I tried to wake my son up as he would attend my graduation ceremony. We had to take our breakfast before leaving.

We had our robe made to order three months ago. We got two entrance tickets for the family. It should be ideal for me as I could invite my wife and my son to attend. But my wife turned down the invitation. My son was disappointed and he promised to go with me. Besides, he would take pictures for me. I was then thinking who else I should invite.

I was then the volunteer of the computer class conducted by our YAH Community College. Two of the students would not attend the ceremony as they would be in China. That couple gave me their tickets. They actually gave me four tickets but I misunderstood that it was only two. Therefore I kept thinking which friend who had three family members I should invite.

I had some considerations in getting my guests. The person should not make me loss my face. Besides, he should drive there or staying around Woodland where our ceremony held.

I thought of one of the elders who I took her as my mother. She is popular and loves my son very much. But she stayed quite a distance away from us. If she could get her children to go with her, it would be ideal. But if she got someone I dislike to go with her, it would be miserable for me. Finally, I dropped that idea.

I realised that I was actually holding five extra tickets only a few days before the ceremony. I also recalled that my former colleague Serene was staying in Woodland. I was happy to call her. But both of her lines were not in use any more.

Therefore I only had to go with my son.

While I was happy and woke up early. My son did not wake up in time. I had to hurry him. When we drove to the hawker centre to take our breakfast, it was rather late for me. Unfortunately, there was no parking lot near the hawker centre. When I tried to make a reverse to look for a lot, my son got angry and said that he would not take breakfast. As I could not go without breakfast, I went to the coffee shop to have a simple one. But my son went back by himself. When I went home and got ready to leave for the ceremony, my son did not even put on his shirt. So, I left without him.

I would be very angry when I faced that sort of situation. But I was cool and calm that morning. Perhaps I have learnt a lot from attending the course in YAH Community College and I have started to take thing easy. I drove to the Republic Polytechnic with a peaceful mind.

When I arrived at the Cultural Centre of Republic Polytechnic, my classmates asked me why nobody came with me. I told them that my wife was not keen to come when the day we got the tickets. My son had changed his mind this morning. They were unhappy.

There were 308 graduates for the ceremony. Most of us came with family members. Everybody was joyful in taking pictures with classmates and family members. Although my son, my cameraman, did not turn up, I still took a camera with me. Many of my classmates wished to take photo with me. We would not meet often after the ceremony.

When we lined up to receive the certificate from the Minister, I was a little disappointed. Other than the cameraman engaged by the College, there would be any family member to take photo for me. When I received the certificate from the Minister, I looked forward for the cameraman to take our picture. At that moment, I was surprised to see about ten cameras flashed on us. I wondered where our cameraman was.

After the ceremony, we tried to take more pictures before returning the robe. Alice asked me to take a picture with the Minister outside the Auditorium. At the same time, Poh Yin asked me to take a picture with our principal. But the principal was busy with other graduates. When Poh Yin gave up, I found Alice was left.

I stepped out of the auditorium. I saw Hwee Kheng from the Silver Circle. When she knew that no family member come and support me, she said I still have to take a picture. She is the Wellness Co-ordinator of the ElderCare Centre when I was a volunteer massage therapist.

About forty minutes later, we returned the robes and went home.

Moving towards	the Auditorium
Welcome the graduates	Putting on a smiling face
Capturing the moment of pride	Presenting the students' painting to the Minister
My loving sisters	My cheerful group members
So long... Till we meet again	Thanks Hwee Kheng for taking the picture for me