• the magic of sounds and words


    Music is more than just sounds and writing is more than just words. Music has played a major role in my life. Its astonishing how it can change your mood from sad to happy, in less than three minutes. This may not work for everyone, but it definitely has supported me. Ive always adored music, the melodies, choruses, the way it was sung, it spoke to me. I remember when I was in elementary school, sitting with my class in the assembly cross-legged on the floor. When the classes would perform, and the play button was pressed, I would move along with the music, like water flowing into cracks. To someone who was watching me from a distance, I would have looked insane. Bobbing my head, in the stillness of the deceased looking crowd, but I coudlnt help it. As soon as I hear the first beat, my soul is taken hostage of, and I cannot do anything about it until it stops.

    In about grade four, my mom signed me up for bhangra lessons, and I fell in love. I would come home from classes and fleet to my room, and go over the moves for at least four hours straight. I would video tape myself while doing it, and it sounds foolish, now looking back and watching the tapes. Anyone can say that they are passionate about something, but I think the only way you can truly say that is if you can act completely ridiculous without a care in the world. My passion for dancing didnt last long though, I got older, and grew out of it. However, my fire for music was still burning.

    My last year in elementary came in a flash. I spent the most of the year stressed out about family issues. My closest cousin had even stopped speaking to me, and had mutated to some gangster wannabe. Its crazy because were supposed to be so close, and now it seems like I hardly even know him. The pain and everything that my family was going through really was too much for me to handle. The only thing keeping me at peace was music, until one day I decided to try something a little different. Music is my savior but I was tired of listening, I had to converse about it, but in a way I didnt have to talk. I grabbed a pen and started jotting down my feelings, and I turned those feelings into a poem. I never showed anybody this, but I felt grand.

    So I kept writing. There wasnt a second that went by that I didnt have anything to say. Grade eight came along and a special class had urged me to take a chance, a huge leap. Guitar class. What made the class such a joy was the teacher, Mr.Nikkel. Incredibly laid back, his class made me feel like I was at home. If you werent prepared for a performace, he would still push you and tell you to try your best and give it your all. Thats what made me feel comfortable. One day he brought up an assignment, and incited us to incorporate music with words. This should have been a picnic for me because this is what I live for, music and writing, but it was a difficult task. I didnt quit though, I kept going and going, and Ive written about ten songs. Guitar class is done and over, and I have learned so many things about myself. I think its to early to be thinking about this, but I dont have the slightlest clue about what I want to be. I just know that, writing and music have my entire life in them, I dont want to be involved in anything else. I still have my whole life ahead of me, and a lot more things to uncover about myself, and maybe someday my passion will mold itself into something people dream of. Until that day comes though, I will keep writing, and keep loving music. Music is more than just sounds, and writing is more than just words.