busking – Where Is Amber?

I’m facilitating a writing group called “Manifesting your Dreams.” I create the prompts as well as respond to them. Here is my response to the second prompt.

Writing Prompt: What goals do you have for the next hour? Today? Next week? Next year? Next 10 years? Your life? How will you feel if you accomplish all of your goals? How will you feel if everything changes and you accomplish none of them?

In the next hour I plan to flow, flow, flow. In a few hours I’ll drive my grandma’s clunky old car to my friend’s house, but until then I will do what I feel like. I have some vague goals, such as cooking a yummy lunch and cleaning my room, but in no way am I rushing around to do anything. After traveling for 28 months, I’m so happy to be grounded.

I just went on a run at the beach, did yoga on the sand, doing headstands while admiring the sun glistening off the water and watching the surfers.

I’m home again, and loving life in California. Everything is synchronicity. Living in California where the weather is near perfect every day definitely contributes to my happiness! It would be interesting to see how I feel in a colder climate.

Today, I will collect some lemons and limes from various trees of friends so I can incorporate them into my cleanse. This month I am doing a cleanse with no gluten, no animal products, no alcohol, no added sugar, and no caffeine. I feel great! Next week I plan to do a 24 hour water fast, with no computer or talking. Maybe my voice will come back!

This week I plan to relax as much as possible, and mentally prepare myself to start writing my book. I’m working on some articles for WeSaidGoTravel. I want to make a big calendar with goals on it. I have a creative a space in my living room set up already.

Usually I go to some kind of evening activity, such as meditation, yoga, ultimate frisbee, or swing dancing.

In the next year, I want to write my book, earn a little money, and see my sister in Washington DC. In September my plan is to go back to the Philippines to volunteer for a few months, and then head to Japan to start a 1-year teaching English contract with the JET program. If I’m not accepted into the JET program, I might stick around for Christmas in California again, not sure – but I will head to Japan at some point and to find a job as a teacher. I also go into detail about this on my Bucket List.

All these plans are not set in stone, I’m open to flexibility and new things, nothing is booked. I’m footloose and fancy free, as they say!

I envision my 20’s being all about me, learning and developing my skills, helping others but mostly on improving myself. This means teaching, working for nonprofits, spending time with family and friends, doing what I want, but primarily focusing on Self Love!! No reservations or judgments, I love myself completely.

My 30’s I can see myself starting a non-profit, or going to work for another one. I have a vision of starting a project involving kids, music, and art, like a free community center. It will also offer classes in finance and English, and other practical skills. I might start in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, since I know the place already. My friend suggested I have a base in Australia. Or its possible I will do something with the homeless people in the USA, which is a huge problem in my hometown.

After that, from age 40 to 99, or 115, I want to have a family and continue to help with my nonprofits, but mostly focus on my kids and my family. I think I want to be based in California, close to my parents, but have some other places where I can stay in Asia, like in the Philippines and Indonesia.

It’s a lot of pressure that I put on myself to do these things, and I have to keep reminding myself that if it doesn’t happen that I will still love myself unconditionally. It’s a struggle to balance my drive and my determination with complete acceptance of myself and all my faults and mistakes!

Regardless of my 23 year old mind fighting with my infinite soul, I have a vision of myself on my deathbed. I’m about to die, and I look back at my life with satisfaction and gratitude, knowing that I did my best and made a difference to the world. Most importantly I will look back and smile, knowing that I learned how to love myself fully.

Busking in Melbourne, Australia

The heavy red curtain falls to the ground. It’s intermission, and the audience spills out of the Center Stage Theatre, buzzing from the musical energy of the show.

A 9 year old in a little pink dress, her mullet haircut askew in a rainbow headband, struts confidently in front of her entire extended family, and – feeling inspired – belts out a song.

Now that I’m 22, I’m not so quick to sing in front of crowds. But if I can remember the bold little girl I once was, I can rack up the courage to perform.

In Australia, they call it “busking.” Here in Melbourne, the art and music center of Australia, you’ll see them everyday. All of these artists are required by the city to get a permit that they audition for. The streets are competitive. There is a lot of talent here. Many people perform as their main livelihood.

On a busy intersection in the CBD a blonde teenager closes her eyes, crooning a quiet song into her microphone while finger picking an acoustic guitar. Her soft voice is magnified by the amplifier so even the traffic and trams cannot block her soothing melodies.

Further down the road a homeless-looking man in a tattered suit and top hat plunks out funky oldies on an old piano. Passers-by are free to request songs from a list on the side, hopefully in exchange for a modest donation. Coins clink in his bucket as Japanese tourists gawk and take photos.

Nighttime, and the city comes alive. Lights dazzle from all directions as cars and trams stream down the road. In the midst of a giggling crowd, a guy in a full-body bunny suit rocks out on his electric guitar, creating a funky beat. Couples laugh arm in arm as they acknowledge his silliness.

Then there’s me, playing my ukulele on a quiet street. I enjoy the echo of my voice bouncing down the alleyways. I put out the case of my instrument and people drop in coins – here they have both a $1 and a $2 coin, which buskers appreciate.

For me, it’s not about the money. I can practice my music and see people’s reactions, what songs work and what songs I should rework.

Busking is a great way for musicians to tackle their stage fright – playing in front of an audience can be scary, especially strangers on the street! The first coin that falls in your hat is a huge encouragement.

I’ve travelled around the USA, in New Zealand, and Australia, and have met many talented musicians who are exploring the world with their instruments. Many sell CDs for $10 or $20 which they make on their computers, turning quite a profit: money that can be put towards flights and hostels so they can keep traveling.

And who knows, there’s always the possibility that a music producer will hear you and fall in love with your music, or that your future band mates might hear your voice and decide they want you in their band, or that you might just cheer up someone who is having a bad day.

For young musicians, I’d say busking is a great way to practice and build your confidence. So get out there, and give it a shot!

About the Author: Amberly Young is a traveling writer, photographer, and musician. She plays piano, flute, ukulele, guitar, and sings. After she graduated from university, she hopped on a plane to New Zealand, stayed there a year volunteering on farms, and spent 4 months travelling in Southeast Asia. She is currently living in Melbourne, Australia, busking around the city with a 1-year working holiday visa!

To hear Abbie Evans perform,(the girl in the second picture) check out her soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/abbieevans

Thanks to We Said Go Travel for also publishing this story, you can see it here: http://www.wesaidgotravel.com/melbourne-australia-busk

Where Is Amber?

Tag: busking

Manifesting Your Dreams

Be Brave and Busk!