It started around 6:40am when I finally decided to leave the house (but not without stopping at BK for some breakfast....LOL), so around 6:45am I was on the road to the PNC BANK ARTS CENTER. I wanted to leave as early as possible anticipating traffic. I've been to the arena for concerts so I know that traffic can be heavy at the exit. It also looked like it was going to rain, but luckily it cleared up and the sun came out.
Well I hit no traffic going to PNC until of course I got off the exit and all the cars were going to the parking lot. I got there around 7:30 so I still had plenty of time, but I was started feeling nervous again because of all the traffic and I wanted to make sure I got there on time. They wanted us to be there no later than 8:00am and we were to start lining up at 8:30am.
When I got there, I was going to change into my cap and gown in that little tent they had but I decided to change into it once I got out of my car as I saw other people were doing the same thing, and it made more sense to me anyway. This way, I can leave the plastic bag that I had the cap and gown hanging in inside my car along with my purse. By the time the workers directed me to which parking lot to use, it was pretty close to 8:00 so I started walking up. Yep, it took about 1/2 hour to get a decent parking spot! See why I left early? LOL!
Everyone was outside waiting to be called to line up - there were so many students graduating and I did not see anyone that I knew, so naturally I felt a little nervous since I hate crowds unless I'm with someone I know; but I waited - I called my mom twice to make sure that she had left and I text my friend who has never been to the arena and made sure he knew what to expect.
Finally the guy on the blowhorn (I think that's what it's called) said "Attention graduates, please start lining up by college" or something like that. This was it, folks! When I got inside, I saw people holding signs and I was to stand behind the person with a sign; so I saw one of the marshalls with a "music" sign and I asked her if this was the place to line up for music. Apparently, I was the first music major she saw and she gave me the sign to hold....LOL! It was just as well because the sun was beating down, so I used the sign as a sunvisor. I also ended up talking to this really nice girl who was the only Art History Major from Brazil.
At first, I thought I was the only music major graduating, but then two other people showed up and they told me that there were two more inside who are performing; so we had five music majors graduating (three of us were music BA and the other two were Music Education). I also saw someone else that I knew was graduating from my ceramics class. We both hugged and congratulated each other. She was graduating with a nursing degree.
It took about another hour for all of us to start walking inside to the arena (School of Visual and Performing Arts were, naturally, last). It was really weird, but in a good way. All the times that I've been to PNC was for concerts. This time, we're the main attraction - the class of 2008. I almost started crying when I saw everyone clapping, cheering, and saying congratulations to all of us as we were walking. I felt nervous again because I am not used to this kind of attention, but it was all good. Dr. Terenzi, Dr. Halper, Dr. Chen, and Dr. Schraer were all on hand to shake our hands (the music majors) and wishing us congratulations. All of which were my professors. In the midst of everything, it wasn't until I sat down inside that I realized I forgot to look for Professor Jappie Kent-Black, who was my weaving teacher. She said she was going to be there. Sorry professor, but I had fun in your class! LOL!
The cermony lasted about three hours. We all stood up together by college and major. It was really cool, and then we flipped our tassles from the right to the left - making us official alumis. When that was over, if anyone who wanted to be called individually to walk up and get their diploma covers, they were to remain seated. I decided to stay for the second half. Half of my family decided to leave because we had reservations at a resturant at 2:00, but the other half stayed to watch me get my diploma cover and alumni sunglasses....LOL! Yes, I forgot to mention that the Alumi Association were giving out sunglasses. My co-worker was at the ceromony and she saw me. She didn't stay for the second half, but she said she felt envious and I told her that I felt the same way when I saw other people graduating and I still had yet to graduate, but she was happy for me as I was for those who graduated before me. :)
Luckily, the School of Visual and Performing Arts (which is where us Music Majors were in) were called second, so I didn't have to wait long. Let me just say one thing, the stairs going up to the stage are very steep....sheesh! LOL! Man, I had to be careful walking down them. Heck, I had to be careful walking up them. When I went up on that stage and got my diploma cover, it was a really great feeling. I finally, FINALLY did it after so many years. I am telling you, for those of you who are thinking about going back to school, it's TOTALLY WORTH IT in the end! I don't have to concern myself with classes, finals, mid-terms, projects, nothing. It's great! Thank you for all of the years, Kean University!
Oh, there were 2180 of us and out of the 2180, there were only five music majors. Can you believe that? Wow!
