Yesterday was my university graduation. I didn't go.
Well, I went for a friend's graduation dinner, but I had absolutely no interest in participating in the convocation and ceremonies myself. I'd pay for a cheap gown and silly looking hat with a dumb tassel thing, waste hours listening to naïve overachievers who think this is their pivotal moment to make a mark in the world, and be bothered to take a picture by every insignificant landmark and in all conceivable combination of poses.
So I'm worried – did I miss something or am I actually becoming cynical?
And yet, while walking amidst those graduates, their hoods twisting around their necks in the wind, parents in tow wildly yielding the consumer-grade pocket camcorders, I couldn't help but smile. I spent an enjoyable day at work, ate a cup of noodles for lunch, and called my local audio store to ask some questions. It was a day in which I was comfortable and content with my successes and continue to look forward to exciting things in my future. Yet, it was no ordinary day.
Besides, rather than making my parents take the long drive from California and expend money and energy dealing with this out of the ordinary situation, I can fly home to them, my baby nephew, and other family members for Easter weekend, something I've missed for the last five years thanks to being consumed by university life.
Even today, when I think about missing my graduation, I still smile. :-)
