Saturday, December 23, 2017

2017 Review

2017 went by like a wind. I "thought" 2017 had nothing special, and I did not accomplish anything. Well, thanks to Facebook, it reminded me the following highlights of 2017. 

1. Passing Credential Exams: 
I earned three credentials this year: CAPM (Certified Associated with Project Management), Investment Foundation Certificate, and CSSGB(Certified Six Sigma Green Belt). I have a list of credentials I plan to obtain after MBA, now three down, and I plan to get at least one more in 2018. Not having a summer break in 2017 was worth it because of these certificates. 

2. Participating in Races
When I was a senior in college, I found my interest in running. When I first started running because I had to lose weight, I hated it. However, I suddenly fell in love with it because it helped me clear my mind and release my stress. Ever since then I enjoy being a runner. I hesitated to run with other people at first because I don't want to get the pressure of competing, but later I realized, I don't have to compete to participate in a race. I was so surprised that I won the first place in my age division (25-29) in one of the cross country 5K, this year. I plan to run longer and more challenging races in 2018. 

3. Reuniting with High School Classmates
High School Reunion was a big highlight, this year. Catching up with classmates and getting to know them over again after 10 years was amazing. Since I already wrote a post, I am not going to mention a lot in here. Please click the link if you are interested.  

4. Donating Blood


Donating blood was scary at first, but I am proud of myself to overcame the fear and saved other people's lives. Since I wrote a post, I am not I already wrote a post, I am not going to mention a lot in here. Please click the link if you are interested in learning the statistics, benefits, and process of donating blood.

5. Participating in Toastmaster
I was a member of Toastmaster from October 2016 to October 2017. I gave at least ten speeches this year. Due to the difficulty of balancing studying for credentials, work, and other personal commitments with Toastmaster, I had to pause my participation; however, I do plan to start back again.  

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Blood Donation Process

I donated my blood for the first time in June. I have been volunteering at Red Cross since high school, but never done it myself. I was super scared. I had fear with needles and blood itself. With many years of hesitation I finally decided to do it because researched about facts and statistics and found out the benefits and neediness of blood donation. I am going to share statistical facts, benefits, and process of the blood donation.    
Statisfacts - significant difference between supply and demand of blood is significant. 
  • Every 2 seconds, someone in this world need blood
  • Blood cannot be manufactured, which means there is no substitute. The only way for people to receive blood is donors. 
  • Only 3% of qualified donors actually donate blood
  •  Risks such as feel light headed or pass out, but this barely happened like 4 in a 1000. Remember that the amount of blood they are taking is less than 10% of your blood
  • One pint of blood donation can save up to three lives
       Benfits Donating blood does not only save other people’s lives, but also have health benefit to donorsIf you donate....
  • Reduce the risks of heart and liver disease and cancer because when you donating blood, you are donating extra iron. Your liver would not be overwhelmed with extra irons. 
  • Free chance of physical check up
  • Help with weight loss, I lost a pound afterward
       Process - pretty simple. 
  • Before - make an appointment on the American Red Cross Website, you can enter your zip code and the website will list the locations and available times. Make sure to avoid alocohol and fried food (unhealthy food) and eat iron rich meals (healthy) for a few days before donating blood. 
  • During - I recommend you complete Rapid Pass before you donate because it will save a lot of time. Rapid Pass will ask health and medical related questions. When you walk in, they will take your pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and iron level. If your numbers fell within the acceptable range, you are ready to donate! The moment the needle goes in, it might hurt a little; however, you won't feel anything afterward. The drawing process takes around 4 to 10 minutes. I recommend drink A LOT of water donating, so the your blood will come out faster and you don't have to be sitting there for a long time. 
  • After - make sure drink water and eat well for the next days. Red cross will provide some snacks afterward as well. Congratulations, you just saved somebody's life!