Saturday16thJune07

After getting home at around seven this morning, I think it had to have been something close to a miracle that got everyone to their graduation ceremony on time. Unfortunately, that meant me too. My roommate's parents couldn't make it so she asked me to go take some photos of her.

It had to be the weirdest ceremony ever. The hall was packed, incredibly hot, and incredibly noisy. It started with the departments' flags being carried in by girls in white and red military uniforms, followed by the Chinese national anthem. Then the President of Ming Chuan got up to speak.

But all through this none of the rest of the noise stopped. Everyone, including the graduates, where talking amongst themselves, taking photos of each other, cheering when different people entered, so you couldn't hear a word that was said. I found it very strange and part of me was frustrated at the lack of respect for people speaking, but that's just part of the culture here. (and I have to admit, it made things go a lot faster) Even in classes, when the teacher speaks, there are, more often than not, about four other conversations going on at the same time.

It takes getting used to.

Afterwards there was a massively impressive fireworks display and a buzz in the air with hundreds of people scuttling around congratulating each other, hugging, taking photos. There were balloons, flowers and bears everywhere (mostly bought from the mini market that had been set up just outside campus.)

It seemed the adrenaline had woken everyone up again, so I was dragged out with a group of friends for dinner. It was so late that the only place that was open (other than McDonalds) was the 24hour spa, so we ended up there.

The concept of sleeping seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.