IT'S already summer: four whole weeks of freedom since our graduation. But I can't help thinking back to that glorious day.

Is it over? Yeah, it's over. After what seemed like an eternity sitting and standing on a stage, I finally had, in my hands, a certain certificate. It was the fruit of my hardships and suffering. It was my diploma, a big thing in our graduation. But even bigger, were the smiles I saw on my parents' faces and on everyone's face that day.

Our graduation was a grand ceremony, and as we (the graduates) waited for the march to begin, I was excited, but I was also nervous and anxious. I didn't even know what I was supposed to feel. Our every move was being watched by so many people. I could feel the pressure. But as the marching song blared on, everything seemed to vanish. 

As the recessional began, I finally began to breathe normally. And when I finally marched back to my parents I saw the big smiles they were wearing, so I smiled back. I achieved what I had in my mind . . . to make my parents proud.