The Aloha!

I spent two and a half years working for Norwegian Cruise Lines America. I started working for them at a time in my life when I had just ended a eight year relationship that had been through a evolution of its own. I had shut down during that eight years and I had had enough. I cut off the relationship. I ended it and I picked a fight to do it. I packed all of my stuff, called my parents and asked for a plane ticket to Florida and the next day I was there. I was bruised and beaten emotionally, and had family relationships to repair, still do. I needed space and time to heal from that eight years and I had heard about this cruise ship opportunity from that person I just ended things with and I considered it. I applied went to a job fair for the company, was hired on the spot and left two months later for training.

I spent three weeks in training and was hoping to get sent to the new ship the line was bringing out, but that didn't happen, I was sent to the Aloha. I was freaked out to be going back to Hawaii so soon, but I believe God gives us only what we can handle and I went back knowing I could come in contact this the person I just ended my relationship with, to say I was freaked out may be an understatement!

I also knew I was going to open myself up emotionally. It was scary after being shut down for so long, but I knew it was time to open up again and I did. I made some mistakes with people, but I also dated someone on my first contract. It ended after I came back from vacation, but I was okay and I was learning to be in relationships with people, cultivating friendships. It was a great time in my life and I was happy. The best things to come out of working on the ship were my friendship with my best friend Elicia and finding out I wanted to go to film school. I miss the people, but I would never trade working on the ship for anything. It helped my to grow and be a better friend.