised the crowd with "Paris", the audience went wild. I could not believe; I was one of the lucky Swifties that got to experience her perform her song “Paris” live from Paris! The performance felt intimate, a shared secret between Taylor and her fans, and the Parisian setting added a layer of magic to the whole experience.

As the concert was coming to a close with "Karma," confetti showered down like cats and dogs. After the lights went back on, I grabbed the opportunity to gather the confetti scattered on the floor to bring a little bit of this event home with me. Every time I look at it, I will reflect on the indelible memories I had at the concert.

Leaving the arena that night, I felt a mixture of exhilaration and nostalgia. Her performance made an indelible impression on me. The concert just ended, and I was already reminiscing about the memories I had at that sentimental concert.

For anyone who has yet to experience the Eras Tour, I can say with certainty that it is more than worth the wait. Taylor Swift has created something truly extraordinary. And for me, who was lucky enough to attend in Paris, Night 1, it will forever be a night full of precious memories that I will never forget.