Graduation Day

What a day today was. This a.m. I had a long meeting about the monograph I am editing/co-authoring. I got to chapter three and there were summaries from interviews, but no information on the interviews. So I got the information, which will require me filling in many gaps. The text \ is coming together. I think that it will be reasonably good (and far better than the MS I started with.)

At 12:30 I headed over to CenPRIS, the Centre for Policy Research (which was recently merged with the Centre for International Studies). They are planning to reorganizing themselves to be a clearinghouse/NGO Centre. I have been asked for my ideas (and I have some). I had a long lunch with the CenPRIS director and Dr. Fazal. He is a bit older than I am and knows everyone (including Ralph Nadar). He started out founding Consumer Action of Penang which is a major NGO. He was very helpful and gave me a list of names for my project and will establish the initial contact!

So why "Graduation Day." For two weeks tents have been going up between the library and the mosque. Today they opened. Apparently part of graduation is a market/food court. (Plus entertainment for the kids.) Parents and young people carrying caps and gowns have been arriving at the Guest House all day - giving off a familiar, festive air. Tonight I made my first stop at the food court - the standard fare but lots of it. I also got a fruit rojak and as soon as I finish this I will eat it and report on it tomorrow

I am trying to find a ride to the MPA Graduation(Friday night) - I have seen the schedule. It is far different from my previous MPA Graduations - stay posted.