Hazah!

Despite the fact that I feel like I've celebrated my Masters degree 267 times, this is the final and OFFICIAL celebration. (Please make all donations to the Edmonton Oilers "W" Column.)

Before the ceremony, I met Rick and family by coincidence in Covent Garden and was escorted to the Royal Drury Lane Theatre (see picture) where the graduation was taking place. As we entered the theatre, we passed through many parents of graduates making the same joke - that this would be the first and last time they would see their kids on stage in the West End. Ha. Ha. We got our caps and gowns, got tons of pictures with friends, and headed into the theatre. All of the graduates sat in the stalls and the guests sat behind us and into the dress circle. All of our tutors and principals etc came onto the stage including, the one and only Catherine Tate. When the first speaker of the afternoon started I thought we were doomed to a hell of boredom as he began, "In....nineteen fifty-one.....". (He sounded like the priest in The Princess Bride. "Maywidge is maywidge.") But it picked up in the end.


Then Catherine Tate was given an honorary award to which she looked genuinely pleased to receive. She had lost her voice so her speech was short but she was able to tell us a) she WAS bovvered and b) she had auditioned for Central three times and got rejected. On her fourth attempt they accepted her. She is now one of Britain's most successful actresses. She told us to never give up and that it took her ten years to become an overnight success. Very inspiring words coming from one of my idols.

Then they called all of the graduates names up in order of course completed and oh my god I'm bored ....you get it. When they called "Emma Leigh Bailey" I walked onto the stage and smiled at Catherine Tate until she was awkwardly forced to smile back. Mission: Complete.

When it was all over I met up with Jbooks and we headed to a celeb hot spot for dinner.
Since we decided to eat at 6pm, there were no celebrities, although Lindsey Lohan has been seen at the restaurant almost every night she stayed in London a few weeks ago. I guess we just missed her.

Overall, graduation was a great day! A HUGE thank you to my parents for everything. As much as I tease them for not remembering my birthday, not realizing my absence from family breakfasts, and allowing the television to raise me, they must have known what they were doing. They were missing when the University of London Vice-Principal asked the students to applaud the parents but I hope they know that I was clapping very loudly! Thanks again!