I’ve Finally Graduated!
I did it! I am a graduate of the University of the West Indies! Woohoo! This is awesome! lol.
Yesterday was filled with great memories I won’t soon forget. I graduated from my university alongside people I’ve grown up with since the 7th grade and onward, good friends, acquaintances and new friends. It was really great.
I honestly went in with the attitude that — well this is going to be one of those long ceremonies that we just have to sit through and listen to these people talk about things that we don’t really care about.
I’m glad I was wrong.
Both my sister and I graduated yesterday. There were two ceremonies, the morning and afternoon, her graduation was in the morning and mine in the afternoon. So needless to say we’ve got two very proud parents.
The ceremony was filled with laughs and admirable moments and people. The Ph.D.’s were outstanding as is to be expected, each of them got a speech on their careers and for most we marveled at their achievements, not academically or just in their fields, but in how many people they’ve helped, not just locally, but globally (and they’ve even helped some of us personally).
Attendants were very supportive, shouts of “That’s my wife!” and “That’s my baby (child)!” could be heard throughout the ceremony and everyone laughed and cheered all the more for those uncontrollable outbursts of pride and love.
Even as I sat in the venue and others with my first name started collecting their prizes, each time I heard “Romario”, my heart started racing — I didn’t know I was that nervous lol. Each time I got more and more excited, hoping I do everything properly and also not trip.
As my turn approached and I walked closer to the stage, I watched each of my fellow graduates very keenly, looking at exactly what they did. The way they moved and positioned their hands and feet. The way they turned their bodies, everything, both directly and on the big screen so I got a bigger view. Just to make I didn’t make any mistakes. When it came to my turn, I stood at the stairs waiting for my name to be called, my heart started racing even faster. It didn’t feel like I was waiting very long, but I noticed so much in so little time.
I took my first step up those stairs and..dang it! I bucked my toe!
Yeah..that’s right, my first step and I did exactly what I was so worried about.
Not to worry though, I made a very quick recovery, so much so I don’t think that anyone noticed. I walked up to the Chancellor, he shook my hand, congratulated me and the photographer took my picture (which I do hope I will get to see, but I think it was pretty good). I walked off to the end of the stage to collect my prize (to my surprise it was my old neighbour that was presenting the prizes) and took that picture, but I’m not too sure how this one came out though lol.
I walked off with pride and joy in my heart, knowing that I was now officially a graduate of the University of the West Indies.
After the ceremony, I met up with my friends and took pictures and had some good laughs. My family had left out since 6 am in the morning and it was now about 9 pm. It was definitely an all-day event, we also had to get my grandfather and carry him home as well, so we got some pizza on our way home and called it a night.
I haven’t gotten all the pictures yet, but I’m looking through them and they’re really nice so far :).
I may post another blog on these when I’m finished sorting through, thanks for reading everyone! :D