Weekend in C-ville for Tintin's Graduation Day

My sis-in-law, my wife and I spent the weekend in C-ville. Our son arrived from The Capital and joined us Saturday afternoon, in time for Baccalaureate Mass for all UVA students graduating (like our daughter Tintin) the following day, Sunday morning at ten. That solemn Saturday Mass, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Luke and Rev. Fr. Scott, both OP or Oblates of Preachers or Dominican priests, was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Sunday morning at seven, we're all ready for Tintin's Final Exercises at The Lawn of UVA. Since Tintin continues to stay in her dorm after her Final exams (because she requested for extension and was approved), we've decided to just meet and see her at the Lawn. We checked out of our hotel early and parked our van at a designated parking within the University campus. We thought we'd be the very first to arrive at the site but we're surprised to witness that there were already parents, besides those Graduation Committee crew and staff, who were there. (Two years ago, when our son graduated there, we were the very first parents to arrive.) Anyway, we got a good spot as far as the viewing, and picture-taking, of graduates doing their processional parade. It was past 10:00 o'clock A.M when the Final Exercises ceremony started. There's the overall atmosphere of joy and celebration in The Lawn at the University.

Well, folks, here's quite interesting to note on this joyous occasion: Six thousand and four hundred eleven  graduates were conferred their respective degrees by UVA president Teresa Sullivan! UVA alumna, Class of 1979 and former NBC Today show co-host and CBS news anchorwoman Katie Couric was the Final Exercises guest speaker. In her speech, she recalled her days at the University. Besides mentioning about the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic), she also discussed about the other 3Rs that the new graduates have to encounter in today's economy: Risk, Rejection, and Resilience. Likewise, she talked about her job encounters in her early years, her married life with two daughters with her late husband, her late sister who also succumbed to cancer, her  advocacy about fighting cancer, and briefly her forthcoming TV show Katie in September. Overall, her speech was inspiring and well-received and applauded.

After our late lunch/early dinner at a restaurant , our son drove back to The Capital for his work Monday. On the other hand, we took all of Tintin's stuff at her dorm. At 7:00 0'clock p.m., we left C-ville for Hampton Roads. It was almost 11:00 o'clock p.m. when we arrived home. Tired and sleepy, I was especially. But so proud to see my daughter Tintin graduated from college. Thank you, Dear Lord. Thank you, Jesus!

This is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 21May2012

Post-Sunday Post

Thanks to God! My wife and I arrived home safely in 757, past eight tonight. We had just brought our young adult daughter back to her University college dorm this afternoon. Yes, her "early" one-week spring break ends tonight. She and her fellow Univ students resume classes tomorrow, Monday. Well, at least, she has had a week's off from schoolwork. She, however, was able to get things done, for herself, while on "vacation." She has had her periodic dental check up and her annual medical check up.

Nope. I didn't feel like eating a heavy dinner tonight, when my wife called me for dinner. I just settled for a small plate of vegetable salad and a cup of orange juice, and four pieces of A Hint of Salt Ritz crackers. That's all. After all, I've been munching No Salt roasted peanuts and a piece of Gala apple on the road on our way back home to HR from C-ville. Yes, I feel tired already, especially my lower back that's been aching from almost six-seven hours travel (back and forth). Even if I'm just a passenger on the driver's side, I admit, I just couldn't tolerate to be sitting down for a long period of time. I have chronic lower back problem, folks! Now you know why? But, I try to manage my pain in such a way that I can still function and be of help and not a burden to others.

As usual, my wife did the driving. As always, I try to keep her company, each time we're on a long trip on the road. Going to C-ville, we didn't do any stop at a rest area. We were just cruisin' smoothly. But, going back home, we had only one stop at the second Rest Area, a.k.a. Welcome Center.

Guess what or who we encountered there inside the lobby of the Welcome Center? Two of our children's former schoolmates in high school and the parents of one of the two. We shook hands, exchanged Hi's and engaged in a pleasant conversation, as usual. J and T were asking about our son and our daughter, too. We told them they're doing well. J and T are two of my son's good friends or buddies. When our son is home, they always have a get together, sort of. They're like that.

Well, folks, this is all for now. Until next time around. It's 10:32 already.  Good night, everyone! (I need to go to bed now.)-chris a. quilpa, 11March2012