week one

Greetings from sunny, beautiful Berkeley. To answer the question: how are things in Berkeley? Things are wonderful, albeit a bit overwhelming. After a week of class shopping, I have decided to take (1) Neural Control of Movement (grad), (2) fMRI Methods (grad), and (3) Neuroanatomy (undergrad), and a couple Bioengineering Grad Seminar in Teaching and Ethics. I have begun working in The Cognition and Action Lab, directed by Rich Ivry in the Psychology Department, and by begun working, I mean I've been reading papers. I'm anticipating more direction concerning a specific project this week. Aside from reading research papers and my neuroanatomy text books, I've been swimming, sailing, biking, and attending a variety of social events.

Since my current blog evolved from my bike tour blog, I'll take this time to talk about the biking. Friday afternoon I went on my first cal cycling ride, the pigtails (all girls) ride. It was a nice, not quite leisurely ride, down to and along the bay trail to Richmond. Saturday morning I went on my second cal cycling ride to Grizzly Peak. The first part of the ride was a 8-9 mile climb up Tunnel Road into the hills at which point the group stopped at a park and split off for different rides. I took the "easy" route with my friend Jack, Lauren (who led the pigtails ride), and Arthur (a math prof), It was tough, and while I felt guilty about setting such a slow pace (from the back of the pack), everyone was really encouraging. Yesterday, after brunch at the Thai Buddhist Temple, I went on the lazy Sunday Berkeley ride to Richmond (a bit further than we went on Friday) with my friend Ted from Michigan and a bunch of sffixed.com kids.

Hope all is well in Michigan, New Jersey, or wherever you are.

Cheers!