"Grace Under Pressure"

In the novel, "The Sun Also Rises", written by Ernest Hemingway, there are many characters who display very similar qualities and characteristics through out the majority of the book. A majority of them lack the correct (in my opinion) judgement and constantly use alcohol to cover up the truths in their lives. Also used to avoid the reality they face when they are sober
Romero is a character that immediately stands out for several reasons. First of all, Romero is a new intriguing character to the others because he is a bullfighter participating in the "fiesta" in Pamplona while they are visiting. Like the other citizens of Pamplona, Romero emulates passion, something Americans were said to have lacked. When Brett notices Romero, what she sees in him is different than what she would usually see in men. Instead of the usual, money and nice things, Brett sees him passion and it seems to almost flood and overwhelm her mind. She is constantly observing this nineteen year old boy and seemed to find something new about him every time she encountered him. From his green trousers to his bull-fighting, Romero had Brett's attention.

Brett especially admired and goes into depth about the way Romero goes about his bull-fights. "Romero's bull-fighting gave real emotion," Jake says. After watching his performance in the ring, the other characters, especially Brett, begin to realize the intricate details of how Romero worked his cape. They realize that not only does his passion show through his bull-fights, but his movements were not contortions yet  very quiet movements. Romero's way of fighting make it look easy because of his constant calmness. In the novel this quality is described as "Grace under pressure".

This technique Brett uses is similar to the one many of us use today to choose hero's, fiends, sports, shoes and even furniture. The idea is that when looking for something special you look for that something or someone that catches your eye. When searching, you look for qualities that fit your personal quota yet it or they might have than one thing they do that really draws you to them. Brett is someone we can relate to,when it comes to her feelings about Romero.

The Execution of Tropmann, Turgenev

If you lived in the times of Turgenev, would you go to an execution? In the text Turgenev takes us behind the scenes of an execution of a man who was accused of murder, and he learns alot about the process and the emotions it causes. Going into this uncomfortable setting, Turgenev doesn't know how he feels about this "performance" that will take place in several hours. It's almost like he's experimenting, so that when its all over he will feel like the majority of the people feel. Will he feel like he's just watched a performance or will the guilt greatly affect him? Through out the text Turgnev is constantly describing his surroundings based on what is going on. When the murderer, Tropmann, walks out, when the guillotine arrives, when Tropmann is killed, the emotions of the crowd are observed by Turgenev. He compares them to the ocean, because they act as one. If one person begins to yell, everyone would yell. Also similar to the tides of the ocean, the crowd would at times get loud at times and then it would soon die down, and grow louder again. By the end of the story Turgenev doesn't deliberatly make a decision about how he feels but you can tell by his reaction what his opinion is.

Cowobys

In Ehrlich's passage, she goes on to explain her unique view on cowboys. She brings our attention to how they are seen as these tough guys, inside and out yet on the inside they almost have this innocent child like personality. She also describes how they are somewhat anti social because they spend long hours dealing with animals and working outdoors. She shows her readers an intricate, detailed perspective of cowboys who seem to be dear to her.

Nobodiness

The meaning of nobody is different to everybody. Nobody could be someone who lacks the material things, the physical, or other things that are important to many of us. Nobody has that negative connotation which suggest unimportant or not worthy. Not being apart of something, or being put down causes some to feel like nobody.

Metacognition Questions

Culminating Writers Profile
1. From the beginning of the year, my writing expectations have increased. The more resources i am available to through out the year, the better i expect my writing to get.
2. The strongest part of my writing would be my intro and i think i have reinforced it by making sure its not to long and that i have a clear thesis.
3. The conclusion is the weakest aspect of my writing and to strengthen it, i remember that the conclusion isn't necessarily a summary, but needs to tie/ wrap up the essay.(with out sounding like its just tacked on)
Evaluating you writing process
1. To improve my essay, i would make my conclusion stronger and make the thesis and body paragraph more specific.
2.
3. It was hard to find an alternative way to say certain things so that more than just me understood what i was trying to stay.
Evaluating Your Successes
Being Honest with Self
1.The most intimidating  part of this essay was just putting into words that everyone would understand. (the definition)
2. The Definition Essay examples were really helpful in addition to the brainstorm activity.

Ethics and Personal Values

Ethics and personal values are things that all people should have. It's traditionally something learned from the home, but if not, some would have the aspirations to teach themselves. The teaching of ethics and personal values in public school would greatly assist those who didn't receive it form an influential person at home. Things like respect for everyone, no matter the age, common courtesy, honesty, and integrity would help create "good citizens" if taught in the public school system. The disadvantage to this  is the fact that some parents/guardians might not agree with the ethics the child is being taught in school. Things related to or similar to religion should be offered but not required because not all believe in the same religion. Categories could be split into citizenship and maybe something like common sense. Common sense including please and thank you kind of stuff and citizenship could include courtesy and respect.

"What Secrets Tell"

In "What Secrets Tell" by Luc Sante, he breaks down the truth about secrecy. Using the Soviet Union, Internet and American culture/media, Sante describes the secrecy in all of them.

When secrets were revealed in the Soviet Empire, lead lined rooms, dead bodies, and info abut spy's and abuse were soon discovered. "...the serial release of K.G.B. documents over the past decade has solved whole shelves worth of longstanding mysteries...", Sante claims.

Then Sante uses the Internet to support what secrets tell. He goes on to explain how the Internet has turned out to be the,"nemesis to secrecy...". The readers soon understand that nothing can stay hidden online. We don't realize how many people can see a post on the Internet, yet Sante brings it to our attention. Lastly, American culture/media, is used as an example. Sante describes it as, "the urge to confess one's hidden transgressions before an audience of strangers,...". This shows how non-personal our lives have become. This publicity of, "psychotherapy and its many cousins,..." has become normal and will continue to get more and more open. "...the measure of normality is subject to continual revision..." I would agree withe all of these things, but especially with the Internet and media part. It's interesting how we want to keep secrets, yet half of our life is displayed on facebook, myspace, and eharmony. also, the fact that we are so into everyone else's lives through media. Trials on the news, and celebrity stories on E!. Secrets aren't secrets anymore.