Graduation!
Saturday was the big day and although I woke up feeling undescribable, the day was definitely one of the best of my life.
Scott was ready to go pick his mum up when I got up so I had an hour to myself to get ready. And I was still running late! For once my hair and make up went perfectly and so I got on my way to uni.
Parked the car and made my way to where I needed to get my gown etc. Thats when I started to feel the vibe of the day as there were loads of people around me with their gowns on. Happily, I waited in the queue and Scott and his mum turned up early. Scott looked proud when he saw me in my gown and mortar board! Jenny came over to me then and we got a quick photo in amongst the excited smiles. After that we headed over to where my family were and I noticed my grandad has given everyone a rose bud to wear like at a wedding. That in itself showed his proudness :)
We took a whole lot of photos of me and different combinations people. The time went quickly and I had to leave them to go sit in the student assembly tent. When I got there I realised I was sat next to one of the girls who backstabbed me in my dance group and wished that I was sat somewhere else but was determined not to let it spoil my mood. Infact I asked her how she did hoping it was not that great! She said she got a 2.1 though. Just. Meh, I guess some people get lucky. Sophie, another member of the group was sat not far from me and I could hear her being her usual obnoxious loud self. Am so glad I don't have to see her anymore although the irony was that my grandad was later sat next to her parents in the service! :/
We seemed to be sat there for ages while instructions were given to us. But finally we filed into the pavillion where a band was playing for the procession. I was starting to choke with proudness at this point as I saw all the families in their rows. We sat down and then all the academic staff filed in before the introduction. I was quite near the end to getting my certificate but cheered and clapped the people I'd been pretty friendly with. It was good to see Jenny get her certificate. I felt a bit wobbly legged as my row stood up to move towards the stage. My dance lecturer Chrissie was presenting us to Geoff the head of the school of music and performing arts. Eventually my name was called and I had to walk along, shake the head's hand and walk on to get my certificate. It was a great moment!
There was a talk then by Denys Brunsden, a professor from King's College London and the National Anthem was played before the procession filed out and then the congregation. I was really impressed by the tradition of the whole ceremony.
Whilst waiting for my family, I spoke to Chrissie and Chris one of the dance teachers and Chrissie said she'd written a reference for me the other day so fingers crossed it was for one of the jobs I really wanted.
I found my family who congratulated me and Scott gave me a winning smile and a kiss. I said goodbye to Scott's mum Jackie who gave me a gift before shooting off to go on holiday with the rest of the family and then went and had my professional photos done in the Gallery. Had a quick photo with Layla who I was glad to catch before we went. She got a 68 overall which was really good.
Gave back the gown and headed with my family down to the Globe Inn at the bottom of the drive for some lunch. Scott appeared soon after dropping his mum off and I was showered with gifts from everyone which was a lovely surprise! I had a cool card from Scott AND the complete box set of Friends dvds!!! Yep, all of them! My man knows me well! Fantastic gift from him.
My auntie Tracey gave me a cuddly yellow acid smiley with a grad hat on, my other auntie, Julie and her family gave me a cuddly 'bean with a grad hat on which is actually very cool (see pics) and a beautiful silver bracelet. My nan and grandad gave me a gold charm bracelet and a cuddly hedgehog with a grad hat on (!) And when I opened the present that Scott's mum had given me, it was a beautiful silver tube, engraved with the words 'Graduation Certificate Lysa Nelson 23/7/05' which is stunning and such a lovely present. My nan had also placed a piece in the local newspaper which she gave me a copy of.
I felt very special to have been given so many lovely presents as I wasn't expecting anything at all. We had a lovely lunch and then I said good bye to the family who were driving back to Nailsea and Bridgewater. It had been really good to have them there and I was really glad that my grandad had been really happy and proud as he's normally a man of few words!
Me and Scott headed to Keynsham to grab a couple of things before heading home to chill for the afternoon. I unwrapped the large bear that had been delivered the day before from Scott's family with a helium balloon and took some photos of the presents.
Definitely a day I'll never forget. Glad I made my fmaily and Scott so proud. Just gotta find a job now!
Here are some piccies from the day although I'm missing one of me and Scott so will edit it in latah:
Me in front of the main reception
Me with Scott's mum Jackie
Me and my grandparents
Me and Jenny with her eyes closed!
The Pavillion where the ceremony was held.
Me shaking the head's hand
Graduate 'bean'!
Scott was ready to go pick his mum up when I got up so I had an hour to myself to get ready. And I was still running late! For once my hair and make up went perfectly and so I got on my way to uni.
Parked the car and made my way to where I needed to get my gown etc. Thats when I started to feel the vibe of the day as there were loads of people around me with their gowns on. Happily, I waited in the queue and Scott and his mum turned up early. Scott looked proud when he saw me in my gown and mortar board! Jenny came over to me then and we got a quick photo in amongst the excited smiles. After that we headed over to where my family were and I noticed my grandad has given everyone a rose bud to wear like at a wedding. That in itself showed his proudness :)
We took a whole lot of photos of me and different combinations people. The time went quickly and I had to leave them to go sit in the student assembly tent. When I got there I realised I was sat next to one of the girls who backstabbed me in my dance group and wished that I was sat somewhere else but was determined not to let it spoil my mood. Infact I asked her how she did hoping it was not that great! She said she got a 2.1 though. Just. Meh, I guess some people get lucky. Sophie, another member of the group was sat not far from me and I could hear her being her usual obnoxious loud self. Am so glad I don't have to see her anymore although the irony was that my grandad was later sat next to her parents in the service! :/
We seemed to be sat there for ages while instructions were given to us. But finally we filed into the pavillion where a band was playing for the procession. I was starting to choke with proudness at this point as I saw all the families in their rows. We sat down and then all the academic staff filed in before the introduction. I was quite near the end to getting my certificate but cheered and clapped the people I'd been pretty friendly with. It was good to see Jenny get her certificate. I felt a bit wobbly legged as my row stood up to move towards the stage. My dance lecturer Chrissie was presenting us to Geoff the head of the school of music and performing arts. Eventually my name was called and I had to walk along, shake the head's hand and walk on to get my certificate. It was a great moment!
There was a talk then by Denys Brunsden, a professor from King's College London and the National Anthem was played before the procession filed out and then the congregation. I was really impressed by the tradition of the whole ceremony.
Whilst waiting for my family, I spoke to Chrissie and Chris one of the dance teachers and Chrissie said she'd written a reference for me the other day so fingers crossed it was for one of the jobs I really wanted.
I found my family who congratulated me and Scott gave me a winning smile and a kiss. I said goodbye to Scott's mum Jackie who gave me a gift before shooting off to go on holiday with the rest of the family and then went and had my professional photos done in the Gallery. Had a quick photo with Layla who I was glad to catch before we went. She got a 68 overall which was really good.
Gave back the gown and headed with my family down to the Globe Inn at the bottom of the drive for some lunch. Scott appeared soon after dropping his mum off and I was showered with gifts from everyone which was a lovely surprise! I had a cool card from Scott AND the complete box set of Friends dvds!!! Yep, all of them! My man knows me well! Fantastic gift from him.
My auntie Tracey gave me a cuddly yellow acid smiley with a grad hat on, my other auntie, Julie and her family gave me a cuddly 'bean with a grad hat on which is actually very cool (see pics) and a beautiful silver bracelet. My nan and grandad gave me a gold charm bracelet and a cuddly hedgehog with a grad hat on (!) And when I opened the present that Scott's mum had given me, it was a beautiful silver tube, engraved with the words 'Graduation Certificate Lysa Nelson 23/7/05' which is stunning and such a lovely present. My nan had also placed a piece in the local newspaper which she gave me a copy of.
I felt very special to have been given so many lovely presents as I wasn't expecting anything at all. We had a lovely lunch and then I said good bye to the family who were driving back to Nailsea and Bridgewater. It had been really good to have them there and I was really glad that my grandad had been really happy and proud as he's normally a man of few words!
Me and Scott headed to Keynsham to grab a couple of things before heading home to chill for the afternoon. I unwrapped the large bear that had been delivered the day before from Scott's family with a helium balloon and took some photos of the presents.
Definitely a day I'll never forget. Glad I made my fmaily and Scott so proud. Just gotta find a job now!
Here are some piccies from the day although I'm missing one of me and Scott so will edit it in latah:
Me in front of the main reception
Me with Scott's mum Jackie
Me and my grandparents
Me and Jenny with her eyes closed!
The Pavillion where the ceremony was held.
Me shaking the head's hand
Graduate 'bean'!