*Drumroll*

Guess what happened on August 6, 2017? 

I GRADUATED!!!

Happy dance day! 

[Picture taken a few weeks later at my sister's graduation from BYU, courtesy of her friend.] 

That robe...it was so RED and billowy. And guess how much it cost? US$500...

Not even close. $800?

Nope.

It cost more than a $1000. And I had to get it shipped to me, so extra shipping cost (no picking up from the store allowed). Freaking daylight robbery. You can rent it but it will still cost over $700. Also you would think after years of making gowns they would sew at least one pocket into the gown. Ha ha. No, it only had a slit, supposedly for men to be able to reach into their gowns and access the pocket in their pants. Good luck to those who could not find a skirt or dress to wear with pockets for graduation. I'm telling you, male privilege is a real thing. 

Anyway, did I tell you I graduated?! :) 

After months of holing up in my apartment synthesizing and analyzing my data, writing, revising, re-writing, tearing my hair out, not sleeping, breaking out in acne, and wrangling with the Graduate School over paperwork, IT IS FINALLY OVER!!! 

And to top it off, my parents and sisters flew in from Singapore and Utah to attend my graduation! 

My whole family together after two years! It was a great reunion. In fact, we have been traveling this whole last month, and I promise there will be more posts coming on this epic family trip. Let's just say, when we returned the rental car after borrowing it for a month, we discovered that we had driven over 9,000 miles! Ah. Family. And 

so

much

driving.

Also, the Lai Sisters are reunited!

But the frosting and cherry on top of my graduation cake was the fact that my best friend and her family flew in from Boston to SURPRISE me for graduation, and her husband took all the gorgeous pictures you see in this post. He did a fantastic job, and I'm so proud to display and post them!

Feeling so loved!

And her daughter...oh my word, you have never met a more friendly toddler till you meet her daughter. 

 She was sooooooooooo cute and friendly! 

Anyway, I did it! I got my doctorate, and now I'm officially "Dr. Keshia Lai." Not gonna lie-- it feels AWESOME to have that "doctor" title in front because I worked darn hard for it. It felt very good to be hooded, and receive the diploma from the president of the university himself. 

But I am also aware that 1) it's a HUGE BLESSING, 2) I couldn't have done it without these people: 

Btw, the above is an excerpt in my dissertation, so if you spot yourself in it, you are immortalized in my dissertation. Hahaha.

NOTE: I didn't list my friends in Singapore because I have too many but I did not forget you guys! I just could not write more because my Acknowledgements was getting too long. Just know I feel so loved to have so many good and supportive friends back home.

Most of all, I have to thank the LDS/ Mormon pioneers in Singapore for letting me interview them, and allowing me to use their information as the data set for my dissertation. Again, if my dissertation ever gets turned into a book, and they read it, I hope they will be pleased with what I did. 

What are my plans now that I'm a doctor (albeit a useless one)? Find a job...somewhere. I'll keep you guys posted.