Visit to Miami and Boca Raton, October 2010

Coming back from Salt Lake, we decided to stop in Miami to see my mom, sister and family, tia Estrella was there also visiting. It was so fun. We went shopping, eating out, looking at properties for sale, my favorite hobby and had wonderful gourmet meals prepared by chef Mari.

The most important news for our family is that Mari and Andres are going to be sealed in the Orlando Temple on October 20, 2010.

We decided to check out Boca Raton since it is the place I would move to in an instant. At our age, 50 + it's the place to be. Lots to do and very, very nice. The homes there are more affordable than in years past. It is a buyers market if you got cash.

Attending October General Conference 2010

Our trip to Salt Lake this time was especially made to attend General Conference and to the DTA's annual seminar and for us it was a chance to see family and a few friends.

To mention a few: it was also a time to meet with doctors, visit with friends, cut our hair and some beauty essentials, sell our car, see the home in Bountiful, do some Genealogy, get some dollars out, buy a few gifts, go out to dinner with some DTA's and their wives, attend an event in Provo for Elder Gonzalez, the Andrade's Silver wedding anniversary, and Sariah's recital and the Christmas in October.

We managed to do most of all. We got there on Thursday and started to get busy. Daniel was in meetings while I went to the library to finish a few assignments and even went to Provo to talk to the people there at BYU to make sure that the classes that I am taking will count for my graduation. I got 4 classes that are still pending that I have to finish on line.

We went out to eat a few times with the kids and we gave them some tickets for Conference. Brooks and Cristi came from Idaho and Analia and a friend came from Oregon. The weather at Conference was beautiful, then it got cold but not too bad. I got to watch Nixon while Cristi and Brooks attended Conference.

On Saturday after the seminar was over and our last day there, we got even busier. We went all over town and around 4:30 headed to Centerville to the recital. We wrap some gifts to give to the Grand kids as a surprise as if it were Christmas and they were so happy. That same night we drove to Provo because Valentina couldn't come to dinner with us the night before and met with her and Ale and Lexi and then we drove to West Jordan to the Andrades' party and back to Lehi to find Analia's TOEFL paper and leave the suits and back to the hotel to pack.

The next morning we were out by 6:30 AM to meet with Mandy for breakfast. I had taken her there after she had been with Landon Hendricksen and his family for his brother Alec's funeral.

It was a short visit but nice. We drove back to check out from our hotel and to the airport, "our second home."

Mission President Seminar

The mission president seminar was held on September 7 to the 10Th 2009 at the most beautiful setting in the casa de campo resort. The General Authorities teachings were centered on Christ and to have the missionaries be in tune with the spirit to teach people and not lessons. the training was wonderful, the food was fabulous and the company couldn't have been better. Elder Robins of the Seventy came to speak to us on preach my gospel fundamentals. Daniel did an amazing job translating for most of the seminar even when he got a little sick.
we were busy and didn't have time to enjoy the beach since it also rained on us, but if there is a next time, I would love to just relax by the ocean. What was most important to me was the special spirit felt in those meetings.

Mc Call Idaho

Our next trip took us to Idaho. The plan was to make it a family reunion/ vacation with all the Almeida's side of the family since they had expressed how much they wanted to go boating.

But at the end, Daniel and I were the only ones that went. this is Nixon's first boat ride. He loved it but was a little scared.

Wedding number 2

We also went to Tiffanie's wedding to Simón. It was so great to see all the Allred cousins. Their family have 38 members and they all came. From our children who came, we had Mandy, Cristi and Brooks. It was a great party also and lots of dancing.

Trip to Las Vegas

On our way back from Arizona we decided to stay a few days in Las Vegas, the temperature outside was hot, hot, hot but we went out at night and it was great! Saw the Lion King play and drove to see the Hoover dam.

At Old Tucson

We decided to stay at a Marriott in Tucson Arizona and drive from there to the open house in Nogales. At the old Tucson we saw a few of the shoot outs, rode the train, the old cars, went inside the hunted house and saw a few shows. Even though it was a Saturday, there were very few people in that old park.

Daniel took this picture as a solitary dead person.

Our first home leave

The trip was planned around Alejandro's and Lexi's wedding. I first went to Miami to watch Nixon while Cristi and Brooks went on a cruise. Later the next week, Daniel and I got to Salt Lake just to run around with the last minute details of the wedding. We gave a breakfast at the Joseph Smith Memorial before the ceremony in the Salt Lake Temple. Lixi's grandfather sealed them and Daniel along with Lexi's father were the witnesses. The reception took place in a greenhouse in Highland. The next day, we went to Arizona for the open house where this picture was taken.

Where would I rather live?

These are my thoughts on the big debate on the law of immigration.
I posted this on facebook that read: What is globalization? It's when you figure out that you could make more than $100 a month if you move elsewhere. What is an Illegal? Is someone who is waiting an H-1B visa but they are 50 years behind. If there was a way to work with a permit, everyone would be legal. That is the part of being illegal that no one understands because it's very simple. There is a procedure for Salvadorans to be legal with obtaining a TPS for example. why can't the rest go through a similar procedure?


Bottom line is about survival. Hatians go to the DR, Dominicans go to Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans go to the US and even Americans are finding jobs in Dubai. People in general move where jobs are available. It's the same thing I did or our parents and grandparents did long ago. Not forgetting that in toady's law, I was and they would all have been ILLEGALS but what happens 30 years later? is what counts in the end.

No more Consulate affairs

I was appointed Honorary Consul for El Salvador in Utah in 2002. This post only ends if I resigned or if I move from the State of Utah. Since I moved to the Dominica Republic in 2010 I am no longer acting as the Honorary Consul.

I miss not being involved with my Salvadoran community because as ironic as this is, now is when I could have more time to dedicate for the job. I never got a dime doing it but, I worked hard as if I did. Those years marked a time in my life of a very painful divorce.

In that picture I went alone to Las Vegas to attend a dinner with the Consul General Oscar Benavides and Margarita Escobar, the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I don't know if it was a mistake being away from my family, doing too many things at a time, but I only have the consolation that my ex husband supported what I did and wrote this about me "Veronica works untold hours and has spent thousand of dollars of her own money for the benefit of the Salvadoran Community since her appointment. She is just as comfortable in an ambassadorial role while representing the Utah Community in presence of the Governor and foreign dignitaries as she is in finding critical public resources for the unemployed single mother. she gets calls at all hours of the day from desperate needy women..." That was true, I got very involved helping people because it made me feel good but I probably neglected myself and the needs of my family. A lesson that I learned the hard way is that there is a time and place and a season for everything. Don't try doing it ALL at once!

Punta Cana

Punta Cana is a jewel here in the Dominican Republic, but the best way to get there from the US is to fly directly there. I don't recommend driving from Santo Domingo. It is very dangerous because of the poor infrastructure and some little towns you have to maze through in order to get there. I particularly hate the last two hour drive. It's beautiful but I still don't think it's worth it. There are other beaches closer two hours away from where we live like in la Romana that are just as beautiful.

having lunch with the ladies

The sisters that have re located to the Dominican Republic eat lunch together every month. We each take turns hosting the luncheons. In this occasion, my mother was visiting in the month of May. The picture was taken at the home of Patricia de Sanchez, Others in the picture include: Kathleen Andersen, Kim Whiting, Kathy Jackman, Emma Munive, Cristina Viñas, Cindi Lee, my mother Gloria and me. Not in the picture were: Mary Antivilo, Judy Coleman, Tami Taylor, Denise Lilly, Nancy Rappleye, and Erica Thurston. Most of these ladies are from the US except for sister Cristina, Patricia, Emma and me.

Visit to Gonzalo

Coming back from a tiny little town in Gonzalo, we took this picture because we loved to see a child so happy with his toy he made out of a plastic bottle, and some taps. He had placed a string in one of the "wheels" and was dragging it around on the ground. It was so cute to watch. You had to be there to appreciate his talent in making something out nothing.

The malecon

It always strikes me to see the contrasts of the world that we live in. After meeting with the nicest young men in our church, coming home I realized more than ever what they have to put up against. The malecon area for example and the music in every corner in all areas plus the drinking shows the contrast between the ways of the world and the young men and women of our Church who are in this world but not of the world.

This was a particular special Sunday on July 11 2010 because of the world cup's last game. We couldn't watch the end because we were on the road to San Pedro for a fireside meeting.

Christ's teachings

Daniel has been invited to speak to the LDS members in different meetings and sometimes I am asked to speak also. He has spoken at work to the employees, in sacrament meetings, the Institute of Religion, to the Seminary class graduates and at firesides. In the last fireside last Sunday, we went to the wrong chapel but someone there knew where we needed to be and took us there. It was a miracle! We got in exactly at 6:00 pm to start the meeting. He spoke about missionary work and getting ready to go on a mission.

He had a theme that I loved, he said that doing small things will bring great things to pass. Meaning that all those small acts of kindness do add up. For example, coming to listen to the fireside when they could have easily stayed home. He gave excellent examples of people in the scriptures who did small things that turned out in the end to be great. He also had the young men sing again their special number Call to Serve that they had prepared and this time with the help of all who were present. It was a very touching moment.

Missing the snow

All the years I lived in Utah, I always hated the snow and the cold weather, except one day, I discovered that it was my own fault for hating the snow because in 30 years I never had gone to learn how to skii. I saw my children and their dad going but for some reason I never joined them.

Now in my fifties I regret not learning while I was younger because it is so much more challenging now. I learned that one lesson is not enough. Not only that but it's too late, I am getting older, I don't live in Utah anymore, and the chances that I get to skii now are very slim.

Lo que no disfrutamos

Hicimos una sala de teatro en la casa de Bountiful precisamente para poder estar disfrutando en familia de momentos como los partidos del mundial 2010 en el que participó Uruguay quedando en cuarto lugar.

No nos imaginamos que el trabajo de Daniel nos podia trasladar tan pronto. Quedó nuestra casa en manos de personas totalmente desconocidas y solo esperamos que sean cuidadosos con nuestras cosas porque quien sabe hasta cuando regresemos a casa.

A place to call home in Summit county

On June 16 2010, only eight months after we got married, we were face with yet another decision of what to do next for an investment property. I had been partners with Brad on a building that he was managing and wanted me out. I had to sell him my half.

I called Fredy to help me look for properties and after looking and looking to do a quick 1031 exchange, we felt good about a place on 2001 Park Av. #109 Park City, UT 84060 inside the prestigious Hotel Park City. This is it. We will not make as much money as we did in the other commercial property but it's ours and we love every inch. With this last purchase we have a home in four counties.

Lost and found

Bandit scarped one day and was found by someone who cared enough to call animal services. Rex on the other hand was sold on the street and the man who bought it saw the add on the paper and sold it back to the owners. We are all grateful for happy endings like this.

Once is not enough

At Carol Morgan on Friday June 11 and the next day a celebration prom dinner at the Country club, June 12

Party time for the class of 2010 at Carol Morgan!!!

The theme was ignition. On Friday all family and friends were invited to the commencement exercises. Pictures were taken before it all started. The school band played, the two best sutudents and a teacher gave their talks and the headmaster spoke. Teachers also gave awards to the seniors students. Mandy got the presidential award for academic achievement.

Before that, the class had been invited to attend a special mass and to a cocktail reception at the US Ambassador's home.

The next day was what the school calls prom dinner and dance. Father's walked with their daughters and mothers with their sons. toward the end they all dance. Mandy looked beautiful in her purple dress and shoes. she was like a princess. Mandy and Daniel had practice a traditional waltz but her in DR they a merengue music. It was so funny because Daniel is from Uruguay and can't dance merengue.

Graduation at Skyline

We flew again in June for Mandy's graduation at Skyline. It was to say the least a very awkward time for me because all the neighbors we had known for years were there over looking at Brad and his young new bride. But nevertheless it was great to see the children once more and to eat out with them. We stayed at the old racket club condo and went out with Fredy to look for properties.

Analia's graduation

Analia had been studying very hard to be a Physical Therapist for years and now in May of 2010 she finally gets to graduate from the University of Utah. We flew to Utah for this special moment and had dinner with the family to celebrate at Asian Star. We also wanted to spend some time with Alejandro who is getting married to Lexi in July. We stayed at the home in Bountiful since it had not been rented yet.

An empty home

We decided to keep our home in Bountiful because it is not a good time to be selling real estate, so from February to May this home was empty. One day, we got a call that we had to hurry and went to Salt Lake to send the shipment because the renters needed to move in right away. We flew and got the movers there and within 2 days it was done. At least we thought but it turned out that we left about 25 little things for others to do including taking the garbage out but it was too much to ask so the next time I move again, I will make sure to stay until I see that everything is done.

It's a boy

My mother only had daughters, I also only gave birth to girls so when it came to my first grandchild I expected another girl of course, but not this time.

Nixon is all boy. He is now 6 months old but looks as if he were a miniature young man with eyebrows and all. He has a handsome face with the cutest smile and amazing blue eyes. I am so excited to be his grandma. I knew someday this day would come but never imagined it to be so much fun. Like Nixon would say someday"my grandma vero rocks."

Santo Domingo Temple

This is the Temple we attend every week, most of the time we attend an endowment session, and sometimes we have the opportunity to participate in the sealings.

We live less than a block away from this beautiful Temple, The MTC and the patron housing are also there next to the Temple. When I see the Santo Domingo Temple from our balcony, it reminds me of the primary song

"I love to see the Temple."

Our home in Santo Domingo

Yes, there we are looking at the temple from our balcony. The climate is warm all year around. No snow or bitter cold weather.

We are residents of torre conservatorio and are loving it. On the front of our home there is a park with a building dedicated to the arts surrounded by many, many trees, not a common thing here.

Our new Calling

We are now living in the Dominican Republic since January of this year. Daniel is now the new Director of Temporal Affairs for the Caribbean area. He is so far doing a good job considering all the work he had to do with the earthquake in Haiti. He is working 24/7 as usual.

Daniel was recently asked to be a counselor in the East Santo Domingo mission presided by Guillermo Antivilo. We go to remote places to see how some new branches are doing and to give support to the members. I have been asked to help with instructing the sisters as well. here we are in this picture in the antivilo's home with the rest of the counselors, former counselors and their spouses.

my grandson Nixon

This is the newest member of our family and a miracle too. Nixon Dame was born on February 17 2010. For many months my daughter Cristi was told of so many possible complications with her baby from downs syndrome to not making it full term. Her feeding tube was blocking the nourishment that the baby needed and wasn't growing at the normal rate. All that caused Cristi and Brooks to be very anxious for their child to be born and to know exactly what they were up against.

After many agonizing months of speculations, the baby came as beautiful as any new born could ever be. He was perfectly form and the miracle of so many prayers asking for his well being was evident at his birth. Our Nixon has been born to goodly committed parents who love each other and will care for him forever. This is a fortunate child who was born to a covenant family.

A day in Bianca's life

Bianca moved from Richmond Virginia to New York after her husband Joseph Graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Advertising.

Bianca graduated from Utah State University in Music Therapy. She has been working on recording more of her music. Her first CD "Promise" came out on November 2007. She is now working on producing her second album.

She is a talented singer and song writer. She was working as the chorister in Primary and now she works with the Young Women. She is an amazing speaker and has done wonderful firesides for the young women. Another hobby of hers is making beautiful jewelry.

Around June 2010 she participated in the Lilith contest of 554 participants and finished 5th overall and 3rd as a semi-finalist. Her artistic ability to do good music has finally started to show.

Turning 50 on January 3rd 2010

Yes I have come of age and my daughters and Daniel wanted to celebrate it in style. On Jan. 1st They invited people to the house for dinner and got a mariachi band to sing las mañanitas and produced a very touching dvd of people saying nice things about me. they gathered several pictures of me to produce it. toward the end they even hired a DJ and turned the home into a real disco. Amazing !!!

A tradition of sub for Santa

First Christmas and New Years with all the children was great. We had to combine and accommodate every body's traditions so that we all would enjoy the holidays.

Tradition #1 The annual family picture x-mas card

Tradition #2 drawing names for the gift exchange. The children were separate from those over 18

Tradition #3 going to Chachis for her annual Christmas dinner and white elephant game.

Tradition #4 stuffing the stockings with fruit, not just candy

Tradition #5 choosing a needy family to do a sub for Santa

Tradition #6 bake cookies or goodies to take to neighbors

Tradition #7 reading Luke and dramatization

Tradition #8 staying up late to open one gift at midnight

Tradition #9 for new years eating the 12 grapes

Tradition #10 watching the New York count down

Tradition #11 dance till you drop at Bettons which we didn't do this year because we decided to have our own party

Of all those traditions the one that has always kept us from being too greedy is to think of someone else to give. this year we took gifts to a family that didn't know or will ever know where those gifts came from. We got together as a family and wrap all the gifts according to their name. We then took them to their home to surprise them. That family had nothing, not even a x-mas tree and that my friends, was the highlight of the season.