Utah!

Of my more years of life than I care to disclose, I have spent a scant 6 in Utah. And yet Utah has felt like home since the first moment I saw it. I was not a Mormon at that time so it's intriguing that I would feel that way. Seeing Mount Olympus once again looming on the horizon is heart warming and familiar --though it's been 25 years or more since I've lived there.

I took an opportunity to go there last month with Bruce and his mom when Uncle Bruce passed away. Uncle Bruce was a kind, friendly soul who always made us feel welcome and honored. There were so many relatives at the funeral -- I loved seeing them all again, and nice to know they remembered us. I was surprised, though I shouldn't have been, to see our nephew, Roger. Don't get to see enough of him or his family!

I feel a tad guilty, though, because I mostly wanted to go there to see Frank -- it's been some three years since I've had a chance to visit with my brother.







It surprised me how easily and quickly I slipped into being totally comfortable and downright silly in his presence. I am glad to have this brother!!


It was also good to meet his new wife at last. And it was good to see the love between them.




We took a hike in Rock Canyon -- lots of memories for me there, of taking our children when there were only two of them and they were bitty, and a hike through this overwhelming canyon amidst grand peaks and massive cliffs was a favorite Sunday activity. Turns out that Frank and Wendy had never been here, but I believe they intend to return again now that they've discovered it. I don't think about it often, but once in the mountains, I realize that I miss them too.






Frank was so good as to give me a ride to Bountiful after our visit. I had split from Mom and Bruce so they could visit people they knew and loved, and I could visit Frank. On the way, we stopped in Salt Lake, mostly because I wanted to go to a German delicatessen, and we found Seigfied's. There's no bread like German bread, no pastries like German pastries, and the Vienner Schnitzel we ate, oh, so good! I also miss German cooking, it turns out....


And, of course, no visit to Utah is complete without a visit with Aunt DeLona and Uncle Reid. Aunt DeLona has the talent and skill of making anyone feel totally welcome and loved, and that it is her greatest delight to have you visit! I imagine all ten of her children (and their spouses, and the grandchildren), all know they are completely loved. I know Mom is always glad to visit her sister. It is sad that the ocassion was the death of her brother, but wonderful to see so much kin!

China part 6, Beijing

We made several trips to Beijing from Zixu's home town. Tianaman square is in Beijing, the Forbidden City is there, the Beijing Zoo, innumerable temples, and way more than we could probably visit in a year.

Zixu was exhausted -- he had just finished finals, run for Student Body President at his university (and won), planned this trip for us and his friends, taken us sightseeing all over, and taken part in his sister's wedding. The day after his friends left, he finally had a doctor take care of a painful ingrown toenail, and that was it -- he didn't have much energy left. We got to know his home town very well (next post). But after a few days, he did take us to Beijing again, one last time....

First, we had to catch a bus, and with luck, find a seat, for the 45 minute drive into Beijing.

We passed endless high rise apartments, literally miles of them.











And finally got off in Beijing. An interesting mix of buildings, mostly quite modern, but often enough we walked or drove past ancient buildings. Don't even know what this one is -- it looks like a gate although to what we don't know -- and whatever it was, it is certainly not there anymore.







Often enough WE were the tourist attaction, and were asked to be in a photo -- as here, on our way to the Silk Market.











No city (apparently) can consider itself modern if they don't have a McDonalds there. But, unlike America, most stores were at the base of apartment buildings.












Just an interesting building we walked past. We did a lot of walking. Cars just weren't practical when traffic was so heavy, and there was public transportation.








But Zixu's toe was still causing considerable pain, so he had us take a rickshaw part of the way. Now they are pulled by electric bikes. It was scary -- there wasn't room for all of us in one of these, and we were separated from Zixu. We knew if this driver didn't follow Zixu's instructions, we would be lost and in trouble -- not speaking the language is a big problem. But, fortunately, nothing went wrong, and we had a nice ride through the crowded streets.


We had seen a number of Bhuddist temples, so we asked if Zixu would take us to a Taoist monastary. This one in the middle of Beijing was a functioning monastary -- we were asked to be respectful. The red lining the walkway are thousands of prayers purchased by people wishing for blessings and tied to "fences" placed there for that purpose.









There were many rooms filled with figures depicting various purposes for their angels and demons --departments of parental obligation, rivers and streams, punishment, worship -- 76 different departments -- all represented by a room full of life-sized figures like this one <--- .




Just as there had been endless apartment buildings, so there were endless other high rises -- we assume in the most modern places they were office buildings. Amazing amazing city.









Although we passed the Silk Market, a well known tourist trap market where we got to pit our bargaining skills against the experts (we got better, but were no match for them), this day we went to a different market, a market focused on traditional crafts -- marvelous beautiful or unusual things. What a treat to be here and buy a few keepsakes of our trip. Zixu bought a magnificent huge original painting of the Great Wall.









Finally it was time to head home. Into the crowded but very efficient subways. We did stop for a break when we got off the subway, and purchased some delicious deserts before getting in line for the 30 minute wait for a bus with seats and a 45 minute ride back to Miyun.




It was a lovely day!

Photos of the week

Partners in Crime: Nina was making zucchini bread and when she turned around, we were doing QC (Quality control). Yup, I definitely enjoy being a Grandma. I don't know how Nina puts up with us!

When Zixu went to Seattle to stock up on Chinese food (and have fun with his Chinese friends), he came back with these lovely dahlias from Pikes Market.







I met these big fellas coming out of the front door of the last host family I needed for this year's students (Yay!!). I was rather startled, but they seemed to take my presence in stride.






I never know what to expect. Just because I gave birth to them doesn't mean I set the course of their lives! Eric is trying to look formally villainous to satisfy a bet. I'm sure I never taught him any such thing!













To my delight, Curry came to visit. She was our student for the 2002/03 school year, and graduated from university here, but we haven't seen her for three years. We are glad she is part of our lives even if she's far away.






Ben did a lot of chauffeuring for Curry, and, of course, spent considerable time here at the house too. Benny took advantage of the opportunity to attack his big uncle!

Interesting idea

I was reading the blog of a niece the other day and she had an interesting idea; at least
sometimes she posts photos of her Sunday. That's a neat idea, although I think I will change that to weekends. So, coming up is the weekend of October 9, 2010.

This sunset behind Mount Adams might be cheating a little bit, since I caught it on Wednesday, on the way to Julie's with Nina, Nathan, and young 'uns, just to hang out and try some recipes. (it was originally planned as a girl's night, but there were as many menfolk as girls, so it was just a fun night to hang with MY young 'uns, and their least 'uns).








Bruce is such a nice grampa! He does well as a pillow, and is the best "airplane ride" giver in the house -- a fact which big brother appreciates already, and little brother will.








I took my students to the Hindu Cultural Center where we watched traditional Hindu dance telling the stories of their faith -- stories of Ram and Sita, and the Avatars of Brahma, among others. The food afterwards was wonderful.







The students also joined me at the Mid-Columbia Duck Race. The weather wasn't very nice so we didn't have to deal with crowds, and we had a great view of 35,000 rubber ducks being dumped in the water, "race" 100 feet (or so), and see who's the winner. Not us, apparently. Rats!





Kermit paid a visit to our home, to the delight of both of the little guys!