Bianca's first interview

New York singer-songwriter Bianca Merkley’s sultry sweet voice is self- described as “tasty as a cupcake”. Bianca lays sandy vocals over simple arrangements with stirring melodies that come together to rival the likes of Jewel and Tori Amos. Starting at only eight years old, Bianca began performing anywhere she could, from company Christmas parties to the 2002 Olympics. At sixteen, when most teenagers would kill to be gifted with a car, Bianca choose a guitar and never looked back. Armed with the same guitar, Bianca’s refreshing sound and conviction move listeners to “forget their problems”, in turn inspiring Bianca’s debut album. Promise, released in 2007, bakes in everything delicious—from pop to folk and even jazz. Top it off with a dash of Latin influence and you’ve got yourself a tasty treat indeed. You can download Bianca’s track “The Canvas” below, and be sure to check out her interview on MTVMusic.com.

Visit of Elder Nelson to the DR

It was our privilege to translate for Elder and sister Nelson this past Sunday on a stake conference and a devotional. The talks were amazing. At stake conference he had the children stand to sing I am a child of God and to always remember how special they all are. He commended the parents for bringing the children. She spoke on how would we act if we took the word saint seriously into our daily routines, like how would a mother, father, employee, employer, teacher, etc. act as a saint and told a story of a temple in Tonga to be dedicated, had the words Holiness to the Lord missing so they quickly got the words posted or the Temple could not be dedicated. In the evening, at the Institute, over 800 university students came. She gave a different talk because she felt guided by the spirit to tell them of her experience as a young woman turning away proposal after proposal to be married. she would take the question to the General Conference and each time, the answer would come to her but it is a personal revelation, she explained, it had nothing to do with the actual talks. He went over all the personal progress values and asked the young men to look at those values to be at the level of purity as the young women. Each value was explained with stories and good advice. when he got to knowledge for example, he said: The difference between not getting an education and getting an education is that you have the desire to help others and being able to serve others. He also told the parents to teach their children another language. Daniel translated for him in every meeting, and I translated for Wendy. I was nervous at first but got the hang of it, and the words just came out effortless as if someone else was saying those words for me. It is an experience I will never forget, because I told Daniel that I didn't want to do it since there were other interpreters there that had done it before many times and that I wanted to practice in a smaller setting instead. But he encouraged me to translate for her and I am glad I did. In those meetings there were hundreds that came.

First birthday and hair cut

Our newest member of our family turned ONE on February 17 2011. To celebrate his first birthday, Cristi took him to get real boys hair cut at a salon. He did well, didn't cry or move too much. He was a perfect little client.

Mom and sisters

Last year on February 15, 2010 my mother turned 70. My family loves to celebrate birthdays but right then, my husband had to go to Mexico for a meeting, and I went to Idaho for Nixon's birth. That is why I missed being with my mom on her birthday.
It is now one year later. My mom is 71 and still very active, considering that she is diabetic and almost blind. She loves to take care of Manu and is officially part of Maricela and Andres' household. She also loves to travel to El Salvador to visit family and to Mexico to visit Vanessa. She is a great example of a faithful member and a good missionary. In Miami they attend the Orlando temple regularly even though it is a hard trip for them but not for too long because soon they'll have their own temple closer.

My sweet Valentine

On February 14, 2011, I got up to find a singing card a box of chocolates and a pair of nice earrings from my sweetheart. I thought, how thoughtful of him but that was not all.

I went to the computer and there was another box with another pair of earrings with m&m's that said I love you but that was not enough. I go downstairs to find a huge bear and two dozen red roses for me waiting. It is again from my sweet husband.

I must say that I was the envy of all the women in the building. He is simply, wonderful. He makes me feel so special and does so many little and BIG things for me.

Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

For Daniel's birthday which happens to be a Holiday in the D. R. as it's Virgen Altagracia's day, we went to Puerto Rico. The trip was already schedule because Daniel had an appointment on January 20th to meet with an officer at the airport to get something call, global entry. It lets him get in and out of the US without having to do a line. On January 21st we drove to The Yunque rain forest. The scenery was breathtaking. It reminded me of Costa Rica and parts of El Salvador.

Skype

I love it when my family calls via skype. It is not perfect but it is so nice to see the person on the other side. It is one of those gadgets I am grateful for.