Writing Mimesis: Having only learned to ride a bike a year ago, I was wobbly and constantly felt like tipping over. I swerved left and right and the inconsistent concrete in which my bike was traveling was a hindrance. Everyone else was moving steadily along while I was on the verge of swerving onto the lane where locals are driving their run down automobiles. It felt like everyone else was riding on a bicycle while I was on a unicycle. Was mine the defective bike? That wasn’t even the worst part of it though, adding to my body heat was a neon bright vest that seemed to shine brighter than the blazing sun on my face. A safety vest that made getting lost look less embarrassing at the moment than being spotted in such a bright color. A helmet was also forced on my head making the sweat accumulate in my hair. Nothing seemed to be going according to plan yet the wind in my face and seeing the streets where locals live was such a nice change of pace. Since landing, I’ve only experienced the gentrified side of Mexico, the resorts and beaches. It lost its vibrance very soon after experiencing it. 

Reflection: I chose to copy parts of Socrates’ Apology for my writing prompt. After copying Plato’s work, I found myself wanting to incorporate some words said by Socrates and his bluntness. Since he speaks philosophically, I thought about him on the stands trying to defend himself while writing my prompt. I felt that I could portray similar emotions of trying to defend myself through my writing specifically when I felt excluded by my family for trying to maximize the activities we could do.

Writing following hormesis/stress: To be carefree is not something I’m familiar with. I’ve lived my life in anxiety that I fear will eat me up one day then chew me and finally spit me out til i’m nothing but bones. It takes over my life and with that comes overthinking and overplanning. Everything should be done and perfected, as that’s the only way to maximize life and enjoy it to the fullest. So, as I always do, I had an itinerary made. Date, time, activity. It was my way of maximizing our time in Cancun, so not a single penny will be wasted. Nothing should be wasted. This mindset was trapping me in a box. I was dull and strict because of it, like an unlikable teacher who never let her students have any fun. I realized how nobody was having fun but I didn’t take it into account. No smiles or laughter, all because of me. Mayan pyramids that my Chinese immigrant parents don’t even know the history of. Heck, neither did I as I never paid attention in global history class. Or was it the Aztecs who built the pyramids I’m looking at? Finding out at the last minute, my brother signed us up for a bike tour. It wasn’t on the itinerary. 2:30pm, Lunch at a french restaurant at the resort instead got replaced with 2:20pm, bike tour of Puerto. I was ready to lash out and act petty. My hard work in creating the itinerary felt like a victim of bullying. It was stepped on, belittled, insignificant. It made me feel little despite being the tallest in the family. Ready to act petty and tell my family I wasn’t going, I was gonna be stubborn and I didn’t realize I would’ve been missing out on one of the best parts of the trip. My favorite part actually. 

Reflection: I chose to do some jumping jacks to raise my heart rate. I felt myself rushing to get my thoughts out after doing the jumping jacks despite being a little tired and thirsty. It felt like my mind was racing as fast as my heart was. However, as more time passed while writing after doing my jumping jacks, I felt my typing speed slowed down along with my train of thoughts. My body was calming down just as my brain was.