<p>I felt soooo cheated!!</p>
<p>We were embarking on a heat wave in NYC this weekend, and I said “so what, I am going to be in Hanover at it will be about 10 degrees cooler.” It was over 90 degrees in Hanover but the show still went on as thousands of people convered on Hanover for Commencement 2008.</p>
<p>to the class of 2009 I leave you this advice…</p>
<p>If your family has not booked a hotel yet, everything is probably full for next year. While it is what it is, just book some space in the dorms. the cost is $40 a night, where you have a clean bed, towels, wash cloths, soap etc. Commencement housing will take special request (needing to be wheelchair assessible, no steps, etc). You pull in you park your car (which is a nightmare) and you are set. I spoke to the family of a couple of chicky’s friends who were based 40 to 50 miles out of Hanover and were driving in for the festivities. As I said, it is what it is, and it is only 2 nights (you are not on vacation) but staying in the dorms was well worth not having the rest of the aggrevation. Downside: no AC.</p>
<p>The Canoe Club books up in january so there will be no getting a reservation during commencement week.</p>
<p>If you are going to mollies, the later the better. We got there about 9:15 got seated, served quickly and it was great. Around 6/7 pm it was a nightmare.</p>
<p>Yes, remember those happy days when we dropped you off on campus and tried to buy out the Coop and traditionally trendy? Yes, we will do it again now that you are leaving so the stores literally do get you coming and going.</p>
<p>You get there friday and you see nothing but tents along frat row and in front of all of the greek houses, as they will be hosting an event for their graduating members and families.</p>
<p>Saturday morning graduation rehersal is at 8:45. Chicky said suprisingly a large amount of the class showed up. </p>
<p>After the rehersal there is class day at BEMA. You tell your family “we are going over to the BEMA for the class day celebrations” and they respond, “the what” and they want to know exactly what the BEMA is so you break it down for them ; Big Empty Meeting Area. Trying to be cute and going to BEMA should not be used in the same sentence (wear comfortable shoes) and you will be sitting on the ground if you don’t get there early or if you don’t bring those portable filing chairs in the sack that you have stashed in your trunk. Yes, it is hot. After the class day ceremonies, the senior class walks over to Dartmouth Hall for the senior picture (you walk over too if you ever want to find your kid). Again, BEMA and cute do not go together when you are walking over rocks and gravel down hill inn the heat.</p>
<p>Have lunch, go to the Coop. Then take in to the department major reception, Try to swing by the greek house to their reception and go to the function that the senior society is giving because Chicky has to pick up her cane (all of the canes are hand carved and the head of each cane signifies which society that person is a member of. Her big sister (2x) they are in the same sorority and she tapped her for the senior society suprises them and comes and is there at the reception. It is amazing how many alums come back for graduation weekend. Chicky tells me that she has to be back here at 7:30 sunday morning because they have breakfast and they all carve each others cane.</p>
<p>Word to the wise…If you are within driving distance, go up a couple of weeks before graduation and start taking some of their stuff home (Yes, they have accumulated a lot of stuff!!)</p>
<p>Swing by the Gala, have dinner, and then Chicky runs out because the senior class is meeting at 11:00 pm for some tradition. You catch whatever breeze is blowing and then retire for the night.</p>
<p>Chicky told me that you can pay someone to reserve seats for you at the ceremony and the going rate was ~ $50. She told me that we should pay more so she blitzed out that she was paying more (love how your child sets no limits when it comes to money that is not theirs). No takers</p>
<p>By sunday morning, I hate to say it but you are familied out and the heat is really no fun so it is a welcome relief to walk down to The Green at 5:30am to scout out some seats for you and the family. You get there and you see that there are quite a few other families who have sent out representatives to do the same thing. You will have new friends at this hour of the morning and everyone is really nice despite the fact that they are sleep deprived Ended up with seats on the 5th row, right hand side of the green right behind the grad students (who pass you in the processional so you are able to see and hear everything). Bring paper towel to wipe the dew, rain and other stuff of your chairs (if you have tape, making tape, yellow tape, duck tape, you can cord off you set of seats). The nice people who were out there gave me some tape. </p>
<p>By 8 am it really starts to get packed as people try to find seats. It also starts to get hot, if you look up in the Baker tower, you can see the trumpeteers.</p>
<p>Remember that graduation takes place on The Green rain or shine and a small folding umbrella is your friend as you can also use it to keep some of the beaming sun off of you (until the usher tell all of the people in the front that they have to take down their umbrellas because the people in the back cannot see.</p>
<p>Use the facilities at the Hanover Inn.</p>
<p>A little after 9:30 the processional is beginning. They you start to hear Entry of the Gladiators and everyone looks around you puzzled and saying “why are they playing circus music?” In the back of your mind you are saying to yourself “Oh yeah, the show is about to begin.”</p>
<p>Considering the fact that they call the name of ***Every Single Graduate *** it really does do by quicky. They confrer all of the graduate and professional degrees first follewed by the Honorary degrees. The speeches were nice and there were some funny moments.</p>
<p>Then the moment we all are waiting for the conferring and the announcing of the undergrads. 989 students received degrees today. You start looking for all the kids you know and some of the CC parents. Did not get to see Isaac but did see his son get his degree. Could not find Ohmadre, but did see her daughter receive her degree . Chicky’s turn comes; with Kente, shades and cane she receives her degree, raises her cane and walks down the steps (my heart is full and I can’t stop the tears).</p>
<p>After the ceremony, I call Chicky and then someone calls me. It is Ohmadre !!I can’t believe that after 4 years we are finally meeting IRL (she is just as amazing in person as she is on CC). Congrats to her wonderful D as she begins her new adventure!!</p>
<p>Then there are pictures, hugs and tears and the class of 2008 must move out of the way and foray out into the real world. Pick up Chicky’s stuff, round up the troops to begin the road trip back home. Chicky is hanging out one last night with the friends and is flying back home tomorrow before her and the crew set off to Cabo for a week.</p>
<p>To the class of 2009, today begins your year and I hope that you have an amazing time.</p>