Leather Bound and Sealed with Dreams

medievalauthor @ 2007-02-23T18:00:00

2007-02-24T01:24:11Z

I feel so weird. The past month has been probably the biggest emotional roller coaster I've been on in my life. I've still been getting in fights off and on with Hudson. I don't know why. He's so important to me, and yet... I dunno. Something has to change if we're gonna make this work. We haven't talked much at all the past week or so. It's weird, cause I've never been able to do that before. I usually text him every morning and every night at least. Now I don't even do that.

Things with Sadie have been better lately. I think she's getting over not being able to see or talk to Hudson anymore. And she's getting over Skyler being a jerk. He's been such an idiot lately, ever since Chade and I told her what he was doing. Retard. We're having a surprise party for her tomorrow. I'm so excited. lol. Now like over half my friends are eighteen.

It's so sad. All my friends are leaving, except Bree and Alisa, which is really depressing cause they aren't really my best friends anymore. Sadie's probably going to St. George for college. Hudson and his twin are going on missions. Tyler's leaving on a mission. Court's leaving on a mission. Chade's going to college somewhere. And I just learned that Jared turns nineteen in June, so he's leaving on a mission this summer too! I'm gonna be going to so many farewells this summer. It'll be depressing.

I hope Jared and I become better friends after Morp. :) He's so awesome. I still can't believe I asked him. I'm not one who usually asks football/student council people to dances. lol. It's so cool though... The more I get to know him, the more he seems to fit the "handsome prince" mold that I always dreamed about. He's honestly one of the hottest guys at our school. He's a great athlete, but he isn't cocky like the other football players. He's probably one of the nicest people I know, next to Sadie. lol. He's not stupid like most high school boys. He doesn't swear or talk about crude things. He's so appropriate. He's so respectful too! And he really....gets it. Gets important things. He knows where he wants to go. He has a testimony of the gospel. He's a spiritual giant, honestly. He tries to understand things. He's a great student. He's friendly. Gosh, I could go on forever.

That's gonna be the hard part though... I knew when I asked him that even if we don't become friends after this, there's a pretty good chance I could fall head over heels for him after Morp. Hudson wouldn't like that at all... But he can go sit in a whole. If he wants me, he should start trying harder than he is.

In choir yesterday we had Solo and Ensemble auditions. Some of the girls were not meant to sing solos... It was kinda sad. A couple of the girls sang "Danny Boy". It made me miss Scotland. :( All the talk of the pipes and the glens made me miss those green hills and the castles and fields dotted with fluffy sheep. I hope I go back there after high school and work for Michael or something.

Lisa was telling me her aunt could get me an internship in DC this summer. I'm so excited. Her aunt works for the Senate. That would be so awesome! It would help with getting the Sterling Scholar award next year in Social Science. And it would look great on college applications. My dad's excited about it too. And if I didn't do that, Alisa's grandma could get me an internship with a local politician. My summer is gonna be so packed with going to mission farewells, internships, online classes, family vacations, and stuff like that. And we still might go to Hamburg, Germany for the Manatech internship conference.

Ooh! Choir tour's coming up... I'm so excited. Kinda. I'm in Sadie's room. And we're going to Disneyland. And we're in Sr. Seeley's wife's group. lol. fun fun fun. The downside is that Hudson's going to be with his precious, bleached blonde, flirty, boy crazy Bethie the whole freakin' trip. He keeps saying he won't. Yeah yeah yeah, Hud, we'll see. That's what you told Sade last year, and you spoke two words to her. :P Dork.

medievalauthor @ 2006-10-06T22:49:00

2006-10-07T04:48:59Z

Hey! Just got back from eleven days of England and Scotland! And then a week of freedom and a car at my aunt's house while my parents are in Cyprus. It was awesome!

medievalauthor @ 2006-01-05T19:25:00

2006-01-06T03:06:25Z

D'accord...Je sais que j'ai dit que je ne retournerais pas jusqu'a le cinq de mars, mais je suis tres exitee... Par consequent je parlerai en francais.

Ce soir, je suis allee chez Hudson! Sa famille est tellement sympa! J'adore son petit frere! Truman est tres mignon! Quand nous etudiions dans le salon, il a jete les oreillers a Hudson et a moi et a le mur. rtf! Et Hudson a joue avec il. Ils ont lutte sur le sol. Et j'ai rencontre sa mere et son pere et sa petite petite seour.

Apres je suis arrivee, Hudson a realise que s'ecriture etait dans la voiture de son frere jumeau. Son frere travaille a le commissariat. Il est tres intelligent. Hudson irrite Jake tant. Il est tres amuse! Jake peut faire la sourde oreille Hudson... rtf.

J'aime Hudson... Il est un garcon tres amuse...mais tres intelligent et sympa. Il est tres beau, aussi!!!! J'adore quand il m'appele Belle... Je veux avoir seize ans maintenent! :( J'attendrai. Je devois attendre.

Un article en anglais sur le cinq de mars!!!

medievalauthor @ 2005-09-08T20:40:00

2005-09-09T02:41:09Z

bye

medievalauthor @ 2005-08-01T09:33:00

2005-08-01T15:39:30Z

Still alive, but very busy! This morning I have to go to my grandma's to make some cards, tomorrow I have to babysit and go to dance, Wednesday we have our trek reunion, Thursday I have to pack and go to dance, sometime in there Jason wants to hang out, I have to finish a couple books before I leave, Friday I have to get up at four or so in the morning to make our 7:30 flight to Baltimore, won't be back until late on the 14th, on the 15th I have to do all my school shopping, etc, on the 16th-19th I'm going to Education Week with Breena, which lasts from 8:30 in the morning until 8:00 at night Tuesday-Friday, on the 20th I'm going on a YM/YW boating trip to Deer Creek, and school starts on the 22nd. So, yeah...if you don't see a lot of me the rest of the summer, that's why.

Oh yeah, my mom forgot to send your prezzie, Gymmy. She's sending it today, so don't worry!

medievalauthor @ 2005-07-26T15:46:00

2005-07-26T21:47:51Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I wasn't able to get your birthday present yet, but I will, I promise! We've just been so busy...I'll hopefully get it sent off in the next couple of days...Maybe even tonight...

Oh yeah, I won't be on again until Saturday night, maybe not until Monday even... Don't worry, I havna died. I'm still here.

medievalauthor @ 2005-07-20T23:09:00

2005-07-21T05:10:32Z

Just so everyone knows....I've was at EFY last week (that was seriously the best week of my entire life!!!!!) and won't be back until the 24th...I'm not ignoring anyone, promise! I don't think I'll be able to get on again (I'm in Washington right now) but I'll try!!!

medievalauthor @ 2005-07-06T15:41:00

2005-07-06T21:42:06Z

And the winner is....

LONDON!!! for the 2012 Olympics.

Woo hoo! Congratulations!

medievalauthor @ 2005-06-25T23:16:00

2005-06-26T05:18:33Z

Hey, Sarah! Could you wear the shirt you're planning on wearing to church on the plane tomorrow? You don't have to wear your skirt if you'll be more comfortable in pants on the plane, we're just not sure if we'll be able to come home before church, since it starts at eleven and it takes an hour or so to get here from the airport. You may need to change into your skirt in the car.

medievalauthor @ 2005-06-11T10:31:00

2005-06-11T16:32:13Z

Not sure why I post on here anymore....'tis boring........

medievalauthor @ 2005-06-08T21:13:00

2005-06-09T03:16:19Z

I need a new layout. Could someone help me please?

medievalauthor @ 2005-06-04T16:21:00

2005-06-04T22:25:49Z

I just had my first Irish dance performance! I think I did pretty well. I totally screwed up our St. Patrick's Day dance, but I did a good job on two hand and light jig and reel.

lol. I did my hair curly for the performance, and now I have it back in pigtails and it PUFFS! lol. It's funny. William Bear is absolutely amazed at my hair. He keeps coming up and laughing at it and touching it. He's so cute, my William Bear. :D

More later...

medievalauthor @ 2005-05-09T20:22:00

2005-05-10T02:23:52Z

Okay...so, I usually don't do the "copy this onto your journal" thing...but I liked this one I nabbed from Gymmy....

"If you read this, even if I don't speak to you often, you must post a memory of me. It can be anything you want, it can be good or bad, just so long as it happened. Post one or many.

Then post this to your journal. See what people remember about you...."

medievalauthor @ 2005-05-06T23:03:00

2005-05-07T05:04:41Z

HALEY- I NEED YOU TO ARRANGE YOUR FLIGHT PLANS FOR THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

medievalauthor @ 2005-05-04T15:39:00

2005-05-04T21:43:23Z

I'm dying I'm dying I'm dying I'm dyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!

I probably won't get on until this weekend...maybe after that...I'm so stressed out, I can barely think straight. Hopefully dance tonight will bring down the stress level...*sigh* Can't wait 'til next week...most of my 1000000000 point projects will be done and turned in.

medievalauthor @ 2005-04-16T10:38:00

2005-04-16T17:03:27Z

Last night was so much fun! There was a dance at the church building by the temple, and MRJH, AFJH, AFHS, and LPHS were all invited! That was the best Friday night I think I've had in a long time.

The theme of the dance was 80's revolution. We had lotsa 80's music on (and some modern music, like Ocean Avenue *iluvthatsong!*.) For some really weird reason, they had Princess Bride playing from a projector on the wall above the DJ's. *shrugs* You couldn't even hear what people were saying on the movie. But whatever.

At first I was just looking around at everybody dancing and going, "Okay..." I tried dancing a little, and I felt really stupid. But after I danced one slow song with Jason, I didn't feel so stupid. I was dancing with Bree and Danni and Kendall almost the whole night. I danced with Jason twice, and then once with Kendall's little brother, Jeremy. He was doing the Deacon Shuffle, and it was a little awkward for him. I tried to tell him to move smoothly and not take so many steps. He was a little better by the end of the dance. Half way through that song, though, Jason (who I had told to dance with Bree, since she hadn't dance with anyone yet) switched partners with Jeremy, so I was dancing with him. It was a little annoying, and so after a couple more minutes, I observed that Bree was looking distressed (she didn't really know how to teach Jeremy to dance) so I told Jason that, and we switched partners again.

After that dance, Jeremy and Jason went home, (it was only nine!) and Bree and I walked around a little bit, waiting for Danni and Kendall to come back from giving them a ride. One guy, Joe, a sophmore from Lone Peak, asked Bree to dance. I thought it was so cute, but I walked around for a while 'cause I felt stupid just watching them. After the song was over, I found Bree and we joined someone's circle and danced some more. The next slow song was a girl ask guy dance, so I asked Joe to dance and Bree asked Joe's friend to dance (Adam Grant, a kid that used to be in my Biology class.) We didn't dance with anymore guys after that, but we danced by ourselves, and that was fun.

Bree won, 'cause she danced with four guys last night, and I only danced with three. But I win too, 'cause I danced four dances and she only danced three. (Bree danced with Jeremy and Jason in the same dance.) *sigh* yeah, that was fun. The next dance isn't until July 16th! The day Harry Potter 6 comes out! lol. That's gonna be an exciting day!

Speaking of exciting days, before the dance, I spent four hours walking around BYU for the French Fair! By eleven last night (when the dance ended) my feet were about ready to fall off! Ugh, I was so tired!

I almost have five more pages to post for PoC. I love and hate this next part...:( 'Tis really sad! But I won't say anything else about it.

medievalauthor @ 2005-04-06T15:46:00

2005-04-06T21:51:01Z

SI MIGHT COME ON TREEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! She said she really wanted to come, but she didn't want to be the only non member in a family. So I talked to my leaders, and they said that she could be in my family! *giggles* I'm so happy!

Incase you don't know what the cow I'm talking about- Trek is a reinactment of the journey of the Mormon Pioneers. We get to push our stuff in handcarts, we get to dress in pioneer clothes, and we get to camp out for three days. It's gonna be so much fun! And Si is going to be in my family! Now she just has to talk to her parents... I hope she can come to Girls' Camp with us too! She'd probably go with Breena's ward, but that's okay. At least she'd be there!

medievalauthor @ 2005-03-17T15:13:00

2005-03-17T22:36:36Z

A Happy St. Patty's Day to ya, one and all! :D

*sigh* I just thought of something. Isn't it ironic that Jason told me he likes me on the Ides of March? Beware the Ides of March! *bwahahahahahahahahaha* lol *cross-eyed**falls over* ahem...sorry.

medievalauthor @ 2005-02-23T19:29:00

2005-02-24T02:52:55Z

Gah.... Dance was tiring...and fun, too! I love Irish! A thirty second dance can kill ya, but it feels like you're flying! :D And there are so many different kinds! Like light jig and hard jig and slip jig and hornpipe and light reel and hard reel...lol. *sigh* Slip jigs are hard...they have a really weird count. It's in nines, not eights like usual. You probably didn't get any of that...lol.

This week has been so long... I had two major tests today...Yoga in PE *rolls eyes* *mimicks- And exhale....into the proud warrior position...* *snort* *rofl* and then there was Seminary, which is my all time favorite class, so that was good.

Sarah's birthday is today. 'Tis sad, 'cause no one is here! My mom and sister are at PG w/ LinZ's science fair project thing, and my dad's at the museum, and I had dance...*sigh* Sounds like my birthday last year...except a lil different. We had a party on Monday night, though, so that everyone could be there. I gave her a copy of my collection of stories, the one that I had published in CW last semester.

Well...I'm just getting ready to go watch West Wing... Oh yeah, Sarah- do you know when your cruise will be yet? And HK- we gotta start planning what we want to do, because there are a few things I have in mind that might need reservations...

medievalauthor @ 2005-02-11T22:21:00

2005-02-12T05:22:17Z

So...no one wants to come to Utah, I guess.

medievalauthor @ 2005-02-02T20:35:00

2005-02-03T03:46:59Z

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger. (Applause.)

We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the Pentagon, rallied a great coalition, captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan's terrorist training camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed a country from brutal oppression. (Applause.)

The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. (Applause.) And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own. (Applause.)

America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chairman Hamid Karzai. (Applause.)

The last time we met in this chamber, the mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or going to school. Today women are free, and are part of Afghanistan's new government. And we welcome the new Minister of Women's Affairs, Doctor Sima Samar. (Applause.)

Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States military. (Applause.) When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. (Applause.) The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves -- you will not escape the justice of this nation. (Applause.)

For many Americans, these four months have brought sorrow, and pain that will never completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter returns to Ground Zero, to feel closer to his two sons who died there. At a memorial in New York, a little boy left his football with a note for his lost father: Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. I don't want to play football until I can play with you again some day.

Last month, at the grave of her husband, Michael, a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words of farewell: "Semper Fi, my love." Shannon is with us tonight. (Applause.)

Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael and all who gave their lives for freedom.

Our cause is just, and it continues. Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst fears, and showed us the true scope of the task ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemies' hatred in videos, where they laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the depth of their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. We have found diagrams of American nuclear power plants and public water facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough descriptions of landmarks in America and throughout the world.

What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending there, our war against terror is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who hijacked planes on September the 11th were trained in Afghanistan's camps, and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without warning.

Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it. (Applause.)

Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world. (Applause.)

Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. A terrorist underworld -- including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-i-Mohammed -- operates in remote jungles and deserts, and hides in the centers of large cities.

While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. We now have troops in the Philippines, helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an American, and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in Somalia.

My hope is that all nations will heed our call, and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own. Many nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf. (Applause.)

But some governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake about it: If they do not act, America will. (Applause.)

Our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.

Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens -- leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections -- then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.

States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.

We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from sudden attack. (Applause.) And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation's security.

We'll be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons. (Applause.)

Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch -- yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.

We can't stop short. If we stop now -- leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked -- our sense of security would be false and temporary. History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight. (Applause.)

Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy.

September the 11th brought out the best in America, and the best in this Congress. And I join the American people in applauding your unity and resolve. (Applause.) Now Americans deserve to have this same spirit directed toward addressing problems here at home. I'm a proud member of my party -- yet as we act to win the war, protect our people, and create jobs in America, we must act, first and foremost, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans. (Applause.)

It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more than a billion dollars a month -- over $30 million a day -- and we must be prepared for future operations. Afghanistan proved that expensive precision weapons defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and we need more of them. We need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile, to put our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training -- and they also deserve another pay raise. (Applause.)

My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades -- because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay. (Applause.)

The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of September the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and increased vigilance at home.

My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters. (Applause.) We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States. (Applause.)

Homeland security will make America not only stronger, but, in many ways, better. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism research will improve public health. Stronger police and fire departments will mean safer neighborhoods. Stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal drugs. (Applause.) And as government works to better secure our homeland, America will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens.

A few days before Christmas, an airline flight attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match. The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives. The people on that plane were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly 200 lives. And tonight we welcome and thank flight attendants Hermis Moutardier and Christina Jones. (Applause.)

Once we have funded our national security and our homeland security, the final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. (Applause.) To achieve these great national objectives -- to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy -- our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (Applause.) We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession. (Applause.)

Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage. (Applause.) Yet, American workers want more than unemployment checks -- they want a steady paycheck. (Applause.) When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. (Applause.)

Good jobs begin with good schools, and here we've made a fine start. (Applause.) Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind. I was proud to work with members of both parties: Chairman John Boehner and Congressman George Miller. (Applause.) Senator Judd Gregg. (Applause.) And I was so proud of our work, I even had nice things to say about my friend, Ted Kennedy. (Laughter and applause.) I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop couldn't believe I'd say such a thing -- (laughter) -- but our work on this bill shows what is possible if we set aside posturing and focus on results. (Applause.)

There is more to do. We need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs. (Applause.) We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom. (Applause.)

Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.)

Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion authority. (Applause.) On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation. (Applause.)

Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. (Applause.) Last year, some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it was too big. (Applause.) But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax relief was just about right. (Applause.) Congress listened to the people and responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)

The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package. (Applause.)

Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. As we reauthorize these important reforms, we must always remember the goal is to reduce dependency on government and offer every American the dignity of a job. (Applause.)

Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights -- (applause) -- to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage -- (applause) -- to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health -- (applause) -- and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs. (Applause.)

A good job should lead to security in retirement. I ask Congress to enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. (Applause.) Employees who have worked hard and saved all their lives should not have to risk losing everything if their company fails. (Applause.) Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct. (Applause.)

Retirement security also depends upon keeping the commitments of Social Security, and we will. We must make Social Security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who choose them. (Applause.)

Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy -- (applause) -- a cleaner environment -- (applause) -- broader home ownership, especially among minorities -- (applause) -- and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups. (Applause.) I ask you to join me on these important domestic issues in the same spirit of cooperation we've applied to our war against terrorism. (Applause.)

During these last few months, I've been humbled and privileged to see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil. (Applause.)

The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people.

And I hope you will join me -- I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush. (Applause.)

None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do.

For too long our culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)

My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.

One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies; volunteers to help police and fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.

Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are in prison. And we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. USA Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.

And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace Corps, double its volunteers over the next five years -- (applause) -- and ask it to join a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in the Islamic world. (Applause.)

This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity -- a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.

All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police.

If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic "street" greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with its centuries of learning, and tolerance and progress. America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. (Applause.)

No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance. (Applause.)

America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.

In this moment of opportunity, a common danger is erasing old rivalries. America is working with Russia and China and India, in ways we have never before, to achieve peace and prosperity. In every region, free markets and free trade and free societies are proving their power to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe to Asia, and Africa to Latin America, we will demonstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop the momentum of freedom. (Applause.)

The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. We've come to know truths that we will never question: evil is real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond all differences of race or creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near. (Applause.)

In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that we've been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or consequential.

Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago, on the day of our founding. We affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life. (Applause.)

Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory.

Thank you all. May God bless. (Applause.)

But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance.

Amen.

medievalauthor @ 2005-01-28T20:10:00

2005-01-29T03:12:38Z

Happy Birthday Elijah Wood!

http://www.councilofelrond.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=My_eGallery&file=index&do=showgall&gid=113

medievalauthor @ 2005-01-22T12:53:00

2005-01-22T20:05:27Z

I don't know if you can hear me,
Or if you're even there
I don't know if you would listen
To a gypsy's prayer
Yes, I know I'm just an outcast,
I shouldn't speak to you
But, Still, I see your face and wonder
Were you once an outcast too?

God help the outcasts,
Hungry from birth
Show them the mercy
they don't find on earth
God help my people
we look to you still
God help the outcasts
or nobody will

I ask for wealth
I ask for fame
I ask for glory to shine on my name.

I ask for love
I can posses
I ask for God and his angels to bless me

I ask for nothing
I can get by
But I know so many
Less lucky than I
Please help my people
The poor and downtrod
I thought we all were
The Children of God

God help the outcasts
The Children of God

medievalauthor @ 2004-12-29T15:49:00

2004-12-29T22:52:45Z

Guess what everyone! :D We just finished FotR EE!!!!!!! ^_^ Now we're just having a break between this and TTT EE. *giggles* I luvz it! And Alisa isn't even dissing Frodo very much! Actually, Bree is doing all of that for her...lol. More updates at the end of TTT....*sigh* I luv Frodo............

medievalauthor @ 2004-12-28T21:17:00

2004-12-29T04:21:51Z

VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL WHO WILL BE COMMENTING ON MY LIVEJOURNAL-
ABSOLUTELY NO DISSING OTHER PEOPLE, NO MATTER IF YOU HATE THEIR GUTS OR NOT. NO COMMENTS TRYING TO MAKE FIGHTS ON THIS JOURNAL. I WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL WHO HONOR THIS REQUEST!!! ANY WHO DO NOT, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, SINCE I'M SPEAKING TO EVERYONE NOT JUST A SELECT FEW, WILL HAVE THEIR COMMENTS *X**click* Buh Bye! Thanks! :D Luv ya tonz!