2010 CHOICE Expeditions!

Friends -

This past weekend, CHOICE Humanitarian celebrated its 2009 Fundraising Gala in Salt Lake City, Utah. With 700 supporters in attendance, the event was an absolute success and 100% of all donations received will be used to fund projects and critical needs throughout regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

As the new Expedition Director at CHOICE Humanitarian, I am proud to organize multiple humanitarian trips across the globe for 2010.

Expedition participants will experience an unforgettable inter-cultural exchange as we venture into stunning landscapes and gracious communities across Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Kenya, and Nepal. Our life-changing expeditions combine the thrills of adventure with the rewards of service.

Your participation in such an expedition represents an essential step in furthering the vision of self-sustainable development among impoverished villages residents. Participants work hand-in-hand with motivated villagers on several important projects: schoolhouses, health clinics, water systems, pit latrines, etc.

Since 1982, we have utilized village-identified projects to empower communities and increase leadership within. CHOICE focuses on long-term sustainable development and not short-term relief and rescue. Our villages learn to become self-developing communities through adherence to the CHOICE Model, a proven approach to eliminating impoverished conditions and creating long-term opportunities.

We have just printed CHOICE EXPEDITIONS brochures. Please contact me if you would like to receive these brochures in the mail.

Join CHOICE as we build people, not just projects!

a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

A Week of Halloween!

Having spent Halloween in Argentina last year, we were excited to return to this festive autumn tradition. To stretch out the week, we made sure to participate in several activities:

Oct. 28th: A trip to Gardner Village where Dallin made friends with witches, Tania perused the gift stores, and I partook of the goodies offered at the fudge shop.

Oct. 29th: A night of pumpkin carving at home while watching "Garfield's Halloween Special". Tania carved a frightening ghoul, I created Mike Wazowski, and Dallin splattered paint on his personal gourd.

Oct. 30th: An evening of "trunk or treat" at the local church. Dallin quickly learned the basics of Halloween: ask for candy, ask for more, then remove candy from the bags of other children. Good job, son!

Oct. 31st: The big night! Dallin dressed up as Mike Wazowski while his best friend Isaac went as Buzz Lightyear. It was a Pixar Halloween! Even when bloody vampires and scary zombies stood at the front doors of homes, Dallin simply walked up the steps, stuck out his hand, and said, "Oh, hi! Trick or treat please. Thank you! Bye-bye." We hit three neighborhoods and he never got tired. The night ended with John Carpenter's original "Halloween" playing on TV.

I must admit that I felt like a Halloween pimp. Think about it. Dallin gets dressed up, I send him outside to gather the goods, he then returns home to me, and I earn a "commission" on all the candy he finds. Not a bad deal.

Recent Thrills...

Before the summer was over, Dallin and I met Aunt Jessica (The Hawaiian Barbie) and her son Maxwell for a fun date at the DISCOVERY CENTER in Salt Lake - it was AWESOME! And highly recommended for those with toddlers!

It was great to see Jessica after 3 years. We didn't have a chance to chat like before - (4 or 5 hours of incessant talking and laughing) - because we were chasing these two kids most of the time.

Just 2 blocks up the sidewalk is the "snowflake fountain" of the OLYMPIC PLAZA - shooting random streams of water at various heights. As I wasn't prepared for this, I was forced to drive home with Dallin naked in the backseat after he soaked his clothes. He was having such a blast...even with strangers! As for Maxwell, he seemed content with just leaving behind some footprints.

In October, we traveled to Idaho Falls. We couldn't wait to meet little Kenzie Cornish, so we decided to drive up and participate in her blessing. We had a great couple of days! As usual, we ate too much!

Clint was Wade's last companion in the mission before leaving Argentina in 2001. Proud parents (and dear friends):

>Carson and Dallin were so cute together! They are going to be great friends. Karaoke with Uncle Clint was...well...unforgettable - no matter how hard we tried.

This was interesting. While Dallin and Carson would sometimes fight over toys, they would also calm down enough for storytime.

Of course in order to arrive to the Cornish household, you must pass the most important street on this side of the Mississippi:

Despite freezing temperatures, we did stop and visit the grounds of the LDS Idaho Falls Temple. What a beautiful place.

Since BYU football has lost some luster, Dallin has learned to fall back on Virginia Tech (Grandpa Tom is a Hokie). This hat was a gift from him and Gram...but VT is not doing so hot either. Soooo...we'll see how long this lasts.

The rest of our routine has been the same. Drawing:

Playing:

And...um...being buried in dirt. While I got mad at this in the beginning, I realized he was having a blast...so I got some cute pictures!

Little "snakes" are fascinating to Dallin. He screams "It tickles!" as the worms move in his hands.

Our neighbors were planting some trees out front...so our little volunteer came to help.

Another recommended spot for toddlers is KANGAROO ZOO. I think I loved this place more than Dallin. He jumped and jumped until his energy levels were depleted...which makes me happy :) Thank you to whoever created this wonderful place!

So there you have it. We hope this provides some entertainment for friends and relatives that follow our blog. More will come...including Halloween!

Wine & Tango in the News!

OCTOBER 2009
In January of 1888, the National Geographic Society was formed in Washington DC. Ever since, National Geographic has become a standard in journalistic excellence when promoting cultural wonders and geographic marvels. This month, NG Traveler has named Mendoza as one of its 50 Places of a Lifetime! In celebration of fine wine, luxurious wineries, staggering mountains, high-end cuisine, and deluxe hotels, National Geographic has selected Mendoza as one of just 5 such sites in South America.

SEPTEMBER 2009
As of September 2009, tango will now be considered an essential element of the world's cultural heritage. Following approval from the United Nations, this provocative dance of southern South America has earned the official UNESCO seal of approval. While the birthplace of tango is still disputed between Argentina and Uruguay - in part due to the undetermined birthplace of legend Carlos Gardel - both nations came together last month in a mutual sentiment of gratitude and excitement. Now popular with mainstream television audiences, el tango has flourished in both Buenos Aires and Montevideo since the late 1800s...fusing bodies across milonga dance floors through sensual movements and sultry music. Travelers can witness this dance for themselves while strolling the Florida Street shopping district or perusing the famous cobblestone corners of El Caminito.

Church News...and a New Job!

This weekend during General Conference of the LDS Church, President Thomas S. Monson announced the construction of five new temples. We are delighted to learn that construction will soon begin in Concepción, Chile! This is one more South American temple in addition to that of Córdoba, Argentina announced in 2008 (click HERE for the post). Tania's parents were both born and raised in Concepción. Tania's sister now lives in Concepción with her husband and four children. What a wonderful blessing this will be for all of them! We spent a week in Concepción back in 2005 - what a beautiful area and what marvelous people!

*****

Following Sunday's morning session of General Conference, several viewers watched "Labor of Love" on KSL 5. This 60-minute program - hosted by Carole Mikita - focused on recent humanitarian expeditions in Guatemala to assist with classroom construction and water sanitation. Such service-related trips are organized under CHOICE Humanitarian, a local non-profit organization featured throughout the program. Since 1982, CHOICE has facilitated long-term sustainable development across the globe in multiple impoverished villages.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

As of late September, I am the full-time Lead Expedition Coordinator for CHOICE Humanitarian. In addition to Imagine Argentina Travel, I will now organize and manage large volunteer expedition trips for those interested in helping others in need. I feel that such an opportunity will further utilize the talents and passions I have...all of which stem from my mission years in northern Argentina.

Spread the word...we will be traveling to Guatemala, Mexico, Bolivia, Nepal, and Kenya during all of 2010!

Mercedes Sosa

Mercedes Sosa, considered the "Voice of Latin America", has died in Buenos Aires at the age of 74. Born in San Miguel de Tucumán - where we first met in 2002 - Sosa was known for her estilo folclórico...and admired for her opposition to the military regime that overthrew the government of Argentina in 1976. A previous post regarding her powerful music and background can be found HERE.



Tania: Before I was married, I imagined this song as a lullaby for my future son. I would sing "Duerme Negrito" - Sleep Little Dark One - as I would rock him to sleep each night. I imagined him with dark skin and lots of dark hair...but Dallin is the complete opposite! While Dallin's actual lullabies are a vast selection of songs that we love, this was our song before he was born. I learned this song when I was around 14...and I planned to use it as a way to share my love of Mercedes Sosa with my children. I'm so sad that she is gone, but I know her legacy and music will live in my life forever. I hope to keep both her memory and music in the lives of our kids!

The Killers...LIVE!

Phenomenal. Just phenomenal. We've both been to several concerts before...but nothing compares to the visual performance that The Killers provided in The E Center this past weekend. Then again, this was one of Tania's birthday presents!

Tania and I first began listening to The Killers in the summer of 2005 when Mr. Brightside became a top single. Ever since, we have been hooked on each album, each song, each interview, etc. Even Dallin has memorized the words to several songs - no, I'm not kidding. In fact, each time he achieves something for himself, he throws his arms in the air and yells "Yeah, Killers!" as a form of celebration. Yes, quite odd, but it proves our point: this is our favorite band - period. We're addicted. There's something incredible about watching such a band live for the first time.

Never have I gone to a concert where I was able to scream along the words to both the hits and the b-sides without missing a beat...and I loved each second of it. For 120 minutes, the band blew the roof off with ear-piercing guitar riffs, emphatic lyrics, thumping bass beats, and resounding synthesizers that left our ears ringing along the front of the stage. The 2.5 hour wait prior to the opening song was well worth it as Tania and I stood right along the barricade - front row.

Memorable Moments:

-Standing 12 inches from Dave Keuning when he took the stage with his guitar to open the concert with Joy Ride. We made direct eye contact...sweet!

-The massive storm of white confetti in the air as the band blasted the final notes of All These Things That I've Done.

-The blinding strobe lights across the stage for most of Shadowplay.

-Of course, Dave Keuning climbing the speakers to close out the encore of When You Were Young...wailing on his guitar as a shower of white fireworks came raining down behind him.

-Brandon Flowers just got better and better with each song...and 90 minutes later, he was still going stronger! He came over to our side, stood just a few feet from Tania, and sang a short variation of the Elvis classic I Can't Help Falling In Love With You.

Bottom line - the best concert you'll ever see in a long time! The video backdrops...the brilliant lights...the vibrations of the music...an unbelievable performance. And during the quietest moment of the concert - when Brandon was explaining the history of Mr. Brightside - I took the liberty to scream as loud as possible "I love you, Brandon!"...on behalf of Tania, of course.

With the lead singer spending his adolescent years in Nephi, Utah...there's a local connection. But what about the Argentina connection? Well, The Killers are performing in Buenos Aires on November 27th!!! So, get your tickets now!!!

All these pictures were taken on our cell phone. As for the video below, this is one of the greatest performances ever featured on David Letterman. Enjoy A Dustland Fairytale - our personal favorite - from just a few months ago:

Feliz Cumpleaños, Tania!

It's amazing to think we were in Mendoza just 12 months ago, feasting on an authentic asado with relatives and friends in Argentina. Well, a year has passed, and while we might be back in Utah for now, this is still YOUR special day!

We love you. Thanks for being such a dedicated wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. We wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

-Wade, Dallin, Bella

I know you hate this picture :)

Autumn is Officially Here!

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus

Pride of Argentina...

It is not often that a triumphant athlete carries the pride and joy of an entire nation upon his shoulders. Following Juan Martín del Potro's astonishing win over Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final, the pride of Argentina was rekindled to the fullest...with celebrations, smiles, and tears splashing local newspapers and television broadcasts across the nation. For a country that has struggled with multiple political and economic challenges, del Potro must feel a righteous sense of pride as he has lifted the heads and hearts of millions back home in Argentina...in Buenos Aires...in the small town of Tandil. Por lo tanto, felicitamos no solo a Juan Martín del Potro, pero también a todo el pueblo argentino.

Keep watching until the end to hear del Potro speak in Spanish and dedicate the triumph to his coaches, his friends, and the people of Argentina.

September 11th in Utah...

What We've Been Up to: August 2009

Another summer month has come and gone. August brought new adventures and new discoveries for all of us...but especially for little Dallin. He started playing the piano...creating magical duets with grandma :)

After five long years, Tania was able to visit with Rachael Hoeveler again...a dear mission companion in Jujuy, Argentina! This time was a little different - with kids running, jumping, and screaming at the same time! That's what we call quality time! We have to give a shout out to her awesome talent HERE. You have to check it out!

We also hosted four wonderful diplomats from Argentina. As part of the International Leadership Program - and in conjunction with the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy - we invited these individuals to our home for dinner and a brief introduction to Utah culture. Dallin was dressed for the occasion!

During August, Dallin also received a new Handy Manny doll. In other words, Bella found her long lost love again! Please click HERE to see what happened the first time in Mendoza.

Remember those beautiful rainbows from last month? August brought a 2-for-1 special following a short thunderstorm...

This has been "trash month" for Dallin. It's no longer fun to go to the park since he just picks up trash and hands it to us. He volunteers to take the trash out, he watches the garbage truck in action, and even helps Wade pick up "stinkies" in the backyard with a garden shovel. That might be considered abuse. However, this still creates extra work for us as we often have to dig through the trash to find our missing bowls, spoons, shoes, and clothes...and even our phone!

Dallin and Isaac had a great month together. 80% playing/ 10% whining and screaming/ 10% imitating Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story! Isaac's version: To Infinity and Deyon! Dallin's version: Two Fifty and Beyond! Together, it's a perfect combination.

And remember the plums from July?

Well...we turned them into JAM, JAM, JAM! Tania and grandma worked hard!

We also visited the Utah County Fair in Spanish Fork. Though quite small, Dallin was able to pet the animals and enjoy the rides. For the first time in his life, Wade almost threw up on one ride...meaning he's getting old :)

Doesn't he just look excited???

The neighborhood HOA had another awesome party. This time, HOA organized a BBQ out front for all the neighbors to enjoy!

Thanksgiving Point is a must if you live in Utah. Hundreds of moms and kids come to this place. We are always amazed at how Dallin interacts with the animals. While some kids are afraid, Dallin walks up and touches each animal he sees...often sticking corn kernels in the wet nostrils of horses and cows.


Thanks to Milagros Paez - Dallin's first love - Monsters Inc has become the new household favorite. Who's the worst monster: Dallin or Mike Wazowski??? Wade does a good job at keeping him entertained :) And just look at those kisses!

"Back" to School...

Schools have opened...teachers have returned...and classes have begun across the United States. To celebrate the new school season - and to bring smiles to the faces of our dear friends in Mendoza - we have dug up some "old" yearbook photos for a good laugh (as seen on JIMMY FALLON this week). Diego, Gabriela, and Lucho...les queremos mucho! Un fuerte abrazo!

IA Travel - New Pages & Information!

Amigos/ Clients/ and Casual Blog Readers:

We have added four additional pages to the website of Imagine Argentina Travel: Cuisine, Culture, Art, and Service. It is our hope that these latest additions will further promote the wonders of Argentina as we attempt to better capture our love and passion for travel, traditions, and people. Please feel free to click on the images below to learn more!

In addition to providing customized travel itineraries across Argentina and Chile, we are now hoping to organize small-scale group trips across the region. Un fuerte abrazo para todos!

The 7 Year Itch...Happy Anniversary!

Tania and I were married on August 23, 2002 - just one week upon returning from Argentina together. The immigration process to make that possible was an extensive 13-month legal ordeal. We were married at last - 7 years ago today - in Washington DC. As we began our married life together late that summer, we had no idea what the next several years would bring: ups, downs, laughter, tears, triumphs, mistakes, lessons, arguments, traditions, and memories...not to mention a son, a dog, and years of international travel.

Following our wedding, we packed our 1998 Chevrolet Lumina with gifts and suitcases before crossing the United States to Utah - with the words "Multiply and Replenish" written across our windows in white shoe polish. Our road trip/honeymoon allowed me to introduce Tania to the finer things in life for the first time: mini golf, smoothies, drive-thru banking, shopping malls, and Hawaiian pizza from Papa John's...with garlic dipping sauce. We discovered various hotels - some remarkable, some regrettable - as Tania discovered new cities, new landmarks, and new foods. Kansas bored us...Colorado thrilled us...Ohio lost us (literally)...and Route 66 provided the best stops ever (check out: www.nostalgicstuffusa.com). At last, we safely arrived to our apartment in Provo, Utah...and we knew road trips would forever be a shared passion.

I am a blessed man with a beautiful wife. Tania has traveled with me and walked with me through the trials of life...and I'm sure we will have much more to come. Last night, we went to the movies together - alone. Just how much do I love my wife? Well, the two men in front of us purchased tickets to see GI JOE. I was jealous. I then stepped up to the counter, handed the cashier my credit card, and to the horror of those men, I requested "2 for Julie & Julia please." The two men with GI JOE tickets in hand looked at me and covered their faces in shame. Yes, I love my wife...and I feel Meryl Streep did an excellent job!