Within fifteen minutes, I ransacked the “Friends” folder of Quinn (my laptop) to put together some pictures to show what a year it has been since I became friends with this particular person.  There is one girl with long brown hair and full bangs who is in each one of the photos of this collage. She is Monzie, one of my closest girlfriends in college and my entire life, and one of the people who made me realize I have no regrets in studying in Taft. I would not have survived and enjoyed the first year of my college life without her. She’s one of the people who encouraged me to embrace my flaws as opposed to being a perfectionist and helped to come out of my nutshell. Unlike before, I had few to no photos with people other than myself and my family. But last year changed everything. Aside from snapshots with my beloved HS friends and classmates at various events, the best of freshman year was captured by her golden command, “Guys, picture tayo!” Shopping and gimmicks will never be fun without her fabulousness. What a difference a year truly makes - I will always credit her as one of the people who lit up my social life and perception in life. What words could I describe the girl named after Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous painting? Monzie is one of the greatest people you’ll ever meet. She’s stylish, witty, hilarious, a talented singer, and someone you won’t regret meeting when you sit on your rocking chairs accompanied by a cap of white hair. Thank you to the big man upstairs for giving me a unique individual like her. Everyone around her is truly lucky to have met her because of her spectacular character.

To one of my girlfriends for life, partner-in-crime, shopping buddy, BBM twin…happy 18th birthday! Love you and always will ❤