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Way back in the day (circa 2004), Switchfoot's lead singer, Jon Foreman, was asked if the band is a "Christian" band. Even though it's been a while, his response is worth looking at again.
I was driving home from work a few weeks ago and found myself suffering from a little radio ADD. I flipped through every station on my programmed radio console with a sense of emptiness. Each station was playing what sounded like the same song with the same beat over and over again.
How can I find meaning in my drive home with the drudgery of the same bland music?
I finally gave up on my search for meaning and stopped on my favorite top-40 radio station, Chicago's 101.9 The Mix. And there it was. Someone was singing these words:
I will love you unconditionally
There is no fear now
Let go and just be free
I will love you unconditionally.
"Wait a minute," I thought. "The Mix is playing a song about God?!? Had The Mix been taken over by a Christian radio station? Had K-Love or Moody Radio joined messianic forces with Rafael and Ted Cruz to enforce Christian Dominionism all over American radio?"
Caroline Herring makes truth-telling a mission in her music.
For our brothers and sisters on the East Coast, in the path of the storm they call "Sandy," I've put together a little music for you to help pass the time. Sending you prayers of protection, peace, and grace (and, I hope, more than a bit of musical joy and solace) from the shores of the Pacific here in California at the SoJo West office.
Inside the blog, there are 30 videos. For those of you with power (and an Internet connection), I hope it helps pass the time and maybe even gets you to get up and dance a little in your living rooms.
Here's the song and video the playlist begins with: "No Storms Come" by our Sojo friends, The Innocence Mission:
Solidarity may be all but dead in our politics, but it still lives around the edges of our culture.
Right there, in the middle of piles of fried chicken and biscuits, campers broke out in song, complete with choreography. Suffice it to say it's simple enough and cumulative in its themes so that pretty much anyone can get the idea within a verse or two.
We keep talking about the changing face of church and how ministry is going to look different going forward; what if this is it? Not that I expect this is "the" model for how to do church from here forward, but there's something to this "flash mob" concept, breaking out spontaneously into something that draws others in, right here, right now, where we are.
But we might get weird looks. We might even get in trouble.
"Wisdom wants to be free. As a Christian, I believe there is actually some theology to this....Wisdom is a woman and she stands at the gates of the city and she cries out to the people, 'Be free. Be free to love and be free to share.'...What if we understood creativity to be wisdom?"
Watch Tripp's v-log on SOPA, creativity, freedom and wisdom inside the blog...
Sam Phillips is achingly honest.
Whether she's singing about relationships — with loved ones, the world or God — politics, art, the church, Aimee Semple McPherson or Christmastime, you can count on Sam to bring her singularly pure voice and the truth. She is true blue (and one of her favorite guitars is as red and shiny as RudolfOn her new album, Solid State: Songs from the Long Play, Sam has two songs that have quickly become new favorite Christmas tunes for me. One is explicitly about Christmas, and the other is not, but both speak eloquently (and truthfully) about the mystery and melancholy that the season brings to many of us.
In "It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas," Sam talks about missing someone special during the holidays. The lyrics are sad, her voice is sweet, and the juxtaposition of the two strikes a deep chord in my heart. True. Difficult. Beautiful.


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|Reviews for Crossover
| Nataly SkyPot chapter 14 . 1/28/2016
Muy bueno.
| SilkenLady chapter 14 . 8/30/2011
More! PLEASE!
| EmotionalScorpio chapter 14 . 11/30/2010
I like this story so far. I have a theory that the Dark Lords were Palpatine and Voldemort, because that's who they seemed like.
| brian paul mysko chapter 14 . 3/4/2010
hey u need to update more often lovin the story keep up the good work
| hisokauzumaki chapter 14 . 10/10/2009
Please update soon! And what do you mean Sirius won't be around? You can't kill him off, he hasn't even taught Harry how to become an Animagus yet!
| fishgirl chapter 14 . 10/5/2009
R u gonna continue? tis really good just make longer chapters but keep goin this is the only star wars-sirius story ive found & its october! keep writing
| albeva chapter 4 . 8/18/2009
okay interesting start, however you really need to work on paragraphing your story. It's hard to read. Secondly we readers know who each character is and what they look like. no need to point out the obvious
Thirdly even with magic people don't appear just like that out of thin air. It would be far more believable had there been a similar portal that they would stumble out from or something.
Also Yoda and Mace would want to first know more who the strangers were where they come from etc before assigning any "guardians"
| xman2999 chapter 14 . 7/18/2009
Wonder if you are going to update, would like to read more
| Flavourless Water chapter 4 . 5/4/2009
"It Talks?" Oh-my-god. That just made my day. I've always wanted to read a story where someone says that to Yoda. Really hillarious.
| Alejandro chapter 14 . 4/27/2009
Hi there ,
the story has an interessting start, but i would wish for longer chapters .
all that aside , if you continue writing , i will continue reading.
| Soului chapter 14 . 2/17/2009
I love what you've done with this crossover. You've manipulated canon very well and kept both the new plot and character interactions well developed.
| Hollow Mashiro chapter 14 . 2/13/2009
This is a good crossover. Upade often!
| wolfawaken chapter 14 . 1/27/2009
Finally ! Found your story again and it was updated. Keep writing and I will keep reading
| Isis the Sphinx chapter 14 . 1/18/2009
Ok, I'm interested in what you've got here. It's different from other HP/SW xovers, so I'm looking forward to what you'll write. Keep writing!
| achillies-eel chapter 14 . 1/7/2009
OH no, oh no, oh no no no! You're going to kill off Sirius, aren't you? HOW could you even THINK of such a thing?
-Weeps at the thought- :P That would kill Harry, though, to lose Sirius in such an unknown place.
Loved the chapter! Sirius mistaking Jar-Jar for Padme... -Dies- Wonderful. Give us another one soon! :D

subset: commoncrawl


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"A person has a choice of using a religious technique, a secular technique; one sitting quietly, or one exercising. Clearly the technique that the person chooses should be one that he or she believes in."
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A profile of Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson, MD whose pioneering work on the Relaxation Response has helped millions of people learn a simple meditative technique to reduce the harmful effects of stress. In this program, we visit Harvard's Mind/Body Medical Institute and hear from patients who have benefited from learning relaxation practices.
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Braves fall apart late in 6-2 loss to Dodgers
Given that the Braves mustered just four hits and one run against Kevin Correia – who is a Dodger now, if you didn't know — it would have taken one of Julio Teheran's finest performances to give the home team much chance of winning Monday.
Teheran was crisp through five, but the Dodgers peppered him for three runs on five singles and fielding mistake in the sixth inning, then things deteriorated rapidly in a three-run eighth.
The Dodgers beat the punchless, sloppy Braves 6-2 in the opener of a four-game series before a small crowd (20,053) at Turner Field, their 10th loss in 12 games. The Braves didn't score their second run until two out in the ninth inning on Evan Gattis' RBI double.
The Dodgers capitalized in the eighth on two walks and an error (shortstop Ramiro Pena), and the ugly inning wasn't over before a wild pitch by reliever Juan Jaime and a passed ball by Gattis that allowed a runner to reach base on a strikeout.
Teheran (10-9) was charged with nine hits and five runs in 7 1/3 innings, the first time he allowed more than three earned runs all season at Turner Field. The All-Star is 2-4 with a 5.24 ERA in his past seven starts, and this was his first home loss in that stretch.
The third run against him scored when the Braves botched a potential double-play grounder in the sixth inning, and two more runs charged to Teheran scored after he left the game, including one on a Carl Crawford single against reliever James Russell.
The recently acquired Braves left-hander has been far more effective against right-handed hitters this season, but so far Russell has been used by the Braves as a conventional lefty specialist facing left-handed batters.
The Braves had to feel fortunate to learn they would miss both Dodgers aces, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, in a four-game series. But cast-offs and kids just up from the minors have also given the Braves fits in recent years, and it happened again.
Correia, a 12-year veteran acquired Saturday from Minnesota in a trade for a player to be named later, pitched like the All-Star he was a few years ago rather than the guy who was 5-13 with an ERA just below 5.00 for a Twins team that plays home games in a pitcher-friendly ballpark.
The right-hander retired the first nine batters and limited the Braves to four hits and one run in six innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. He won for just the second time in his past nine starts and matched his season low for hits allowed.
Braves hitters were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position against him, continuing a trend that's dogged them most of the season and undermined them throughout a winless eight-game road trip that ended Wednesday at Seattle.
The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning after Emilio Bonifacio hit a leadoff single and advanced on Pena's sacrifice bunt. After Freddie Freeman walked, Justin Upton singled up the middle to drive in the run. Upton worked an eight-pitch at-bat, fouling off a full-count pitch before hitting a sharp single, with the speedy Bonifacio running on the pitch.
Teheran had allowed just three singles through five innings and no Dodger had reached second base, but in the sixth it was death by 1,000 paper cuts. Or, rather, four ground-ball hits, one well-struck single and a fielding mistake.
Correia led off the sixth with a ground-ball single, the second hit of the night for a pitcher who hadn't forgot how to hit since his decade with the Giants, Padres and Pirates. Dee Gordon followed with a single through the right side, and Yasiel Puig lined a single to left field – the only hard-hit ball of the inning – to load the bases with none out.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a soft single to right to drive in the tying run, the fourth hit to start the inning. After Matt Kemp popped out to the shortstop, Crawford beat out an infield hit up the first-base line that put the Dodgers ahead 2-1.
The bases were still loaded with one out, and the Braves had a chance to get out of the inning when Teheran induced a potential double-play grounder by Justin Turner. Second baseman Bonifacio dropped the ball after fielding it, and had to settle for one out at second base as the third run of the inning scored.
Bonifacio moved over from shortstop in the second inning when second baseman Tommy La Stella left the game with a hamstring cramp. La Stella was trying to reach a ground-ball single by Crawford, who would be picked off first base by Teheran.
Puig had a leadoff single in the fourth inning, but Teheran picked him off, too. Teheran faced only one batter over the minimum through four innings despite allowing three singles and getting no double plays.
Teheran came in with majors' second-best home ERA (1.48) and sixth-best home opponents' average (.191), and was 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his previous seven home starts. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of 11 home starts before Monday.
For complete write-thru version of this story including postgame quotes, go to MyAJC.com or use this link.


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I got my tuners in last week, and after a night of pluging the larger Grover tuner holes with dowel and then meticulously drilling them out to the smaller vintage sized holes, I installed the tuner set only to find that they were defective.
I contacted Tronical and they were good about sending me a new set. Took about 10 days to get the new set.
I installed them in about 10-20 minutes. It took me a bit of extra time to put the strings on and figure out the correct way to run the unit, but now it is on it works like a charm. Press the button, strum all the strings, strum once more, everything is in tune and the unit turns off.


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EJ83M Loop End Light .011-.045
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We're a real shop with more than 1000 square meters of exhibition space,, more than 7000 available products, online store and assistance 24/7, for a total of more than 20,000 items.!
Musicarte Store is an online musical instruments shop. New and used musical instruments at the best price. Guitars, Amplifiers, Drums, Keyboards, DJ Equipment, Home Recording, Print Music, Audio Gear, Lighting. Musicarte is a real shop too, with more than 1000 squared meters of exhibition space! Everything you need for the musician in you. All our musical instruments are ready to be shipped. We ship everywhere in the world, as soon as the order is made, and we deliver within few working days. All our new music gear is under a 3 years warranty, one year more than the italian standars, while ex-demo and used gear have a 2 and 3 years warranty, respectively. Find what you need to make your sound real!
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Addonics introduces Snap-In series of hard-disk drives enclosures called "Called the Snap-In ExDrive25", which acts and looks like a CF card reader, except for the fact that it works with fully-fledged 2.5-inch drives, and let computer users hot-swap their 2.5-inch drives between systems.
The portable hard-disk drive enclosure allows users to directly pop the drive in, no matter whether the computer is already turned on or not. Users can insert or eject the hard-disk drive at any time, without having to install additional software or to perform system reboots.
The drive enclosure is extremely user-friendly. Users can directly insert the drive inside the 2.5-inch bay, then start using it on the fly. To maximize the installation efficiency, Addonics' enclosure needs no additional tools or screws for the installation part.
The elegant aluminum casing is scratch-proof and acts like a large-scale heatspreader. Addonics built the enclosure using its patented shock mount mechanism in order to protect the installed hard-disk drive from physical shocks.
As for the connectivity part, the drive can be linked to the host computer using either eSATA or USB 2.0 connectors for increased data transfer rates and maximum compatibility. More than that, the Snap-In ExDrive25 is also bootable when connected to an eSATA port, which makes it the ideal tool for performing backups or disaster recovery tasks.
However, since the eSATA connector cannot supply the enclosure with power, or at least, not just yet, you would have to purchase an external power adapter for about $15 (codename AAPAC5V).
Source:→ Softpedia
Addonics, Snap-In ExDrive25, HDD Enclosure, CF Card, eSATA, USB 2.0


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New Allen Stone Songs, Mixtapes & Videos
Allen Stone - Freedom [Stream]
You have the Freedom to listen to any artist in the world, but something or someone pulled you toward this page. Luckily for you that means a chance to listen to Allen Stone's latest single, an upbeat, Benny... Read More
Allen Stone - Upside [Stream]
If you ask us, it feels like it's been a Million years since Allen Stone's last Booth feature. The Upside to a long wait, though, is that the excitement is intensified when we do get to hear some new music. The... Read More
Allen Stone & The Blueprint For a Great Live Show [Feature ]
A few weeks ago, I made an etiquette guide to concerts for artist and fans, which listed a lot of Do Nots. I stand by those, but no one likes to be told what not to do. So instead, this time around I thought I... Read More
The Thaw: A First Days of Spring Playlist ft. SZA, Allen Stone & More [Feature ]
In 2014 you're only a phone, some earbuds (a dope site like DJBooth) and a few clicks of a button away from literally being able to create and listen to the soundtrack of your life, as you live it. But finding that perfect... Read More
Allen Stone - Million [Stream]
Last we heard from Allen Stone, the Seattle singer/songwriter was filling fans in on his recent insomnia on a single off his self-titled sophomore set. Whereas many artists would hold their lack of Sleep up as proof of their... Read More
Allen Stone - Sleep [Stream]
Allen Stone's tried whiskey, weed and pills, but the man still can't seem to get to Sleep. And it's just as well—when you're an up-and-coming recording artist, every hour spent in bed offers the... Read More
Allen Stone - Contact High [Stream]
In a globally connected digital age, where the old becomes new again as fast as the new becomes old, it can feel like we've heard it all before. So to be clear, we have heard Allen Stone's music before. It's the same... Read More


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To the American agrarian poet and philosopher Wendell Berry, "eating is an agricultural act". It's a wonderful sentiment: when you choose what to eat, you're also investing in how that crop is grown or how that animal is reared and slaughtered.
These sentiments provide the bedrock for the sustainable food movement, with its emphasis on short, transparent supply chains with integrity. In practice, getting behind this type of profound agrarian communion and joining the dots between soil and salad, or farm and fork, seems impossible. Still, the idea gives us something to chew on as the next existential food crisis rolls into town – this time, eggs contaminated with a toxic insecticide, fipronil. This latest scandal serves to illustrate how little control and say we have over our agricultural system.
Surely we can do better than this? When it comes to straightforward supply chain, eggs should be easy and yet the supply chain has been revealed to be fundamentally chaotic. Along the way, the humble egg became a cypher for a globalised food system where the opportunity for spectacular disaster is never far away.
The only silver lining of a food crisis is that, as consumers, we get a little bit more information, albeit disturbing. This one exposes egg production centred in the Netherlands (global leaders in egg exports), where 40,000 to 50,000 birds per farm seem to have been treated by cleaning contractors with a delousing chemical that allegedly contained the offending pesticide. The more densely chickens are packed, the more susceptible they are to lice and fleas, which explains the delousing.
We're being told not to worry because levels of concentrations of fipronil per egg are not concerning to some toxicologists. But that doesn't address the cumulative impact of eating many eggs or the fact that affected eggs that could have been in the supply chain for a number of months have made their way into processed products, most obviously cakes and pasta….


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Sexy Swimsuit Moms And Surfer Hunk Boys In "Adore" Clip
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text: If you can do a basic cable then this is a great arm warmer to work on. Even if you are a beginner it's ok.....I was to when I made this. It was my first cable project. There are instructions about increaseing or decreasing the size. It's very easy. The surrounding stitches I used was a slip stitch pattern along with a Purl1. This will keep your arm warmer where it should be. It won't turn on you. It's sturdy, it's comfortable, and won't stretch out by taking it off and on over and over again. The perfect combination! I hope you give it a try! Thanks! Heather BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY How to do a basic cable GAUGE 4.83 stitches per inch SIZING / FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 6 inches by 8 (Customizable) SUGGESTED YARN 60 yards of Worsted weight PREFERRED BRAND/YARN Any soft yarn


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AUSTIN — A new day is dawning for the more than 6 million Texans without health insurance, especially for people insurers previously turned down because of pre-existing conditions.
Three and a half years after a Democratic-controlled Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — strictly along party lines — a six-month enrollment period for the controversial health care law, known as "Obamacare," begins Tuesday, Oct. 1.
The enrollment period means insurance marketplaces will open and most of the estimated 50 million uninsured Americans, including more than 6 million in Texas, must pick a plan or face a $95 penalty. Under the health care law, the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the nation, including 1.5 million in the Lone Star State, are not eligible for coverage.
The act will greatly help Texans because individuals and families with an income between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible for financial help, advocacy groups and supporters of the legislation say.
This is critical, they say, because 25 percent of the state's population is uninsured, the highest rate in the nation. Moreover, 17 percent of the state's residents live below the federal poverty level of $23,550 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Yet, how the health care law works in Texas and in Republican-led states that have continuously tried to derail it, mainly in the courts and with the help of the U.S. House of Representatives, remains to be seen. Most of those states, including Texas, have refused to set up insurance marketplaces the measure calls for.
For now, however, though Texas leaders remain opposed to the legislation and to the Medicaid expansion, everyone in the state who has anything to do with the act is working on the assumption the enrollment period, plus the implementation of the health care law Jan. 1, will go on as scheduled.
But not without some bumps along the way.
"I believe it's going to be challenging to implement the legislation," said Darren Whitehurst, vice president of advocacy at the Texas Medical Association, which supports the legislation and has launched a sign-up campaign.
"How do you set up the exchanges? How do the exchanges operate? Who regulates them, the products that are being sold?" Whitehurst asked. "The state of Texas has made it very clear: 'We are not going to help,' and that's going to matter."
Even before President Barack Obama signed the legislation March 23, 2010, Gov. Rick Perry, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, legislative leaders and the Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation characterized the act as "a train wreck" or "a job-killer." Most recently, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has led the effort to defund the health care law, even if it means a partial shutdown of the federal government beginning on the same day the enrollment period starts.
"This grand experiment is simply not working," Cruz said Tuesday as he began his highly publicized talkathon on the Senate floor. Cruz's speech is not a filibuster because even most Republicans in Congress acknowledged he could not delay a vote on a spending bill that would defund Obama's domestic signature legislation.
Amanda Fredriksen, advocacy director at AARP Texas, an organization of more than two million members who are 50 and older — which also supports the health care law — said though she also sees some bumps on the road, what is most worrisome for her is the possibility of confusion and misinformation.
"For AARP it is very important that our members understand what the Affordable Care Act means for them and their families and getting them information they need because this is very personalized and people's situations are all different," Fredriksen said.
"This law affects people very differently," Fredriksen said. For instance, "folks on Medicare do not need to do anything with the marketplace or the exchange and I think there is a fair amount of confusion out there about that."
Since state leaders have been uncooperative, the federal government had to step up to make sure as many uninsured Texans as possible sign up for coverage, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius said during a recent visit to Texas.
"We have a historic opportunity," Sebelius told a group of civic and business leaders in San Antonio. "Presidents for 75 years have talked about all citizens having health care insurance and we are finally getting there."
Although Sebelius was careful not to criticize Perry and other Texas leaders — in fact she said the Obama administration welcomes their help — civic leaders such as San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and health care experts say the state's refusal is complicating the implementation of the health care law.
"Texas has pretty much said 'hell no, we won't go' and given the number of uninsured we have in the state, we're pretty much behind the eight ball as far as implementing an exchange," said Patricia Kolodzey, legislative affairs lobbyist at the Texas Medical Association. "So, we will be definitely challenged and the federal government will have to spend a lot of time in Texas."
To complicate matters, the health care law itself is complex, Kolodzey said.
"With legislation that is that large, there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of times the right hand needs to know what the left hand is doing," she said. "For a program that is state-based it is difficult to find expertise in the market.
"Now you are also trying to find that same expertise in the market to implement a federal program, when it comes to a navigator or a community outreach," Kolodzey added. "That will be the challenge. Who do you hire and train? The infrastructure is just not there."
A navigator is a person or organization authorized to explain the health care law to insurance shoppers.
Democratic legislators and other supporters of the law have criticized the state, particularly Perry, for what they see as an attempt to undermine the navigators and — in the process — sabotage the health care law.
In a letter to state Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber, a recent Perry appointee, the governor said the state should have stringent regulations on the navigators to protect the confidential information of Texans, such as Social Security and financial records.
"U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has repeatedly delayed explaining how its navigators were going to be created, how they were going to operate, and how they were going to be regulated," the letter said.
In all, despite the latest skirmish between the state and the federal government, Democratic and Republican state legislators say they are prepared to help the public if they ask for help.
"I think there are a lot of unknowns about the Affordable Care Act," said state Rep. Four Price, who said though he remains opposed to the legislation, it is the law because last year the U.S. Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality.
"Folks from all over the state call my office and myself asking about it," Price, R-Amarillo, said. "I think the biggest issue will be awareness."
State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, who joined Sebelius during her San Antonio visit, said the opposition to the law from Perry and other Republican leaders is just political rhetoric.
"To me it is embarrassing what I tell my colleagues that are not embracing the health care law, what are you willing to do?" Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, said in an interview.
"If Texas has a plan for those who don't have insurance, I am all ears," Martinez Fischer said. "But to say 'no' to the federal government but do nothing at the state level is not a solution."
• (512) 673-7553


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Original round doorknob knob set with green floral detail and matching light switch plate.
The dimensions are: Knob: 1.75 in. diameter, switch plate: 5.125 in. H x 3.5 in. W, rosette.
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Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, a senior Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, made the following statement during a hearing in the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management regarding the extravagant spending at a 2010 GSA conference:
"Thank you Mr. Chairman. At today's hearing, we have an opportunity to continue to review the actions of GSA employees who organized and participated in the 2010 conference in Las Vegas.
Yesterday, at a hearing before the Oversight Committee, we heard testimony from Inspector General Brian Miller, who is here again today. Mr. Miller, I want to thank you again for bringing to light this gross abuse of taxpayer funds and for your office's year-long investigation of this issue.
Mr. Miller's report yesterday was very troubling. For example, he described the actions of Jeff Neely, a career GSA employee for many years and a senior-level executive in the Pacific Rim region based in San Francisco. Although Mr. Neely is not the only official implicated in this investigation, his role as the host of the 2010 conference has raised significant questions.
According to the Inspector General's investigation, Mr. Neely engaged in a pattern of misconduct that included violating federal travel and procurement rules, holding lavish parties in luxury suites, and allowing his wife and other non-government officials to participate in some of these events at taxpayer expense.
As I said at yesterday's hearing, Mr. Neely disregarded one of the most basic tenets of government service--he treated taxpayer funds as if they were his own.
We also heard troubling new accounts from the Inspector General that Mr. Neely may have retaliated against other GSA employees who tried to object to his actions and rein in this lavish spending. According to one witness who spoke with the Inspector General, one GSA employee was "squashed like a bug" when she tried to object to Mr. Neely's actions.
As the Inspector General also told us, one witness was so scared of potential reprisal from Mr. Neely that she asked to be treated as a confidential informant.
These reports, although they certainly do not justify Mr. Neely's actions, may help explain why these improper activities apparently went on for so long. Witnesses reported to the Inspector General that the conference in Las Vegas in 2010 was just the latest in a series of conferences over many years where lavish and extravagant spending had become the norm.
As we heard yesterday, this issue was not brought to light until it was reported to the Inspector General by the Deputy Administrator of GSA, Susan Brita, who is here today. Ms. Brita, who is a top-level Democratic political appointee, should be commended for her actions, not only in reporting these abuses, but also for insisting that action be taken to address them.
At yesterday's hearing, Mr. Neely invoked his right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent, and the Committee excused him from testifying. The Inspector General also confirmed for the Oversight Committee that has referred this case to the Department of Justice.
Today, we will have the opportunity to continue examining this issue in detail, including hearing from other GSA officials who were involved, including Bob Peck, the former Commissioner of GSA's Public Building Service, who apparently condoned and sanctioned the actions of Mr. Neely.
Finally, let me close by noting that there are millions of government workers across the country who dedicate their entire lives to public service. They are scrupulous, honest, and hardworking, and we should not use today's hearing to tarnish their reputations. We should thank them for their hard work and honor their service.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman."
Source: http://cummings.house.gov/2012/04/cummings-opening-statement-hearing-on-gsas-squandering-of-taxpayer-dollars-a-pattern-of-mismanagemen.shtml


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A/N: Not gonna say much here other than I suck and much love to StateofDelusion for putting up with me.
Chapter 22
Cosmic Love
I took the stars from your eyes and then I made a map,
And I knew that somehow I could find my way back.
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too.
So I stayed in the darkness with you.
The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out.
You left me in the dark.
No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight,
In the shadow of your heart.
-Florance and the Machine
The lower we got, the better he began to breath. By the time we got back to the meadow we had been in earlier, he was almost back to normal. He smiled and pulled me into his arms. I wound my arms around his waist and leaned into him. I got lost in his gorgeous, deep eyes, completely enamored with him. He leaned down to kiss me. The sun warmed my skin, the breeze cooled it, and the touch of his fingertips against me was sending goose bumps up my arms.
"Thank you, Bella," he whispered against my lips. "I'm sorry I couldn't stand it up there anymore. It was beautiful, amazing. Thank you so much."
I grinned up at him, thrilled he had enjoyed my surprise. I had been nervous about the ruins, unsure if he would find them interesting or not. "You should really thank Alice. It was her idea to get us out of the Palace, and since Jacob was out of the country this weekend, it was the perfect time to do it."
Edward's face darkened, and I realized my mistake. I did my best not to mention Jacob, because it brought about one of two realities. It either made Edward sad and depressed or it made him mad. This time it was the later. His eyes became sharp blades of jade, and his hands clenched into fists. I sighed. I didn't want or need this argument right now. I preferred when he got sad; it was easier to fix—a hug, a kiss, and some reassurance, and he was fine. When he became angry, it always escalated into an augment, and I hated it.
"Edward, can we please not do this right now?" I sighed, completely exasperated. "Just once can we talk about this without getting angry with each other. Or better yet, can we just forget it?"
"I'm never angry with you, Bella," he muttered under his breath. "Believe me, I understand. We have to have some kind of cover. You can't come out and be with me. I get it. And no, I can't just forget it. He's got you when I don't. Forgive me, but I think I've a little right to be upset."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I was the one who had go through all of this. I was the one who had to balance a double life-the public one with Jacob and the private one with Edward-and yet you didn't see me flying off the handle. "Perhaps so, Edward," I answered. "But you should remember that I'm doing this for us, and I don't like it any more than you do."
"You and Jacob were looking pretty cozy at the Court a couple days ago."
I gasped as the words left his mouth. I couldn't believe what he was insinuating. He knew I didn't feel that way about Jacob, that he was the only one allowed in my bed, and yet he'd said it anyway. I felt a sharp spike of pain slice through me. Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn't decide if they were tears of anguish or tears of anger. Maybe they were both. All I did know was that I suddenly didn't want to look at Edward's face. I yanked myself out of his arms, putting distance between us, and bravely meeting his eyes. His face was horror stricken as if he hadn't meant to say that out loud and had just realized that he had. If I had been any less mad at him, I would have taken sympathy on him. As it was, I was too hurt and not in the mood to forgive him yet.
"You know better, Edward, and you know it." He meekly lowered his eyes, but I wasn't about to let him off the hook. "I have told you, and told you, and told you that I don't feel that way about Jacob, but you continue to not listen to me. I don't care about Jacob as anything other than a friend, and when, when not if, he finds out what I'm doing, he won't even want me that way. I don't care about anyone but you, Edward. Now please leave me alone for a little while."
Just before I turned to walk away, his face crumbled with remorse. I marched part way down the slope and sat underneath a tall green tree. I didn't know how it all went downhill so fast. One minute we holding each other kissing, and the next we were yelling at each other. This had become increasingly common lately. Both of our tempers were short, and we both flew off the handle far too easily. Our volatile emotions had us both wound tight. We were either fighting or madly making love. Today was the most peaceful day we had spent together in almost a month, and even that had descended into another fight. I didn't know what to do. We weren't ready to come out yet. The Court would have a field day, and we would be forced apart. Edward would be forced to leave, and I would be held captive in my own home. They wouldn't put up with another stunt like my mothers. We were trapped between a rock and a hard place with no way out in sight.
I brushed stray tears off my checks and looked up at the sky. The weather had darkened with my mood. The fog and mists we had encountered further up the mountain had become full dark clouds, threatening rain. There wasn't enough time to get back down the mountain to shelter, so I remained in my position under the tree as the first few raindrops began to fall.
I wondered if this was how my mother felt before she left my father. I had always blamed her for leaving Charlie, but if this was anything like what she went through, then I couldn't keep blaming her. It would be far too easy to call this off and let it go. I may have loved him, but it may not have been enough. I didn't believe that, but I also knew all too well that love often wasn't enough.
My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I finally gave up and began sobbing. I tried to hold the tears back so that I didn't appear weak as I was certain that Edward was somewhere within eyesight. He would never let me truly be alone out here, but he gave me my space. I was crying because I was hurt, because I was lost, and because I suddenly felt powerless against everything I was up against. As if to prove just how powerless I was, the clouds opened up and the rain came down in sheets. I was soaked within seconds.
Edward gave me a few minutes before he approached me. He didn't touch me, but he did sit down next to me. He didn't say anything, waiting on me to look at him. When I did, I realized that he looked a mess. His hair was dark and plastered to his head, fat rain drops falling into his face. His eyes were red and puffy, but I couldn't tell if he was crying . His eyes were anguished as he watched me. The only sound around us was the steady thud of the raindrops hitting the tree leaves and the ground.
"I'm sorry," he finally said in a low pained voice. "I should never have said that, much less thought it. I don't believe it, really I don't. I was just so angry that he gets to be with you all the time, and I don't. It just sort of slipped out. I wished I had a better excuse, but I don't. I never meant to hurt you, Bella. I'm just scared to lose you. You've become everything to me, and I don't think I know what to do without you. I am so sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Of course I would. The pain was still there, compounded by all the things I had mused over since I had left him. Still I loved him and needed him just as much as it seemed he needed him. I nodded and moved so that I was sitting right next to him. Laying my head against his shoulder, I tried to control my breathing so I could talk to him. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pressed his lips to my face, kissing away the rain drops and tears.
I traced the features of his wet face as I tried to find words to explain what I felt. "Of course, I forgive you. I understand why you feel that way, I really do. It's the same feeling I get every time I see Tanya trying to get your attention."
"Like someone just pulled the rug out from under you feet and punched you in the gut all at the same time?" He asked with a sad smile.
"Something like that," I muttered. "We can't keep doing this though, Edward. This is the exact thing that happened to my parents. I can't let that happen. I know it's hard, but please promise me you won't let this tear us a part. I need you, I really do and…"
Edward cut off my rambling by pressing his lips to mine. I enthusiastically returned his kiss, trying to erase our earlier transgressions. Edward pulled away, keeping my face in his hands. "Bella, calm down." Edward rested his forehead against mine, entrapping me within his. "Relax, Love. It's okay. We'll get through this. I don't know how yet, but we will. I'm not leaving or going anywhere, and I'm not letting you do that either. I need you to, Isabella."
Normally I hated my full name, but from his lips it sounded like music. I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face in his collar. He knotted his fingers into my wet hair while wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. He hummed into my ear having learned this was the easiest way to calm me. "We'll make it through this, My Love. It'll be okay," he whispered into my ear before beginning to hum my lullaby.
"How do you always know what to say?" I mumbled into his neck.
"Obviously, I don't." He laughed. "I'm sorry I ruined our day. I'll try to reign myself in. It's just the thought of him with you makes me go a little crazy."
"I miss you when I'm with him," I told him. "I wish it were you when he holds my hand or when we take walks through the gardens. This sucks on both ends, Edward."
"I know."
The rain was beginning to taper off, slowing to just the occasional drop or two. The sun was trying to come out, but it was so far down in the west that it hardly got a chance to really shine. The wind had also picked up. Between the chilly air and our wet state, I was really cold. I shivered in Edward's arms when a particularly strong gust blew by.
"Are you cold?" he asked. "I think it's time to head back to the Palace. I don't want you getting sick"
I allowed him to pull me back to my feet. We started back down the valley, hand in hand.
By the time we managed to stumble through the hidden door into my bedroom, I was distinctly uncomfortable. My hair was still wet and dripping down my back, and my shirt and jeans were water logged, making me feel heavy. It was hard to walk in wet clothes, and I was still cold.
Edward went immediately to the fireplace and began building a fire to provide some much needed warmth, but I had a better idea in mind. "I'm going to take a bath."
Edward looked up at me. I think he was startled by my voice. We hadn't spoken much after we had left the tree. I didn't want to forget everything that happened. I just wanted to move forward, and I wanted Edward back. "Would you like to join me?"
His eyes lit up with warmth rather than the haunted hallow look he had been carrying for almost an hour. I was glad to have him back. "I would love to. Just let me get this started."
I nodded. "Okay, I'll just go get the bath drawn." Alice had promised us privacy all through the night so we weren't taking any risks. Over the last several months my bedroom had become our sanctuary. This was where we met, talked, and slept. It was the one place where we didn't have to hide. The outer sitting room generated some of the same feelings, but they weren't as strong. The sitting room wasn't as private and anymore, including Jacob, could come knocking at any time. It was where I entertained and did business. The bedroom was ours. No one came in here except for occasionally Alice or Rosalie. It was our haven in a storm tossed sea.
As soon as I was in the bathroom, I wiggled out of my jeans. They were sticking to me like Velcro, and I had to peel them off almost like a second skin. When I did I felt much lighter. I filled the tub with water and bubbles. As soon as it was full, I stripped out of the rest of my clothes and sank into the warm water. I sighed in pleasure as the warmth seeped into my chilled body. It felt wonderful. I lay back and closed my eyes with a moan, almost forgetting about Edward.
I didn't hear Edward come in, but I could feel his presence like a tug when he knelt next to tub. He rested his arm on the edge and placed his chin on top of them, watching me. I smiled softly at him. "What's wrong?" I finally asked.
"Nothing." He shrugged and reached out to trace the curve of my cheek and jaw, and I leaned into the touch. "I was just enjoying watching you. You're rarely so content. It's fascinating. I'm really sorry I ruined our outing. I overreacted and ruined our afternoon."
I leaned part way out of the tub and captured his lips with mine. I cut off his self-deprecating rambling, having no intentions of hearing it and allowing him to believe whatever he had convinced himself of. "It's okay, Edward. Nothing about this is perfect, I know that. Besides, you didn't ruin anything. It was still a wonderful afternoon. I needed it, and I'm sure you did to. Now, come join me in this tub. It's lonely without you."
I pretended to pout, and he laughed softly. I could still see the sadness lingering in his eyes, but it was hidden by his adoration for me. He stood up, swiftly stripped, and slid in behind me. I settled between his legs with my back to his chest. He wrapped one arm around my waist, while the other entwined with the fingers of my right hand. I was suddenly fascinated by the sight of his long, musical fingers twisted around my own smaller digits. There was something slightly erotic about it. The way they reached around and grasped, holding my fingers in a gentle hold. Between the feeling of skin and warm water, I found myself aching for his touch. Still, I didn't want to him to think that I did all this for the sex. So I calmed my racing heart and tried to ignore the fire building in my stomach. Of course, his fingers tracing shapes on my belly didn't help, sending a shiver of passion up my spine.
"Are you okay?" he asked, feeling my gasp. "Is the water to cold?"
"No, I'm fine," I lied. I rested the back of my head on his shoulder and tried to control my body a little better. When his fingers resumed their tracing, I knew I needed a distraction. "So, what was your favorite part of the day?"
"Hmm," he mused and buried his nose into my hair. "Kissing you on the remains of an ancient wall is certainly a highlight."
Damn, he wasn't helping. I wondered if he knew what he was doing to me? It certainly wouldn't surprise me. As it was, it was one of the best parts of my day as well. I smiled and glanced up to his face. "Yeah, that was probably one of my favorites as well. Did you like anything else?"
I felt him shrug underneath me. "To be honest, apart for the obvious part, I loved everything about today. Thank you and please remind me to thank Alice as well."
"You and me both." I snorted.
Silence descended over us. It wasn't tense nor was there any agitation. We were simply together, locked in an embrace and content with that. When Edward began humming again, I was lulled almost to sleep. Then I realize that I had the perfect example to explain the difference between what I had with him and what I had with Jacob.
I pulled our intertwined hands out of the water so that we could both see them. My thumb made circles around his palm, soothing the pair of us so that I could bring up Jacob without starting another fight. "You know why you never have to worry about me and Jacob?" I asked softly.
Edward tensed just slightly, but he didn't say anything, just shook his head stiffly. I squeezed his hands to reassure him that I was with him and no one else. I felt his lips smile into my neck. "No, I don't, Bella."
"Because Jacob and I would never do this." I waved our interlocked hands vaguely in front of us. "Anything we would ever have would be purely physical. We would never sit in a tub and do nothing, or hike up a trail just to explore some old ruins. Why would I give up this for that?" I smiled up at him, begging him to understand what I was saying.
To my surprise he smiled down at me. "You think I'm better than all that?"
"Much better," I muttered just before his lips pressed into mine. Our tongues tangled in sweet passion, both of us moaning. Edward's hands trailed along my waist and stomach causing me to shudder in his arms. My skin felt like it was on fire, and I was no longer cold. I tangled my hand in his hair and tried to press myself closer to him. I whimpered when he pulled away from me and rested his forehead against mine.
"Breathe, Bella." He grinned as I pouted. I was surrounded by him—his body, his smell—and I wanted to be with him. I was already aching for his touch. "We have all night, my love. Be patient."
I sighed but settled back into his arms. We remained there in the tub, talking softly and sharing the briefest of touches. When the water began to cool Edward helped me climb out without tripping on the tile. He then left me to check on the fire in the other room. I dried off with a towel and pulled on a deep blue silk dressing grown. It only came to the top of my thighs, but it hadn't failed yet to get a reaction out of Edward. He loved the color against my skin. He said it made my pale skin look luminescent. I didn't know if that was true, but he liked it, and I was horny, so I wasn't going to complain. I grabbed my brush off the sink and made my way back to the bedroom and Edward.
The curtain was thrown open revealing the mountains, illuminated by the moon and the inky black sky. There was a strong fire going in the fireplace, and it was the only light in the room. Edward had pulled one of my heavy wingback chairs in front of the fireplace where it was warmest. He was already sitting there, staring into the yellow and red flames. When he heard me coming, he turned to look at me. His eyes went wide and dark, and I knew my plan had worked. His Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped. I bit my lip and tired not to grin.
"I need to brush my hair," I said coyly, waving the brush in my hand. "I'll be right back."
Edward swallowed and tried to take his eyes off my legs. "Come here. I'll do it." He looked a little nervous, and his eyes were still dark.
"Do you know how to brush hair?" I asked suspiciously. "You never brush yours after all."
"I try to brush mine. It just doesn't ever stay that way." He tugged on my waist and placed me between his legs with my back to his chest. "And yes, I have brushed hair before. I used to brush Victoria's all the time."
I stiffened at the mention of Edward's ex-fiancé. If I ever got the pleasure to meet her, I would kill her. She had broken his heart by cheating on him. Although, I supposed I should have been happy. She had given him up which had allowed me to have him. Still, I hated her for hurting him.
Edward brushed my hair over my shoulder and placed his chin there. "See, not so nice now is it?"
He began kissing up the column of my neck as I put together what he had said. He had brought up Victoria to show me how he reacted to Jacob. It was a bit underhanded, but he had a point.
I sighed and rested my head back against his shoulder. "Okay, okay I get the point. I'm sorry."
He placed one last kiss on my throat before pulling away and taking the brush from my hand. "It's all right, I forgive you. Just trust me okay?"
"Okay." He gave me a quick kiss and began brushing through my thick hair. He parted it into individual sections and then brushed through each section. He took more care than I usually did. It felt wonderful. I didn't usually like someone else brushing my hair. I didn't even like Renee, Alice, or Rose doing it. With Edward, it was very different. It was very relaxing. I settled against him and watched the flames. Edward was silent as he worked, and when he was done, my hair was thick and glossy.
"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you knew how to do this." I ran my hand through my hair and marveled at the texture. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, my love." He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me back against his chest. "Now what is this about your outfit?"
I shrugged, unwilling to expose my secret. "It's comfortable. What other reason do I need?"
Edward laughed and traced the edge of my gown along my upper thighs. "Bella, to you comfortable is a ratty t-shirt and sweat pants. This, although I do like it, is something else. What are you doing?"
"Is it hard to figure out, Edward?" I smirked and he grinned.
"You've come a long way from the shy girl I first met. Now you're trying to seduce me."
"I am so past trying." I turned around so that I could straddle his waist. His hands found my waist and held me up as he rubbed the silk. "I've wanted this all day, Edward. I need you."
His lips found mine in a sweet, searing kiss. I pressed myself into him, knotting my fingers into the hair at the base off his neck. Edward's hands trailed up my back while his tongue fought with mine for dominance. I needed a breath and threw my head back, gasping. Edward attacked my throat, being careful not to suck or bite to hard. His hand moved to my hips, which he pulled down flush with his thighs. I could feel him through the material of his boxers. I moaned as he guided my hips to grind against him. There was so little separating us, and I could feel it. The silk of my gown wasn't long enough to come between us. I could feel him, long and hard beneath me. I shook against him and sighed.
Edward's hands remained firmly planted at my hips, guiding the way my body ran against him. His eyes were deep green and burning with passion. I began gasping for breath as my clit brushed against him. I moaned his name, lost in the feeling of us.
"Is this what you wanted?" he panted, pulling my ear lobe into his mouth. I tried to shake my head. "Say it, Bella," he rasped into my ear.
"No," I moaned.
"Do you want me to stop," he asked, smirking. He thrust his hips up to meet mine. "Answer, Bella."
"No," I shrieked. He couldn't stop. I was too close. It may not have been what I wanted to begin with, but the night was young. I had plenty of time. I ground myself harder down on him but just couldn't seem to get that extra little push.
Finally, Edward took pity on me and trailed his fingers down to my curls. He took my clit in a slippery hold and began teasing me. I moaned and rocked against his fingers. I gripped his shoulders for support, while he wound an arm around to the small of my back, holding me steady as I reached my climax.
I came with his name on my lips. I shook as the pleasure coursed through my limbs. Edward kept a hold of my clit, prolonging the experience. When I was spent, I collapsed against his chest. I tried to catch my breath though my limbs felt like jelly. "That may not have been what I wanted, but I'll take it."
Edward laughed and kept me tucked against his chest. "I didn't think you would complain. To be honest, it was really was rather fun teasing you like that." He sounded almost as breathless as I was. I could still feel him beneath me, hard and solid. A new spike of desire shot through me.
"I can tell," I said, squirming in his lap. His cock twitched, and I grinned. We kissed again. Edward knotted his hand in my thick hair. My hands trailed down his chest, brushing against the soft hair. When my fingertips ran over his nipples, he gasped into my mouth and one of his hands left my hair to knead my backside. I was slowly rocking against him again. I wasn't going to let him take over this time.
I pulled away from his lips and sat up. Edward's eyes were dark as he watched me, his chest heaving from the breaths he was taking. Keeping his gaze, I untied the ribbon that held my robe together and let it fall. I was completely bare before him. His dark eyes widened, and I felt my nipples respond to both the chilly air and his gaze.
Gently he reached up and began kneading my breast. I sighed and laid my head back. Edward leaned forward and captured my nipple in his mouth, suckling me into him. He continued his motions on my other breast, and I moaned. He pulled me back down on top of him, and I could feel every ridge of his hard cock. When he twitched, I shook and groaned against him. I wanted him inside me and over me. I wanted him to be one with me.
I pushed him away from my breast and kissed him. One of his hands traveled down my stomach. It stopped just above my curls, making me gasp with his almost touch. The room was filled with our sighs and moans. My hands were on the waistband of his boxers, and his hips were flexing up, trying to find my entrance. His fingers slipped through my curls and rubbed sweet circles around my clit.
I pulled away from his lips and planted a trail of kisses from his jaw to his ear. Edward began working on my neck and collarbone while continuing his pressure on my clit. I sighed into his ear and said, "Make love to me, Edward."
For a moment all motion stopped. It was the first time either of us had used the word love to describe what we were doing. It was the first time we had used that word at all. I had stayed away from it, knowing Edward needed space and time to adjust. However, I was tired of hiding. It wasn't like we weren't doing it anyway. We had never simply fucked. There was too much emotion behind it to call it that. It was time to rock the boat a little and see where it got us.
I went back to kiss his still lips. Slowly he began to respond. Out tongues met and an ancient dance began. Swiftly, he picked me up and carried me to the bed where he laid me out on my back before climbing on top of me. His mouth and fingers found my nipples, and I sighed. My hand trailed down his back to push at his boxers. He pulled away from me long enough to discard them and then returned to my breast.
I moaned as his tongue flicked over my nipples, every touch sending shock waves to my core. His fingers brushed against my folds, and I almost cried out in relief. It still wasn't what I wanted though, and I was getting inpatient. I used his hair to pull him back up to my lips. Our lips met hungrily as he ground his cock against me. I spread my legs wider and tried to get him closer to my entrance. Our sighs made our kisses harder, but I didn't mind in the least. The only thing I could think about was the feeling of his body against mine.
When he began pushing into me, I broke apart with a moan. Edward propped himself up on his arms and stared down at me, his eyes dark and mouth open and gasping for breath. I met his fiery, passionate gaze and flexed my hips, drawing him farther into me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and rocked, encouraging him to move.
"Edward," I cried when he did. I dug my nails into his back and pulled them back up. Edward hissed and pulled away from my neck. I had learned by accident that he liked the scratching. His dark eyes were full of lust and, if I was reading it right, love.
His thrusts changed, becoming deeper and harder. His finger moved down my body and began rolling my clit with his thumb. I came with his name on my lips, though it sounded more like a cry to the heavens. I shook against him and could feel him struggling to hold on to his rhythm to prolong my pleasure. He finally gave up, just as I beginning to come down.
Edward collapsed on top of me. I was completely surrounded by him and his unique smell. We were both gasping for breath. Edward had his face buried in my neck and hair. I wanted to run my fingers through his hair, but I couldn't make myself move.
Edward rose up on his forearms with a grunt and kissed me gently. In some ways this kiss was better than the sex had just been. Not that the sex had been bad, it had been wonderful, but it was just this kiss was soft, slow, and adoring. More than anything else, it was reassuring. Edward was telling me without words that he loved me and understood that I would never do anything to hurt him, but some things in the past are hard to forget. I told him that I loved him, would wait for him, and forgave him.
When he pulled away from me, he rolled over and pulled me into his arms so that he was spooning me. I used his arm as a pillow and closed my eyes. His other arm circled my waist and pulled me close. I could feel his lips press several quick kisses to the back of my head.
"Was that what you wanted?" he asked, sounding almost asleep.
"Everything and more," I told him. I could almost feel him grin as I mumbled, "Good night, Edward" just before the darkness over took me.
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I want to change the neutral paint colour in my lounge to make it feel warm and welcoming for the winter months. What will work best?
Most of us shy away from using bold or rich paint colours in our homes for fear of changing our mind or the room feeling smaller or gloomy. However, dark paint colours instantly make a room feel more intimate and cosy and we often advise clients to work with proportions rather than against them. If your lounge is on the small side, decorate it with jewel-like shades and sumptuous fabrics like wool and velvet to provide a welcome sanctuary after a cold day. Olive, violet or navy will all work brilliantly with an open fire for the cold months ahead and charcoal grey is a perfect backdrop for brighter pops of colour like fuschia and citrus yellow. Be bold, paint is the most inexpensive way to instantly change the whole look and feel of a room and you can always paint it again in Spring if the mood takes you.
How can I revamp my fireplace without breaking the bank?
As winter draws in the fireplace becomes the focal point of any room. A great way to give your fireplace a new look is to think about a new mirror to go above it. As well as reflecting light back into the room this will add a luxurious feel and will look great with your Christmas garland!
How about sitting the mirror on one side of the fireplace and balancing the look with some candles on the other side. Our customer was
delighted with this look on a recent project.
Alternatively, this beautiful mirror from Graham & Green adds a touch of glamour and luxury.
How can I make my lounge feel cosier for winter?
A quick and easy way to do this is by buying a couple of gorgeous throws. These will add both texture and colour to your sofa and are great for snuggling under on those cold winter evenings.
|This chunky hand knitted throw from Rocket St George ticks all the boxes or their cosy moss stitch cotton throw in slate grey will add texture and deep tones to your room.
We would like to install a wood burning stove. Can you recommend a style which is more modern than the traditional cast iron stoves?
The Vintage 35 stove from Dovre is a sleek, modern design with an Airwash system to keep the window glass clean and Cleanburn technology to burn wood with outstanding efficiency. With a choice of white, grey or anthracite enamel finishes, slender legs and neat dimensions this stove would look brilliant in a contemporary interior as this picture from a recent project shows.
0161 414 0032


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$ 55.00
Size: Oil: 8ml / .3 fl oz -- Body Mist 4.0 fl oz
KAPHA BALANCING (Water + Earth)
She is fearless and powerful. Her energy rises in steady waves, filling her with an undeniable drive toward motion. Her skin fragrant with rosemary and eucalyptus, with juniper and geranium; she is invigorated and energized. This is the essence of Shakti.
Rosemary, Tulsi, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Coriander, Geranium and Jojoba oils combine to capture the essence of Shakti, the divine female force. The feminine power of Shakti lies dormant until it is awakened. Then it springs into action, replacing lethargy with movement, heaviness with lightness. Inhale and unleash your inspiring female power.


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Luxury villa with 4 bedrooms and pool, with panoramic view over the sea-Lakes
Luxury villa located between light and Burgau, with panoramic sea views, near the beach and golf course.
Built according to the highest standards of quality, this amazing property offers incredible views to the sea and consists of 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms.
With its prime location this is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a unique oceanfront House and with a lot of character.


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Four Light Peppermint Schnapps Drinks
Each year, monsoon arrives uproariously, leaving everyone excited and disconcerted in equal measure. And, much to our relief, although the summers have waved us a final goodbye, it doesn't keep us from savouring our favourite summer cocktails.
Lemonade and chilled fruit smoothies are people's favourite sippers to relax and enjoy, be a warm sunny afternoon or cloudy grey evening. But why just cling to the traditional tangy flavours of these conventional drinks when you can soak yourself in some refreshing essences of some modern drinks.
Allow the minty and herbal Peppermint Schnapps cocktails to work their magic. Once you dive into one of these lip-smacking drinks, you will surely forget the OJ and lemonade, and fall in love with the rich, minty flavours of these light cocktails.
Green Beret
This green-hued concoction blends together the essence of peppermint with a shot of White Mischief Vodka. Peppermint Schnapps placates the strong sweetness of mix and imparts a strong minty taste. This is one of the cocktails that will invigorate your senses with its minty freshness accompanied by a light kick.
Peppermint Froth
If you like to sip something cold, minty, and delicious on a warm summer afternoon, then order a Peppermint Froth. This light and chilled concoction works magic on your tongue and leaves you utterly refreshed. Prepared with Vodka, schnapps, simple syrup, and cream, this sweet and creamy concoction is one of the best poolside cocktails to sip and relish.
Polar Bear Shooter
Summer vacationers rarely enjoy the simple and straight shooters unless they are utterly delicious and light like the Polar Bear Shooter. This delectably light concoction is a subtle blend of white crème de cacao and peppermint schnapps. Its chocolaty and light minty flavours will leave you wanting for more.
Candy Cane
It may be a beach party or a holiday along the beach; this fancy cocktail will surely leave its sippers mesmerized. Prepared with berry vodka, schnapps, chocolate liqueur, grenadine, and soda, this bubbly mix will surely tease your taste buds with its multi-hued flavours.
Image Credits: mixthatdrink.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com, amazonaws.com, cocktaildrinkrecipes.com


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(Sold) 3206 Archibald Way
Stunning contemporary home in one of the most sought after areas where homes rarely come available. Alta Vista is a lakeside neighbourhood that is close to the Village, making it an easy stroll in. Play on the lake no matter what the season, imagine an early morning paddleboard or an afternoon skate. Or just stay home and enjoy the bright open layout, with high ceilings and white oak floors that lead out to the south facing garden with a large deck. Entertaining is a breeze with a gourmet kitchen, four bedrooms all with ensuites, den and plenty of extra space to add your own personal touch.
Listing Specifications
- Year Built:
- 2016
- Type:
- Chalet
- Main Bedrooms:
- 4.5
- Suite Bedrooms:
- 1.0
- Bathrooms:
- 4.5
- Gross Tax:
- $5,531
- Floor Area:
- 3,475 sqft
- Lot Size:
- 10250 sqft
- Neighbourhood:
- Alta Vista


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Silvestre seeks France return
Mikael Silvestre has set his sights on re-establishing himself in the France national side.
By Patrick Haond
Last Updated: 22/08/08 2:51pm
New Arsenal signing Mikael Silvestre has set his sights on re-establishing himself in the France national side.
Silvestre joined the Gunners on Wednesday in a surprise move from Manchester United.
Injuries have severely disrupted the 31-year-old's previous two seasons, and he has not featured for his country since 2006.
However, in the hope of gaining regular first-team opportunities at Emirates Stadium, Silvestre is keen to break back into Raymond Domenech's France squad.
"Getting back into the France team? I am keeping faith," he told L'Equipe. "I hope to play at the 2010 World Cup."
"When you are at a competitive club like Manchester United or Arsenal you have to aspire to play in the national team."
On his transfer to Arsenal, Silvestre said: "I first spoke with [manager] Arsene Wenger on Tuesday. I had talks with Bordeaux, but the financial side of things did not work out.
"I also had contact with PSG several weeks ago. But now I am at Arsenal and the fans know I can bring something to the team."
Wenger added on the club's official website: "They (United) let him go and we took him.
"I felt Manchester United had made up their mind to let him go before we were interested, to maybe Manchester City or to France, so it was not necessarily us going in there and buying a player.
"Mikael can play centre-back, he can also play left-back and that is an area where we were a bit inexperienced. He has a great team attitude and he can help us in the dressing room as well with his maturity."


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Terri Stephens 403.827.4663 CIR REALTY
Put my 20 Year Airdrie Resident experience to work for you. Full Time Realtor since 2003
Voted By Airdrie Citizens several years in a ROW as their TOP PICK
Here in my Hat all ready for the Holidays....shopping has started and gift wrapping will commence.
I open my HEART to those in need and lend a hand where needed indeed.
Wishing All the folks I know a Happy Holiday and those I don't know personally - a Random Act of Kindess goes a long way ..... even the smallest of KIND will be returned to you in some way.
God Bless
Recenlty I have buyers "first timer buyers" to "move up"
Its been a very busy market for any homes under the
$350,000.00 price range - and I've shown all of them.
Still what amazes me is some of the condition of the
homes.... buyers are still very selective and if the home
doesn't show well. They move onto the next one.
My point...no matter what price range your home is listed in.... you have to
have a clean, clutter, and smell free home to sell.
Welcome to our Home...can take on a whole new meaning...when buyers are running out the door.
Over the Holidays I recieved a very lovely card from a past client. Her warms words of thanks and appreciation just set my thoughts to warmth. What the season was all about. She has settled in her condo with her beloved companion "Princess" a warm and fuzzy little dog. I so enjoy hearing from a client.
Airdrie Home Furnishings
Has offered an exclusive
Pricing for my Clients
A Certificate gives you access to the Airdrie Home Furnishings Contract/Builder Program, where you will receive personalized pricing and service on any of their in stock or custom order Home Furnishings.
I am a proud supporter of Local Airdrie Businesses
Selenite has been used for lower back pain or joint problems.
Auralite 23 - a newly discovered crystal in (Canada) offer calming properties and great for working with your chakras.
Quartz crystals are great to have around - and help protect you from negative energy.
More About Crystals
Add clear quartz crystals to promote clarity in communication.
Place a crystal cluster by your computer to balance out the energies and protect you from high electromagnetic fields.
Large crystals should not be placed in the North and South areas of your home. Lastly, do not forget to cleanse your feng shui crystals.
Using any cyrstal for personal, or around your home you will need to cleanse it.
There are several different ways to cleanse your crystal.
Auralite 23- is the natural cleanser and will do any crystal you use.
Want more information?
Let me know, I can recommend books or put you in touch with the experts.
Looking to repel or prevent pesky pests from making their way into your home this summer?
Here's an easy, inexpensive way to round up the ants that begin to invade your house each summer.
What You'll Need:
3 cups (750 ml) water
1 cup (220 g) sugar
4 teaspoons borax
3 clean 250 g screw-top jars
Cotton balls
Old-style beer-can opener (that cuts V-notches)
What To Do:
1. In a jug, mix the water, sugar and borax together. Loosely pack the jars half-full of cotton balls and saturate the balls with the solution.
2. Pierce jar lids with the can opener, making 2 or 3 holes just large enough to admit ants.
3. Place the baited jars where ants are active, but make sure jars are out of the reach of pets and children. Attracted by the lethal sugar and boric acid mixture, ants will crawl into the traps.
PRICED TO SELL QUICKLY!! This beautifully designed executive home is a steal at this price as it needs a little TLC. Not a penny was spared: This house has every upgrade imaginable. The main floor offers 9 ft ceilings, tons of huge windows, fabulous porcelain tile & maple hardwood flooring, a high efficiency wood burning fireplace, upgraded maple cabinetry, granite countertops and high end stainless appliances. The upper floor includes a bonus room with built in custom office cabinetry, a laundry room and 3 bedrooms including an amazing master suite! The master walk in closet features custom built-ins and an ensuite that must be seen to be appreciated! The fully developed walkout basement has 9 ft ceilings, a full bath and super large windows. This house has it all including sunny south exposure, a high efficiency furnace, hot water heated floors on the main and basement levels, a water softener, a vacuum system, wired everywhere for theatre sound, and don't forget the oversized triple attached garage!
Great Value for the Right Buyer - Another CIR REALTY listing
For years, Canadian forestry producers have been hit
by a stream of bad news. A strong Canadian dollar,
trade disputes with the Americans over softwood
lumber, mountain pine beetles and forest fires were
unrelenting challenges for the industry, reducing
production and profitability. It also resulted in a good
deal of downsizing and closing older, less efficient
mills. But in 2012, prices for lumber and panelboard in
North America started to rise, lifted by the slow-butsteady
recovery in U.S. homebuilding.
Contrary to what many have hypothesized over the last few years, young adults (18-35 year olds) are just as committed to homeownership as previous generations. Recent studies have shown:
This, along with the increase in household formations mentioned above, makes us believe that 2013 will be the year that many of these young adults will jump into homeownership
Unfortuately there are many foreclosures properties in Calgary…
While you can buy some foreclosure real estate at below-market prices, it also brings a unique set of circumstances that you may not encounter in a more typical home buying scenario.
Many markets saturated with foreclosed properties, more prospective homebuyers are taking a closer look at these types of properties than ever before. Purchasing a foreclosure isn't just a simple matter of scoring a dirt-cheap bargain, however. What should you worry about--or not--when buying a foreclosed property?
Foreclosures being sold by banks have long been an attractive opportunity for real estate investors. But today many consumers are purchasing them as primary residences.
The big attraction of purchasing a foreclosure is the expectation that it can be bought at bargain-basement prices. Whether that expectation holds true depends largely on local market conditions and Terri Stephens with CIR Realty calls the "desperation factor" of the bank that needs to sell the property.
Foreclosure properties are just harder to deal with. Here's what you need to know…
"People want to get houses for half price, and that's not going to happen," says an industry member.
In general, Foreclosures do offer some discount from the market value of the property--anywhere between 5 percent to just over 30 percent. If foreclosure sales didn't come with some discount, there would be no reason for buyers to deal with the myriad headaches that these transactions can present. Make no mistake, short sales come with headaches, so you need to know what to expect.
Even though Foreclosures can be a bargain, that doesn't mean you should jump in with your eyes closed. "Foreclosure buyers need to do their homework so they understand the property, the market, the neighborhood, and the process,"
Here's what you need to know as a potential buyer of Foreclosure property in today's market.
Real estate agents can pull up foreclosures offerings for you. Most mortgage lenders want their REO properties listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) so that any real estate agent can show them to potential buyers.
Discounts on foreclosures vary greatly, depending on whether the homes are severely damaged and where they're located. Although damaged Foreclosures might sell for a relatively minor discount -- 5 percent to 7 percent off comparable private sales of non-damaged homes -- some might offer as much as a 30 percent discount.
But being listed as an Foreclosure doesn't mean that a property will automatically be a bargain. Banks are in business to make money, so of course they're going to price homes as competitively as possible. This is why it's important to have solid representation on the home you plan to purchase.
Foreclosures are sold "as-is," and that's why you need a home inspection before committing to a purchase. A thorough inspection is even more important for an Foreclosure than for a standard property.
Be financially savvy
I encourage potential buyers to get prequalified for a loan so that the seller knows the borrower will be able to close.
If you want to buy an Foreclosure property, will you have trouble getting a mortgage? If the property you're considering is in good condition, you shouldn't have more trouble qualifying simply on the basis of the home being Foreclosure, and likewise, you won't pay higher mortgage rates just because the lender knows you want to buy Foreclosure.
However, a significantly damaged property may close off some options for financing, because few mortgage financing programs exist for these types of homes.
Closing may take awhile…
Bidding on an Foreclosure isn't quite like making an offer on a privately-owned home, where you hear back from an owner fairly quickly. Instead, you'll submit your bid then you'll wait for a response with a counteroffer. Since a bank is a business, you may end up dealing with more than one person or department, and it can take awhile to get all of the paperwork processed.
The process can be frustrating and take more time. On the other hand, because the home is an Foreclosure, the bank will already have taken care of any liens on the property, so your title search should be a breeze.
It's possible to turn a fixer-upper into your own personal castle, as long as you are patient and don't expect that an Foreclosure listing means an automatic windfall.
For Informed, experienced and successful representation.
I'm here to help you every step of the way.
The coming year will see a rise in mortgage rate comparison websites, variable-rate mortgage discounts and non-prime lending, according to The Globe and Mail.
Highlighting likely real estate industry trends for 2013, the newspaper's Robert McLister predicts that, among other things, the proliferation of digital media will result in more popularity for mortgage rate comparison websites.
Meanwhile, McLister also forecasts that variable-rate mortgages will increase in popularity due to steeper discounts.
Finally, McLister predicts that tighter mortgage restrictions will lead to more borrowers taking out loans from higher-cost non-prime lenders.
"Those borrowers include the self-employed, property investors and anyone who needs secondary financing or refinancing above 80 per cent loan-to-value," he writes.
While tighter mortgage restrictions have led to a cooldown in Canada's overall housing market, Alberta mortgages, fueled by activity in Calgary, are leading the nation in growth.
The Canadian Real Estate Association reports that Alberta will lead the country in resales during both 2012 and 2013.
The province is expected to end this year with a 13.1 increase in resales compared to the same time last year, and is projected to grow by another 1.3 percent during 2013.
The province of Alberta will lead the country in resales during both 2012 and 2013, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
Data from the organization shows that Alberta will end this year with a 13.1 percent increase in resales compared to last year, with 60,800 sales. Alberta is projected to lead in 2013 with a growth of 1.3 percent, reaching 61,600 sales.
Calgary mortgages helped Alberta take the lead, with 1,831 home sales in the region during November. This marks a 10.6 percent increase from the same time last year. In the province as a whole, sales increased by 3.2 percent during November, reaching 4,034.
"National sales activity has remained fairly steady at lower levels since mortgage rules were changed earlier this year, but that stability masks some real differences in trends among local housing markets," said Wayne Moen, president of the CREA.
In addition to increases in sales, home prices also rose during November. The average November sales price in Calgary rose by 3.8 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Among the highlights in the 2012 Observer:
A summary of factors that affect your credit score:
The BEACON score is calculated based on the information contained in your Equifax credit history. While knowing your actual score is a good start, understanding the key factors affecting your BEACON score is much more important. These factors will provide you direction on how you can increase or maintain your BEACON score over time.
The negative factors listed below are reasons why your BEACON score might not be very high. Your focus on these factors will help you to raise your BEACON score over time. These negative factors are provided in order of impact to your score, the first factor listed indicates where you stand to gain the most points over time and so on.
You have recently been seeking credit as reflected by the number of inquiries posted on your credit file in the last 12 months
Research shows that consumers who are seeking new credit accounts are riskier than consumers who are not seeking credit. Inquiries are the only information lenders have that indicates a consumer is actively seeking credit.
There are different types of inquiries that reside on your credit bureau report. The score only considers those inquiries that were posted as a result of you applying for credit. Other types of inquiries, such as account review inquiries (where a lender with whom you have an account has received your credit report) or consumer disclosure inquiries (where you have requested a copy of your own report) are not considered by the score.
The scores can identify "rate shopping" so that one credit search leading to multiple inquiries being reported is usually only counted as a single inquiry. For most consumers, the presence of a few inquiries on your credit file has a limited impact on BEACON scores.
A common misperception is that every single inquiry will drop your score a certain number of points. This is not true. The impact of inquiries on your score will vary - depending on your overall credit profile. Inquiries will usually have a larger impact on the score for consumers with limited credit history and on consumers with previous late payments. The most prudent action to raise your score over time is to apply for credit only when you need it.
As time passes the age of your most recent inquiry will increase and your score will rise as a result, provided you do not apply for additional credit in the meantime. Our best recommendation - apply for credit only when you need it.
The length of time your revolving or non-revolving accounts have been established is too short
This reason is based on the age of the revolving or non-revolving charge accounts on your credit bureau report. A revolving account such as Visa, MasterCard, or retail store card allows consumers to make a minimum monthly payment and roll or "revolve" the remainder of their balance to the next month. Non-revolving accounts such as American Express and Diners Club must be paid off in full each month.
Research shows that consumers with longer credit histories have better repayment risk than those with shorter credit histories. Also, consumers who frequently open new accounts have greater repayment risk than those who do not.
It is a good idea to only apply for credit when you really need it. Meanwhile, maintain low-to-moderate balances and be sure to make your payments on time. Your score should improve as your revolving credit history ages.
The amount owed on your accounts is too high
The score measures how much you owe on the accounts (revolving, non-revolving, and installment) that are listed on your credit bureau report. Research reveals that consumers owing larger amounts on their credit accounts have greater future repayment risk than those who owe less. (For credit cards, the total outstanding balance on your last statement is generally the amount that will show in your credit bureau report. Note that even if you pay off your credit cards in full each and every month, your credit bureau report may show the last billing statement balance on those accounts.)
Paying off your debts and maintaining low balances will help to improve your credit score. Consolidating or moving your debt around from one account to another will usually not, however, raise your score, since the same amount is still owed.
Proportion of loan balances to original loan amounts is too high
Simply having installment loans and owing money on them does not mean you are a high-risk borrower. To the contrary, paying down installment loans is a good sign that you are able and willing to manage and repay debt, and evidence of successful repayment weighs favorably on your credit rating. The BEACON score examines many aspects of your current installment loan and revolving balances. One measurement is to compare outstanding installment balances against the original loan amounts. Generally, the closer the loans are to being fully paid off, the better the score. Compared to other measurements of indebtedness, however, this has limited influence on the BEACON score.
Paying down installment loans on a timely basis generally reflects well on your credit score. But if you want to improve your score, one way to do it is to try to pay the loans, down as quickly as you can.
While on Realtor Tour today - Dec. 11, 2012
I saw a great home that boast a fully developed lower level, plus bonus room and 3 bedrooms up. Total of 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.
Fully fenced yard, and rear deck with dog run area. Home has been taken care of for a foreclosure. $411K - In Cooper's Crossing
With a quick possession - and negotiable price...this home can be yours - or a great revenue property - that could rent out for atleast $1800 plus a month.
I also found a few condos - townhouses in Airdrie that might appeal to a few folks. Affordable living with easy care. Condo fees cover the exterior maintenance - if you don't want the yard work.
I also saw a recently renovated older home - kitchen has been renovated very nicely. House is a bit overpriced - but I'm sure there is room for negotiation. Nice thing is the oversized guys dream garage.
Terri Stephens - at your service


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Hanoi, Vietnam will once again be the campus for a group of Connecticut College students during the Spring 2017 semester. This will be the 16th SATA program in the city of Hanoi. The host institution will be the Vietnam International Education Development Center (VIED). The program will be led by Rolf Jensen, Professor of Economics and Joseph Alchermes, Associate Professor of Art History and Director of the Architectural Studies Program.
SATA Vietnam offers students the chance to become immersed in the life of a developing country whose history is intrinsically interesting and at the same time inseparably a part of major currents in world affairs. Colonialism and its aftermath, the Cold War, Confucianism and Communism, war and revolution, globalization: all are manifest in the atmosphere of Hanoi. SATA Vietnam's academic program takes full advantage of its setting, which will enrich the education of students interested in the arts, history, cultural studies, economics, international relations, Asian studies, environmental studies, and American studies, among others.
Housing & Cultural Immersion
Students live in a foreign-student residence hall in single rooms with private bath, air-conditioning and a refrigerator. Multiple restaurants and cultural attractions of Hanoi are within easy walking distance; the city also has an extensive and inexpensive bus system for ease of travel throughout the metropolitan area.
The program features several short field trips over the course of the semester and a Spring break trip.
VIED retains a number of English-speaking faculty to offer two courses exclusively for the SATA students:
- Vietnamese language and culture
- Vietnamese history.
Students will also select two 4-credit courses taught by Jensen and Alchermes from the following list:
- ECO 216 Political Economy of Postwar Vietnam
- ECO 235 Gender and Development
- ECO 406 Political Economy Seminar
- AHI 310 Greek and Roman Archaeology
- AHI 412 Pilgrimage, East and West
Students from ALL majors are encouraged to apply.
Students are expected to leave as a group mid-January, shortly before the start of the Spring 2017 semester. While in Hanoi, they will follow an academic calendar similar to that of Connecticut College.
As in all SATA programs, each student's financial arrangements and obligations, including the comprehensive fee and financial aid, are the same as they would be if he or she were staying at Connecticut College for the semester. The SATA Vietnam 2017 program includes round-trip travel, room and board in Vietnam, and all group field trips.
Students interested in SATA Vietnam should contact Professor Jensen, Professor Alchermes or the Office of Study Away