Purchased tickets!

Last night I bought tickets to fly into Argentina's baby brother Uruguay on my way to Argentina. I'm excited to see a new city and country (Montevideo, Uruguay) and attend a session at the temple there. Should be very nice. I will spend a few weeks in Buenos Aires with Julieta and her family before we come back here to get married in the Salt Lake City temple in February.

Also, Julieta just got an interview date for her K1 fiance visa. Her interview date is Jan. 26th, meaning she will probably get her visa on the 31st of January if everything goes well.

I am set to go to Buenos Aires soon to celebrate the New Year. I better start packing!

Evita Waltz, limitations

One of the final scenes of the movie is a waltz scene between Eva and Che. Che accuses her of not following through on her commitments or dreams. Eva says she had to follow the pre-set rules of power (some injustices)  and that you have to try and accomplish some small, specific things such large goals such as poverty, war, are impossible. Che accuses her of failing in living to ideas. She says it's better to reach one's goals and set thing more right by admitting sin in trying than remaining an angel in trying. It's an intriguing argument as they waltz together--a fun scene. Now at the end, Eva falls in pain, revealing at last her true feelings. That even the strongest heart, the strongest desires or good intentions are limited by the physical realities of the world (decaying bodies, opposition). It's quite the poignant ending since she ends up dying and not resolving all the things she set out to do. Time ran out. And time can run out for us. We have to recognize that intention isn't enough, nor image, but doing the best possible with the time given. And me, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe that no good work or desire is ever lost thanks to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He makes it so death is overcome, that this life is a middle act of a larger work and that death loses its sting. He makes it so our works, if done his way, do not have to be in vain. 

Here's the clip: 

Last thing...it shows the difficulty of any group of imperfect people to solve problems. We make mistakes, we sin, we do evil and the institutions we form such as government (or business or families or anything for that matter) will always reflect our frailities and weaknesses. It's inevitable. That's what, in one aspect, I feel this clip is showing, but I don't think that changes or decreases the need to strive for better because as we get better as people, our institutions improve as well. 

EVITA!

Last Saturday night I watched the musical Evita for the 2nd time ever featuring Madonna as Eva Peron, Jonathan Pryce as Juan Peron and Antonio Banderas a the narrator Che Guevara.

It's got great music (some weirdly-placed rock too) and a neat history. The actors do a great job. I find it interesting as it's an Anglo-interpretation of an extremely influential time in Argentine politics. I remember the first time I saw it thinking: love or hate the Perons, they changed the course of history in Argentina and it's fascinating and I found Banderas' Che trying to let Eva know at the end of the film she had a chance to make changes for good and ran out of time and didn't take advantage as she was concerned about herself. Not sure if that's the moral of Eva's life but I've found passionate lovers of Eva all over Argentina, even if they are not part of the Peronista political party. (disclosure: my future in-laws are strong Personists so I don't know how many controversial comments I will make about them in the future, haha; although in all seriousness, I will try and state the facts, results, causes with less focus on the controversy or the politics to create a more truthful understanding of the country that is Argentina).

Anyway, that's it for now, I'll add another post about the film since it's full of stuff and I like it although it just sort of ends with Eva's death with little resolution...but I guess that's how Eva's life ended as well.

Here's an opening song that's a good summary of lots of the film and the sorrow at Eva's death. Thank you Senor Banderas. Enjoy.

Argentina Blog

I think it is appropriate that I keep using this blog since Argentina has obviously become a much larger part of my life than I ever expected. I think i will keep the title as Argentina! and maintain political, economical, family, travel and other related posts here for my American family and friends to read. I think that will be a suitable use and purpose to this blog. It's a pretty blog too so I don't want to lose it.

So, as some may know I am engaged and set to marry an Argentine girl in less than a month. We met on Facebook via a mutual friend whom I met when I was an intern in Buenos Aires 2 and a half years ago. It was a wonderful trip and had a greater impact on my life than I ever could imagine. I somehow knew before I went to Argentina that I was going to get assigned to Buenos Aires. It's curious though the extent of the consequences from one decision or one action. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and my life in relation to Argentina to this curious, intriguing, beautiful, challenge-filled country. I don't think my involvement will end any time soon. We will see where life takes me. Yee-haw!

Work and Church work

I am now working at Xyngular Corporation. I multi-level with some good products and unique and best compensation plan but I work in the corporate offices for Customer Care. I take calls in English and in Spanish mainly from Puerto Ricans. I work with great people and there are six of us who take calls. If you'd like to see what we sell and do go to xyngular.com.

I also got a calling as one of the Ward Mission leaders. I'm really excited about it as we have the goal of one convert baptism by the end of the year. Not sure yet how we will accomplish it but I know we will if we exercise faith and do our duty and work hard. I also am co-chair of the missionary committee with another Dustin, Duston Garrett, a good kid and relatively-recently-returned returned missionary. I'm excited and hopeful as to what we can accomplish over the next year.

I love Sundays as well. Great day to relax, feel closer to the Lord and to figure out what one wants to do with his or her life and week. It's also the perfect day to spend more time with family and develop the relationships with them. I'm grateful for a day of rest.

Life is good, things are going well with Julieta for now. We are both hoping she can get a tourist visa to come and visit in April. It'd be a great time for her to visit. We'll have to see how it goes.

As for Living Scriptures, I haven't done as great of a job in preparing for it as I could, partly because I haven't been 100% sure if it'll work out this summer or not. Part of me really wants to, but part feels bad leaving for a while when I just started a job. I guess I'll have to think and see and pray as to what'll be best.

Best wishes for all! Thanks for your love and support.