I finally headed down to McKinley to pick up my diploma at the office. I’m not going to lie, it was anxiety inducing on so many levels. Especially when the woman helping me had a difficult time finding me in their system (which we later found out was because I took the actual test at Farrington which warrants me a different kind of school code). But once I opened up the package, I couldn’t believe I actually passed the GED and that the diploma I was holding in my hands had my name on it. I’ve been glancing at it several times an hour since I left McKinley, mainly because I’m afraid that I’ll wake up tomorrow and realize it was all a dream. But for now, I’ll give myself several pats on the back, because I know I worked my ass off and was able to accomplish something worthwhile even if for a moment’s time.