The concept of friendship has always been a challenge for me. Maybe it’s because I’m shy and I don’t talk too much when you first meet me. Maybe it’s because I don’t think like most females I won’t sugar coat shit for you or tell you what you want to hear. Maybe it’s because my hobbies didn’t include makeup (until I was 23) but video games and playing basketball.
Whatever the case was, I would make friends and they would betray me. And we simply wouldn’t be friends anymore. Maybe I trusted people too easily? Maybe I told them things that I should had known better to keep to myself. Or maybe the people in the Bay Area are just effen crazy. Who knows.
When I decided to do the Disney College Program, I wasn’t expecting to make friends. I just really hoped, more than anything, I would get along with my fellow cast members. That was it. I didn’t expect to be asked to hang out, or to be called or texted on a daily basis. I didn’t expect hugs and inside jokes.
But I did make friends. I was invited to hang out. I did have hugs and inside jokes. I was surrounded by people who wanted to be around me. Just simply me. Whoever I was that day. However I was feeling. They really liked me for who I am. And you guys honestly don’t know how much that means to me.
I am thankful for these people because they have changed my life. Thank you for showing me what friendship meant and for caring even if you didn’t know me all that well in the beginning. And for not making me feel like I was a boring person to be around just because I don’t drink.
Downtown Disney West Side, you will always be my home. And these people will always be ohana <3.

