Today was a big day in the life books of Andrea G.
Not only did I realize that my Blog title had a long-standing typo (it's Pumice not Pummus), I officially graduated university (H BA) AND it's my birthday. The weekend was great, thanks to all my friends who are amazing and made 23 memorable.
This morning, I got my diploma. The service was at 9:30 am, but I had to arrive for a suggested time of 8am (which when my mother is in the picture is an actual arrival time of 7am). Getting there early was good though. I beat the line-ups and got my gown and Grimm reaper hood (what happened to mortar board caps?) and ran into, forethemostpart (ahem Claudia), everyone from the PWC program. It was boiling hot, and the dude that was trying to get us all into alphabetical order turned a housekeeping speech into his own personal (convoluted) stand-up act. He wasn't funny (but I did see one graduate snap a picture of him talking atop a table, so I guess he was a hit for some sweaty grads). The gowns weren't as hot as I expected. I thought I was going to be all perspiration with a p in small medieval convocation hall seats, but the room blasted the AC and all was good.
At the start of the programme, the doctors came out in their regalia. They had red, blue, yellow robes (some tri-coloured) with feathered hats and the whole elitist bit. I think David Naylor and Ian Orchard's gowns even had glitter on them. After we all got our diplomas (about a 2 hours service) the organ piped on with enthusiasm as the professors exited the hall (probably to play a game of dungeons and dragons in their regalia). The dramatic "garden of Eden" - like march that played for the professorial exit was hilarious. Too upbeat and jazzy for the atmosphere (cathedral like) and I thought the organ player was going to drop dead on his keys.
Stupid academic rituals aside, finally receiving my diploma was worth it. It's cool how my degree is dated on my birthday. Feels very full circle.
Tonight, another birthday eat...oh and, forza assurri (ha).
