ESE - The Final Instalment

Well, today was graduation day.

Had to travel up from Prestwick, which meant getting up at 6am, to get 7am train with parents. At the graduation, I saw Bob, Alexnewton and Ewan, who were also graduating from ESE (Iain in absentia, organising football touranaments abroad). Wore a kilt for the first time, a generic purple tartan known as "Spirit of Scotland" - chosen because I like the colour. This kilt-wearing meant that my parents insisted on taking several thousand photos of me, in the national dress.
Unfortunately I hadn't had much sleep and was not feeling particularly photogenic. Perhaps some time, somewhere, I will post some graduation pics on the web.

The ceremony itself was ok, although I found myself struggling to stay awake. My (soon to be ex-) flatmate Franky was graduating too, in Civil Engineering. I met some of his family beforehand. All in all, it was an interesting experience, a special occasion to mark the end of an era, etc. The real world is waiting. In a sense I'm glad, as I've had enough of education for the time being; perhaps a job is the best thing that could happen to me.

After the ceremony, I met up with my sister and brother in law, who is a good photographer and took yet more (official) pics of me in the kilt. I then went to "Mancini's", an Italian restaurant, with la familie, and had an excellent meal.

Afterwards, I went back to my flat, with some of my family in tow, as they were keen to see the flat before I moved out. They saw the flat, and then left, but that is not the end of the story.
I had also arranged to move out today (Franky moving out tomorrow), so later, my friend Alan came up with his van and helped me get my stuff back down to Prestwick.

I'm not upset about leaving that flat as the rent was too expensive and I was never keen on the place - no significant memories there apart from a couple of ESE pissups (including that awful "Grad Ball" - the highlight of which being microwaved Weetabix - don't ask!!). However it is strange to be back living with my parents after nearly 2 years in Glasgow.

I was, however, disappointed about leaving my fun new flatmates after just a couple of days. It was a shame they arrived 8 months too late!

Oh well... graduated and moved away from the City on the same day - this truly is the end of an era - and the beginning of a new one (with a little break in-between, of course!).

p.s. I can now put the letters "BEng" after my name - fantastic!