January 08, 2009, 10 in the morning, was a very exciting, memorable and what I would like to consider a “rites of passage” day for the whole family. It was Razan’s graduation ceremony.
The first daughter in the family has finished the second most important phase of her life and has gotten her Bachelor in Business Administration. My parents are very proud and so am I.
As much as you talk about a graduation ceremony, its actual importance and excitement can only be described and truly felt when you attend a graduation ceremony for a member of your own family or a close person.
I feel very fortunate and glad to have been able to be with Razan before and after the ceremony, sharing with her all the feelings that accompanied that day. I still remember her telling me how nervous she was, while putting on the gown before going in the hall; I just had a smile on my face. This is definitely not something you get the chance to do often at all. It took 4 years to get there :)
With my parents having to leave to the U.S. just before the graduation, my paternal uncle, was kind enough to come from Kuwait to attend the ceremony. And so it was him and I.
Luckily, however, a Sharjah TV broadcasts live the graduation ceremony every year and does a repeat. Thanks for today’s technology my parents were able to get the channel by connecting to the satellite and watched it on the computer.
The graduation ceremony takes places at the University Hall. As we entered the building, it was stimulating seeing all the graduates rushing to put on their gowns and full of enthusiasm. The noise was a buzz of excitement and euphoria for all. Getting into the hall you see and feel the other side of this excitement, the anticipation of parents and close friends of the graduates. It was a shared feeling for everyone there. I got a tingling feeling throughout my body and goose bumps once I got in. Everything looked so grand and eloquent. The hall is nicely decorated with mahogany red/maroon and just enough gold, giving it an articulate look and feel. The decorative patterns are not too composite making it simply appealing, and the classical music playing in the background, as always, never fails in enforcing the feeling and observance of grandeur.
I teared when I got in. I just knew how much it would mean for mum to have been there, it is like a dream come true for her. She has worked so hard to ensure that this day would come for Razan and now it has and she wasn’t there to witness it. For all that matters, I was thankful for being there.
As you can tell it has been a while since the ceremony, but I just about got the time and chance to go through all the pictures and videos I took. I kept clicking, nonstop, every time trying to get a closer zoom or a better angle from where I was at. So here are the best ones I took, according to my own judgment :p Do enjoy them! I took them all :) you can see how everyone is just so happy and Razan looks beautiful!
2 comments:
Aww, Rama, you're a spectacular sister. Not that I'd trade Jen or Beth away, not at all, but I wish you were one of my family members :P
Your description is wonderful and with the pictures I can imagine what it was like; it's much different from a high school graduation, more noble and earned. Razan looks great in her robe - the picture of her with the wind in her hair is perfect.
Oh. And Professor Dwight with those sunglasses he's wearing looks like a complete badass. He makes any picture at least twice as awesome :D
Rama darling sis! You're an amazing sister with such a big heart although you don't tend to show it much;) I almost teared up when I read your post and soon enough you will graduate too from IOWA not AUS;) lol. and we shall be very very proud of you. you are such a hard worker and you really really deserve the best in life. Love you endlessly.
Brian, thanks for your comments, and yes rama is a prize to anyone that could win her heart. and yes dr.dwight is kickass!! Best jazz pianist and music professor:P
cheers!
Razan
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