AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Am I being too sensitive? Won't you find it rude if someone who does not know you yet says, "Aren't you too young to become _______?"

Especially when they haven't seen your credentials and how you work as a professional.

In October 2015, a few weeks short of my 21st birthday, I got hired at my first ever job, after passing the board exam. I was a newbie and had no batchmates in that institution. So I felt like I was the baby in the lab and knew I had a lot to learn. I felt so small but thanks to my seniors, for teaching me and for not making me feel stupid, I became the medtech that I am today. A few months after getting hired, the hospital administrator asked if I wanted to attend an intensive training in Microbiology at RITM. I said yes. Then after the training, I put up the Microbiology section. Having the Microbiology section made the lab a Tertiary Clinical Laboratory. Since then, the hospital administrator would let me attend trainings, seminars and workshops with our chief medical technologist. I took up Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, hoping I could teach someday. little did I know, I would be promoted to supervisor at the age of 24. I attended all those seminars and trainings, for the love of learning and not for the promotion. So I was really grateful for what happened.

Those who do not know me would always wonder how I got promoted. Like, excuse you? How rude!

I love learning and putting into action what I've learned. And I was blessed to have been hired in a hospital where the bosses see potential in their employees. It's because of them that I was given these opportunities to learn, to grow and to share my ideas and knowledge. My years of experience also taught me a lot on how to manage the lab and how to communicate with different kinds of patients, doctors, etc. Being able to collaborate with them and with different organizations helped a lot. But I came to a point where I've already given everything I could give in that hospital and was offered a job in a new hospital where I can continue to grow. But I am glad that the ones I left were all supportive and happy for me, including my bosses. They even told me I could return if I ever changed my mind.

And just recently, a week before my 29th birthday, I started working in a new environment as the Chief Medical Technologist. Those who know me, were happy and proud of me, telling me I deserved it, while those whom I have just met were like, "But why? Aren't you too young to become the chief?"

Ugh. These people are the reason why young people get discouraged. And for their information, my application was reviewed by the Board of Directors and went through a lot of screenings. And I am blessed that my bosses, the doctors, respect me despite my age.

And as I get to work with those who were doubtful, they start to warm up and respect me as a professional. :)

The way I have delivered my thoughts in this entry may be a little vague and confusing but my point is... DO NOT JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR AGE OR BY THEIR APPEARANCE. 

JUST DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEM. Hehe. ALL CAPS PARA INTENSE.

A friend pointed out that age or seniority could be a basis for promotion, because you shouldn't be a leader if you are immature.

But to me, you could be old and still be immature. You could also be young but  mature because of all the experiences and learning you've gained at a young age. So wala talaga sa Age yan.

Hehe that's all.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

Here's to growth, new challenges, learnings and chasing after our dreams!

Cheers to the "going out of your comfort zone era"!

Level 29

I'm gonna write and post this now, because I'm sure I'll be busy and swamped with paper works on my birthday.

Celebrated my birthday today with my family for the same reason mentioned above.

It has been a week since I started working in my new job and there are so many tabs opened in my head as I multitask, accomplishing the tasks my bosses ordered me to do and present in our next meeting, coordinating with our Chief Pathologist, coordinating with different departments as we make policies and procedures, organizing the lab and coordinating with the Engineer, coordinating with the IDS and members of the committee I am part of, etc. Haha.

I said I won't be working at home but damn I've been working 16 hours a day since Monday. I'm not complaining though, and so far, I am enjoying it. Good thing, I was able to rest, relax, travel and spend time with family and friends for two weeks before I started working.

As I get older, I become less excited of my birthday, but God keeps making my Octobers memorable.

In this game called life, I'm glad I was able to overcome the obstacles, main quests and side quests.

Level 29 will be unlocked on Tuesday and I am grateful to God for all the blessings, protection, guidance and love He has been graciously giving me.

A List of Lists: Singapore is the best!

Things I Love About Singapore:

1. Reliable Transportation System

In 2017, I wasn't able to experience commuting much because our great aunt couldn't do long walks anymore. But this time, my friends and I rode all the available modes of transpo in Singapore. Bus, LRT and MRT (all the colors/lines they have like woooow). We still had to book rides from grab, to and from the airport, since we had a lot of stuff.

2. Residents Are Disciplined

You can leave you valuables unattended and still find them where you left 'em. Although, since there are a lot of tourists, I still don't leave my bag with gadgets and wallet unattended.

3. No Racism

Probably because of the diversity of races

4. Rain Isn't Much of a Hassle

The rain doesn't really bother people. It doesn't affect their daily lives nor does it stop people from walking, since there are roofs and sheds everywhere.

5. An English Speaking Country

Although there are still a few locals whose first languages are Mandarin, malaysian and indonesian. The aunties (old ladies who own hawkers) spoke to me in Mandarin. I could understand a little, since we had Mandarin classes for two semesters in college but damn that was a long time ago. I should have practiced before the trip.

Things I Won't Forget About This Trip:

1. Sunday Service

Went to City Harvest Church at Suntec Singapore with my church mates/friends to attend Sunday Service, and how very timely that it was communion week! There's so much stuff and practices in that church that I hope we would start doing in ours.

2. I Survived Living The Cashless Life 😆

As a person who uses cards and phones for payments, it was so convenient that you can use your debit/credit cards to pay for fares in buses, trains and for paying stuff almost everywhere. Also, the conversion rate is much cheaper that way. So instead of having your money exchanged/converted to SGD. Use cards instead!

3. I Started Feeling Lighter

Got rid of the heavy weight brought by the stresses of life and of anger. Got rid of anger. Saw so much things that reminded me of a certain person. Glad those things didn't trigger anger anymore. 🤍😊

4. Bought Myself a Gift

Not really a Sneakers Fan. Like yeah, I buy shoes, to use for work and for everyday use. But I'm not a sneaker head who buys and collects expensive shoes. But dude woooow at the outlet store, I saw the perfect pair of shoes for me. It had touches of orange.

5. Got To Enjoy These Things With My Friends

The shoppings, attending church, strolling around, and eating different varieties of cuisines from South East Asia. I kid you not, we walked 15,000 to 16k steps per day.

Damn, I'm gonna miss having authentic Laksa.

Reinstalled IG before the trip so I could upload my travel photos. Uploaded not to brag, but to keep them stored and give my friends easy access to our photos. 😆

If you're looking for a camera for your travels, Canon EOS m50 Mark II could be it! It's mirrorless, so it's light and easy to carry. It's basically a vlogger's cam. You can stream live on facebook and youtube. Transfering photos from cam to other devices is so easy thanks to wifi-connect. It's also touch screen and the screen could be tilted. You can also use your phone as a shutter when taking self portraits or group photos. You could also see live on your phone, what the lenses of your cam could see. (THIS ISN'T A SPONSORED AD HAHAHA)

Uploaded my favorite photos on my IG. Photos were taken using both my camera and phone cam. 😊

@icarcabral

Sayonara, September!

It's hard leaving the institution that helped build my career

They trusted and supported me for eight years, gave me everything I needed, and took care of my loved ones and me whenever we were sick.

Employees from different departments became family to me, and the hospital became my second home and safe space.

Doctors became friends and treated me as if I were their younger sister or cousin. They helped me not just by looking after my health, but they've also been helping me in my career.

And though being left behind is a sad thing, they were all happy for me. They were all supportive and excited about my decision. Their love and support makes me cry happy tears.

One of my favorite doctors dropped by the lab knowing I'd be leaving the next day. Good thing I managed not to cry. Hahahuhu. While two of my other favorite doctors started calling me Chief. 😭🥹 And I'm glad I'll still be able to work with them in this new chapter of my life.

On my last day, I received a message from my sister saying, "I hope your last day will be a memorable one."

OMG HAHAHA IT'S SO UNFORGETTABLE BECAUSE I GOT SO TIRED. 😆 There were so many difficult tasks that day.

"Huling hirit bago umexit!"

September had its ups and downs, but I've decided to only remember and keep the good days. 🤍