Views From a Crow's Nest: Commencement Information Day, Luck of the Irish and a Holi Moli Mess

I can't believe I actually bought my cap and gown.

For so long, graduation has been a distant idea, one of those dreams that never seem to get closer but instead is simply a bullet point on a "one day" list. Finally holding the Carolina blue and white tassel in my hand and watching the silver "2011" pendant shine in the light, however, was a blatant reminder that in about a month and a half, I will officially be a college alumni (well, for my undergraduate career anyway).

As I approached the table to purchase my cap and gown, the man first asked my height. I confidently told him 5'3" and continued looking down the line at the various announcement cards, picture frames, and ornaments that decorated the booth. Then he said, "Is that with heels? What shoes will you be wearing for graduation?" He asked this in a tone that suggested that this was a perfectly normal question, as if I should have already planned this well in advance. "If you purchase a gown too short," he continued, "it will look really strange." Panic mode set in as I tried to mentally run through my shoe collection, wondering if they were supposed to be heels or wedges, nude or white, closed or open-toed, short or tall heel height. "I mean, they probably won't be over two inches, I wouldn't think, but I'm really not sure. I haven't gotten that far," I stammered. He reached under the table and pulled out a box containing the cap and gown--a one-size package fitted for those measuring 5'3" to 5'7". (Why, if the gowns came in size ranges, he made such an ordeal over my specific height I'm not sure, but I continued down the line anyway.) The next man I encountered said, "Would you like a stole of gratitude?" I tried to hide my blank expression as I replied, "Um, a what?" He sighed and said, "A stole of gratitude," holding up an example which I immediately recognized from high school.

"Oh, right. Aren't those required?" I asked.

"Not everyone chooses to purchase one."

"But am I going to look like the cheapo when I walk across the stage if I don't get one?"

He smiled and shrugged.

"Alright fine," I surrendered. "I'll take one of those too."

Next were the tassels. (Who knew purchasing graduation gear was so intense?) The tassel that comes with the cap and gown only have the UNC seal on it instead of the graduation year. The man kindly informed me that in order to have a tassel with the year on it, I must purchase it separately. For an additional $12. I motioned for him to give me one of those as well. $95 later, I was officially prepared for graduation, stole of gratitude and all. On my way out of the room, two other booths tried to sell me a lifetime membership to the GAA and Ram's Club. They must have seen my expression, however, after spending what seemed like a fortune to a college student on the cap and gown and they quickly backed off.

Since sophomore year, I walk the same brick path to get from my dorm to campus en route to class every day, and every day I pass a friendly older man that drives the handicapped van for students who need assistance getting to class. He patiently waits outside the van to receive a call to pick up a student from their dorm or classroom and transport them to their next destination, and we have a tradition of waving and saying good morning. On nice days when I'm finished with class, I'll stop and talk to him, mostly about the weather and school. As I passed him on St. Patrick's Day, he bent down, searched the patch of grass in front of him, and plucked a four leaf clover, handing it to me and wishing me luck. It's such a nice feeling to see a friendly face each morning.

Franklin Street was packed with students that night, and the new Irish pub that opened last year was impossible to get near. A group of friends and I settled on R&R Grill for our St. Patrick's Day festivities, a new bar in place of Goldie's that has a nice outdoor patio and bar area. They dyed the beer green for the night and that was my drink of choice, as I continuously told the bartender how "cute" the beer was.

Starting two years ago, one of the Hindu organizations on campus began an event called Holi Moli celebrating the spring religious festival recognized by Hindus primarily in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, but also in other parts of the world where practicing Hindus reside. Holi is traditionally celebrated by people throwing colored dye and water at one another, and over 600 students congregated in Polk Place today to do just that.

Unfortunately, those participants needed to shower afterwards, and I got a call from my boss stating that our bathroom was in "unacceptable condition" after a few of my residents washed the dye off their clothes, hair and skin, and that if it wasn't cleaned by tomorrow morning the entire floor will be charged. After relaying that information in an email to the hall, I heard two girls outside my door beginning to clean the bathroom. Knowing it was more than just two that caused the mess, I offered to help. None of us had adequate bathroom cleaning supplies, so we originally started with cups of water and paper towels, scrubbing dye off the floors and walls. Then, we realized the housekeeping closet had been left open. A photoshoot with cleaning supplies promptly followed.