For many years now, Secret Service has said he wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He has always loved everything about flying, airplanes, even airports. He spends many, MANY hours on a simulator, flying as a virtual pilot on Southwest, United and American airlines. When Secret isn't flying (or sometimes when he is multi-tasking), he is watching TV or playing video games. Recently, Secret discovered the TV series, Grey's Anatomy, and has been working his way through it episode by episode.
I have come to believe that Secret thinks by watching these shows, he's taking an on-line class that is preparing him to become a doctor. Since starting this course of instruction, if someone complains of an ache or pain, Secrets' head pops up. He listens intently and then wonders aloud if they've got a cardiac problem or a brain tumor.
Science Girl and I have been attempting to encourage Secret to put as much effort in at school as he does pursuing his hobbies. We have said that if he wants to be a pilot, he'll need to earn excellent grades to demonstrate that he's got what it takes to be responsible for an expensive airplane and the lives of numerous passengers. When we spoke not long ago, Secret smiled. "Don't worry, he said, "if I can't be a pilot, I have a back up plan." This was news to us. We looked at him expectantly. "I can be a neurosurgeon," he said, confidently. Science Girl and I exchanged glances.
School isn't all that relevant for Secret. He thinks he can successfully fly a plane and operate on a brain. What else is there to learn?
