And farewells and next steps ......

The last few days went in a whirl. If anything, I wish they had slowed down a bit and I could have taken a breath........ no actually, I wish I could have slept a few more hours. :)
Every evening was eat out ...with different groups of friends at different places, delectables on 4th ave, downtown Tucson, el charro near museum of art, cactus grill on the 2nd floor of student union, ziggy's/something about noodles near river and swan, lucky's on park, park place mall, something sweet (my favorite for dessert - but I got the chance to be there only for the first and last time.), taco bell, jamba juice... and ending it all with Starbucks on University Boulevard. :)
Ofcourse in between there were also parties thrown by our cs juniors for us seniors, and Shalini's wedding party.
And the highlights were a graduation ceremony at UACentennial hall and commencement ceremony in McKale center.
First the feeling that I am actually done with all coursework, assignments, just going to school and just that I was done, took a looooong time to sink in. Then to be actually in the ceremony rather than a spectator was so totally different. :) You get a different perspective on things.....like how the stage and all the people in the audience look when you stand on the stage.......like stage jitters before your turn even though all you have to do is walk across and be hooded...... like being surrounded by the whole crowd in a basketball stadium (that was where the commencement ceremony was held) when the graduates walk in to the arena.......like the cheers which go up from the crowd ........ like the tortillas and balls being flung all over your heads by very enthusiastic under-grads....... like feeling the whole ground shaking under you from the foot stomping in unison of excited graduates............. like knowing you don't belong here anymore....... like being called an alumni. ...... like having the biggest group lunch at villa thai with your batch just after graduation...... like saying farewells and keep in touch....... like accepting there is a part of your life that you are done with ...... like understanding that there are two extra letters which can go beside your name now(M.S), :) and best of all...... like knowing that you have earned the degree even if it took each breath and each tear to actually pull it off. :)

Well so long Tucson. I wish I had had better experiences which I could have cherished..... and left Tucson with much better memories........
.......but they say finding one great friend as you grow older is difficult and finding more than one is impossible. I think I fared much better than that :) even though I am so difficult :P.

I know.......I am going to miss something about the life here. :)