Graduation 2012...it's about time!

"The future belongs to those who beleive in the beauty of thir dreams"

"The distance of the road to success becomes shorter as soon as you take the first step"

So the day I have been waiting for since I transferred to the University of Lethbridge finally became official when I received my “official” letter from the University stating that I had met all of my requirements in order to finish my Undergrad. Now I knew I had met them all before this letter after all of my final marks were posted, and after constantly checking my program planning guide I knew I was going to Grad. However, there is just something about receiving an official letter in the mail with the Dean’s messy chicken scratch signature at the bottom on the letter.

“You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”
- Tom Brokaw

So May 23, 2012 upon arriving home after spending May long weekend in Calgary I found the letter on the table, this was not as a dramatic revealing as checking my final grades. As I tore open the envelope I sense of joy overcame me, it was “Officially Official” I was done!

The day before my graduation in the evening I had a ring ceremony to go too. My family had decided to all go in together to get me one big graduation gift and that gift was the ‘Fait Lux’ Alumni ring only available for UofL graduates. My friend Hilary accompanied me to the ceremony while the rest of the family was getting settled.

The ceremony was short and sweet and in the end I received my ring, from there we headed back to the townhome to show the family. I couldn’t of asked for a better gift, its perfect.

The beautiful ring that my family bought together for me as a graduation gift.

May 30, 2012 the day that I had been counting down to for the past few months had finally come. Everything was in order (for the most part) for what I was hoping would be a great day. The majority of my family had arrived the day(s) before and were already settled. I however did not sleep a wink, the night before Sarah, Hilary and I decided to have our own little ‘party’ while doing my hair.

It was fun. That night I don’t think I went to bed until after 1am and I was wide wake at 5am. I couldn’t sleep, be it from the developing cold or excitement, regardless of the cause I knew that it was going to be a long day.

I arrived at the school shortly before 0730 and headed down to the Atrium and stood in line waiting for my step by step instructions on what I needed to do in order to be properly ready. Upon receiving my cap and gown and my degree I found my “spot area” and waited; I was # 334. Luckily for me a few of my friends were also in the area so we all just chilled and waited for what felt like forever. One of our History professors Sheila McManus also joined us for a bit before departing for having to get ready. We came to the conclusion that it was not fair that the professors didn’t have to be there till 0845.

Why I decided to wait 3 hours after this is beyond me...I should've just left

Just before 0930 we finally made out way up to the First Choice Savings Centre where the ceremony was taking place.  The “final journey” as most graduates call it is the symbolism of having to walk up the long hill that connects the two buildings together, however on this day it was starting to rain a bit and therefore we did not get to have that last symbolic memory. Does this mean that we are not true graduates of the University of Lethbridge? For not having done that last walk do we not share the same symbolic memory as past and future graduates?

 I think I have put too much thinking into this….the walk we did was just a long and the only difference is that we walked up the tunnel inside rather than outside…regardless of location it was still the last walk that I would do as student at the University that clearly has changed my life.

Walking into the gym

My nerves in a way started to get the best of me as we made our way into the gym looking for family and friends; heads were turning in every which direction. I finally spotted my family when I saw my sister in law Sarah waving her hands, it probably hadn’t sunk in until that moment when I realized that those people in the stands cheering me on were the ones who have supported me through this journey of mine. Through my ups and downs there they stood, always encouraging me to do my best, helping me through my failures; and it was in that moment when I saw my ever supporting family that a single tear slid down the side of my cheek, for had it not been for them I would not have made it to this moment; one of the most important moments of my life.

My graduation journey would continue from there as I sat and waited for 2.5 hours before it was finally my turn to stand up and make my way to the stage. I continued to take small deep breaths as I inched my way closer to THE SPOT.

My hands were somewhat trembling as I handed off my certificate for my name to be called…and then it was “Graduating with Bachelor of Arts Monica Robinson.” The moment I had been waiting for since I decided to attend post secondary school was here; I received my certificate back and made my way across stage with a smile on my face. “I finally did it” I said to myself.

I took a quick glance up towards my family cheering me on for all my of my accomplishments, tears of joy tried to make their way through and had they done so most people would understand and as I got towards the end of the stage there stood my professor Sheila McManus; a women of such integrity, generosity, and encouragement…the list could go on. She has stood not only by my side but many of my fellow History graduates throughout the years, always encouraging us to move forward, striving to do our best when she knew we could. I give Sheila all the credit in the world for helping me find my passion for writing Historiography papers!! Some people hated them whereas I thrived when writing one….Grad School?? Maybe… I was so happy to tell her that my final University paper that I would ever write was in fact a Historiography which in turn I received an awesome mark.  After giving Sheila once last hug I slowly made my way back to my seat, the moment that I had waited for was almost done.

Within a few moments the Chancellor asked all the graduates to rise from their seats and said, “I now ask our graduates to move the tassel to the left hand side this signifies the change in your status from graduond to Graduated. Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in congratulating the class of 2012.” and as the entire graduating class did so a huge eruption came from the crowd, cheers and rounds of applause was heard.

My niece congratulating me after the Convocation

http://www.uleth.ca/convocation/ is the link if you are interested in watching the ceremony online via itunes. It is free and you can fast forward to the interesting parts like my name being called…skip to about -29 minutes.  Side note: As I am walking across stage I can totally hear Uncle Brian cheering, it made me laugh.

"I hope your dream take you...to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known"

In front of The Historical Undergraduate Society mural at the University.
A current member with possibly a future member.

All the hype of graduation seemed to have taken forever, however was over within a few moments. After convocation I headed up the stairs where I was met by my mom and Uncle Les.  We headed outside the gym where the rest of the family was waiting. I couldn’t have been happier that they were all there for me. From there we did a few pictures but soon headed back to the townhome for lunch before heading to Nicholas Sheran Park for family pictures.

My 2 older  brothers and I, Michael and James

My friend Hilary and I

"Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves"

With my Mom, Uncle Les, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Carol

My brother James and his girlfriend Sarah with thier 2 girls, and our Mom

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"

The day only continued after pictures as we made our way back to my house for dinner, Mom had bought a graduation cake (this time without a face on it). It was nice to be able to relax and spend time with family; I think it was something we all needed after this long journey. At the end of the day graduation was finally over. One journey was behind me while I am sure another awaits. I was so thankful that my famiy would make it down to share this special day with me. It was a path that was accomplished, and it would not have been done so had it not been for the support of friends and family.

I am officially a graduate from the University of Lethbridge, Class of 2012.

"Go confindently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined"