完美的畢業典禮 A Perfect Graduation

FINALLY, I'm graduated from my last degree (for the time-being) - Diploma in Music Performance!!! I must tell you this diploma is not easy to achieve, and praise the Lord that I was able to finish with lots of merits, and a perfect graduation ceremony.

For the first time, my whole family (mom, dad, younger brother and aunt) attended the ceremony. My brother did not come to my B.Mus. and M.Mus. graduations, and my aunt was absent from my B.Mus. graduation. This time around, they all took time off from their work to come to Vancouver to celebrate with me. My aunt (my mom's younger sister), even though she is not biologically related to me, I always regard her as part of my immediate family. For she has lived with us for several years before, and we have done many things together.

Before the ceremony we were worried we might get lousy weather, but praise the Lord it was sunny throughout the day!! I do not recall lousy weather in ANY of the graduations in my life, although we were close a couple of times. The sun just makes EVERYTHING in the environment look more beautiful! I'm awe-struck by God's wonderful creation and amazing grace!

If you have been to a graduation ceremony before, you would know each of the graduates would be called by our names, and we would march across the stage to be congratulated by the president of the school and a couple of other faculty members. Graduates would get applause and/or cheers from their fellows, and usually the last one would get the most (or close to the most) applause/cheers because that marks the end of the ceremony and people are happy that they are finally and officially done. This time, I was very honoured to be the last person on the graduate list for my ceremony and so I was the last one to march across the stage! I know, from the bottom of my heart, that it's a special arrangement from God - not only He wanted me to have a grand finish to my school life, but also to show my family that their daughter has worked really hard to achieve what she has achieved. And I tell you, God must also be VERY proud that I have kept my faith in Him despite all the adversities I have encountered in my university life. :-D

Quite a few of my friends showed up to the photo session. Thanks so much for coming! It just added so much more cheerfulness to my ceremony!

My family and I went to 王府井 for king crab (皇帝蟹) and winter melon soup (冬瓜盅) in the evening. My mom has wanted to try the king crab for a LONG time, and finally, with my brother's presence (since he eats lots), we were able to fulfill mom's dream!

So that's why I said it's a perfect graduation for me. Thank You my Lord! <3

提摩太後書 II Timothy 4:7-8
那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了。從此以後，有公義的冠冕為我存留，就是按著公義審判的主到了那日要賜給我的；不但賜給我，也賜給凡愛慕他顯現的人。
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Now I have to collect my mind and continue to think about what's next.