Blog #15: A Network of Secrets

A Network of Secrets, a Web of Lies


    
     A secret is just information that one wouldn't want another to know about. With that definition, anything could be a secret. I believe that, unfortunately, as long as the internet stands, it will inevitably always be a place for secrets.
     The internet is a place to advertise, communicate and learn. It provides anybody, with virtually anything they would ever want to know; from how to make chicken noodle soup, to where celebrities went today, and even on how to make malicious programs to harm other people's computers. Sure, there are many "safe" websites that don't contribute as "enemies" to secrecy, but there aren't none.
     The Internet is filled with quidnuncs, scammers, and many others that seek to invade one's privacy. Gossipers and bloggers eagerly fill up their web pages with the latest news on what celebrities are doing 24/7.
Scammers create programs to trick you and buy their products, or even get hold of your personal information (addresses, card numbers, passwords, etc.), which we hold in secrecy to others.
     Examples of secrecy on the internet are everywhere. As anything can be a secret, a simple bit of information to one person, could be a secret to another who wasn't intended to see it. Other examples include leaks of unreleased media, like movies or music. Many people that don't want to pay to watch an expensive movie, or want to download an unreleased album for free, find their solution in retrieving these things on the internet. Obviously, the last thing media directors and producers would want is for everyone to get their hard work for free. Also, speaking on terms of media, people can easily find "spoilers", or the "secret ending" to movies, books, etc. Lastly, some people that use social networks, like MySpace, Facebook or Twitter to communicate, are simply asking for their privacy to be publicized. Regardless of whether we want certain bits of information to leak out into the public, the internet will always be a place full of secrets.

Blog #14: Ethics and Personal Values

     I believe that ethics and personal values should not be taught in schools. Students should decide for themselves what is right or wrong, even if they are the other. I also believe that students should learn good or bad morals from their parents or whom ever they were raised by. I think that teaching ethics and personal values proves useless, as we all have our own opinion on whatever is taught, and we can't be forced to believe whatever the curriculum tries to brainwash us with.
     However, certain morals should be reminded, for students to take into consideration. For example, health classes should remind students to choose abstinence, but there shouldn't be a whole lesson devoted to it. Things like: study for your test, don't do drugs, and be nice to people are some others that I feel are acceptable in classrooms, because they are widely accepted and are obviously the positive route.
     As far as morals, ethics and values go, highly controversial topics like religion, should not be taught in schools. There are many different religions, and is a topic of which the opinions differ from person to person.
     We should learn from our own mistakes and experiences, what "right" and "wrong" are. Unlike learning it in a classroom, students won't always agree to the same things or ideas. But who would want to live in a world where everyone always agrees to the same things?

Blog #13: Movies!

So I tend to write much more than I probably should, but I just can't help it...



     Movies. Surely, every one of us has watched at least one movie in our lifetime. Many of us have our favorite movies. Some just like anything funny, others love the thrill of scary movies, and then there are those who just love a good 'ole western film. Movies can be categorized in many ways.
     When my friends come over for a "movie-night" we take the longest time deciding what movie to watch. Do we want to laugh until we cry so hard we end the night with sore abs? Or do we want to sob because Jake broke up with Annie and use up all of my lotion-infused tissues?
     There are just too many genres to choose from: comedy, drama, thriller, historic, mystery, animation, Sci-Fi, western, romance/"chick-flick", just to name a few. We can draw into each of these categories to create an even more intracate web of movies. In comedies and romantic films, they're are the movies that we all know the ending of- even if we have only seen a two minute trailer of, the ones where they want you to think she ends up with the boy but she ends up with the girl, and anything else that falls into an uplifting story. Dramas, can be divided into crime dramas, war, medical, and basically anything tragic or meant to be taken seriously.
     We can also divide movies by the way they were produced. There are the low budget, independent (indie) films, that usually just make it to film festivals. And then there are the big-shot, 300 million dollar budget movies that make their way around the globe and is on everyone's list of must-watch movies.
     To me, a good movie is just one that entertains me. I don't limit myself to just funny movies, although I find them enjoyable. I personally love thrillers. Not to be confused with scary movies (with wasps flooding out of a demon-child's mouth, or whatnot.) I love the movies that really make you think the whole time, the ones constantly trying to trick you by adding cool special effects, like the Prestige or Inception, for example. Now documentaries and scary slasher films are another story. I personally steer clear from documentaries, as many of them (or at least the ones I've watched) put me to sleep. Sometimes, rarely, do I reach for a scary movie. I occasionally watch them with friends, just to see if I can handle it, but if they are "based on a true story" I am usually out of the room before you even make the popcorn. I am a fan of almost any type of movie, and I think a good movie is one that captivates and interests the watcher.

Blog #12: The Pink Flamingo

Debrief and Reflection on The Pink Flamingo

Self-Check:
1. I feel that I answered the prompt to the best of my ability within the given time period. I could have explained more because I feel I did not relate my interpretations to the prompt very well.
2. I do, however, have a clear thesis statement on how the author structures their essay.
3. My essay was focused around the theme of the United States and Pink Flamingos, both Bold and Beautiful. I feel that the paragraphs could have been structured and linked together better to follow the prompt.
4. I have focused on things like imagery and diction, and tried to explain myself as well as possible, but now looking back, I feel that I may have repeated myself a few times throughout the essay.
5. I used quotes from the essay that I felt supported my main point, and tried to explain my analysis of these exerpts.

Reflection:
1. I felt that the quotes I used helped explain my point fairly, and my introduction was strong. Also, I took some time to plan and brainstorm for my essay.
2. I felt panicked with a short amount of time, and resulted in me not exactly answering the prompt.
3. If given more time, I would explain myself more clearly and address the prompt better.
4. The organization of my essay, for the most part turned out almost exactly the way I had planned in my outline. I did change some of the details and supporting facts that i put in the beginning.
5. As I was writing, I noticed more things I could've added in my essay, since I don't always catch things the first time i read Price's essay.
6. Since the Pink Flamingo essay was my first blind timed write, I have learned what I need to do differently to prepare for the next timed write. I will read through the prompt carefully, and make sure to find supporting evidence throughout the essay/excerpt the first time. I will try to use less time to brainstorm, so I can focus on writing my essay, but try to have a general idea on what I am doing for each paragraph.

Blog #11: Metacognition Questions

Metacognition Questions on Definition Essay-

Culminating Writers Profile

1. Coming into this class, I didn't really know what to expect- I just knew we'd have a lot of writing to do. I think that after writing my first AP essay, the process helped me realize how I should change my writing style. The definition essay was especially difficult because I am so used to writing whatever is on my mind, not really organizing it. I think things that i need to work on are making my words flow better on paper, and structuring my essay better.
2. I feel that I do a good job on introductions and "hook" the reader. I reinforce them by tying my topic with the prompt in a (hopefully) insightful way.
3. My writing weaknesses are not elaborating on what I am trying to say, or wording it correctly. I try to sound formal, but my sentences just end up wordy. To strenghten these areas, I try to get more information to support my topic and focus on getting the point across in an informative way.

Evaluating Your Writing Process

1. If I could write one more draft on my definition essay, I would make my paragraphs flow better and elaborate on what a nerd is, and add more to my counterargument. I would also change my sentences to not include the "to-be" verbs.
2. I thought the easiest element to improve was rewording my sentences and dropping the formal tone.
3. My biggest problem was not having enough ways to "define" nerds. I wanted to make it interesting and define it in a new way, but I don't feel my essay was strong enough to make a big statement.

Evaluating Your Successes

1. My most successful large-scale revision was adding another paragraph to explain my argument more clearly.
2. I mainly used imagery to illustrate my definition essay.
3. I tried to create different arguments, so the readers could all find one they relate to or understand.

Being Honest with Self

1. I was most intimidated by the fact that I didn't really understand the concept of the essay. I went through multiple topics and found it really difficult to find one that I could support and still have a strong counterargument with. I read through examples and really thought about each topic, making little lists for which one I had more insight and information on.
2. From the texts we studied, I found the Box Man the most helpful for my essay. I liked the idea of taking something so simple (lonliness) and expanding it in ways that I never thought about together. The author made it so relatable with personal imagery and descriptions and really helped me in how to structure certain things.
3. After reading student essays, I liked how they added their personal stories and could relate to their topic on a personal level. I tried to make my essay personal as well.
4. My peers gave me general ideas on rewording and what sounded awkward, and overall what sounded good/bad.
5. After completing this assignment, I feel that I definitely need more practice to create much stronger essays. I know what i should do to write a good essay, but I am not quite sure how to incorporate these ideas in my writing.

Blog 10: Just a Nobody

     We've all had that feeling before. The feeling that we're Nobodies. We walk through the crowded school halls, but no one moves aside for us, and may even bump into us without apologizing. In class, no one knows our name, even though we've have classes with them ever since the sixth grade. Whatever we say to people goes in out ear and out the other. Some people get so tangled up in this feeling, they feel hopeless and invisible; like a Nobody.
     Nobodiness can be caused by many things. Not being acknowledged socially seems to be a main cause. Little things like not having enough money to spend, moving to a new town, depression, feeling confused or lost, all are factors in feeling like a Nobody. No one deserves to feel this way, but many of us do encounter this feeling every once in a while. Personally, when I feel like a Nobody, I think of it as a temporary thing and try to look at life in a different perspective.
    
    

Blog 9: Tuesdays with Morrie

     After hearing many positive reviews of Tuesdays with Morrie from past juniors, I was excited to read it, not exactly sure what it would be about. Honestly, this may be the only book that has ever made me cry so much! It really made me think twice about my place in life. Would I end up dying slowly like Morrie? Would I make an impact on people's lives?
     This book also taught me to never take life for granted. Teenagers often complain, there's no doubt about it. We complain about how little sleep we got, and compete to see who has more homework, but many of us are missing the big picture.
     Someone, in a third world country may not be able to go to school, even though they want to. Someone, possibly living next door to you, could be dangerously ill, but is too sick to even speak, let alone complain about how awful their day was. There is always someone having a worse day than you.
     There were many philosophies and lessons that I learned from reading Tuesdays with Morrie, but I really admired the fact that Morrie was thrown a rare disease, an inevitably slow painful death, and no reason to hope that he'll make it through, but he accepted it. Instead of complaint, (which I feel is something many of us 'over-do') Morrie openly tells Mitch and his guests, and teaches a lesson along with it.