Sympathetic Perception

It is an interesting place to find yourself; having someone talk to you about what they’ve perceived about you and for them also to be worried that their perception is correct.
I found myself in that unsual place this afternoon. I was at church service in a brand new baby church which is strange in and of itself for me, but also there, was a woman who has been lecturing in one of my classes at college* and from whom I’ve learned quite a bit in the 3 weeks I’ve been taking her class. Her name is [not] Scott and she’s a Dr of the Phd variety. Clearly a v. smart lady.
It would appear that I’ve surprised her.
People at work who have known of me for a long time actually remember me as a personal assistant. In those days I was assistant to a high profile [nationally and internationally] team memberwhich made me immediately recognizable. So much so that people [total strangers, mind] would stop me, say hi and upon occasion, even comment on my hair…
Bizarre but true.
It was an interesting time. On reflection, I think I checked my brain in at the door on the day I started that job and had it forcibly returned to me on the day my boss left work 2.5 years later. That’s another story a really long one and one I’m still not ready [read able] to tell. Anyway, it was back to that time to which Scott mentally referred when developing her perception of me.
In taking this class I’d handed in a short piece of work and participated in discussion and both of these had been the cause for Scott’s surprise and so when we met this afternoon she told me I’d been on her mind all week and she asked me if I was still a PA and also, if I’d ever been to University.
Of course, I said no.
It appears that for me to be still working as a PA would have been a waste [my interpretation of the conversation] and that I should consider going to University – that I would love it.
I have no doubt I would too.
The conversation continued with a discussion about what I am doing now, the business, the novel, the web princess job at the office and I think she was surprised and pleased that there’s more to my world than working at the church. Actually, I have the distinct feeling that she thinks I’m wasted working at the church.
I still think I have a lot to learn there…
… but I also have to ask myself whether she isn’t just a little bit right…
*I am studying this BA at an arts college – a vocational training (VET) institution. As it was always been referred to as college when I was a student there before. I shall continue to refer to it that way… calling it Uni sounds all wrong…