Ah convocation. During the ceremony, you feel nervous, strange, surreal and everything feels a bit of a blur. And after it? After looking back at all those convocation photos on facebook, you tear up and feel a bit sad. The congratulatory messages, comments and such, it makes it more surreal. really? it happened? it is over? so soon?
I was surprised when I saw the president of Singapore entering the auditorium, “wow, really?!” I smiled when I saw our university president wearing his mortarboard completely sideways. And honestly, I felt a bit sleepy during the long citations, (we woke up earlier than usual.)
I was nervous, excited and hot (the academic dress/gown is really thick!)
And even though we all know that being a matured audience we maybe shouldn’t be cheering loudly when our friends go up on stage, my schoolmates from ADM didn’t care, we cheered loudly, acted a little rowdy, my friend jumped off the stage instead of walking down, some who went up made funny faces, others wore outrageous colours and fancy shoes, well… my school being an art and design school isn’t the kind to follow the rules. And thank goodness! And while it made the ceremony a little less solemn, it also made it a whole lot more memorable.
I also liked that my parents weren’t the kind to fuss about the graduation (but yes, I know they were proud of me.). They didn’t buy flowers or graduation bears and such, partly because I said not to; what are we going to do with all that once the ceremony is over? (and besides why buy when I think i can sew up something more unique) we headed straight for the food queue after the ceremony. 😉
I didn’t stay on to take multiple photos with friends after that, because I had another place to rush to and because I don’t enjoy crowds and secretly…
because I was hoping that with my friends, this isn’t goodbye.
Thanks for 4 awesome years (and many more ahead!!) and Happy Graduation everyone!