The End’s Not Near, It’s Here

If you were to ask me how I feel having just graduated, I would just respond with an answer not that much different from the feelings I’ve had the past few weeks. Obviously I’m relieved it’s all over, but I feel a sense that nothing has really changed yet. These feelings are likely to evolve as I go home in two weeks to face the perpetual challenge of looking for a job and ultimately a future.

To sum things up, I woke up at roughly 5:30, highly anticipating the arrival of two of my siblings (Annie and Jenny), and Nam. They brought me my dress clothes and appropriate dress shoes as we all got ready for what would be a very long day. We began heading out around 6:40, so that I could eventually reach Rimac Annex around roughly 7:10 AM. While there, I said hello to my floormates from freshman year, saying hi and taking pictures. It was wonderful seeing all of us in one place again: me, Jordan, Leah, Brittney, Alexis, Leandro, John Torres, Austin, & Victor. I wanted to sit by them, but they all rushed off while I was still waiting for my friend Pam. While waiting I talked to Henry, Clifford, Martina, and Michael. In consideration of my other friends and how late she was, I just started heading inside at roughly 7:35, to finally meet her 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. I then sat with Pam and Julia – we took pictures during the ceremony and didn’t actually pay much attention.

All I know is I thought Chancellor Fox’s speech was extremely awkward (“And let’s not forget about the people without dads now….”), and Kristina Pham’s speech was delightful. I sat in the second row, so appropriately enough I was one of the first few names to be called (as I got confused walking up the actual podium).

Eventually, with the ceremony over, I reunited with my family to take pictures. Tran and Calvin came bringing me flowers, and then I appropriately enough took pictures with as many people as I could [that I came in contact with]: Jessica, Sheng, Henry, Clifford, Katherine, Julia, Alex (who surprised me with a card), Rosario, Victoria Payne, Solomon, Ryan, Victor, Tyler, Adam Powers, Alyssa Wing, Jade, Eric, Michelle, Louise, & Jenny Yan. I’m disappointed so many people left so early before I got a chance to take a picture with them (including Howard), but oh well.

Afterwards my family went to Phuong Trang, a Vietnamese restaurant. I really didn’t want to make my parents eat Phil’s, because I know they’d end up complaining (they really don’t like American food all too much). We shared a lunch family style as we continued gossiping to one another about everything going on in each others’ lives. There were awkward silences of course though. We then went to Balboa Park to walk around, examine plants and the scenery, and ultimately take pictures, before they all dropped me back home at my place.

By the time I left, I was officially a graduate. And yet, my whole life has yet to change beyond my eyes. Maybe in 2 weeks, or maybe sooner I will discover the realization that everything has completely changed (a new paradigm and chapter yet to began in my life [for the better]).