Life’s like that…

Last week, as I collected my things and walked out of my class with my lecturer, he shared with me his mistakenly high opinion of my intelligence. It had been a particularly trying day… and his perspective was refreshing, so I understandably made no effort to correct his misuderstanding – even enjoying his misdirected admiration! The saga continued today in class – for when i arrived – his obvious delight was evident. The entire lecture delivery was aimed at me…. and when i clarified a point – exclamations on my supposed brilliance escaped my professor.

Now today had not been a bad day, so i was obliged to correct my tutor’s mistaken notions. As we walked out of class, i let him down gently – explained to him how I specialized in looking intelligent and knowing precious little. He was not one to be easily convinced.

I realise now that it is very risky to be the only awake student in his class – and the fact that I was sitting on the first bench made the situation even more perilous. That I was busy fiddling with a software program, discretely on my laptop cannot be admitted in such a situation. Unfortunately, my periodic absent minded, polite nods in his direction, further convinced the hapless soul that I was listening!

As all these thoughts were running through my head, i suddenly realised that he was still speaking….I was nodding all long yet again! It appeared that I had agreed to his suggestion of helping some of my non English speaking classmates. Dear me…I do manage to get into the strangest of scraps!

I realise that one bobbing, apparently awake head in an ocean of drooping ones can be an encouraging sight to the teacher. Softening a liitle I conversed with him about this and that, as we walked towards the main exit of the campus. It truly surprised me that this geeky professor, whose lectures are a veritable cure for insomnia, was actually witty and intelligent. I suppose prolonged hours of exposure to portfolio theory can have its own share of perils!

As we bid each other goodbye…He paid me his ultimate compliment, saying that I was surprisingly in touch with reality – usually his brightest students were nerds. Amused to hear my own thoughts flung back at me….I watched his retreating back. What can i say….Life’s like that!!