LIYSF 2012

London International Youth Science Forum or LIYSF is an annual international event held in Royal Imperial College, London, with many countries participate each year to join a lecture and many programs.

When Ms. Tia, and several grade 11 and 12 students, who joined this forum, came to class to class to promote this forum.

They asked, "is anyone in this class interested to join?".
Then I said this in my mind, "wait. The school didn't pick you but you enrolled for that? Yeay for chances!"

I was so excited to join this because I have interest in science for quite long time-- I might have mentioned that I do have interest in social, performing arts/music, but after all that I've been through, I should take the chance for which I hope that it could open more doors. Aside from that, I will have the opportunity to be lectured about environmental science, protection and other science stuff, as well as about the human planet itself (+ a lecturer from CERN. CERN, people. CERN), visit British Museum and Museum of Natural History and watch one of West-End Broadway during the day-off. Aside from that, I will be supposedly 'living' there on my own. It's gonna be like I'm going into a university already, which is something that I've always be excited about.

I asked my mum whether I can join it or not. But it seemed that at the moment, we were not sustained-- there was problem; money. It was hard for me to stand up for my will. So I said to myself, "okay"

Do I want to get rid of it? Sure, I do. I always told myself; "It's gonna happen, someday. Wait for the right time" (when my mind was rational enough to think) but I was always be burdened with negative thoughts when I just got crazy. Unfortunately, it's my nature to be overwhelmed with things and over-think them. I struggle a lot with that for years.

And I just don't understand. If something is not for me, then why is it so hard to take no as an answer.

Music Transcends Words

Let me share several things first;

I started to sing when I was four and I fell in love with it. I was that kid who wanted to listen, learn and try because I was shy so I always locked myself in my bedroom and just perform in front of an arranged line of pillows. Everything was enough. I had great time with my friends because of music and competing in choir competitions. There was no doubt about my intention and plans about my future.  Then I just couldn’t do anything after I hit puberty. I’ve lost everything; confidence, plans, and dreams. Everything wasn’t enough and I was overwhelmed with regrets of not pushing myself forward and take the opportunity to make people proud. I am even still in a total turmoil and experiencing a devastating loss. I was lost. I never tell my parents a single thing about that. Ever since then, I started to appreciate music like I appreciate my parents. Music was everything and it is still everything to me, no matter what. Music owns almost half of myself. Music is a big part of my life, even nearly my life.

Many of us have heard the phrase, “Music is my life” or any other form of its expression with similar meaning before. It is common to know people who love music and they just wear their headphones, then walk down the street like they own the place. Music is indeed a part of life. The idea of involving music in socialization is even encouraged. Yet music is one of the earliest forms of culture that have existed for centuries.

But I found myself in a place where music is more than what dictionary defines them, but instead, what people commonly think of: beautiful, inspiring and moving.

They didn’t have to translate it to make me cry. I didn’t need to understand them through words because with all I got, I easily understood them through the melodies and voices. When words aren't enough, melodies are extension of them.

How powerful music is. I have nothing to regret when music can eventually lift myself higher and enable me to grow and become a better person. Because that is what I always try to be; a better person.

It was not my first time to cry. I even always cry every time I listen to “The Prayer”, “My Love”, “Somewhere Out There” and “Angel of Music”. They are just so beautiful and one of the best things I’ve ever felt. They always make me happy. Music is one great power. No wonder why we use it to deliver spiritual message, message about peace and even a message about having fun. Well, it does not simply stop a war or literally kick an ass of a bad guy. But thanks to music that have kept me moving because I have faced crossroads and turning points in my life. Just like lyrics from one of my favorite ABBA’s songs; “Thank you for the music, the song I’m singing. Thanks for all the joy you bring in. Who can live without it? I asked in all honesty, what would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me” 

I would like to request people to take their time for a moment to remember what has music done to your days. Because whenever I upset, I always do that and I feel better.

P.S. Choir is beautiful and love knows no boundaries