The night before the big day, I couldn't sleep at all. Was it because of the uncomfortable bed at the hotel? Or was I too excited? Haha...Whatever lah! I woke up at 4.30am to get ready. By 5.30am, I was still busy putting on make-up. We left hotel at about 6.10am, heading up north to Uni. I was still a bit sleepy but was also very excited at the same time.
The journey there was smooth. I reached Uni at about 7am and quickly ran to a nearby restroom to wear my robe and put on the mortar board. The square academic cap was a bit loose, so I had to use as many as 6 to 8 hair pins just to prevent it from falling off! Mum was with me when I went to the restroom to get ready. I guess she did steal some limelight when we walked pass a big crowd of visitors. Well, she obviously did because she wore a gorgeous kebaya, just for my convocation ceremony.
At about 7.15-7.30am, there were more and more graduands around the Dewan TSO. Bro took a few shots of me with his DSLR before I went into the hall with my friends. There was a short briefing before we all moved to the main hall, Dewan MAS. Hundreds of us were all dressed up in the full attire. We got even more excited when we took our seats in the main hall. There were choir singers, a team of musical instruments players, lecturers, professors, VIPs, parents, visitors, etc. in the main hall.
I had earlier been invited to attend a function to receive the Deputy VC's Gold Medal but I couldn't attend as it was held on a weekday. I was informed that I must wear the medal during convo, otherwise I won't be allowed to enter the hall without wearing the full attire. I was quite worried when the thought of not being able to enter the hall jammed my brain. After sitting at my place for about half an hour or so, the officer on duty came to search for me. I felt relieved when he finally passed me the Gold Medal and a certificate. "Congratulations! Please put this medal on." He told me.
At about 11am, it was my faculty's turn. We walked to the side of the stage, one by one in a line and waited for our names to be called. My hands were so cold at that moment. It felt like I was holding ice cubes! Erm, partly nervous and partly due to the air cond in the hall?? Hehe... When it was my turn, I had the same kind of feeling like what my friends told me. Every graduand will feel it when she goes up the stage to get her scroll of honour. "I must walk carefully!, I must not fall down on this special day!, I must remember to say whatever that I am supposed to say, I should not walk too fast, I must remember to smile, etc." There were many things in my mind. When I was really on the stage, there's only one thing in my mind. "This is 5-7 seconds of fame that I've been waiting for after struggling studying for 3 years!"
It was over within a few seconds but everyone was still smiling. At about 12.40pm, the event officially ended. There were hundreds and thousands of people gathering outside the main hall until I had the difficulty in locating my family and bf. When I finally saw them, it was really very sweet to get a large bouquet of flowers. And before I knew it, I had spent another few hours taking photos with my friends under the hot sun! After lunch, I continued taking pics at certain hot spots within uni, accompanied by bf while my family goes home earlier after a tiring day.
About 5pm, I went back to Dewan TSO and returned the robe to get my official certificates. Within a few minutes' time, we were already out of the university's compound, on the way heading home. I would say it was truly a memorable day but time passed very fast when I was still with my group of friends. I will surely miss all of them...
P/s: Bro is still editting the photos. So, I will only share the photos with you in my next post, hopefully asap. :) Damn, it's 12.30am already! I gotta sleep now. Ciao!
