My graduating race.

It has indeed been long. And who say the length of time is measured by the amount of earthly revolutions? The thrust of time goes beyond the ticking of clock, it's phenomenal. And by this, I refer to the sensory experience.

On an early Sunday morning on the 8th July 2007, I attended my commencement ceremony. And what an appropiate irony to be commenced upon one's graduation. So after years of counting down, I've eventually run out of numbers. Should I say I'm glad to be?

I recall a little girl twirling around on a dining stool...

"Mummy, how many years do I have to study after I leave Primary School?"

4 or 5 came the reply. And out stretched the puny fingers...

"ooh, that's another 6years.."

"Then how long do I study after secondary school?"

2 if u go JC, and 3 if u go poly.

"I wanna go University!"

That's another 4 to the number game.

Despite running out of fingers, the little girl was absurdly optimistic of the remaining years. With 12 more years of education lying ahead, she was arrogantly confident of her eminent future.

With an air of glee, she told her sis,
"When I'm in my 4th yr of Uni, you'll be in ur 1st yr and we can go school together!"

With that, she started another round of fingers-counting with smug assurrance. And year after year, the girl relentlessly indulged in her game of fingers & numbers.

Yet with the mark of her commencement, her game ended with near perfection. There was no blast of that of a great countdown party, nor was there derived exhilaration or ecstatic tears. Dressed in that covetable black-weighted gown, coupled with that highly-esteemed though oddly-fitted hat, I was a little disappointed with my steady composure. Surely, my years of anticipation amounts to a greater gratification than that of pure contentment. Walking across the stage was a literal walk towards the end of my academic pursuit. And as I received my empty scroll from a god-knows dean, the event itself was momentous. But quite beyond my expectation, I was simply contented.

Having fuflfilled my major responsibility as a student, a daughter and towards a personal calling... I am indeed gratified at my own accomplishment. But like a marathon runner who gritted through the race, the feeling at the end inclined towards a tinge of numbness, relief & perhaps a fainting pleasure of emptiness. It was indeed an enduring race.

For once, I realized the difference between a sprinter & a long-distance runner. And that is to look back and proclaimed, "Hey, I actually finished my race."

Now that I'm taking off my running tag & walking away from my marathon track, I'm deeply touched by the undying love & support from my spectators.
Thank you Papa. Thank you Mummy.
I'm more than happy to make you proud of me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And oh! By the way, I'm moving.
For I'm starting a new page for yet another phenomenal race =)

In a personal celebration of my commencement, all posts shall be published and this final one is my 365th since 15th September 2003.

What can I say?
But simply a joyous conclusion.