Today, Desember 13th 2007, my university, ASU (Arizona State University) held its fall university commencement. I had to attend the ceremony to represent the most junior professors in my School. I had no problem nor hesitation to be there. I thought it would be fun. When I did my undergrad in Bandung Indonesia, at the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), I always enjoyed seeing the professors wearing funny robes and caps doing the ritual. It was like a dream that now I would do the same thing completed with wearing that weird wizard costume!

I was convinced that there’d be traffic jam and parking would be extremely difficult. So I decided to cycle my bike to the Wells Fargo Arena, the place where the ceremony was held. I didn’t wear my robe. Not because I was embarrassed to wear it. Mostly because I didn’t want my robe got tangled in the tire. Believe me or not, an accident like that happened to me before! So I brought the robe in a big Safeway plastic bag!

I didn’t know which entrance to go so I just followed the biggest crowd and parked my bike — without much thinking — near the hydrant (yes, that’s not good) because there’s no parking space for bikes around. I followed the crowd and safely arrived in the main entrance. Long queue. The by the end of the queue — I was ready to get in — I opened my plastic bag and started wearing the robe. The guard there was surprised that my robe was black. Apparently he thought I was one of the undergrads — supposed to wear maroon robes. He said, “Oh, you’re faculty! You should go to the west tunnel”. Apparently I was queuing in the wrong entrance! Ouch, I just wasted my time…… and the ceremony was about going to start!

I was running downstairs to the West Tunnel where another guard welcomed me, “Oh, you’re almost late.. but it’s ok… you’re just in time.” Out of breath, I was trying to wear my robe correctly but having hard time finding the zipper. The guard, a very nice old guy, helped me zipping the robe and another guard, a nice old lady, helped me putting the hood on. As soon as I was ready I ran to the room.

Inside that gigantic auditorium I was confused on where to sit. One flower assisted me by telling me to just sit in the first 7 rows. She said, “You can go there, be quick, we’re about going to start, find your student and sit there.” I became more confused. Student what? I didn’t see any of my students there. Later on I understood that the first 7 rows were allocated for PhD candidates and their advisers sit next to them to put on the hood when these new PhDs are conferred. Of course I don’t have any students who’d graduate as Ph.D.!! I was in the wrong crowd again!

I came back to the flower and told her that my place wasn’t with the students but with faculty. She convincingly responded, “Oh, your place then must be there… with the group on the ramp, hurry, we’re starting!” I saw a group of people wearing funny costumes like mine on the ramp. “Hey, yes, that’s my place!” I was convinced. I joined the crowd though feeling a bit weird since everybody there were kinda old. I thought perhaps young professors didn’t like attending the ceremony. We were about going to line up for a ceremony. One by one they were walking closer inside and I was the last person in that crowd. I noticed that everybody held yellow and/or pink cards. I had none of them. I told the flower there that I had no card. He said, “You had to pick up that number in advance. But well it’s ok, we can check your name.” Two of us examined the scheme of seat numbers/names. I just realized that I was in the “big guys” crowd with the President, Arizona Board Regents, and Deans! Quickly I said, “Oh, I don’t think my name is there, I am not Dean or something, I am just a regular faculty!”

Luckily I wasn’t dragged to the stage with these people. Otherwise, it would be a big disaster. They had no seat for me!!

Yeah, again, I was in the wrong crowd. Fortunately, the staffs were patient and helpful in dealing with my confusion and lostness. One staff brought me outside to help me finding the right crowd. We were lucky that the faculty crowd was walking toward the building. I quickly sneaked in, joining the crowd as the last person!

Yayyyyy, finally!!! I was relieved to find my crowd. Though quickly I realized that I forget my funny cap. Anyway…. who cares? Actually it was too obvious…. a capless professor among the capped crowd.

I was wondering, why everybody else wasn’t lost? How could they find the right crowd? Why was I lost? Anyway….. whatever. The more important thing is that I enjoyed the whole hour of the commencement. This was the first American graduation I attended and it was cool!