flying the jet

flying the jet
Originally uploaded by mathesonmd

The jet was with us for a brief few months, but in its wake it left a flurry of emotions. It is now gone forever and we can share our experience. One cold day just before Christmas, we found the jet at Toys R' Us in Pittsburgh. Its shiny packaging beckoned us to purchase and we took it home. It was wrapped and tagged for Becket on Christmas day. Once opened, it became a fixture. Becket talked about "my jet" like it was a family pet. He couldn't wait to fly it. The snow and rain and freeze didn't abate. The jet needed ideal conditions for flight: an open, dry, flat place, a mild breeze. Days turned into months as the weather was unrelenting. Becket never lost hope, never missed a day to say, "when we fly my jet..." The day finally came. The jet did not disappoint, she flew like a champ. Becket squealed with delight as she swooped and soared. It was magical.

A few days later, we thought we'd try it again. The day was a little more windy, but we thought she could handle it. Becket got her up and had one brief flight. She was on top of her game. Dad took the next turn, hoping to get the jet up high and pass over the controls. Well, the jet had other ideas. It caught a wind current and just kept climbing. Dad quickly realized the jet wasn't coming back. It climbed and climbed, unresponsive to remote control. Several large vultures were riding the same currents and it joined it, soon soaring out over the Monongahela out of site. Becket began to sob, "My jet, my jet, ,myyy jetttttt." We now only have our memories of that silver and black foam beauty, but we'll cherish them fondly.

Styles

We definitely have our way with style around here! Check it out:

There's the Jem and the Hologram look. Micah insists on wearing her makeup this way!:



Then there's the Queen for the Day look, worn to the post office, grocery shopping, to the park, until it broke and has still yet to be hot glued.



Here's Becket out the door on his way to school. That's the school for capturing the Holy Grail taught by professor Indiana Jones. I barely caught this one with a minute to spare before the bus came.



He then wanted to accessorize his hat with bunny ears. What would Docta Jones think? I quickly tossed the idea and sent him out the door.



I don't know what this is,but I don't know whether to laugh or to run away.

Test Computer Glitch

Mat was an hour into his test today and the computer seized up. Isn't that about the worst thing to happen when you're taking a serious exam? They worked together to get it up and running and nothing happened. After waiting an hour, the program director was able to walk the facilitator through it. Mat said it was so disruptive to the other test takers. I asked him if his answers were saved when he go t back on and he believes they were because the screen still showed them. Let's hope his results reflect the same. Breathe.

Resuming an UN- Rountine on Wednesday

Mat's test is tomorrow. The biggie, the boards. It's hard to imagine that spending this last decade of your life comes down to passing this one test. A tidbit of information about this wonderful little thorn of a test, they only pass the top 2/3rds weeding out the bottom 1/3rd, so let's say you get a score of 90% but you fall in the bottom 1/3, you don't pass. You should be confident in your ophthalmologists, because you are getting the cream of the crop.

That being said, the Harris household is very nervous and excited to have this test done with. I know he'll do well. He's honestly has done everything in his physical power to prepare.

1. Running in the mornings he's listened to prerecorded readings, narrated by himself from his study books the night before.
2.Studies any spare second at work and stays later to put in a little more
3. Studies when he gets home
4. Studies all day Saturday-putting in a regular work day, even when the weather is 70 degrees.

So, it will be nice that Mat will have a little freedom again. Routine will not resume on Wednesday. I here by declare no routine at all!

Good luck tomorrow Mat and may we all say a little prayer that you have the stamina to complete your thorn of a test.