Today I woke up feeling so happy and blessed. Particularly because the last 24 hours had been one of the most meaningful ones in my life. Hence allow me to indulge in this long post of mine.
You see, yesterday was my Commencement Ceremony, followed by the Grad Nite Dinner. So with the much welcomed full day leave, me and Mom headed to hairdresser's straight after breakfast and went to get our hair done. Alas, we underestimated the time taken for our hair to be ironed/curled up respectively, so we ended up rushing back home and getting ready.
Reaching the Suntec convention centre in time, I managed to catch some of my pals and have mini convos of 'I-miss-you-guys' and 'how-r-yous' and 'so-what-are-you-doing-now'..they all look well, I must say. Nothing beats seating in a group of friends who have stuck around with you from day one in classes and projects.
The ceremony began proper, and some of our professors were in their own academic gowns too, and i was so wowed by their presence. One by one, the student reps made their speeches and of course, with the PMS yours tryly started sobbing and tearing at each one of them. It was awe-inspiring, empowering and all congratulatory all at one shot. It was our day, needless to say, and we as the graduands were in the limelight and had our glamour shots in our academic gowns and regalia.
We broke up into individuals schools soon after for the individual collection of diplomas. It was so cosy, with the 50 of us laughing to fond memories invoked during Vic's and Jamie's speeches. They were truly amazing. I was so proud to have been part of that cohort and with the brilliant minds of my school. We collected the certs, took some group shots, ate some finger foods (well i had a measly cheesecake, which was wat's left as we ended) and soon i found myself back in a cab heading home to dress up for the grand nite.
We (me and my babe) got there punctual, only to be greeted by an awestruck Fadz who went 'my-god-you-lost-weight-couldn't-recognise-you' which was sharply echoed by the other abangs of mine, i.e Deen and Syahriel. Well, compliments from them was unfailingly follwed by crude lame jokes (which I've grown to love and appreciate over the years - its hard to not love them now.) We got around making fun of the lady with tables around her waist serving drinks and tidbits, taking polaroid shots with fake man-statues (who was so cheeky with me btw) and waiting for the rest to arrive.
The big group finally got together, and the night started. First was the speech by Fazli,who was incredible as always..speech was witty as hell!!COuld've been straight out of SATC scripts or smthg. Then games followed, and our table won after wrapping Deen in a rasta-colored-get-up of crepe paper and silver cloth. We all won mugs (How practical of the organising comm - good for office use!) Then the 4-course dinner was served..yummy yummy. Miss Audrey was nominated for best dressed, but lost to a hottie wearing a leopard print dress Deen won a 100 bucks worth of vouchers at Taka, and my face got screened during the video filming. Soon, Marg Chan was singing 'Fever' for us all..and my babe couldn't help but take a pic with her...cute actually.
Slowly, tables started to empty, guests were leaving and well, the Dance Floor beckoned. They started with some hiphop...good stuff. But no one wanted to dance! After being so deprived of dance-floor-dancing, I joined the few of us left on the floor. Well the rest of the graduands were too cool for Marina Mandarin's dance floor i guess, but hell, yesterday was fun. We danced to our hearts content to crappy top-40's music, (which isn't too current/top-40s actually. and the hiphop was just a bait hahaha to get us all there haha) But man. we rocked the floor with wat we had and did the stupidest things ever. As i danced on the dance floor, I can't help but feel that this was indeed one of the happiest times of my life. Dancing away with the people you love, each not short of our individual strengths and flaws, our problems and worries, our tears and joys, we all shared it at one time or the other and this time, we were dancing as if there was no worries of tomorrow. It was an amazing feeling, and I felt my spirit soar free.
After 15 minutes or so, with stitches in my tummy, a worked up sweat from dance and coarse throats, we packed up, lugged our won soon-to-be office mugs, cursed at how old we were getting and not having the stamina to work the dance as good as we could, we cooled down at the lobby, taking leftover pics with whatever signboards with 'SMU' or 'Graduation' was left. We said our goodbyes, parted with kisses and i found myself tired at 3am in the morning feeling whole again.
It all makes sense at the end of the day, and I realise that this was indeed, just one of the beginnings for a very long road for us all. It was the first milestones in our lives, and I know we will all be there to cherish the many more to come.
To all my graduate friends, the Class of 2006 - I love you guys with the depths of my heart... and you all form that amazing memory of our SMU journey together. Said it once before clinking our wine glasses of grape juice(?!?) yesterday, say it again once more - I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and may our friendship be one that'll last a lifetime. <3<3<3
Pics coming, promise!!! :D