So, the Graduation is over, the fanfare has subsided and the audience is stilled. I've almost done everything which I had to accomplish and only a few friends are left to be contacted today. Yesterday was really quite hectic, but in terms of holidays, that has been the persistant theme. I woke up early to get ready, and since I did not know where I was going to be staying that night I also had to pack my bags. Getting ready was fairly fast, even the oh so rare application of makeup taking only a few minutes. I bundled my bags into the downstairs laundry and headed into the city for my doctors appointment, that took a little longer than expected, but I was able to renew my prescription and have some blood taken for testing. By the time I had taken care of all that, it was about 11:30 am and so I walked back to the University Union to pick up my Academic dress. As I was sorting that out, Mum rang on my mobile to let me know that they had arrived. We met up across from Llewellyn Hall and I was a bit flustered after the walk in the bright Winter sun in several layers of black clothing. Once everything was sorted out and I had some time to sit down, things were better. We picked up my bags, had a bite to eat and then since I had to be at the Hall at 1 pm, I left Mum and Dad to meet up with Peta (B) and Bridget.
The ceremony itself was fairly unexciting, the sheer number of students graduating turning it into a production line, nevertheless towards the end, in amongst the mill of PhD Gradutaes, there was my 30 seconds of fame on stage. Perhaps the conferring it in itself was not worth the justification of flying halfway across the world, but the smiles of my friends and family certainly made it special. After all was said and done, we gathered outside and took numerous photos and chatted away. I thanked Bridget and Peta for coming and spent some time with my parents, they found me a hotel to stay at and I rested.
Later that evening, Jules and Susan called and I got ready to head out for a drink or two with them. I had been lucky enough to get photos with them earlier in the day which I am looking forward to seeing. We made it to a cafe in Civic where I had a "Honeyed Nuts" cocktail and a "Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster", the latter of which had approximately 5 shots of spirits in it and contributed greatly to my inane smile then and my subsequent hangover this morning. We went back to S&J's place and hung out talking, a rememberance of why I miss them so much. About 12:40 am they dropped me back at the hotel and after a few longing hugs, I made it home. The cocktails certainly contributed to a few minutes of amorous chats on the telephone with a certain girlfriend whom I am looking forward to seeing in very short order.
Today will include shopping for souvenirs, coffee with Szusza and then Maddy, and probably an early night in preparation for the flights tomorrow.