Personal Hero's Journey by Ryan Ka

Threshold - First day of school

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 21:34:28 UTC

On the first day of high school, I woke up with a mixed feeling of nervousness and excitement. I completed my morning routine and left for school. Once I arrived, my nervousness was swept away. I looked up in awe at the massive kingdom of learning in front of me. As I entered the doors, I saw my fellow friends and knew that it was going to be a fun journey.

The first day of school is similar to the threshold because entering into high school is like entering into a new unknown world. As I crossed the threshold, I found my friends, the helpers. The threshold was simply entering the front doors of the student union.

Abyss - Finals

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 21:35:18 UTC

And with a sense of finality, I put my pencil down. I finally completed finals, and with it the semester. Everything that I had worked for all year was for that single test. I had survived the year and all my experience led up to that test.

Finals is similar to the abyss because although it was difficult, I completed it. I overcame obstacles and completed challenges to reach that point in my journey. Everything a hero does in his journey ultimately leads up to the final challenge, the abyss.

The Return - Winter Break

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 21:35:25 UTC

*RIIINNNG* The bell rung as school finally ended for the semester. After crossing the abyss and overcoming all the obstacles, it was time to go home and prepare for the next leg of the journey. 3 worry-free and relaxing weeks of break to rest up.

Winter break is like The Return because you are exiting the unknown world, and returning to the known world, home. You can return to doing nothing and relaxing. Although it is a return home, the hero's journey is a cycle and the hero will always be back on his journey sooner or later.

Call To Adventure - VIP day

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 22:13:33 UTC

Before the school year started, we all went on a VIP day or tour of the school. That was when I knew that I wanted to go to this school. The tour guide explained all the great opportunities that the school had to offer and I was sold. Walking around the school and seeing everything it had to offer was enough to have me wanting to go in the next few weeks.

The VIP day is similar to the Call To Adventure because although I was somewhat reluctant to go to school, I knew in my heart that I wanted to participate in the journey of San Marcos High School

Call To Adventure - Receiving Pokemon from Prof. Oak

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 22:28:51 UTC

Ash woke up. His mom just yelled up to him that he had overslept. Suddenly he jolted up and bolted downstairs. His mom told him that Professor Oak wanted to see him. He ran to his lab and found that only one pokemon was left, Pikachu. Along with the pokemon, Prof. Oak asked Ash to fill up a Pokedex.

This signals Ash's Call to Adventure because this is when he truly feels the enormity of the quest. He was nervous but was ready to embark on his journey. Ash receiving Pikachu was also a call to adventure because with a pokemon he could finally begin his battle.

Threshold - Leaving Pallet Town

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 22:38:25 UTC

Ash leaves on his adventure from his hometown, of Pallet Town, to embark on his journey into an unknown world with his only friend, Pikachu. He crosses the border determined on his journey to complete the quest brought upon him. He enters the new world with no prior information.

Ash leaving Pallet Town is his Threshold because he's entering a new unknown world. He's never ventured outside of his hometown and everything is new to him.

Abyss - Battle Against League Champ

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 22:47:18 UTC

After defeating all the gyms and going through all of his adventures, he finally reaches the elite four. He defeats them and reaches the final destination, the league champion.

His battle against the champ is the abyss because everything he had done on his journey led to that battle. All of his battles and training prepared him for that final battle. He leaves the battle a changed person after trusting his pokemon

The Return - Ash returns home

ryan_ka6837 — 2015-01-29 22:51:06 UTC

After his journey and defeating the champion, Ash returns home. He parts ways with his friends and traveling companions as he approaches Pallet Town. His homecoming is joyful and everyone in his home is happy to see him. Although his family is the same, he returns a changed boy, with a new perspective.

Ash's return home represents the return because he finally comes back from the unknown world and back into his hometown. He has come back with new ideas and experiences that he had obtained over his journey.