I was born with fairly average qualities. Average physique, average intellect, average personality and average ambition and average many other things. I try my best to improve on things whenever I feel the need, but overall I'm very happy with what I have. I like myself. But sometimes I can still get pissed off when someone tries to emphasize their better self right in front of my face. I don't need you to tell me that you're better than me, I'm smart enough to recognize that despite my average brain. That's right, I can be very bitter.
But there was one day when nature decided to turn the tables. When I was in second year, I took a course on biogeography. One day I was walking with my lab to the Pacific Spirit Park for a field study. A girl happened to be walking with me, and we started chatting up. She was a year younger than me, and told me that she was an IB student, and that she had satisfied many credits already, that she shouldn't need to take the course and that she found university classes to be a piece of cake. Okay maybe I made up the last part, but that was the idea. She spoke in a very arrogant tone, at least that was my impression.
When we arrived at the study area, she saw her "IB pal" and quickly teamed up with her to do the research. I was working independently, and asked the TA many questions. Because, that's what they're for no? But I couldn't help but notice the way those two girls worked. They buried their heads together on their clipboard, whispering to each other and cautiously observed their surroundings as if people were eavesdropping. And indeed I was, couldn't help it. They were afraid because they were so smart. One of them started by saying, "I think the answer to this is.." and proceeded to write on her own paper to show the other person, to which she concurred intently. When I passed by them they immediately ceased talking. They also held onto their clipboards like their babies, protecting them against the harsh wind and of course, the potential cheaters. I took off. I don't think they understood the purpose of TAs, and that students actually would much rather use them instead of their peers for their assignments.
A few weeks passed by and I didn't see her again until one day after class, when students went to the front of the class like sardines to collect the marked lab assignment on the field study. I decided to stay in my seat until the crowd dissipated. While I was waiting, she appeared with her assignment. She asked how I did, to which I replied, "I don't know, I'm waiting to get mine". Then she held out her assignment, and complained to me how she was so disappointed in a 90%. Just when I was about to tell her to suck it up and that 90% is good enough, my friend, John, came to me with both of our assignments. He appeared to be impatient and couldn't wait to get out of the warm and humid lecture hall. I thanked him for grabbing mine and took my assignment. "Oh did we both get 100%?" I was a little surprised. "Yes, yes,... are you done? Can we go now? I need to line up for Japadog". I then got up swiftly and said to the girl (who, by this time, was speechless), well I'm sure you'll do better next time! See you later!
Yes I felt really good that day. I don't think I'm being gleeful or proud. I think the message I'm trying to express is, you just never know when an average person isn't as dumb as you think. There may be exceptions.
