My Graduation Day on April 26, 2008- Part 1

It has been two weeks over since my graduation ceremony, and it was too happening during this period that seems to slowly flush away my memory and excitement on that big day. With that, I have decided to write down those remaining feelings that I have right now immediately.

Let’s start with the day before the commencement. I and Hang Guan have a so called “Birthday Party” on Friday night, but due to some facts, we changed it to a normal end of the semester celebration. Because we thought it seems to be too early to celebrate our birthday (we didn’t want to get old that fast). Either was birthday party or normal party, it’s still a party… and we enjoyed ourselves very much on that night.
(Sorry for making this party’s entry short, as the main topic was about the graduation)

I know I slept very late on that night and didn’t sleep well, seeing that I was too nervous about the next day. I kept worrying my schedule for tomorrow, because it going to be extremely busy and tired day for me.

Woke up at about 7.30am, and get ready to fight for the full day.

First thing to do for today, was to pick up our rental car (for road trip) from Enterprise at offsite AZO Airport. One stupid thing I did this morning that couldn’t be washing away from my brain, was making a wrong morning call. I was supposed to call Zoe Liam, but I called Zoe Lai. I kept asking her to wake up (for about 3 minutes) until Zoe Lai spoke out “Soon Han, why are you calling me and keep talking things that I don’t understand.” Following sentence appeared in my mind immediately, “Oh Sxxx, Im calling the wrong person.” I faster apologized and hang up the phone. What an embarrassing beginning of the day. (I felt funny once I think back nowadays…hahaha) (Zoe Lai kept laughing at me with this mistake)After this incident, I kept worrying another embarrassing thing will happen on me again, such as… fall down on the stage while I’m walking out to receive diploma, etc.

At about 9.30am, I went to Bobo’s house to have my final make up. But seems like they (Bobo and Wei Ling) were more nervous than me- make up, dress up….until don’t have enough time for breakfast.

At 10.30am, I met up with Wendy and Henry, who came all the way from Saginaw (3 hours driving distance), at Bobo’s house. It was such a long time since I last met them, and the feeling was still as good as before, even better, once I see them again. Thank you both for coming, and I was so touched when I was informed that you guys are coming.

Wendy and Henry sent me to school (sounds like I’m their child) at 11am because I have to be in the graduates’ crowd 45 minutes before the ceremony starts.

The admission ticket for Haworth College of Business Commencement Exercise

Too much liquid in my body, as a result of lack of rest

Swollen eye and face

Before the commencement begin

Flowers contributed by Wendy and Henry

Wendy was trying to fix my tassels

Looks like awarding something for me (such a meaningful picture)

Wendy Chien

Henry Hsiung

Warming up by taking lots of pictures before the commencement

Having 2 tassels were way too heavy for my cap as commented by Wendy, don’t you notice that my cap was slightly downwards on my left.

So, I’ve decided just to have the blue one for the ceremony.

Before entering Shaw Theater for short briefing

“I pray everything will run smoothly later”

“I pray I will not fall down on the stage”

“I pray…..I pray…”

After entering the Shaw Theater, I get my name tag and stand aside to wait for the short briefing. At the same time, I met Dr. Duke Leingpibul and have a short conversation with him. He was my nice and knowledgeable lecturer of class BUS 3750 (Production and Service Productivity). At first I was still wondering, whether to greet him or not, because it was more than a year since I last taken his class, maybe he had forgotten me. But after a few seconds, as a manner, I think I should greet him and try to remind him about myself. When I wanted to do so, he turned back and greets me first. He remembered everything, including my name and country of origin; he also remembered that he used to waive me from taking final exam in his class. In conclusion, he has good memory. Before we end our conversation, he asked me to look for him on stage later, so that he can give me a hug. What a good and friendly lecturer! I would definitely take his class again if I have chance in the future.

Besides meeting Dr. Duke, I met both of my group members, Aaron and Francel, and other classmates as well. I met Whitney in the briefing room and sat beside her. Both of us kept telling each other that we were very nervous, and started to talk about our future. While we were preparing to go on the real stage, I met Derek Lee and I quickly asked him come over to stand behind me. It’s good to have someone you know to go on stage with you, as if something goes wrong, someone will remind or help you.

The path from Shaw Theater to Miller Auditorium was kind of long. My heartbeat was getting faster and faster as I approach the backstage of Miller Auditorium. Once I heard the music from the Orchestra, my heartbeat and my nervousness boost up. The high point was when the stage light shines on my face, and I saw a whole bunch of people sitting right in front of me, screaming and cheering. I was trying to look for 10 of my friends (Wendy, Henry, WeiLing, Bobo, Jojo, HangGuan, ChoonYee, JiWey, SiokYee, and MengChun) who were in the auditorium.

7 out of 10, those left out in this picture are Wendy, Henry, and MengChun

My eye kept rolling and my head kept turning around and around, what I have in my eyes was thousands and millions of heads, I couldn’t see any familiar faces. At last I gave up, I will let those 10 pairs of eyes to spot me, instead of myself, 1 pair of eyes, looking for 10 peoples in the crowds. I know they can do it. And Yes~! They DID IT~!

From left: Derek Lee, Me, Whitney

It's kind of hard to spot me in this video due to the video quality posted here

During the commencement, I totally couldn’t pay attention on all the speeches given. The only thing I have in my mind was, what should I do later or what will happen later when I step out the stage to receive my diploma. Luckily, when our University President was asking the honor students to stand up, I was still conscious enough to stand up automatically. Or else, it will be another joke of the day as people around me will think, “what happen to this girl with three honor cords, she was suppose to stand up! I think she must be dreaming! haha”

Once again, we were asked to face the audiences, and I tried to look for 10 of them again. This time was even worse, because everyone was waving their hands to us. I asked Derek, “Did you see your parents?” Of course his answer was “NO”. Say frankly, we could only see billions of hands in addition to millions of heads. I really surrender to crowds this time.

When its time for presentation of diplomas, we, the graduates, must walked back to the backstage again. An individual picture was taken by the designated photographer on the backstage before we actually receiving the diploma.

The most important moment of the day finally arrived. I passed my name tag to the MC, she did double confirmed with me about the pronunciation, but still, she pronounced my name as Tiao, instead of Teoh. But I think I was lucky enough because she didn’t pronounce it as “Teh Oh”, if not, it will be the 3^rd joke of the day.

After my name was read, I step out the stage and start looking for Dr. Duke. I remember he was sitting at the right side, but I couldn’t find him; then I turn my head to the left, I was really shocked by all unfamiliar faces that starring at me. I think I’ve stone on the stage for a while, but after looking back the video taken on that day, I actually didn’t stop but kept walking. (But I felt I stone for quite long at that time).

Look at the right

Look left

I was SHOCKED

I gave up looking for him, and faster received my diploma from the President

And there he is, taking picture at the side

What a funny thing I’ve made! This was the 4^th joke of the day~! Soon Han Teoh, stop doing silly thing~!

To view the complete video of the moment I was receiving diploma, click on the “play” below. (Special thanks to Wendy and Henry for taking down all memorable moments for me)

To be continue......