cocoon: Shout it out, scream it loud

So, classes have finally started and I have loads of work to do. All the students work really hard, it feels like some actually live in their lab. On the other hand, they also know how to enjoy their time after, and they definitely know how to party. I am very lucky with my courses. As a grad student you are supposed to take 2 - 4 classes and work on you research. At the moment I have 6 classes! It is a little crazy, but they all sounded amazing, and I got really excited.

my schedule
monday: 9am: lab meeting, 1-3pm: proseminar social psychology (taught by Christina Maslach)

tuesday: 10-12am: personal assesment (my Prof. is actually german, Oliver John, you couldn't tell, though. His accent is perfect!), lab afterwards

wednesday: 9-11am: attachment (by Mary Main...wohaaa she's amazing), 12.30-3.30pm: buyer behavior (favorite class :) by Leif Nelson), 4-5.30pm: research in organizational behavior (haven't been there yet, it is taught by a different Professor each week)

thursday: 12-1.30pm: colloquia (various types of psychological research are presented, next week: humor :) )

friday: lab

in between: lab!!!

It is crazy how much you learn, the whole environment is extremely inspiring. The class sizes are really small, they range from 6 to 12 people. I can actually follow the entire class without losing focus, because it is so interesting (even my research methods class;) ). It is hard to keep up with the reading, for each class I usually hav to read about 4-6 Journals. The professors really make you think and it really helps in order to generate new research questions and to design new research projects. I wouldn't necessarily say that the level is higher than in Germany, but it is a totally different approach on learning. All the energy is very stimulating. At least this is my impression so far.

Last weekend we had a housewarming party and it was a real succes. Lots of people showed up, we had good music and fun :). I appreciate this house and all my housemates more and more. I also went to a piano concert last week! Jean-Yves Thibaudet (i.e. soundtrack Pride & Prejudice) played Liszt at Cal Performances (a hall right on campus). It was simply WOW. Crazy what this man can do with his fingers. I can't wait to go to the Symphonie in San Francisco. We're getting tickets next week!

Booth of several fraternitys and sororitys infront of the campus. I got invited by Alpha Kappa Gamma (or was it Alpha Beta Psi...??) and actually thaught about going just for fun...