Day 67: Quantum Chemistry with Cookies

Since they were fumigating (or de-ratting, or de-cockroaching, or de-bugging—something like that) the main lecture hall in the physical chemistry building, all my classes today were relocated. This semester, I'm mostly studying physical chemistry, so every class was affected.

There was a notice on the door explaining the situation and listing where each class had been moved. It said something like, "Today's class of [subject] will be held in [new location]." One entry stood out: Quantum Chemistry was handwritten. It read:

"Professor Wolff's Quantum Chemistry class will be held today in the faculty lounge."

Did I read that right? Yes, I did. So I headed there, and when I arrived, the other two German students from the class (there are only four of us) were already seated—at a table with boxes of Danish butter cookies (you know, the classic blue tins…), a hot water kettle, tea bags, and instant coffee.

Professor Wolff, who is a very busy man, is always late. Ten minutes behind schedule, he finally arrived and asked us:

"Would you like something?"

"Uh… no, thanks..."

"Oh, come on, of course you do!"

"Well… could I have a tea?"

So, he made me a tea, prepared coffee for the others, grabbed a cookie for himself, and started the lesson.

This is one of those moments when you regret not knowing German, because you just know that if you could understand him, you'd learn a lot. After all, how often do you get the chance to have a private Quantum Chemistry lesson from a professor who clearly knows his stuff—while sipping tea and eating cookies?

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