Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Graduate :)

My schooling began unceremoniously. I remember my first official day. It wasn't exactly my first day. My mother worked in that school, so I ended up doing my kindergarten year twice before I was eligible to start. It didn't feel like my first day of school because I'd been going to school unofficially for ages.

That class-room had hexagonal tables, mini-chairs and colourful walls. The windows were large and let in the little sun-light that was available. By the class-room door were hangers on the walls supporting kid-sized rain-coats, and a shelf with extra sets of neatly-folded uniform. I secretly dreamed of the day I'd get to wear one of them, but that day never came. There was a corner with a sink, and a stool to help us reach the tap. I was always looking for excuses to wash my hands ("Oh, I had to use my rubber, Miss", "I sharpened a pencil", "I touched the carpet strings") because for some reason it was so exciting stepping on to that stool and using the pink liquid soap. Then there was the Reading Corner- a cosy, carpeted area surrounded by low book-shelves, where I spent many hours of my un-official school years napping and flipping through picture-books.

The day I started my "real" kindergarten year, I strolled around the class, feeling in control while kids poured in wailing and clutching their mothers. I finally chose to sit at a table opposite a chocolate-skinned girl with big cheeks and shoulder-length straight hair. She interested me because she was weeping silently like adults do, and she had her hands covering her eyes but I could notice her peeking at me through the fingers. I remember staring at her unashamedly for the rest of the day until we talked. Her name was Ada, and she's a mother to a two-year-old son now, which is both awesome and daunting.

Now I'm done with my university years and it feels like my schooling has ended as unceremoniously as it began. I've spent enough time lamenting the fact that time passes and people have no choice but to grow up. A part of me will always continue to yearn the past. I can't help that.

But I'm looking forward to what's next. I don't have a plan and I don't know exactly what it is I want or where I'd like to land. I do know that the schooling I've spent my whole life at has left me with a load of facts, feelings and precious lessons, and armed with that, whatever I do, I will do it as best as I can. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around me. Cherish my friends, stay true to my principles, live passionately and fully and well. 


22 comments:

  1. That's making me feel oh-so-nostalgic *sniff sniff*
    I've got an year more to go till my Bachelors end but I'm feeling the sadness kicking in already , despite the fact I haven't really 'fit in' with people here even yet. I guess its natural to become attached to anywhere you've spent time at.
    And yeah, thumb's up with changing the 'bit around you'! (reminds me of an electrical speak joke on bits: 0/1 lol)

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  2. Congratulations on graduating! I don't remember my first day as well, only the aroma of my kindergarten (strange?). I went back a few years back to pick up my younger sibling who studies there now and the aroma was still the same. :)

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  3. CONGRATS on making out of it alive! :P

    I loved how you wound up your post with that last sentence, especially the "changing the bit around me" part. Follow your dreams :)

    And I have an award for you at my blog!

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  4. Your post totally reminded me of my pre school/elementary school years :')
    All the very best for the next step! :D

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  5. Super Congratulations . . There is Always More . . .
    love & love,
    -g-

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  6. Those were the days...and I remember feeling overwhelmed with everything going on around me on my first day at school but sigh...we grow up.
    And yeah,Congratulations!:)

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can't believe you are now a graduate! Not that I doubted for a second your intellectual abilities, but it's just that you're my friend's younger sister. You were in school when we were in university and oh God I feel old!

    I am so happy for you! <3
    I think I'm going to cry a little.

    And btw, I TOTALLY understand the need to use the sink and pink liquid soap. I remember our KG classroom had an attached bathroom that was so clean and shiny. You had to climb a few steps to reach the counter where the sink was and you could see yourself in the HUGE mirrors while washing your hands. I was so proud that I didn't need the assistant's help to go to the washroom like some of the other kids did. Every time the teacher would ask if anyone would need to use the washroom my hand would shoot up, not because I always needed to, but because I liked being in that shiny massive super clean attached washroom.

    That was probably the last time I witnessed such a clean washroom in my school. Life moved on. I grew up. We didn't have the privileges of attached washrooms and apparently the older you grow, the more messy and disgusting people become! Yuck!

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  8. I can't believe you can remember so much of kindergarten! I remember bits and pieces (really weird bits and pieces, at that o.o ), but not a single complete day. Wow. And people tell me, when I'm at high school, that it's amazing that I can remember what little I do of kindergarten.

    You're amazing x)

    And gosh, those last two paragraphs really sum up my feelings, though I'm still in the nervous stage :/

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  9. Congratulations on your graduation! That is great!!! Good luck on deciding your next steps :)

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  10. "....extra sets of neatly-folded uniform. I secretly dreamed of the day I'd get to wear one of them, but that day never came" Well done for never peeing in yourself? :P

    And wooo congrats!! Have you had your ceremony?? Exciting!!

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  11. The thing I miss most about being in Kindergarden was nap time. It would be nice to have that now at work :(

    Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

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  12. A big landmark of life! Best wishes and make wise decisions!

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  13. Congratulations! Are you working soon? Hope you enjoy whatever job you plan to have in the future :)

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  14. Congratulations ! Wow ! this is wonderful. I wish you all the best for your future endeavors.

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  15. Heartiest congratulations to you, Ghadeer! I hope you accomplish what you aim to do! Also, I hope I get to read a wonderful novel or poetry book written by you. :3

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  16. I just recently graduated myself. Congratulations! I too sometimes look back and wish I could just go back to simpler times, but alas, we must grow up. Here's to the future! :)

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  17. Congrats 7yati and good luck with everything. I'm grateful that I met you (& became friends) even if it was in your last year :P

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  18. Congrats! :D
    And good luck with your future. :)

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  19. Congrats :)

    My first graduation was .. not exciting, but it felt like something you know (3 years will do that to ya) but that feeling only lasted a few days and the rest were meh. Second graduation even more meh .. but now that everyone seems to be starting real adult lives, I'm kind of freaking out :O

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  20. Congrats. :)
    Growing up remains something we dread for till it actually happens!

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