Dejavu

My husband and I took some time off from the office to attend the graduation ceremonies of my bestfriend Phen at the PICC. She took nursing as her second course (we're graduates of BSCoE then) not because her Ate Tess is already a very successful nurse in Maryland but perhaps its her way of making much moolah in which her prior course failed her to do so.

I was the one who attended the rites because she's the only one left here in the Philippines; her mom and ate were already American citizens and are now living permanently in the US. I instantly became her guardian . =) As I sat on the parents' area, I felt very awkward seeing parents of the graduates 10-20 years older than I am. They might have thought I married young for our child to have graduated Nursing. Then while waiting for the ceremonies, looking at the plenary hall's chairs, lighting and design, I couldn't help but remember that it was exactly ten years ago I went to this place for my college graduation. The place looked the same 10 years ago that's why I did recall.

Graduation is full of excitement, triumph and sadness for the first timers. It was indeed as I saw so many students shed some tears during the inspirational talks and send-off messages from the topnotchers of the batch. But for Phen, it was no extraordinary thing since she'd already graduated before. Her graduation today was just ceremonial. She's just happy that it puts an end to crazy teachers with their head-wracking exams, an end to massive expenses on fees in school (I'm afraid I might not cope up with the expenses when Bea will be in college since Phen has been ranting about a lot fees being collected), and an end to seemingly endless projects, case studies, hospital duties and a lot more. My mom-in-law urged to me take nursing and pledge financial support but I gently refused since I knew Phen's struggles in taking the course for three years. I have a weak heart on hospital jobs and I'm not a good care giver. I pursued with my own passion instead which is photography.

Another batch of medical graduates. I was like one of them ten years ago. Looking back, it remind me of a quote from a spiderman movie -- We always have a choice. These choices make us who we are. I am what I am right now because of the choices I made ten years ago. There are some few regrets though but I'm happy with where I am right now.