The Graduation of koko'

-
For some people it only happens once in their lifetime.
For some people it's a pointless tradition.
For some people it is a rite of passage.
For me, it's something that all the brothers will do for one last time.

I have always cherished relationships with good people.
This is because I think that it is harder to find a good friend in life than it is to get anything else.
Money, can be earned. Health, can be maintained. Happiness, is a state of mind.
Good friends, they are harder to find than any of the above.

They are like Nasi Lemak...
There are many varieties out there but very few of them suit me.
I have a certain personality & perspective to life.
Good friends do not have to have the same personalities, perspectives or priorities...
Their hearts have to be in the right place.

When I do find one person that I am blessed to spend time with...
Be it a brother or sister, I will keep the relationship for life.
I will maintain it and work hard to keep it alive.

I am blessed with at least 14 brothers who feel the same.
We graduated together & we had dinner together on Sunday.
They have touched my life & I appreciate them for it.
Even though we cannot continue like we were for the past 6 years, we'd still be together in our hearts.

Congratulations, brothers!
We have made a difference!
~~~~

Here is the story of my graduating ceremony told in pictures...

B.Ed.TESL Graduating Ceremony 2009
Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia: Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa (IPBA)
Saturday, 30 May 2009

Good friends groom & embrace each other.
And do forgive us... We haven't seen each other for soooooo long.

There were cameras everywhere that day!
Everyone was taking photos & having a blast!

We put on ridiculously oversized robes with colourful hoods.
Totally unglamorous but still the centre of attraction!

I graduated in absentia from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, a few months ago.
So during the graduating ceremony at IPBA, I received a certificate of recognition from Y.Bhg. Dato' Hj. Alimuddin B. Hj. Mohd. Dom, the Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran Malaysia (General Director of the Education Ministry).
This proves that my degree is actually recognised in Malaysia.

Anne the valedictorian gave a wonderful speech reminiscing the past & looking forward to building a better future for Malaysia.
It was well written and delivered flawlessly.
Well done, Anne!

After that, we went nuts & started taking lots & lots of photos.

I would like to thank Nicholas Ling, the cool senior, who came all the way from Sibu to join us & be my official photographer.
You're also the first person besides me to use my precious Nikon D90.

Finally, I want to appreciate the two people that supported me & did their best to help me be a useful person in society.
Mom... Dad... even though sometimes we dont see eye to eye...
You're still the best parents I could ever have.
Thank you for being you.

Comments

  1. glo teng3/6/09 07:24

    congratulations, Jarod!

    continue to be a mighty man of God! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Musica3/6/09 09:56

    That day somebody said to me, no wonder Jarod looks like that... his dad is handsome, his mum's beautiful... lol thats a direct quote, translated...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jess Ang3/6/09 11:42

    Congratulations koko! U look great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous3/6/09 13:10

    congrats....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous3/6/09 13:17

    Congratulations Jarod! Proud of ya! You did an excellent job!


    Cheers!

    Poh Lin

    ReplyDelete
  6. Trishomachine.3/6/09 13:19

    Congratulations darls =)
    You efforts have all paid off. Looking fwd to more stories from your school.
    Love you tons.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3/6/09 13:53

    we have all come a long way.. congrats Jarod

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nigel J. W. Ong3/6/09 16:47

    good stuff bro. congrats!
    cant wait for mine to come as well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous3/6/09 18:44

    nice . btw , congrats ! i know mine is years to come .

    ReplyDelete
  10. mimisyamimi4/6/09 08:56

    Congratulations, Jarod.
    And i thought u said that u dun hv lotsa pics.. Ni dah byk dah ni..
    Btw, i mintak izin kidnap satu pic yg ala2 nampak my pink tudung tu yer...heee~ =P

    ReplyDelete
  11. Najib Azmi4/6/09 12:10

    our bro-ness is forever man.

    can't wait to renew our alliance at the end of the year =D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Richeal Phil @ Ritz4/6/09 15:18

    congrats!! future teacher lol!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous5/6/09 13:25

    Hey. Congrats! :) But I would just like to know, what does it mean to graduate in absentia from Victoria University?
    -Mussita

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous5/6/09 13:32

    googled what is 'graduate in absentia' d. :) neways, congrats once again!! well done~ -Mussita

    ReplyDelete
  15. Alice In Wonderland5/6/09 22:13

    wow...congrats..must be a memorable day...can'y wait for my day =)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jessica5/6/09 23:14

    Congratulations JK! All the best! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. shinYi's5/6/09 23:58

    Congratulations !
    nice picture *you & datin*!
    =)

    ReplyDelete
  18. camille.soo6/6/09 01:57

    congrats :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. -sHeiLa-6/6/09 19:05

    congrats!!! u look great in ur graduation photos. ur students must love u so much for having such a handsome teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jarod Yong7/6/09 00:03

    Glo: Thanks, Glo! I will!

    Nas: hahaha~~ Who said that?

    Jessica: Thanks, Jess!

    Rachel: Thanks, Rachel!

    PohLin: What excellent job? haha~~ Thanks!

    Trish: You'll definitely hear the best ones first! Thanks!

    SuetYet: We have, haven't we? Congrats to you too!

    Nigel: Yours will come soon enough... First, make the best of what you have now!

    Vio: Thanks! I'm sure yours will be even grander than mine!

    Mimi: Ambik la apa yang nak! haha~~ Congrats to you too!

    Najib: Yeah!! The "Ultimate" alliance! =)

    Ritz: Thanks!

    Mussita: Thanks, Mussita! Smart move seaching the internet for info~~

    Alice: It'll come very soon! Thanks! =)

    Jessica: Thanks!

    ShinYi: Nice leh~~ Thanks!

    Camille: Thanks!

    Sheila: I'm not sure but I guess there is a high probability of that! haha~~ Thanks, Sheila! =)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jonathan Chu7/6/09 22:49

    Looking good, handsome. Am glad you had so much fun time. Eh. That first picture. FUNNY LA! LOL

    And yes, congrats-i-lation! i hope to have my graduation soon. hopefully i'll still be around.... =)

    good la. graduate already
    where are you now??
    in kL?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jarod Yong8/6/09 23:03

    Yea, I'm taking a break in KL at the moment!
    I hope you are working hard to earn your graduation!
    =)

    ReplyDelete
  23. sitijamilahazmi11/6/09 21:19

    aaaaaaa jarod!hope this is not too late!happy graduating ya!and hav a blast okay!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jarod Yong12/6/09 00:36

    Never too late!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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