I've always loved music-I mean honestly, how could you not? My mom brought me to my first concert when I was five years old, and little did she know, she was creating a monster. God I was in love with Nick Carter before I even knew what love meant. My five year old self went crazy for that kid. But growing up, I was pushed away from the pop-scene. Every car ride was turned to 92.5 (the country station) and I always groaned-unable to change the channel because my lack of arm reach and attitude problem. Then, in fifth grade, on the fourth of July, I was helping clean up after a family party. My older cousin, who I admire to death, grabbed my arm and put his headphones into my ears. He pushed "play," and left me with his i-Pod. The song was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day. It was the first time I ever heard this kind of punk, grunge-y, hard rock music. And I was obsessed. The next time I saw him I couldn't stop gushing about it. So, he ripped off a piece of crinkled paper and scribbled down a few bands. They were: All Time Low, The Ready Set, Never Shout Never, and Hit The Lights. I stared at the names-never heard of any of them. He encouraged me, "Take a listen." Tyler also contributed to the making of a monster. I. was. enthralled. Throughout middle school I went to as many concerts as I could-or that my mom would bring me to. My friends and I were accompanied by adults until finally, my sophomore year of high school, my best friend Toni Ann and I saw Nickelback alone. (don't you dare hate) Junior year, my best friend Lupe won meet-and-greet tickets for One Direction, before their most popular single, "What Makes You Beautiful," was even released. Then, we were on a roll. Last year alone, I went to 16 concerts. My parents used to try and limit me to a certain amount every year-they were concerned that I was becoming a crazy fangirl. Finally, one day, they realized that this is what I want to do with my life; I want to be a music journalist. Go to concerts and review them and interview the artists- that would be my dream. I don't know exactly what it is-but being at a concert is so undeniably perfect. You're surrounded by hundreds of people singing the same lyrics as you, while these artists on stage are performing their hearts out. And even though you've never met the person next to you and the lead singer doesn't even know you exist, you still just feel so connected to them. Music is what gets you through a hard time, it's what you listen to when you're excited or depressed-god, music is what makes the world go round. And technically, music is just poetry to a beat. So I've made a goal to conquer 50 concerts by the time I'm 20. Three more and I'm there, and It'll just increase from that number in years to come. One day, it'll all pay off when I'm working for Rolling Stone magazine out of NYC and someone will ask me the most incredible thing I've done so far in my life and I will say that I've been to more concerts than I can count, interviewed the most inspirational artists, and participated in such a thriving industry. Music has changed my life.