What It's Like 1

We all have stressful events in life. All of us. Being an American does not negate this fact, because stress is how we perceive events or changes in our life. Sometimes, it is helpful to explain stress in metaphors. That is what this blog entry, and the ones to follow, will attempt to do: capture 'what it's like...' in a metaphor.
One stressful event in my life that easily comes to mind is striving to get a 4.0 in all of high school. This is an extremely stressful goal, one that has me cranking my wheels all the time, checking my grades, constantly making corrections, adjustments, changes in work ethic. I study, work hard, and try to manage my time well every day. Honestly, the best metaphor I can think of that relates to this stressful goal in my life is that I am Frodo from Lord of the Rings. The ultimate goal, achieving 4.0, is like the final moment where Gollum falls into Mount Doom and the ring is finally devoured by magma. Finals are like huge enemies, like the Balrog, or the Nazgul King. I must defeat them if I want to reach my goal. Finally, the hoards of Orcs are little assignments.