I watched a youtube video, saying that if you're sad, down, blue, depressed etc. You should start by looking at the things you're thankful for. That gratitude is a way to make you feel better. So here I am trying that advice...
When I submitted my research to UAA 2018, I have initially no plans of going. Well because of a lot of reasons, I felt guilty about it, I felt I was punished for it, I felt I'm not making a difference and lots of reasons.
But do you believe me when sometimes, Divine intervention really wants you to do something?? And suddenly there were lots of signs thrown to you urging you to do something.
I'll begin with receiving an email. From UAA itself! Inviting me to the convention. I felt honored, well because this is the first international convention to send an email to me, a mere resident only. It may be a bulk email to random people, but I was really touched by the gesture from their part.
So after receiving the email, I thought to myself, too bad I couldn't go... hay...
Then came the next sign: my paper was accepted for presentation! I was happy and giddy with the news. But again, my mind told me... "they will not allow you to go, ang dami mo ng labas..."
The 3rd sign was when the PURA president called me, "Avy! Gusto mo mag UAA? Naghahanap sila ng 3 senior residents na papadala dun, sponsored yun hotel and yun precongress workshop."
So I then asked my dad, "Pa, they're offering me to go to Japan, they'll sponsor the workshop daw. Do we have money to go to Japan?" Then my dad said, "It's a rare opportunity, you should grab it, I'll take care of how we get the money to go. Though you should ask permission first to your head" So I did, I asked permission from our RTO and our Chief of Section. Eventually I was allowed to go.
I actually felt really bad after the conversation. But hey, it's new year's eve, so I can't welcome the new year with a very sad and negative feeling.
Then the 4th sign came: I was chosen by UAA to represent the Philippines to do a lecture in the precongress. I mean Wow! And this was discovered by one of my consultants and he emphasized to everyone that this indeed is an achievement not only by the resident but the section as well.
So my dad, being the best supportive dad that he is, went with me to UAA.