Graduation

Well, today I took part in a most archaic ceremony. With a lot of people for whom it means the start of their life as working adults. For me, I must admit it was somewhat old hat. I can only say that it was shorter than the last ceremony of this kind I attended.


Four of my overseas classmates came back for the ceremony - from Indonesia, Philippines, China and Laos. There were another four of us from Singapore attending. We all dressed up in our medieval outfits with the little mortarboard hats and long flowing sleeves (this is apparently the hallmark of the NUS Masters' robes). Then we paraded down to the University Cultural Centre where we stood as a group of men (yes, they were all men) in a different set of medieval robes plus bonnets mounted the stage and sat there for the next hour.

We listened to the commencement address being given by the guest speaker. Then, one by one, we went up on stage to receive an empty tube and walked off to receive a piece of paper with our name on it. Then after the 8 of us had finished, we watched whilst all the Science Faculty graduates mounted the stage. They were a rather more lively bunch than ourselves, with some cheering for graduates whose names were being called out.


My classmate gave the Valedictorian speech next. I quote part of it here, obviously my favourite part where she reminds that we must be:

"the salt that seasons, the salt that preserves, the salt that renders the ocean a dynamic and exciting livable habitat for new ideas, best practices, and true friendships."

Obviously, she's from the Philippines and thus a good Catholic girl. The ceremony ended fairly punctually and we went off for our reception and photo-taking.


So, I suppose, closes the chapter on a memorable and most enjoyable year.


P.S. I started this post the night of the graduation ceremony, but am finishing it on a subsequent day. Later that night, I was to get an SMS from the valedictorian classmate. She was staying with a friend in Hillview Park, a 2-block development. The SMS was to say that the other block was on fire! Fortunately she had packed to go down to KL and so she just lugged her suitcase down to watch the flames much to the amazement of other residents who were wondering how she got the bag packed so quickly.