Obligatory Graduation Post

So graduation happened yesterday.  Went to a meeting for the speaking party (I don't have to say but of course 'nav didn't even show, how lazy of him).  Started off listen to Mrs. Berry’s amazing rap (some sick rhymes in there).  After that, we were lead around the school by the teachers.  The fun thing about being in the front was I could hear the teachers discuss everything.  Made me realize this whole event is meticulous planned and doesn’t just come together, no matter what movies make you believe.  The walk was fun, only saw my name once, but it is probably hiding somewhere else.  

Moved on to the field.  The whole time I was trying to psych out Abhinav, but we both had the same mentality: we just wanted that diploma.  There weren’t any poignant moments, just a waiting game.  We both went up to speak, and I honestly can’t remember what I did up there.  I remember walking up, I know I did speak but I can’t remember it, and then getting my medal.  Strange how that part is blocked out of my memory.  Rest of the ceremony was whatever, didn’t really care except the music.  Afterwards I realized that I was obligated to socialize, so I walked up to random people and shook their hands.  Had a nice chat with Amber while I got my diploma, and left with swag (‘nav’s family got me a UVA cap, tag was still on).  

Reflection ehh… The stereotypical answer is I’m sad to leave sherando and all that crap.  In reality, I spent half of my day at Sherando since I go to gov school.  I don’t have connections with the school as a whole, just the individuals.  Like on the last day of school, I went to Dr. Saylor’s room for last block.  She was the bulk of my Sherando experience for junior year, so it was nice to see her on the last day.  Sherando was a stage of my life, enough said.  

What I have really been thinking about is when the idea of graduation hit me.  What do I mean by “hit me”?  For some reason, it is supposed to be a sudden realization, but it wasn’t.  Maybe because I’m logical and I knew that I’m done with high school, so it didn’t faze me as much, but I feel the little things are what led me to understanding.  Large events like graduation and people congratulating me didn’t help, only minor details.  

How minor?  Stuff like watching K-On (don't ask) and reading Mrs. Andrew's faculty will.  Also, seeing cars labeled Senior ’13 (there is one across the street right now).  Really any number above 2012 makes me realize the school has moved on.  Whenever I see student video projects with younger kids, I know that I’m old news for this school.  On the penultimate day of school I invaded Mrs. Andrews U.S. History class.  It hit me that there are juniors at this school.  “What is wrong with you Tomy, not realizing there are juniors?”  Well I only interact with a few, but I didn’t comprehend there is a whole class of them until I went into their class.  They probably have their smart kids, their art kids, their band kids, everything our class has.  They have their friends, their family, their own lives.  I never thought of this in depth.  I'm just another blimp in Sherando's history.

So yeah I’ve graduated.  I try to put meaning on it and I could probably fake any that is required in conversations, but it doesn’t feel like a big deal.  But saying that makes me sound more condescending and that isn’t the goal.  Another difference between objective and subjective me.  Objective me knows what I accomplished, subjective me doesn’t feel it.  Best thing to do now is not dwell on it and move on.