Suddenly, the world looked different.

What a great way to start (Chinese) New Year this year! Most memorable one yet!

Lydia, Davy-san and I made an impromptu trip to Singapore for about 19 hours a couple of days back just to catch Luna Sea live and make it back in time for reunion dinner. Yes, we are crazy fans that way. So glad we did it though. Even if I have to starve for a month or two after this. Tickets to-from Singapore on CNY eve is NOT cheap. I ended up with SIA because staff rates were wayyy cheaper in comparison. I know there are those who think LCCs are naturally cheaper, you are SO wrong.

We met up at Changi airport (we flew in separately) at about 0100pm, took the train to Buona Vista early to cop concert merchandise (thank you, Davy for suggesting that because we managed to get Luna Sea hoodies(!) among other stuff), and then we headed to Orchard for lunch and in search of Lyd's neon green Doc Martens (I found myself some metallic silver Docs that I absolutely need to go back and buy!). And then IT WAS TIME FOR THE BIG MOMENT. Amazing. At the age of 43, Ryuichi can still sing like a dream. Concert ended at about 1030pm just in time for us to catch the last train back to the airport. Because we all wanted to save on hotel accom, we decided to just lurk at the airport till my flight at 0710am. Result? Overload on food (McDonalds, Starbucks, Swensens), many 'very high' moments with so-lame-I-will-never-repeat-them-jokes, and random guess-the-name-of-the-song-playing-or-get-hit-on-the-forehead-with-a-spoon games just to pass the hours. It was a great experience. Definitely one for the books.

Aaaanyway, the concert. Ohmygiddygod.

10 years.. just for that 2 hours. Please come back, February 8th 2013 *_*

Okay, so we were seated a little too far away from the stage because we bought tickets at the last minute. But just being able to hear Ryuichi's voice live, and watch Sugizo play his violin live.. I yelled/ screamed/ squealed like a madwoman when he whipped out his violin to play 'Providence', Lyd turned to give me the 'wtf woman?!?' look. I'm sorry, dude. You have no idea how long I've waited to see that. Or maybe you do. Anyway, when they went off backstage before the encore (come on, we all know there would be one).. I told Lyd, "If they don't play I For You and Love Song, I will never forgive them".. And then they came out and started with I For You straight away *_*

Best moment ever, singing along with Ryuichi.
They didn't play Love Song, but it's okay. I For You is higher up on the list. I didn't get to take pictures because well, it's hard to whip out a camera with huge lens when there were Event Nazis all over constantly saying "excuse me, no photos please". I totally understand that they were just doing their jobs, but come on, who wouldn't want a picture or two to remember the night? Oh well, anyway I was too busy enjoying the show.

Honestly though, these 2 years, I am so thankful that I was able to see Miyavi and then Luna Sea live. I've followed these people since my teenage years and when they disbanded, I didn't think I would ever be able to see them live. So it was an incredibly exhilarating and surreal I-can't-believe-I'm-standing-here moment. It's a VERY good thing they came when they did though, because the me 10 years ago (or even 5) would never have been able to afford the concert tickets, let alone convince my parents to let me cross the border JUST to watch a concert and then come back. I didn't think I could emphasize to them enough, how much it meant to me. And what about that time when the girls and I stayed back at the club till 0300am just to be able to catch a glimpse of Miyavi a little while longer during his after-party. 5 years ago, my dad would have personally driven to the club and dragged me home, kicking and screaming.

I do believe that things happen when they do for a reason. Everything fell into place quite nicely, didn't it? I'm filled with so much hope right now. That I would be able to catch X JAPAN next, Dir en grey, even Glay. I'm checking things off my List that I never thought I'd fulfill.