Tag: stress

Journal Entry #14

Wow…Here we are; the final classes of our semester, the final weeks of utter anxiety. We survived…almost.

I would have to say, “Elliot Spencer” has been my absolute favorite story we’ve examined thus far. I love Saunders for his ability to transform language through unconventional syntax and structure. The discussions that arose, surrounding the importance of language were incredibly interesting both the read and to write. It was the perfect way to end our adventures with literature.

As for finals, I enjoy the lack of busywork, yet struggle to develop concrete plans and strategies for working through our comprehensive assignments. I’ve done my best to layout the next two weeks, attempting to fit research papers and biology exams between work and sleep. Sleep is growing fainter and less effective at combatting exhaustion, but it remains vital nonetheless.

I’ll keep this brief for I fear I am losing my ability to communicate properly at this level of cognitive function.

‘Tis the finals season. I wish you all the absolute best of luck! I have seen wonderful work from my peers this semester, I have no doubt you will all continue to do great things. I must remind myself (and I recommend you all do the same) that at the end of the day, all I can do is try my best. The rest remains out of my control so what’s the use in stressing over it. Though, I could use another puppy photo right about now…

Update: (12/04) I just saw an article on Singapore’s approval of “lab-grown chicken meat,” becoming the first country to do so. Sounds uncomfortably familiar to Oryx and Crake’s “ChickieNobs” and I’m frankly worried for our imminent doom.

Journal Entry #5

Currently Reading: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese and the graphic novel Daytripper by Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon

Sometimes when life feels hectic it’s nice just to sit down in the coziest corner of your room and read.

This week was hectic and yet, my stress has only begun: I had my first college exam today, with my second one only days away. On top of that, I will be working 27 hours at my new job this weekend. These hours are merely for training purposes and should shrink considerably by next week, yet for now, it means a few rain rides worth of studying biology.

And so, in all the chaos, I read.

Along with my own personal ventures, I read “The Swimmer” by John Cheever for psychopathology. As I “dove” into the day of Neddy Merrill, I’ll admit I was quite confused at first. I remember thinking, “who on earth would commit to such an adventure?” Yet this confusion only drew me in more. I loved finding the hidden meaning behind each line and I especially found it interesting to see how my peers viewed the protagonist’s character traits. I was intrigued by both the contrasting perspectives and the similarities to my own take on the story.

Writing this now, I see the irony in my judgments on Neddy’s defense mechanisms. Just as Neddy used swimming as his escape from reality, I use reading as mine. Isn’t it funny how humans crave this distraction, this momentary bliss..?