He Graduated!

After three years in kindie, Irfan would be joining Year One next year, and the whole school knew it. Even the Principal came of to talk to Anita as she already knew of Idlan.

On the last day on kindergarten, the children were celebrated with a scroll-giving ceremony, with all its pomp. I actually managed to attend as I reshuffled my clinic schedule to start a bit later.

Irfan's graduation ceremony started at 8.30, and after the speeches, hey went straight for the scrolls. The show and singing came later, giving the opportunity for the working parents to slip out early.

Irfan with his scrollIt was fair to say that Idlan was boredThe event started with a procession, followed by speech by the School Chairman and the Principal. Next came the choir, before the children were introduced on stage. They lined up one by one, remembering to thank the Chairman and bowed. Those from Years One to Three were also there in the audience, meaning that Idlan was there to see his brother. The ceremony was done by 9.15, and I was already in the ward for the rounds by 9.45. Perfect timing.

Anita stayed for the Teachers and Parents meeting later.

Graduation

This morning, before attending the clinic, I went to Idlan school to attend his graduation. Well, kindergarten graduation. He wasn’t that excited initially, but not until he found out that he would be wearing a robe. We gathered at the school library to get them on. Fitted him smartly, with Irfan looking on from close by wondering what the fuss was all about.

Today was the last day of school for Seri Utama, and the last day for Idlan in kindergarten. Some of his friends, who had been with him for the last 3 years in kindie will be leaving for public school, so it was kind of a bitter sweet affair. Most of them was not able to continue because of school schedule. From next year, Idlan’s school times will start at 9 and finishes at 3.30 in the afternoon. We were lucky as Puan Anita will be her own boss and able to fit the time to fetch both Idlan and Irfan. We have also enrolled Idlan for Sekolah Ugama in the afternoon, 3 times a week from then on. I am sure, he will have his hands full.

Anita planned to join the rest of the parents for an impromptu gathering at a playground at Great Eastern Mall later in the afternoon. It will be the time for Idlan to say goodbye to his friends who will be leaving. A few will stay on however, and I am sure he will meet more friends.

Congratulations All Around

My view of the proceedings from today

Had the pleasure of attending the ceremony earlier. As usual I preferred to turn up after the ceremony starts. Perfect timing this time. Got inside just about the time Prof Ikram was about to start his speech. Grabbed the nearest seat to the exit, right in the middle, at the top of the stairs. Nestled in between the Faculty staffs, enough time to catch some gossips. If I come early, I might be asked to put on the pink gown!

Everything appeared to have run smoothly. No major hiccup, although they should have lined up the 'Cemerlang' recipient to up the stairs rather than having to wait for them to run down the hall to get up. Luckily there was no mishaps. Now! That would be unceremonious!

Oh before that, the oath! I am sure when Hippocrates was practicing, there is no such thing as promising to give just care to everybody regardless of their political affiliations and sexual orientation! I wonder whether it is a tambahan! We were then treated to some makan, while the graduates were having fun with a group photograph! During the tea, I went around to say my last goodbyes. The weather was getting dark outside, not really keen to get stuck.

Saw some of your families. The parents present were gracious enough to shake my hands. A father of one of a Perak student stopped when I was shaking his son's hand to congratulate asking whether I am graduating from UM or Ipoh. Now, that really made my day! The son then explained that I was one of his examiners from last week, and said that I was kind during the questioning.

Some of you were clearly saddened that their parents were unable to attend. One of you even told me that his parents are no longer around. That took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting that answer. Some of you sounded like planning to stay a bit longer in KL before going home.

Maybe the next time we meet, it will be during your Graduation Ceremony proper. Good luck and enjoy the next few weeks before your Housemanship starts. Sorry if my entry tonight is rather stop and start. I am actually listening to a Myeloma Debate online live from Vienna. Streamyx died tonight, maybe due to the by-elections tonight. Had to use my mobile as a tethered. Streaming was choppy, but at least I can read the slides still. Another distraction is my favourite ice-cream, Haagen-Dasz Coffee! *hint* if you plan to belanja me some ice-cream, the cheap one tak main! I can finish the tub in one sitting, especially when ManYoo is playing! Yummy!

Update on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 11:20PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Hot off the press. Pakatan Rakyat secured the two hills while BN has to make do with a river!

The Journey Starts Today

Heard that some of you have finished packing your stuffs. I'm sure you can't wait to get away. Or maybe some of you were still tired, being woken up by the fogging at 7.30 this morning having only hit the bed at 5am. All of you are still manic from the experience, and the mania won't stop for another 2 weeks, well at least it took me that long to pass off mine.

I am on leave today, so had time to wake up with my two boys. Idlan is on leave for a week, so I got the Wii set up for him. We were playing Mario Kart just now, he and his Luigi, and me of course with Toad. Then I had the time to look into the blogs and Facebook. Struck me that there were not that many Lecturers turning up last night. The two I expected to come were Vivek and KS Lim (the real KS Lim, not the Chris KS Lim loh!). You guys should have call them and paksa them to come. I think the main difference between the UM and the Perak graduate was their clinical skills. I am sure it has a lot to do with the better access to patients during the weeks leading up to the exam. I am sure it was also due to the dedications of these group of lecturers staying back late to take you through some of these cases.

I took today's leave because I wanted to see you off during the mini-graduation. I did not plan to attend last night. In fact it was my Badminton night. Took real sacrifice to miss that! I will try to find where the graduation is later and say my goodbyes. You should ring the other lecturers who have helped you along to come as well. Call them. It is still not too late.