During the first weekend of August, the residents of Vestmannaeyjar celebrate Iceland's first constitution in bold Viking style—with fire, song, and plenty of drink. Democracy took root on this rocky island in 930 A.D., when the Althing, predecessor to today's parliament, first met. "Icelanders have no other king than the laws," wrote an 11th-century cleric, and the proud descendants of the country's original settlers remain fiercely independent.

'Shrek 2' Better Than the Original

"Shrek 2" is a rare example of a sequel that's better than the original. "Shrek 2" begins with newlyweds Shrek and Princess Fiona visiting Fiona's parents, the king and queen of the kingdom of Far, Far Away. Donkey tags along.

Upon first meeting the boorish Shrek, the in-laws don't exactly approve. While the queen eventually tries to be conciliatory, the king and Shrek get into a shouting match over dinner.

Meanwhile, Fiona's fairy godmother is astonished to learn that the princess has gotten married. Her son, Prince Charming, was supposed to have rescued Fiona from the tower and lived happily ever after with her 一 but he arrived too late.

This brings us to the best addition of all to the "Shrek" series: Puss-in-Boots, a tabby cat decked out in tiny Zorro duds and voiced by Antonio Banderas. Puss-in-Boots is sent to take out Shrek, which would make way for a fairy-tale ending for Fiona and Prince Charming. Instead, the kitty ends up warming to Shrek and fighting on his side.

The moral of the story 一 that love conquers all, despite appearances 一 is the same as the first movie. The computer-generated animation and the screenplay are better than the original, and several strong supporting actors have been added to the already solid cast, making "Shrek 2" a great movie for both kids and adults.

You Raise Me Up：举起我让我坚强

　《你举起我》“神秘园”（Secret Garden）首唱，古典流行歌手Josh Groban和流行乐队西城男孩（Westlife）都唱过。一首气势宏大、很有厚度的慢歌，怎么听都不是情歌，该是唱给心中的主听的：一颗疲惫的心，需要指点，需要关怀；于是，当你来临，让我的心充满奇迹；在你的肩膀上，我变得坚强。这是否就是那永恒之光……
　这里的版本是Josh Groban的，纯净宽阔的嗓音，配上美妙的风笛，优美的小提琴，他的韵味是西城唱不出来的，也是照猫画虎的通俗乐永远学不到的。那是种风骨，是精神的力量。

歌词：

You Raise Me Up
Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be (Repeat)

There is no life - no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be (Repeat)

weary a. 疲倦的，厌倦的 　　　glimpse v. 瞥见
awhile ad. 片刻，一会儿