Danielle Zappile (grad 09)

Daily Happenings

It seems like just about everybody in my classes is sick. I have been trying to fend some bug off for weeks but it seems to have caught up with me the past few days. In fact, I cut all of my classes today and slept. It took all of my energy to get up at 1:00 and go to the clinic to take care of one of my patients. Although I love taking care of my patients, it is just no fun when you are not feeling well.

It seems as though I have been at the clinic non-stop trying to start up one of my new patients. At Sherman, in order to adjust, you have to get in a spinal exam, a physical exam, x-rays if necessary, and then meet with the case doctor so we can determine a plan of care for our patients. With this being the case, I performed a spinal exam yesterday, and today we went through with a physical exam and spinal check. Tomorrow, we will take x-rays and get in one more spinal check. I am hoping to have all of these x-rays analyzed and make an appointment with the case doctor by early next week so that I can adjust. This doesn't sound like a lengthy process, but there is actually much paperwork and red tape necessary before an actual adjustment. hopefully I will get in a good nights sleep so that I am not feeling so badly tomorrow and I will have more energy for my patients.

Start of School

Our first day of the quarter began this past Monday. It is hard to believe that time flies by so quickly and I am already 10th quarter! Thus far, classes seem to be running smoothly and looks as if there will be several group projects in my classes. It seems like there may be a great deal of busy work but this is nothing to complain about as it doesn't compare to the workload we had when we first started at Sherman.

This quarter, my classes consist of research, alternative adjusting, x-ray review, x-ray III, pediatrics and geriatrics, pediatric adjusting, clinic lab, and applied technique. This does not include the hours that we have to put in to the clinic. This quarter I need to get in 120 hours in the health center. This should not be too hard to accomplish as at least 20 of these hours come from my clinic lab class.

I am looking forward to this quarter as I hope to be starting some new patients at the clinic!

10th quarter students. This is my class. The photo was taken last quarter at our pin ceremony.

Movies

This past week I have seen two movies. I saw both Kite Runner and National Treasure. Both were quite enjoyable yet completely different and I recommend that you see both of these movies.

I finished reading the Kite Runner a few weeks ago and I have been looking forward to seeing this movie in the theater. Although this was a somewhat sad view of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it was sobering to watch the changes that have taken place in those countries as a result of the political and religious unrest. I even recently heard that the children actors in the movie have had to move out of their country fearing the backlash that would most likely result in their portrayal of the country. Although this was a heartwarming story, it is sad to think things like this are happening in the Middle East.

On a much lighter note, National Treasure Book of Secrets is a movie not to be missed for that uplifting feeling. The second National Treasure movie is much like the first with the same characters once again looking to decipher codes that will lead to treasure. Although many people are saying it was not as good as the first movie, I enjoyed it none the same.

I suggest you take advantage of the holiday movie season and go out and lose yourself in the magic of cinema!

Italian New Year Traditions

It is the tradition of the Italians to celebrate the new year with food. For as long as I can remember, we have had pork on January 1st. It is said that for the New Year's Day dinner, eating pork products accompanied by lenticchie, or lentils, is a tradition followed in most regions of Italy. The pork is said to represent the fat, or riches, of the land, and the lentils symbolize money or good luck. Some say that the lentil dish should be enjoyed on the last day of the year, some say the first. Whatever the case, I am sure good luck and money will follow!

Peace and happiness in 2008!