TP IFC Graduation Ceremony 2010

It has been months since my last update. I didn’t think I would be back here after all this time. But here I am, writing away in a space I originally thought had served its purpose. I suppose, you can say I’m back to writing again. I’ve been meaning to do this for the longest times. I just never went through with it.

Wow.. okay, so where do I even begin? For a start, I’m officially a graduate. A diploma holder, if I may say so.

I know for some of you, it may not matter much. But it means so much to me. I woke up to a beautiful Tuesday morning feeling pumped and excited about the day ahead. I had gotten all my things ready and prepared: camera, graduation robe, my shirt and even my pants. All ironed and crisp-free. All there was left to do was to get dressed, get ready and get there on time.

I don’t even remember feeling tired waking up so early. Maybe a little nervous about going up on stage but that went away just as quick as it came.

I was so excited about meeting my friends again. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I saw them dressed at their best and looking great. The ceremony was, well, for a lack of a better word, lackluster. The only thing I looked forward to was the photo taking. Amidst all that chaos, we all gathered at the ramp and took photos with one another. A remembrance of us, a footprint to show that we were here.

I was breathing in every moment the entire time. Three years seemed to have passed by so fast, it almost didn’t feel real. I remembered stepping in class for the first time feeling afraid and out of place. And look where I am today. I’m holding a diploma in one hand, donning a robe and smiling wide for the camera. All those nights spent in school rushing out a project or a report, all those nights I spent crying because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to meet the dateline, all those times at lunches and breaks – it was all coming to an end. A beautiful, remarkable and brilliant end

I remembered having to say, “I’m officially a graduate!” out loud to myself before everything around me began to make sense. It feels surreal, even now as I type this entry.

To my dearest friends without whom I would have lost my head,

Aki, you are a rare gem. A one in a million. You’ve seen me at my best and my worst and you stuck through with me regardless. You were the first person I ever felt comfortable being around with and with whom I could tell my secrets knowing that I won’t be judged for it. When my mum died, you brought peace and solace to me. You keep me spiritually grounded with myself. You make me hopeful of a better future. You are not just any friend. You are a brother I look up to. Your friendship is one of the very few good things that’s ever happened to me. I am honored to have you in my life for as long as you will have me in yours. Thank you for putting up with my stubbornness, my craziness and for being a well-rounded friend I could only ask for. Not many people understand me. You do.

Aki and Me!

To Todd, I don’t know if you know this because you can be quite a blonde sometimes. But you are a very, very special friend near and dear to my heart. I would do anything for you. I’d kick that person’s ass if you wanted me to. We have the strangest friendship that works well for us. I’m not complaining. I love you, flaws and all. You know, sometimes, I feel that you know me better than I know myself. I like to think I know you better than you know yourself, too. You always seem to know the right things to say and the right things to do. And as cheesy as this may sound, you make me to be a better person. Less cynical, more, well, shall I say, wide-eyed and hopeful. I’m keeping you. Selfish, I know, but I’m keeping you till we’re old, cranky and our’ hair’s turned grey. Love you, bitch.

Todd le Bitch!

And my dear, dear Chener. I don’t know where to begin with you. I love you, I love you, I love you. Like Todd, you will always have a special place in my heart. I remembered talking to you for the first time during orientation. I told you and the other girls how much I hated the taste of the packed lunch. We were good friends even in Year 1, but our friendship really began in Year 2 when I started to trust you. I know I’m overbearing at times. I know I get mad at you but that’s only because I care deeply for you. I can be honest with you and yet still trust you enough that you will not be mad at me. I’m locking you up in a circle and throwing away the keys now. Keys thrown.

Chener <3 I had to use this photo! Our graduation photo is so blurred!

Ah.. and last, but certainly not the least, The Taitee Crew without whom I would never, ever learn how to play taitee. The ever illusive game that kept us entertained. You know how in movies, there’s always those bunch of people who are weird and eccentric but completely fun to be around with? You guys as far as I know are it. You guys are the most interesting people I’ve met. Thank you for making the long, boring hours in school fun and relatively painless. I can make a fool of myself and not worry about what you guys think because you know why? We are all clowns and freaks in our own little ways. If TP were an American high school, I’d say we are the bandies. The bottom on the social food chain. But who cares? We’re amazing as a group. The most fun I’ve had in school and outside of it have been with you guys. Please, please, please keep in contact with me regardless of how busy we will all be. I’ll make an effort to organize a monthly outing for us to sit down over a good meal and embrace our inner freaks.

The Taitee Gang! Missing: Khairul, Hasfi

A shout-out to my homies! Izyana, Seri and Fina – the three girls I adore very much. The craziest, most nonsensical moments were always with you girls. It was very fun scaring each of you at every chance I could get especially Seri. It will probably sound selfish of me to say this but scaring you (and then, teasing you endlessly about it) always makes the better part of my bad days.

Fina, Aki, Seri, Me, Yana, Todd

For the rest of you I didn’t mention, and who I consider a friend, (you guys know who you are), thank you for being a part of my beautiful journey here in TP. I will not forget any of you. Call me anytime for a chat. I will do just the same.

With that, I will conclude. Graduation does not mark the end of a friendship. It marks the end of a beautiful journey we happened to take together. The path ahead for some of you may be clear, and others not so much. But that’s okay. There’s a path ahead for everyone. Go on. Take a step. You never know what’s coming. It may bring you happiness and pain. But it’ll be one worth taking.

Onwards to my next journey in life. The Army.