Last Saturday was my graduation ceremony. Now I'm officially a graduate.
It started out as a gloomy Friday. I was sad since most of my KL friends could not attend the function. Some even challanged me to explain WHY he/she should attend the ceremony. So I thought that ppl don't like me anymore. What's the point of big graduation events when the people that matters the most to me coulden't/refuse to attend. Then sometime at 10p.m. Zarina called. After a while she bluntly asked.
"Why do you sound so sad..? It's your day tomorrow! We gotta party like mad. Do you remember all the blood and sweat you put into getting a degree."
I explained the whole childhood friend thing and close friend thing. Then she said something quite surprising, "Ju, even the best of friends grow up. Sometimes, growing up might also mean that they grow apart. People develope different interest and walk different paths. What's important is that you understand that and remember the good times while it lasted."
Then she asked me not to worry and promised to see me the next day at UKM. Then Nieza(KMS) SMSed demanding to know my graduating session. Awfully touched, I told her. She was a KMS classmate. We made it so that me meet at least once a semester in campus. She is after all in the all mighty electrical engineering faculty which is tuck in a far end corner of UKM. I was suprise that she remembered my graduation date.
Woke up slightly before the crack of dawn to make my way to UKM. The whole ceremony was a dazzling array of strange occurence. First the Canselor, Tunku Ja'afar, was wearing dark glasses to the ceremony. Then when the undergraduation ceremony started we had the marching band played some really marchy(if such word exist) song. I was a little bit disturbed by that. Thankfully when my turn came, the band stopped and another brass band played a slower sentimental song. I had a really hard time keeping my face stright during the whole on stage presentation thing. Especially when I had to bow slightly to a cool Yam Tuan Besar Negeri Sembilan who was in shades.
Mummy indulged in my need for a HUGE bouquet of flowers ^_^ So what it wasn't the white lilies that I wanted. It was a big arrangement that my mother made a big effort to purchase. Left to my father, he would have bought a barrel of KFC instead.
After the whole in the hall ceremony came the celebration with loved ones outside. We indulged in the whole photo session with everyone. I was very touched when I saw that some of my friends actually brought flowers *sob*sob* Thanks ppl. The name ppl who attended was :
Azlinah Eusoff*Camilia Malawatie*Waniyu*Fina*Nieza(KMS)*Wawe*Wawa*Naem*Zarina*Azah*Rini*Alang*Various ppl who for the life of me I couldn't remember (So sorry)
Thank you for making this as one of the most memorable day of my life. It also reminds me that I do actually have friends. BTW Az thank you for merempat-ing at ppl's house just to attend my graduation. Hugs!!! Enjoy shopping in Penang and when you are tired of the whole hometown thing, come back!!!!
The night before the ceremony CM called and bugged me about celebrating the graduation. "Come on, Ju. When else can we gather everyone and throw a big bash." Then dad said, "After the whole photo thing, go la with your friends to celebrate." Yippie!!! I didn't even have to ask dad if he minded. So after my parents and brother left everyone jumped into Zarina's and CM's car to go and party.
We decided that karaoke would be just the thing to burn all the adranaline. We howled to ABBA, wiggled our hips to Hindi songs and some sang Malay songs. We had 2 mikes and everyone sang along, so it didn't matter if you sound like a dying frog. Later when Naem and I made our way home, we stopped for a very late brunch (6pm).
Again I confided to her about my sorrows and fear. She said, "Ju, put yourself in their shoes. How would you act? Do not put conditions on your love for your friends. Maybe they cannot respond to your love the same way. But you have a generous heart. Love unconditionally."
I realise that I can spend my time my time resenting my friends or I could just let go. So I choose to let go. There's no need to justify friendship. I already know the difference between best friends and friends. I also realise that the reason, the very foundation, of the frendship no longer exist. We all could walk our path now without fear. If you need me, I'd be here. Just give me a call. See you when you are free.
I am entirely gratful for the chance to me so many wonderful people in my life. But ppl change. I've changed. For better, for worse?? I don't know but someone told me that friends listen to what you say but close friends listen to to what you don't say. I guess it's true.
After that went home for the family celebration. Thank you Mama for cooking wonderful food, Kak Mai for wonderful fruit cocktail and Papa for retaining his fine figure at least untill after the graduation ceremony.
Big thank you to my brother, AZMIR *clap*clap* My hero. I THANK YOU for your patience with my whiny, bratty self. For all the monetary support (movies, comfort food, occasional pocket money, cd's, cassetts), part-time driver role, bodyguard, concert ticket (Sheila Majid & LINKIN PARK!!!!), counselor, buddy and for being the most wonderful brother anyone could ever ask for. Tantrum and all. Your attendence at my graduation was a big gift.
Well I think that ought to cover everything. What else... oh yes, THANK YOU Az and CM for my graduation present. It's wonderful and it fits:) Thank you Nina, Cin, Lil and Fabs for your kind wishes.
Love,
Julie.
