An interesting class

Determined to hone my exisitng skill set, I took up the opportunity this year to study again. I did think about the daunting challenge of preparing assigments and sitting examinations (all a bit much for a (cough!)late 30-something who last did any formal study some eight years ago I, let alone finishing high school in the late 80's). Imagine my surprise when I saw more than just a handful of, shall we say, more distinguished looking ladies and gentleman, and by that I mean people for whom hair colour became a neccessity in order to maintain a youthful appearance.

In one of my classes, I had what had to be one of the most diverse groups I've ever come across, taking not only age, but ethnicity, nationality, and of course gender into account. This was a writing and critical thinking class. Perhaps it was my own bias to not expect 'certain types of people' to attend this class. Considering myself somewhat of a writer, I had high hopes for my first encounter with my lecturer. High hopes fulfilled-he called my writing graphic, and used several other complimentary adjectives, for a piece commenting on the U.S. financial climate and it's effect on the global economy. We were given a choice to write a 1/2 page piece on a recent news item or 'my favourite gadget' (what was he thinking).

Forget surprise, try chagrin for size when this learned author suggested that another much yonger man, who chose to write about gadgets in a quasi James Bond fashion got a mention as having some real ability. Excuse me! The more I processed his decision though, observing his mannerisms with other students, and the more I listened intently to his constructive criticism of others, I realised just what this man was doing. He was building into a young man, who evidently did not think much of himself or his work, a sense of pride in what he did, giving him hope. The truth is that this young man, with what knowledge I have of the community that he's a part of, probably needs all the hope he can get. My mild envy turned to deep respect as I found another soul willing to make a little difference in a big way.