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.

Tuesdays with Morrie

Not only did Mitch learn something from Morrie, every person that reads this book has learned what life is really about and what we should value in life. This is almost like a reality check to the reader, because by the end of the book, we want to live life just like Morrie and die happy and at peace. Yet it is also a reminder, to find value in family and friends and not the material things or things that are accepted by society but have no real value.