My Grey World

15 Jul, 2007

Getting High

Posted by: Sylvia Giacinta In: day by day

Earlier this day I volunteered to be a student marshal for the graduating students of SMU. Okay the job name sounds nice but actually my job is only helping the students where they’re supposed to sit and ushering them to the venue of their degree award ceremony. Oh and I had to wear a marshal gown. You know, those gowns that academics wear at the so-called ceremony? (Not a pretty pretty gown, FGS!) And PLEASE. It was hideous ok. It made me look damn big. Like, enormously big.

I didn’t even dare to take photo. Just wait for 3 years later. I would be wearing a better looking one.

And anyway, the “getting high” thingy is not about being a student marshal. It is more… literal.

The dresscode for me (yea I know, I wore a marshal gown anyway, but I still have a dresscode ok!) was collared white long-sleeved shirt with black skirt or pants. Oh, and plus, a pair of formal shoes. No slippers, no sneakers. At first I wanted to wear these pair of shoes…

But then after asking some friends, they hinted that peeptoe shoes are not really formal, especially for a formal ceremony like a commencement.

So, I decided to “aim high”.. Choosing to wear these pair of shoes…

A closer look on the heel..

Nice? Of course. But nice in eyes might not be nice on feet.

The ceremony started at 1 or so but I got to be at the venue at 11.30. And so my torture began. Walk outside home to reach the bus stop.. Climbing up and down the bus’ stairs.. Riding escalators… And standing most of the time at the ceremony.

It’s enough to make my feet cry.

Seriously. I don’t know why women should wear high heels in order to look formal and… prettily formal. And, oh, wait. I’m not gonna start an extreme feminist speech like we don’t have to follow the norms to look pretty or we don’t have to shave armpit hairs.

I hate to admit it, but I really found myself, or rather my feet, look divine in high heels. They looked… Graceful and pretty.

But I wasn’t happy, ok. Seriously I don’t believe in “Beauty is Pain” thingy. If we can achieve the state of beauty without having to go through pain, why should we?

So to end my misery.. (I really almost broke down and cry. It really hurt, you know. It HURT) I bought these pair of sandals I found. At S$ 30, it was kinda expensive. But to hell with that. As long as my feet are happy.

And you know what’s the worst thing? On the next term, I’m going to have a module called “Career Skills : Finishing Touch” where I would be taught about the so-called etiquettes. You know, how to dress, how to eat, even how to shake hands and how to cross legs. And I have to wear a formal attire. Which includes high heels. (Flat shoes are not considered formal, right?)

Agh.

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