17th - 21st August - the folks come to town

Its time to lose that graduation virginity. Never again can I be an undergraduate. I don't know anyone who does the graduation ceremony because they want to. Its all for the parents. Three years away from home and one day to prove it wasn't just because you were sick of the whole you-are-living-under-MY-roof ordeal. My parents were incredible. They went all out, its-your-first-birthday style. Mum baked! Dad smiled! We all had dinner together and even went to Thursday night jazz at the Robbie Burns!

But school doesn’t stop just because your loan has reached its limit and you have to cash in your papers so far for a graduation certificate with a photocopied signature of approval – oooh no sirry! Friday was the day we were all waiting for! The day of wind-swept hair and an entourage of camera’s capturing every embarrassing expression you throw their way. We were going to Victory Beach. Kat and Jint have the most comprehensive run down of the day’s antics in the form of a short film they secretly made. 8am until 9pm and it still felt like it wasn’t enough. I had an inner-battle when it was time for us to jump into action when we came across a Leopard Seal slowly dying on the beach. It was us and our camera-manic enthusiasm versus a seal to weak to scare us away. It was interesting to see where people’s boundaries were.

On graduation day I introduced Mum to my refined disorganisation and went shopping for a dress and everything that’s goes with it one hour before the gathering of the polished nerds (NOTE: apparently sneakers and what I wore the day before don't make the cut). Tensions were high, shop assistants in a frenzy and promises of a cup of tea at the end. It was perfect.

One key factor that saved the day was Pip's prep-shopping the day before in our lunch break. It was one of those scenarios where you fear for you life for the first ten minutes as the whirlwind that is "Speed shopper Pip" hits every dress store in a 1km radius. She sniffed of a collected of options and the strange was I liked them all. After that I was stunned, numb and rendered me a vegetable for the afternoon camera class. If you need something to wear in a hurry, Pip is your gal. I still get a kick from seeing the shop assistants duck down behind the counter when she walks by their window.

Had a bit of a problem identifying what photo-of-me-shaking-the-chancellors-hand was mine thanks to the make-Mum-proud makeover but I had my mind on the cherry on top finale. The all you can eat dinner. Sushi, nachos, salads, samousas, chicken, soups, apple crumble, mouse, and an ice-cream machine that could make you weep at the sight of it. Blah blah blah big party at our flat afterwards but ALL YOU CAN EAT! Best weekend ever! Thanks Mum and Dad.

Ecology Graduates 2006 - NOTE: we are just part of the botany department. If you're not a real subject then you don't have a real department.