And it was my graduation Commencement Ceremony! To be honest, prior to the day, it didn't feel like a day that I was especially looking forward to. It sounded pretty ceremonious and was probably more for my parents to feel proud and happy.
But when the actual day was here, the feeling was different. As I got dressed up smartly at home and left with my parents for school, I could sense that my parents were really happy and had probably waited a lifetime for this day. Papa took every opportunity to take photos of me, literally. Yes, even at the lift lobby outside our home, and also whenever I appear anywhere (after disappearing for photos with fellow graduates) in University Cultural Centre, the venue for the ceremony.
I parked them in the auditorium early, so that they had a good spot to watch the proceedings (and take photos of me again). I was somewhat nervous during the ceremony, which is normal for me. But when it was time for our seated row to vacate our seats to queue up for the scroll presentation, the nervousness was miraculously diminished. I checked my attire one last time at the walkway, and prepared myself mentally. The moment has arrived for my parents to witness this.
"Low Cheng Hyork!" I walked towards the centre of the stage, not very conscious of the steps and posture. I put on a smile, but I could feel that it was a little forced initially. I heard half-hearted faint claps from the audience, but it didn't matter. I remembered that the feeling was priceless, because more than a thousand pair of eyes were looking at me. I took the scroll from the Presiding Officer, gave it a kiss and waved it high in the air. It was really cool to hear some laughter from the crowd below. It was partly to add in something 'different' from the others, partly to give my parents a little surprise, and also partly to savour that moment. My parents didn't clap for me--both their hands were holding cameras.
Of course, the day wouldn't end without countless photos-taking after the ceremony. It feels a little weird to know that after today, I will not see most of my cohort-mates ever again. To many "hi-bye" friends, a smile was probably how it ended everything. It gave me yet another strong reminder that so many people would have walked in and walked out of my entire life, during all the different stages.
I was busy taking photographs with friends, and in the midst of it, my parents were sometimes the photographers and sometimes the helping hands for all the stuff that I was holding. Stayed till the end, they did, and always looking at me from wherever they were. It was one special day for me, but equally so for them. Proud and happy.
人生是黑白的.
11:59 PM <3
>>>
