8 Wonderful Things on My Graduation Day
After four excruciating years studying part-time for my master’s degree and one year waiting patiently for the convocation ceremony, the much-anticipated day had finally arrived. These are some of those wonderful things that really mattered to me.
1. Jimi’s Exceptional Company
To make up for my parents’ absence, Jimi came for an unexpected rescue. He knew that I had to fulfill my second chance for a more proper celebration. And he knew that I had to do it the right (or wrong) way no matter what happened. So he came, proudly sitting there on my parents’ reserved seat. Indeed, with his presence, I could feel the company of all my family members.
(Thanks Jimi – you truly completed my special day.)
2. Ayie’s Chaotic Hospitality
Oh, you’ve heard of him. Watch out – he can be hysterically nasty. Yes, having the over-the-board Ayie around me during the convocation day made things so chaotically wonderful. He was my incredible host, my talented make-up artist, my art director of photography and, most of all, my best ex-housemate.
(Thanks Ayie – you coloured my amazing day with that delightful attitude.)
3. Azrai’s Heartwarming Laughter
I don’t know what to do in my life without Azrai. If Digi has a yellow man to follow its customers everywhere, I have Azrai to follow me to every important day in my life. He chatted frantically, advised wisely, laughed heartwarmingly, took photos enthusiastically and, most importantly, slept musically, hehe.
(Thanks Azrai – you presence added the spice in my sugary life.)
4. Little Sister’s Tender Look
She was the only biological family member who made it there. Currently pursuing a Law degree in the same institution, she was supposed to celebrate her graduation day with me. For some reasons, she was only there to watch me rejoicing my sweet victory. But I knew that she was not discouraged. She gave me that proud and inspiring look that tenderly melted my heart.
(Thanks sis – your own graduation day will come and look for you very soon.)
5. Shazlee’s Fun Outdoor Photography
Shazlee was my personal photographer. He was my ex-student who survived his deadly malady – a cancer. His presence symbolized my dream for a perfect graduation day. I wanted every detail to be artistically captured and beautifully remembered. And Shazlee did just that – a real splendid job. He was incredibly patient and professional despite the stormy weather and the demanding requests from Ayie – his unofficial art director, haha.
(Thanks Shazlee – I really look forward for the great photobook.)
6. Coursemates’ Endless Smiles
There were only 8 lucky graduates for my course. And I was one of the rare two male graduates. Gufron was smiling – he was my Indonesian coursemate who is now a lecturer at Genting INTI International College. Deeba was smiling – she is a lecturer at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Sheema was smiling – she is a lecturer at UiTM Perak. I was smiling too – why not? I am attached to one of the best universities in Malaysia.
(Congratulations my dear friends – we really made it!)
7. The IIUM’s Brand New Look
In conjunction with the 25th anniversary, UIA introduced a new robe’s design. The colour was changed from green to turquoise, the university’s corporate colour. Most importantly, mortar board was introduced despite the controversial objections from some concerned parties. Personally, I was proud to be among the first batch of graduates wearing the significant headgear. Oh, the song! For the first time ever, UIA introduced its official song entitled “Leading the Way”. I had goose bumps listening to the melodious, inspiring, Disney-like song. It reminded me of one of the songs in Hercules soundtrack, hehe.
Let’s lead the way
Enlighten the future
Share the wisdom
Through the spirit of Islam
Revelation and reason
We shall excel
We shall prevail
Merging faith and knowledge
We’re the Khalifah
We’ll fulfill the Amanah
Together
We make the world a better place
Forever
Expand the culture of Iqra’
IIUM is to realise
The meaning of Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin
For all mankind
(So who says UIA doesn’t have a song?)
8. The Conferment’s Symbolic Moment
The moment of truth was revealed when I was officially conferred a degree by the Hon. Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hj Hassan, the latest president of UIA. It was the moment that signified perseverance and conquest. And that was just the beginning for my next step towards doctoral studies. One thing for sure, this particular moment will definitely end up being framed and hanged nicely on the wall of my parents’ house, haha.
p.s. I can be contented for my birthday next week. I have got the precious gift already.
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oh bro dear bro .. COngratulaTiON!!
thanks kak lun. you have been part of the journey as well
Congrats cekmi! biasalah tu… parents will only attend our first convo. Luckily ada teman2 lain kan? Not bad juga new robe tu.. tp tetap suka kalau pakai songkok.. Hahaha..wish comes true, tetiba je uia ada lagu rasmi. hehehe..
Congrats Cekmi…
Teringat my graduation day…
zkea> too bad my parents were not there, but i had real fun with friends. ah, songkok and its sentiments hehe. and yes, i was really shocked when they played that song. it’s beautiful hihi.
anonymous> thanks. your graduation day must be as beautiful as mine
Salam,
Tahniah Cekmi. Saya singgah dari blog abang Fajar.
Jubah dan mortar board baru…mesti bau kedai lagi he!he!
Salam ramadhan.
cekmi congrats once again!!!berseri-seri muka cekmi bila dapat cert
.
cantik lah the new robe!my fav colour lak tu.
Cekmi,
a BIG congratulation!!
can’t wait to have mine. tp, macam lama lagi.
aliff> thanks. the jubah was so new i can’t believe i was wearing it for the first time. lucky first timer hehe. salam mubarak.
siti> thanks a lot. actually i dont really like turquoise. my fav is maroon, UTM’s corporate color, haha. btw, people look good in turquoise, rite?
fajar> thank you. well, lama is so relative. if you count by seconds, it looks so urgent. insyaAllah, your time will come
hej! hilmi…congrats again and wish you a blessed ramadhan el mubaraq and may you have a lot of blessings throughout the fasting month. happy 51st.national day too and may malaysia has a great future ahead…
ha’ahh.. muka cekmi berseri2 time convo.. hahaaa..
tahniah cekmi.. best best..
it has been a while i tak mai sini..congrats to u…it is the happiest moment kan? selepas perit jerih..bila phd nanti lagi awesome feeling…dengan izin Allah….amiiiinnnn…
Danial> thanks dear. may merdeka and ramadan bring better things in our lives.
laura> really? I guess i was too much overwhelmed hehe. thanks.
madam> of course. it was the best time in my life. insyaallah PhD is on its way
hmmm utm’s maroon pun not bad.but i still prefer turquoise. yup true to that,ppl look good in tuquoise. u also look good in ur turquoise robe
Hey congrats! It’s really cute reading about your excitement and happiness at final going for your convo, usually those around us would be the very excited ones and the graduants blase about it all (well maybe not most ppl, but I sure felt like that!) but it’s really heartwarming to see someone who so truly enjoys the ceremonial aspects of graduating
CongRatulaTion… hope you enjoy your job and yOur LifE..!!
siti> turquoise made me look good? i guess colors matter most to you, hehe
The 5 of Us> thanks. i truly enjoyed all those ceremonial details. i almost felt like a bridegroom haha
iin> hey thanks honey ;-D
salam.hye sir.congrats!!! tgh searching pictures for my friend assignment, ternmpak gmbr sir….u look diffrent than b4 ms sy blaja di IIC dulu..miss u soo much…heheh^_^ Anyway..congrats!!
keep smiling,coz ur smile reminds me when i was at iic
sir,how r u…….iic student