Happy New Year

Sorry for the lack of updates. Not much to update really, just studying lots and other life stuff. Went back home for 2 weeks for break and got to see my pops. I hung out with him, mostly ate and saw movies. He loves the new place, although there might be some thievery problem. I can't make out if it's him losing his stuff or people stealing stuff. It'll be cleared up with time hopefully. I saw friends and it was not nearly enough time to see everyone I wanted to see.

I got a new camera so I'm posting pictures up on my web photo album. It's at: http://picasaweb.google.com/henrysiem. I update that more often than I do this because, well, pictures do speak a thousand words. Although some actual words can help too once in a while.

So I'm finishing up my second block, we've got 4 this year. Another 10 weeks and we start our primary care practicum, more on that in another post. We've got an exam next week and also our individual process assessments where we prove that we can think logically, come up with hypothesis, find data and ask questions that will lead us to supporting our hypos. We get a paper case that says person A has a problem and here are their lab values. We have to think up hypotheses and come up with issues to research. We come back 24 hrs later and present to a member of the faculty our findings and our support for the hypothesis. It's supposed to be fun and I'm a little bit excited to do it! It's the first time that we'll be independently working towards a diagnosis!

Spring break is in 6 weeks and me and 2 of my friends just bought tickets to go to Nicaragua. In case you're wondering where that is, it is in Central America just north of Costa Rica near the Central-South American border. It is a land of lakes and volcanoes and it is also the poorest country in latin america, making it one cheap travel destination. We're hoping to have a relaxing 1 week lying on the beach and swinging from the tree tops, fitting in volcano surfing in between!

I have a physical examination to do on 2 standardized patients tomorrow. It's our first time touching other people besides ourselves. It should be fun and exciting!