Last year when I was looking for a job, I found a writer’s position opening at Minnesota Orchestra. As an admirer of the Minnesota Orchestra, imagining working with the musicians encouraged me to apply for the job. Therefore, I searched and watched videos on YouTube and got to know many conductors. With YouTube’s recommendation, I was led to a young conductor, and upon searching for his information, I got to know his girlfriend was from China, named Wang Yujia. That was my first time heard of Wang Yujia.
About one month ago, the Chinese social media Xiaohongshu kept notifying me about Wang Yujia. Most of the information and comments were about how she wore provocatively in her show and very few comments about her professionalism. At the same time, Minnesota Orchestra’s newsletter informed that Wang Yujia would play with them in Minnesota. I decided to attend this concert, to reward myself for my hard work.
Because I purchased the ticket in late time and could only afford the cheapest one, I let the ticket system choose seats for me. When walked into the hall, I got to know that my seat was on the third floor. It was too far that I couldn’t see the mumian on the platform clearly. Worse was that there was a rail in front of me, I could only watch the player on the left platform between the bars of the rail.
The old gentleman who sat by me was wise: he brought a pair of telescopes with him. As for me, I didn’t know classical music, even though I had taken a course on Music Appreciation in college, I couldn’t tell all the names of the instruments, no need to mention appreciating the music. But my neighbor was obviously an expert. He dressed in a vest. He echoed the rhymes with his hands, shoulders, and head. A satisfied smile hung on his face, the smile I have only seen on children who got their satisfied toys. After one piece of performance ended, he stood up, clapped the loudest, shouted “Oh–ho, whistled, and talked to himself, “Amazing, That’s amazing!” I asked him if he was a musician, and he said no, he plays a bit of Guitar. But he’s a fan of classic music. He said he was very excited about this concert because he had dreamed of these pieces of music to be performed. And today, Wang Yujia made his dream come true, and she made it so perfectly!
Wang Yujia wore a golden shinning short dress with tassels on the bottom. According to the audience on Xiaohongshu, she’s exposed her beautiful shoulders and back. She also wore high-heeled golden shoes. My neighbor said her heels were six inches high, and he also added, “You never know what she would wear until she shows up.” My neighbor is definitely Wang Yujia’s super fan!
After the concert ended, I went to my next step: looking for my parked car. I have no sense of direction. Without GPS, I can’t drive anywhere. But I was sure I could make it this time, because after parked my car, I took a photo of the parking number. But the aisles outside the concert hall were so alike, each one looked like the one I came in. I followed the biggest group of people turning right. Through the skyway, I got outside the door, but it didn’t look like the parking lot I parked my car. I walked upwards and, on the turning, I saw a young couple. The girl was from Asia––maybe because Wang Yujia was from China, I found many Asian audiences and heard many people speak Chinese. This couple seemed couldn’t find their car too. They kept going upward, I went down, along with the exit sign, and got out of the building. Standing by the street and trying to recall the road I drove through; I still couldn’t figure out the direction or which entrance I went in. And it was cold outside. I returned to the first floor of the building (it should be the Hilton Hotel), where I met the young couple again. The girl smiled at me. I said to them that I couldn’t find my car, and the young man said with an embarrassed smile, “Same here.”
I quickly climbed the stairs and walked through the skyway. While walking, I thought that it was a punishment for I left my husband and two kids at home, and I was alone to enjoy the musical night. (The truth is my kids and husband don’t like orchestra). Returning to the concert hall, I found no one was there. Standing there and hesitating for a while, I turned left. Luckily, a young man in a black suit and carrying a black backpack showed up. I ran to him. Getting close, I noticed he just put on lip balm––he must be an exquisite person who loves life. I asked him if he knew the parking lot. He said yes, I showed him my parking picture, he said he also parked in that area, and I needed to walk backward. How fortunate, or I would miss it again and waste time! He pressed the elevator button and asked me if I was there for the concert, I said yes and asked him the same question, he said he belongs to the New York Orchestra. I walked too fast and was too tired to ask him what instrument he was playing. When the elevator reached level 2, he held the door open and pointed to the parking lot, saying my car must be in that area. Then he wished me good luck. What a kind man! I could only say thanks again and again.
As expected, I found my car in two minutes.
To a person like me who is weak in operational ability, driving a car is a big challenge to me, the most difficult work in my life. I had spent five years, taking two times in traffic rule test and four times on road test to get my driver’s license. Driving into the city is always a challenge too. Without any surprise, I exited the wrong way last night, and it took me another eight minutes to reach the parking lot. I followed the signs in the parking lot, but I didn’t know why and how I drove out of the parking lot! I had to make a turn and reenter the parking lot. It was full of cars. I finally found a narrow space by the wall pillar. I thought my small car (2019 Chevrolet Spark) could make it––I chose this style for easy parking. It was a left parking space. To be honest, I haven’t done much parallel or backing parking because places I had been had wide parking lots. I started making a left turn a little bit early and then my car side hit the wall. I heard the scratching sound. I couldn’t make a reserve but to move forward and parked it awkwardly.
The light was dim last night, plus, I was in a hurry, so I didn’t pay more attention to the scratching. This morning when I checked my car. Oh my god, it was a big scratching and dent, right under the door. It reminded me of my dream one day ago: I dreamed that my nose was bleeding. I checked online the next morning, and it said, I needed to be careful because that meant bad luck and accidents may happen. I thought the scratch was the bad luck. Luckily, it was a small accident, and I didn’t hurt myself or other people or hit another’s car. I am a guru in persuading and comforting myself!
Suppose my dream would tell me this accident would happen, but I still would come to the concert. Art is a magic thing: it can help people build new, beautiful scenes. As for me, a drawing, a photo, a song, a piece of rhythm, a video, or even the views outside of my car window can make me think about my beautiful time in my youth and imagine beautiful future scenes. No need to mention this was an over two-hour concert. The music, performance, lights, and setting together create a brand-new world for me. Engaged in it, I felt peaceful, harmonious, romantic, and warm. At least, in those two hours, I have temporally forgotten my struggles and unhappiness in real life. I have regained confidence in life and re-established my hope.
This is published in the North Pine County News on April 3, 2024.
Gao Ying's blog 