and after the party, there's the after party....

Tonight, Krissy and I are staying with my aunt, uncle, and cousins, their terrier, golden retriever puppy, four cats, and four one-month-old Siamese kittens. These kittens are unbelievably cute. They were exploring, pouncing, wrestling, leap-frogging off the bed. We could have played with them for hours. Although Kristen and my cousin Iaian told me it was a sign of psychopathy in me that I was curious how a kitten would react to being picked up by the tail. (I would never have actually tried it!)

Tomorrow is the day that I am a "graduand",

Part of speech: n
Definition: a degree candidate about to graduate

and I got a delicious pair of shoes for the occasion. This wouldn't be Redeemer if there were enough seats for the guests, so a number of my family members will be watching me graduate from the gym via video feed. I did manage to wrangle seven tickets for the auditorium instead of the original three offered by the school, but I'm still a bit short. I think we should just rent an arena as Fleming does. Seems like a good idea to me...

Nevertheless, this is very exciting now that it's here. Reflection can come later. For now, I am eagerly anticipating the itinerary I received in a letter from the Registrar's Office:

19:15 - 10:45 a.m. / Coffee Social sponsored by Alumni Association
10:45 - 11:00 / Welcome/Instructions
11:00 - 12:00 / Rehearsal
12:00 - 1:11 p.m. / Graduation Luncheon
1:15 - 1:35 / Donning academic regalia (my dad would love this description)
1:35 - 1:50 / Instructions and lining up
1:50 - 2:00 / Proceed to auditorium
2:00 - 4:00 / Commencement Ceremony
4:00 - 5:00 / Reception
4:00 - 5:30 / Return academic regalia

Graduands are reminded: "You are expected to attend all the functions, including the rehearsal. If you do not attend the rehearsal, you will not participate in the ceremony." We're also reminded that "Sunday best" is appropriate for the luncheon (my shoes on their own could meet and exceed any dress code), and told that it will be enjoyable. I find this dictatorial letter strangely fascinating and I look over it again and again.