It’s Been Three Years…

Sorry y’all I’m about to get emotional, it’s been three years since I first met Demi Lovato and got to see her perform live.

February 11th, 2014 in San Jose, California for the Neon Lights Tour. What an indescribable day, honestly most of it is a blur because I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was my first time in America and more importantly the first time I was going to see my light in life Demi Lovato perform live, and not only that but watch her soundcheck and have a meet and greet with her. As you can imagine I was dying, this was my dream for years which I never thought would ever happen but there I was, halfway around the world standing outside the SAP Center about to experience this all.

First was soundcheck and my friends and I managed to be right at the barrier so I was literally so close. She sang my favourite song Believe in Me which she did especially for the soundchecks only and even answered my question during Q&A!!! (I asked her what hair colour she wanted to dye her hair next -she had pink hair at the time- and she said purple but her sister Madison had it so she couldn’t copy her *I had purple hair at the time and freaked out*)

Next was meeting Demi – I remember being so nervous, I had never really experienced a meet and greet before and I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that I wasn’t going to have a lot of time and I wanted my photo to come out nice. It was rushed and jumbled and I couldn’t think but I remember telling her I came from New Zealand especially to see her and she was shocked and happy and we took a cute photo. Demi was the sweetest angel ever and even though it was so short, it was incredible.

Meet and Greet Neon Lights Tour – San Jose, CA 11/02/2014

In the meet and greet line though I was by myself (my friends didn’t have meet and greet and were waiting outside) and kind of freaking out because I was about to meet Demi and everything about that day was surreal but there was this incredible girl behind me who I chatted to and we pretty much became instant friends – shout out to Sohinee, I love you girl! Sohinee and I kept each other occupied while we waited for our turn (seriously we were near the end of the line and it seemed to take forever) and then make sure we had exchanged social medias so we could keep in touch afterward!
(HAPPY THREE YEAR FRIENDVERSARY!)

The actual concert was amazing, Fifth Harmony and Little Mix were Demi’s opening acts and during Demi’s set she brought out Nick Jonas (another love of mine) and Chord Overstreet. She sang all of my favourite songs – a lot of tears were shed during skyscraper – so it went by way too quickly but I don’t think it could have been a better first Demi concert. I loved it so much and still cherish it so much! I was going through a lot of shit at the time and for those few hours I was in that venue everything disappeared and I was content and I think that was the greatest feeling ever.

So thank you Demi for the most increidble concert experience, I can’t believe it was three years ago and I’ve now seen you live five times and met you four.

Demi singing Believe in Me during Soundcheck

Never ever give up on seeing your favourite artist live (even if you live in Narnia like I do) because one day it will happen and it will be the most unbelievable thing you will ever experience.

Stay True, Stay Travelling
Gemma x

Travelling alone is a must!

If you had of told me a few years ago I was going to be travelling around the world by myself and enjoying it fully I would have probably laughed in your face and denied it till days end, but actually travelling alone is one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life and I urge everyone to try it at least once! (It’s really not as scary as it sounds!!)

Last August I flew to America by myself, now flying by myself is nothing new. I fly around the world all the time but usually, I will be meeting someone once I arrive at my destination. Admittedly this time I was supposed to as well but as plans fell through I found myself spending my time in Los Angeles alone. I was terrified, although if anyone asked I was calm and said it will be great. And it actually was. I enjoyed it immensely and I definitely would do it again!

Travelling alone doesn’t have to mean you’re lonely. I was in Los Angeles – City of Angels, a city full of incredible people. I wasn’t alone in this massive city and I wasn’t lonely, I had the company of myself. And honestly, until you’ve gone to a restaurant and sat and had a meal by yourself you have no idea how rewarding that is to accomplish. To start off with I will admit it was weird and I was most definitely uncomfortable but it didn’t last long. I went to my favourite place (The Cheesecake Factory duh) and ordered my favourite food off the menu and sat outside on a warm sunny Los Angeles evening and people watched while I ate. It was incredible, to just be and observe. You see the world in a different light when you are by yourself compared to a group of others. After that night I knew I was capable of going out by myself and eating and not having a panic attack, I showed myself I could handle it. That was so rewarding to me.

Next, I went to Disneyland. Alone, you ask? Yes. And I loved it!! Of course I have loved every time I went to Disney with my friends but something about going by yourself and being able to go on any ride you want and however many times you want (Tower of Terror five times yeessssss!!!!) is so wonderful, and being able to meet any character you want without the worry that your friend might not want to wait in line for so long. I stood in line for one hour (literally) with a bunch of young children to meet Elsa and Anna and I have no regrets. I could also plan my day how ever I wanted to and had the freedom of basically doing anything. There were no limits. I wanted to eat at the same place twice that day? I could (and I did). I wanted to go across half the park to get Starbucks? I could, and I didn’t feel like I was being an inconvenience to anyone because it was just me there. Also hello single riders line, I had never got on a ride so fast in my life, bless it. I was never alone in Disney, how could you be it’s just so magical and everyone is so warm and friendly. (And to top it off I met an amazing new friend by standing in line by myself and just being friendly, who I then ended up inviting to go to a concert with me the next night, shoutout to Bri c: woo)

I truly believe that travelling alone is such an amazing experience and is definitely not as scary or unsafe as some people try to make it out to be. Of course, there are certain places I definitely would not want to go alone but in my whole time in America I was not hassled once, and I have no negative stories about my time there. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and I met some wonderful people along the way.

Stay True, Stay Travelling
Gemma x