I can remember it just as if it was yesterday. My grandparents and my mom drove me to Washington, DC for my first day of independence. We left real early in the morning in August. The air was crisp and cool, yet I was very excited. I ditched Parkland High School, hated the fact I left so many friends and a ex-girlfriend behind. I still wondered so many things, so many "what if's", yet I was looking forward to going.

 We all piled into my grandparents blue pontiac bonneville. We drove for hours to reach DC. But who knew, the excitement, fear, some misgivings my mother had. Yet, my grandmother probably have told her, "Let him go. He will be fine, trust in the lord."

I remember when we arrived, we checked into the KDES apartment. It is located, believe it or not, above the school. Wow! a school that is decked out with apartments! No Way! But they did have them. We were at least a day in a half early. This gave my grandparents time to rest before their next leg of the trip to see my grandfather's brother in East Orange, New Jersey. 

Funny thing, I wasn't the only one who arrived early. A guy named Tim arrived early and was staying there at the apartments with his parents. Suyrea was also there. Man, I'd never forget the excitement of wanting to be in the dorms. I was also wondering about the furniture too. The last time I was there during my intake test back in April of 1988, some of the furniture was breaking and was damaged.