I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. With my hectic schedule, obviously, I had to shuffle work commitments to liberate myself to attend this important event. In fact when Faris informed me of the date – 6th October 2010, I was somewhat relieved that it clashed with only one of my deadlines. (But had to miss two important events held on the same day – one was a talk on content development and the other was an event at National Planetarium. Tak pe lah…FAMILY comes FIRST. No two things about that.)
It was manageable. Like I said, I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world; be my son’s graduation ceremony, I MUST!!
Unfortunately, that morning I woke up with a lingering headache. The previous day’s irresponsible act of skipping meals has come to claim its brunt on me. Yikesss….yikesss…
I washed down two aspirins at breakfast. My head felt slightly lighter when the medication took effect. But I knew if I wasn’t careful, the headache may just develop into something much, much worst. And I definitely didn’t want that to happen, not today. I wished I could rest for a while before the drive to PICC, but there was still quiet a bit to be done.
Faris left early for PICC that morning. He said there were still some final preparations on the graduation ceremony that he needed to attend to. I did one last check on his baju melayu and samping (must thank Datin Mamasita for her referral on this helpful samping guy in KT. Chose Faris’ samping via MMS, paid online and the package arrived the next day; all in a day’s transaction!! Fast and convenient) and off he went after that. We couldn’t take the girls with us either coz Farah still had her SPM trials at school and Nissa was on for “ASTRO’s Waktu Rehat” audition later that afternoon. Ohhh….it was just the two of us lah nampak nya…..
Roses for the graduate
We left for PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre) slightly past noon. In the invite it was written that we were to be seated 10 mins before the ceremony starts which was at 2pm. Abe asked if I wanted to drive, I said, “No, you take the wheels.” I usually didn’t mind being the supir but that day, I just wanted to sit back and relax (hah…the real truth is…I was so anxious and such a nervous wreck and so not wanting Abe to notice the emotional build up).
Parking at PICC was somewhat a horror. The whole place was already packed with cars. The security personnel directed us to park along the road leading up to the convention centre. Ohhh…menapak la pulak under the blazing sun!!! What a test and minutes later I felt my head spin. Yikes….yikes….the headache was back…grr.
For those who have not been to PICC, well, let me warn you that the place is huge!!! And be prepared to walk and ride the escalators all the way up to the top. Our first stop was the surau for Zuhor prayers (ambil wuduk siap-siap from home tu….coz takut tak sempat nak re-apply make up…vain, vain, vain…caya tak??) Abe then managed to locate Faris and informed him of our whereabouts. He came to meet us up after that, all dressed in his black baju melayu and graduation robe. I couldn't believe what I was seeing – watching this handsome young man stride towards us, all so grown up and looking very smart in his graduation attire. I tried to hold back my tears, but I just couldn’t (and heck with my make up….)
As he walked passed us, it brought lump to the throat as I recall memories of his first baby steps, first words, first triple somersaults into the pool, first camping trip....and many other first moments.
Standing in front of me, was my baby whose little hands I held not so many years ago, walking to kindergarten on his first day of school. I recall us walking into the classroom and he just stood there, shy at first but then the teacher came over and introduced him to the others kids and he went off to play. I remember his first school concert where he danced joget with another girl at school. I remember his first piano recital where I helped him compose a short tune and him playing it in front of other parents and students in the class. I was a nervous wreck too then and dared not breathe till he finished playing.
There was like a deck of You Tube recollection on Faris’ accomplishments, his ups and downs in school and college and his challenges growing up during his teenage days under the watchful eyes of Mama and Daddy, playing in my mind in that split second.
No 31 in the list of recipients - Diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology (Process) - that's Faris!!
I tried to hold back my stream of tears, but I just couldn’t (and make up almost gone….) and to make matters worst, I HAD NO KLENEX stuffed in my handbag (tu lah…tukar handbag lima kali lagi before settling with the final one…kena sumpah dgn bags yg tak dipilih untuk di pakai tu kot..)
Anyway, my emotions was more settled when we were finally seated in the ceremonial Plenary Hall. To kill time (coz it was quite a wait till the parade of the graduates), I was fb-casting via BB. Yeah…the whole world was able to follow Faris’ convocation ceremony via FB. My sincerest appreciation to all who have kept me company the entire afternoon be it on FB and BBM. Your kind words and encouragement have helped calm this Mommy’s dup dap dup dap heart.
During intermission, UniKL choir entertained us with their rendition of Faisal Tahir's Sampai Syurga.
Faris and friends
Senior and Junior
The 7th Convocation Ceremony of University Kuala Lumpur was graced by YB Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh, Chairman of MARA, who is also UniKL’s Pro-Chancellor II. The two day ceremony saw 3,193 graduates receiving their respective Degrees, Diplomas and Professional Certificates. I must say it’s an applaudable accomplishment for a relatively new university.
Indeed, the ceremony was each parent’s proud moments witnessing fruits of labor, paid off from the sweat and tears of the children as they walked up the stage to collect their scrolls. Each move by the young men & ladies prompted a medley of emotions - pride, relief, elation and ambivalence. Our greatest syukur to Allah swt for his grace on us, allowing us to be part of these prestigious moments.
To Faris....We know that you will go far in this life, you deserve the best this world can give you and we know that you will get it. This day marked the start of your discovery of the world on your own, please know that we'll be with you no matter where you go and that we'll be there anytime and anywhere you may need us.
Loves,
Mama & Daddy
