The Graduation

Wednesday Sept 26, 2007 7:30am

Last night was the graduation. There is something odd about attending a graduation where there are no caps and gowns, but that is the way they do it here. No pomp and circumstance either. But what there was in full measure was a heap of laughing, crying, excited, and anxious kids. They are thrilled to be finished with classes, and the formal is tonight—so there were spray-on tans all over the place, and almost every girl had her nails done. That is not too different than the US. However, the kids here have to wait about 5 weeks and they take their high school certificate exams. This is a standardized exam and the scores on it determine what sorts of university programs will be available for them to apply to. Think of it like the SAT.

Today we are attending the play at the Sydney Opera House. I think this is the one thing here that I am most excited to be doing. Seeing a performance at the Sydney Opera House is a once in a lifetime event. The play is called Don’s Party and it turns out it was apparently written about the neighborhood in which Meagan lives. I will report back tomorrow with a critique of the play.

After the play we are driving out to Meagan’s house to see her leave for the formal. She is wearing a gorgeous beaded flame orange column dress. I will definitely post a picture. I am so excited she is wearing orange, it is one of my favorite colors and she looks so fabulous in orange, she has the perfect skin tone for it, spray on tan or not.