Insignificance

Friday, August 20

Last weekend (maybe 2 weeks ago) was my convocation ceremony and I guessed it was as how I'd imagine it'd be albeit the slight disappointment to my actual purpose of flying all the way from Kuching to attend the convocation. I was so occupied with work that the only free time I get to go online was only during weekends and the rest of the time after work was my bed time.

it's just another flight ticket for you, but to me, it's actually an "accomplishment".

Mind you the journey to my graduation ain't an easy one.. my fallout with AirAsia for their profit-oriented customer service until I had to "threaten" AirAsia through their Facebook page for Tony Fernandez to respond to me personally for a solution, also with RHB bank that approved my transaction when it shouldn't have and even with MAS for their lousy site for making me buy the wrong flight. I'd blog about it here but I've already typed and sent out too many complaint emails regarding my predicament REPEATEDLY till the extent that I'm already fed up with even mentioning it. Now I realized that you'll have to take matters into your own hands if you need something to be done, and can never rely on someone else who would care less about it. Seriously.

Anyway, back to my graduation, I could still remember the moment when we all marched from the side door of the main hall through the back stage into the front entrance through the main entrance and walked onto the steps down the hall into the main ballroom. The feeling was completely surreal and it was at that moment of that realization that my studying days were actually coming to an end, and when my name was called up on stage to receive my actual degree, that moment of shaking the vice chancellor's hand and receiving my degree is the actual last dot at the end of the sentence that marks the end of that chapter of my life.

the walk backstage

the hall where it all happened

all for this moment

And of course on this moment that would only happen to me once in a lifetime, it would be stupid for me to not do a cam-whoring session right? and so I did.

a little blurry, excuse the photographer

in the toilet :P

Thankfully my flight issues were resolved before my flight and I could actually fly over to attend my graduation, there were moments that I even thought of giving up in arranging my flight to Melaka and being absent for my convocation because everything seemed to be going awry while planning everything. Some might think of me being silly or trying to be "different" or what, but believe it or not, the only thing driving me to go all the way flying over to Melaka for two days is actually my coursemates and the friends I've made for the past 4 years there. I mean studying together for 4 years and then going our separate ways personally isn't actually an easy thing for me. However, my expectations in flying all the way to Melaka and late night suppers or yam cha sessions were kind of a disappointment when I then realized everyone were bringing their spouses and their families along with them, and after the ceremony, each of them were at their own exploring Melaka and some were even at their way home after the convocation ceremony and putting my main purpose of flying all the way back Melaka to despair, although we missed a few laughs but nevertheless, at least we get to see each other. Also not forgetting my buddy Wen Sheng for willingly to bring me along with his family around Melaka after our convocation to our favourite chicken rice ball stall and the best Nadeje layer cake and also when he had to send me back with the long draggy traffic jam in Melaka.

Also thanks to my juniors and also to our beloved senior Kelly姐 for the flowers, I really did not expect anything on that day and I owe it all to you guys for making this photo even more colourful than it already is.

one of the better photos among many more

Thanks to tiger, jia qing, ching huat, jit huat, chin wee, victor, vincent, cally and sorry if I left out anyone, and I really appreciate you guys for letting me stay over during the weekends.

Thanks to our pretty and forever young Kelly姐 for your rose! :P

and also thanks to the BENC juniors ah bong and the bunch and all the best for your final year as well and enjoy your studying life to the fullest.

One thing that has never occurred to me about graduations up till the time when I experienced it first hand was the square hat! they call it a mortarboard but I think "square hat" sounds more Malaysian don't cha think?. Forget about styling your hair when it comes to graduation because your hair will DEFINITELY BE RUINED! I managed to find a photo of me and the bunch before actually putting on the square hat...