Monthly Archives: July 2009

Calvin is turning two. I can’t believe two years ago I was waiting to be admited to the hospital, waiting to meet my new baby. I didn’t know what to expect with a boy. What I got was a happy, easy going boy who loves tractors and rides and climbing on things. I feel the weight of raising him. I want so much for him – for his life. I want him to know the value of work. I want him to know the joy of family. I want him to know th

So, when I was in high school, I made what I called “Kerr Lanterns” (I pronounced it CARE lanterns) using my mom’s Kerr canning jars.

This year I thought I would make some Kerr lanterns to decorate my yard and house. But I saw someone do a similar thing (minus the painting them) with baby jars. Genius, I thought. With smaller containers, you can put them more places. So I sent out a post a couple months ago requesting baby jars. Last Friday I found a box of them on my doorstep. My cousin Erin sent me via Aunt Linda (THANK YOU!) no less than 56 baby jars. Fabulous.

Beth scrubbed them the other day, and then we set about painting them.

At first we had grand ideas of using actual glass paint.

It was mo’ expensive and warned to cause birth defects.

So we settled for my trusty old tray of Prang Watercolors (which I’ve had since my sophomore year of college by the way).

We girls set to painting (Cal took a nap). Olivia used every color of the rainbow because “I like every color in the rainbow.”

Beth set about in intricate designs and motifs – picnic blankets with ants, sunflowers, and horses.

As for me – well, I know how easily I get bored, so I set out with simple geometric patterns: polka dots, random squares, and stripes (and I did do an American flag).

We twisted on some wire to hang the votives.

I made Beth put in hooks into the ceiling of my porch (because I know I’m not strong enough for that!)

We strung up some twine.

And finally, we used ribbon to attach each jar.

This is only about 1/5 of the jars we have. I’m going to do some more and put them in my tree and even more on my porch (Beth, I need you to come back and put more hooks in).

Aren’t they loverly?

Yes, the paint will wash off the first time they get hit with sprinklers or rain water. Any suggestions?

Yesterday I cleaned my room all by myself. It took me a long, long, LONG time, but I’m only 3.

Oh, and Calvin helped. Sort of.

Since we don’t have pictures of today at the pool, this is a picture from WAY BACK WHEN

Today I was tired because I worked so hard. So mommy took me and Calvin to the pool with Kellie and Jaxon and Logan and Kirtland. I practiced putting my face in the water, and kicking my legs. I’m a good swimmer I think.

Mommy forgot her camera. She was sad. She thinks she needs a little WATERPROOF camera JUST for the pool – one that fits and conceals easily in her pool bag. I think it would be a great tool for recording many happy memories of my childhood, ensuring less therapy bills when I am older. What do you think?

This morning when we went outside we found that someone had tried to decorate our house with toilet paper.

Then I tried to redecorate with the same toilet paper. But it was wet from the sprinklers. Mommy says she will save some for you to clean up when you get home, so you don’t miss out on all the fun.

When you get home will you take me fishing?

I love summer.

Love, ♥Olivia

PS – Last night we watched the BEST movie EVER! It was called “Happiest Millionaire” – the extended version!! I loved it, and want to watch it again with you.

Dear Dadda ~

Remember last week when I flushed my toothbrush down the toilet.

And the toilet clogged, and you thought it was auntie Leslee?

And mommy couldn’t even find the toothbrush even though she double-bagged her hand and dug around looking for it?

Well, today it reappeared.

Now our toilet is toothbrush free.

Mommy says she remembers vaguely the days when she didn’t even know how to use a plunger.

Olivia was relieved because now I have my toothbrush back, so I won’t get cavities.

Oh, and I pooped no less than a kajillion times today.

Mommy finds it relieving that my bowels work so regularly.

Mommy is an optimist – glass half-full sort of person.

Love, Calvin.

Hey Babe,

Today was an exciting day – full of fees and paperwork. That’s right, I submitted everything to the county for the building permit. I even got our septic and water permits done. Greg (survey guy) said he thinks we might have problems with the driveway and access. More about that when you get home.

Me filling out paperwork at the Summit County Building Department

Beth and I also attempted to paint the shelves. It’s so hot outside, they’d dry in no time. But where is the paint tray?

We cleaned off the front porch. Guess how long that lasted before the kids had brought out more toys?

Marsha and Kylie came home. It sounds like they had a great trip.

Olivia and Cal waited patiently while we submitted paperwork.

Here is my happy thought.

Love,

Andrea

Dear D A D D Y,

Today we played games. We watched some shows while mommy napped. Mommy watched some shows while we napped.

We made zucchini bread. I put in the sugar and eggs. I love sugar. I like to lick it off the counter when it “accidentally” spills.

I shared my popsicles with Calvin, and Calvin shared his smarties with me.

We miss you. Are you having fun?

Olivia

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted much about my photography. My sister in-law asked me to take pictures of her baby boy, Andrew. Of course, such things are always fun for me.

One thing I did differently with these pictures is that I actually processed them in both b&w (well, a toned b&w) and color. I’m not very good with color. But I want to get better. So I practiced with these.  I practiced adjusting skin tones and giving the overall image a soft “baby” feel.

But then, I really do LOVE black and white, so I processed them as such too. What do you think?

My neighbor, Kellie, lent me the basket (THANKS KELLIE!) and we just played around with different poses. It was fun. These were all taken in my living room (construction stuff pushed out of the way).

I like this one a lot. I like the height of the blank wall behind him.

The “baby pictures” I’ve taken in the past have been of NEW borns – less than a week old. Andrew is two months old, and starting to chub out like a baby should. That was fun.

And he was such a good sport – he’d wake up for a minute while we re-posed him, and then fall contentedly back to sleep. Good boy.

Next time I’m doing new born pictures in a yellow golden field. Think of this basket in a field with golden sunlight and big trees. AWESOME. Anyone know of any Fabulous Fields in Salt Lake? All the ones I played in as a kid have since been developed. Bummer.

It’s wonderful to see miracles in peoples lives. Here are two.

We had a birthday party for Beezy.
She turned 20.

And now that she has blonde hair, pretty much every guy wants her.

I mean, who wouldn’t?
(Wyatt thinks Leslee has been hiding this little trick from Jason – he’d run if he knew!)

Before we had cake we had lasagna & salad & garlic bread.

Carrie made the cake.

Calvin only wanted popsicles.

Happy Birthday Beezy!

All photos courtesy of Rick Smith – I stole them off his blog.

Jeff, Lenna, Courtney, Torri, Alexa & Abbey.

They’re my neighbors.

Jeff is a democrat. He’s a super-health-nut: organic, carrot juice, that sort of stuff. He watches the stock market and reads financial news as a hobby. He’s the first to do anything for ANYONE. Once, when I was working at the Ward Christmas party – I’m the ward activities leader, he saw that I was overwhelmed, and stepped in and worked the entire evening – making sure food was out, etc. Awesome! He’s one of those people that’s just aware of others. He’s a “fellow shipper.” He knows who needs friends, and he’s their friend. Jeff and Lenna are EVERYONE’s friend. When ever we get together, HOURS after everyone has left, and I’ve retreated back to my work, I know that Wyatt and Jeff are still standing on the lawn talking; they have almost exclusively three topics of conversation: politics, financial markets and real estate. Those two can talk FOREVER.

Lenna’s mom is from Uruguay (her mom is our neighbor too, she’s a funny lady). Because of that Lenna speaks Spanish like a latina. She’s the mastermind behind the best coifs I’ve seen. Since she’s part latina, she kisses people. I’m always surprised when she kisses me – you’d think I’d be used to it by now. But I love it. We need more kisses and hugs in this world of ours! Once when my mom was visiting, Lenna was over, and was teasing me about my unfinished house projects. My mom, I could tell, was getting upset. I just laughed, and later explained: Lenna can tease me ALL she wants about my house, because she has just as many projects!

Jeff and Lenna’s house is a work in progress. Their projects (unlike mine) are always very precisely done, and with high end materials and design in mind. They’re slow, but they do it right.

Part of the reason they’re slow is because they’d rather go to Disneyland than work on their house. They go three or four times a year. I wish I was their kid. Lenna, next time you go, will you take me?

Courtney is the Golden Child. She’s sweet and beautiful. She works hard, and just graduated in cosmotology. She’s working on building her own clientelle. She has a dude named Steven.

Torri is THAT girl – you know, so gorgeous that it’s not fair, but too smart to be overwhelmed by her own beauty. She takes life and people in stride. She dotes on my kids.

Alexa is my babysitter (as now Torri has a real job). She could possibly be Olivia’s favorite person in the whole universe – maybe second to Wyatt. She’s polite & respectful and all around a delight to adults, but she dotes on the kids, plays with them with an amazing level of patience and forebearance. All Olivia ever wants to do is play with Alexa.

Abbey is the baby. She’s a tomboy that can compete with the best of them. She’s more reserved than the other girls, but is always playing with friends and neighbors.

It’s nice to have neighbors that you know and love, and that you know love you back! The Sorensens are an especially sweet spot in our life.

At some point I stumbled into bed (it was probably 10:30-ish). Wyatt was downstairs watching TV. Babies were each asleep in their respective beds. I stretched my body diagnol across the span of our King size bed, letting the cool sheets send me off to sleep. Next thing I knew, Calvin was crying out for mamma. I was too tired to coo him to sleep in his own bed. I picked him up and headed back in to the bedroom. There I found Olivia had already come in and made herself cozy – perpendicular – on the bed. I situated them both on Wyatt’s half (he was still downstairs, asleep no doubt. I used to go get him and tell him to come to bed, but now that the couch is downstairs, he’s on his own). Who knows how much later, I was awoken by Wyatt was standing over the bed, about to throw the pillow (which I had kicked off the bed so the kids could sleep) onto the babies. “Watch out for the babies!” I warned. He squinted. “Oh, I didn’t even see them there.” Then, in his most pathetic voice: “Can I come over by you?”

I scoot over. “Okay, but you have to face the wall, and bend your legs. I have to roll over a lot” I warn. Half an hour of rolling my gigantic belly in the 18 inches from Wyatt to Calvin and back to Wyatt, and I finally give up. Everyone is comfortably asleep but me! I push myself up, climb over Wyatt, around the bed, and pick up each baby, returning them to their rooms. As I finally climb into the now hot sheets I wonder: “Why is everyone asleep but me?”

Overheard: Olivia was telling me all about her idea. Calvin started rambling about something – who knows what – Olivia’s the only one who understands him half the time. After a moment of his incessant chatter, Olivia paused in her story. “Excuse me Calvin. Just wait, I’m talking to mommy.”

We were in Oakley today. “Look, Olivia! A deer.” Olivia looks out the window just as a deer is running up the field away from us and the car. “Yeah, but it ran away ’cause it was scared ’cause we’re monsters!”

So there I was, living in Urumqi China, newlywed and on another adventure. Not knowing what the time abroad would be for Andrea and I, we were like eager kids awaiting a big holiday; bright-eyed and soaking it all in. I thought that I had, up to this point,  seen a lot, experienced culture shock and learned to love cultures around the world; then I landed in Beijing. I realized that up to that point in my life, I hadn’t really experienced culture shock since China had the market cornered.

Of course we had fantastic adventures throughout the semester that made us love China and XinJiang,  like walking and experiencing the Silk Road, a 2000 year throwback to a simpler time, seeing the Xian Warriors uncovered, camping in a guard tower on the great wall, teaching students English, traveling the beautiful country, bartering, befriending both Han and Uigher, learning simple Chinese and don’t even get me started on the food (let me say Goat Eyeball Soup and leave it at that).

Throughout our time there, we volunteered at an orphanage and saw first hand what it meant to be born disabled in China. Some examples of disability include blindness, disease, deformation, being female, albinoism, and other “imperfections”.  The curriculum of students in both public and private schooling was amazing. Advanced math, language, science and some arts were common. The world outside of China however was taught to be a miserable place, a desolate land, full of poor, depressed people, without country, healthcare and education. Emphasized were the discrimination of America against its own, the tyranny of war started and finished by enemies and the overall lack of a beautiful Mother Land.

Of all the shocking things that students learned in school the lesson on discrimination shocked me the most. In a news conferance, a student was asked about discrimination against the Uigher people which is alive and well in XinJiang ( the students had separate drinking fountains!) The student thought for a minute and said, “there is no discrimination in China because there are no black people in China”.  For a beautiful Mother Land, it sure has given its future generations a warped sense of the world, one which these misguided students will compete in and one which will be sure to give China its fair allocation of praise.

I haven’t been back to China since 2002 but when I think of it and see what is happening now, I am grateful for having been there before this violence and wish more than ever that I could do something to help. Its similar to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in that people want to make it on their own, have true freedom, govern themselves and live their culture, religion and conscience as they choose. That is what the families we met wanted. Most were weary of the politics and willing to live together.  Being near the 4th of July weekend (my families favorite time of year and favorite month) I realize just how good we have it here. I know because I have lived under Isreal’s military occupation,  China’s communist hand, and Argentina’s failed economy. As hard as times have been and may be, our country’s leadership, economics, education and ability far surpasses most countries I have been to.

Now as a father, it means even more to me to have my children share in the privileges of America. I love this country! Anyone who reads this blog of Andrea’s and knows us, should know that about our family. We are grateful for the USA. That’s it, my bits about the current world, our country, and my family. God Bless!

A few months ago I wrote a post called “Friends of the Uyghurs” where I talk about my experience with the ethnic minority in Western China. In light of the current riots in XinJiang AND the world coverage by the press (good job press, for once), I have had several people emailing me and asking me what I think. As I have friends who are both Han and Uyghur, it is a sad thing to hear about. As I read the press coverage, I am discourage by what I percieve to be a very filtered version of the events and motivations. If you read this, you might learn a little more about the Uyghur plight and the likely realities of what is going on today.

I wrote this ethnography in the Spring of 2002, when Wyatt and I were living in China. I thought I had the final paper, but could only find a copy of a rough draft. As such, in my draft there are places where the paper breaks down into outlines, and places where the stories just trail off. As it is here, I tried to incorporate my hand-scribbled notes and fixed the technical aspects as I noticed them. I omitted the places where my paper breaks into outlines. I don’t have time to go back and re-research what I intended to talk about. So you get the slimmed down version. You will also be able to tell where my “scholastic voice” breaks into a more musing or brainstorming voice.

As for the technical aspects: my citations are deplorable; my writing needs a lot of proofing. I assume (perhaps I’m overly hopeful?) that I got it all cleaned up before I turned it in to my Professor. Here I did not fix my citations, although along with my draft I did find copies of my sources. If you are so inclined (like me – I don’t believe it unless you have a source) I will email you or send you a copy of the sources. I will also say that my experience in researching this paper was hands down the most difficult I ever encountered. As I did my research in China, it was mainly limited to internet research. As the internet is filtered in China, I always felt I was only getting half the story. Also, my professors who were back in the states (Asia Studies professors mind you) had never even heard of the Uyghur people. This left me with the feeling of walking a tight rope with no net beneath. If my evaluations were obscure or illegitimate, who would tell me so? I did the best I could.

Through out history man has dealt with the injustice inflicted upon him by other men. From the ancient days of Israel to contemporary battles throughout the earth, individual cultures have fought each other for the right to exist, be recognized, and if possible, appreciated. One specific example of modern times is the Uyghur people of the XinJiang province in the far reaches of Western China. Their struggle with the Han for political, economic and cultural dominance of their homeland in the XinJiang Province dates back two millenia. It is an effort not only to maintain their heritage, but to reclaim it. As with any struggle, there is opposition that for today’s Uyghurs is found under the umbrella of China’s communistic rule of the region. The Uyghurs navigate through this daily ordeal and have a sub-cultural defiance that enables them to maintain their identity as an ethnic group and hopefully one day reclaim their sovereignty over the land they believe to be historically their own.

Critics believe that the Chinese have influenced the Uyghur tradition for good by bringing them a better standard of living (food, jobs, an economy, etc.). The Han Chinese have expressed their own dissatisfaction in the reaction to their efforsts of a better life for the Uyghurs. Although economically valid, this point fails to recognize the true reason for animosity. It is not simply enough to improve someone’s life – one must appreciate someone’s life (traditions, culture & heritage) in order to live harmoniously one with another. Often times it is the intangible feelings of cultural self esteem based on recognition and appreciation (or lack thereof) that directs the tangible efforts of a people defiant of another.

BACKGROUND

METHODS

The objective of this work was to study the life and culture of the modern day Uyghur living in Urumqi, the capital of the XinJiang provice, China. The goal was to discover the mentality or emotion common to the people as a whole Is there a common way of thinking about the Uyghur history and situation in XinJiang? How do the people fell about their status quo? Is there animosity and fractions among themselves in their Uyghur identity? What is the common denominator that binds an ethnicity/nationless people together? (Americans are bound under the framework of a constitution and a history of an “American Dream.” We have land, recognition, and a framework. How do the Uyghurs maintain themselves as a people without these elements for so long? What binds them together is their common subjected status as second class-citizens. As the Bedouin say: ‘Me against my brother, we against all). How do they cope with the daily descrimination and subjection by the Han Chinese? What do they hope for as a people?

To find answers to these questions, I used open-ended interviews, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The term participant observation generally denotes the idea that one speaks the language of those one is observing. On this point I must concede, my language ablilities were rudimentary at best. I spoke no Uyghur before coming to the XinJiang province, and my language included only what I learned during my semester living there. However, I was befriended by several Uyghur people and invited to their homes and into their lives and was able to observe the more subtle aspects of life not seen by “the tourist.” (I did not present myself as an ethnographer, but rather I allowed a genuine freiendship to unfold, thus their actions were not biased to present a favorable impression to the ethnographer). From these friendships I used the Uyghur “networking” system, and was able to contact a wide demographic of Uyghur residents with an element of trust.

All levels of Uyghur life throughout the province can be found in this melting pot of sorts, making it an ideal location to study their culture. All degrees of education, wealth, and status converge on this capital city from all regions of the province. From the beggar to the businessman, the Uyghurs have a brotherhood among them that surpasses the class distinction. Surviving as a people requires overlooking petty differences and class distinctions.

HISTORY

It would be impossible to discuss the Uyghur people without first giving a brief history of the province and the people that have lived there.

In this paper I use the term “Uyghur” rather broadly as the descendants of Turkic nomads who settled the region about 6000 years ago, and the people and cultures who claim that descent. However, the term has had different meanings through history, first refering to the Turkic nomads in Mongolia (744 – 840 AD) then the sedentary Buddhists of the Turpan area in XinJiang (844-932 AD) and later the elite Turkic Buddists in Turpan, when the area was known as “Uyghurstan” (932-1450 AD). The term disappeared all together from about 1450 – 1935, when the Chinese ressurected it and designated its meaning to the Muslims of XinJiang’s Tarin Basin (The Uyghur).

In light of this it is interesting to note that the Uyghurs history by the Uyghurs seems to be mixed with a fair share of lore. For example, several informants told me that “Uyghurstan” had existed as a country in XinJiang just prior to the migration and percievable take over of the area in 1948. According to Chinese history (and all written sources I found), XinJiang has been under modern Chinese rule since 1884 (History). In any case Uyghurs under any term maintain a strong sense of cultural identity and history.

The first contact made between the Uyghur people and the Han Chinese came during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220) when a diplomatic mission was sent in 138 BC. Within the next 50 years diplomatic ties were established between the Han and Persian Empires, and the Chinese military movement into central Asia provided the ability for people to pass safely between the two empires. This led to the establishment of the most famous trade route – the Silk Road. (Soviets in XinJiang). Since that time there has been a back and forth power struggle between the Chinese and Uyghur people. While past motivation for Uyghur cultural development was simply physical survival, today’s motivation is for the survival of their culture and heritage. The Uyghurs were able to profit and dominate these trade routes by providing goods and services such as horses and guides through the region (The Uyghur).

ECONOMICS

Economics is one of the decisive ways a culture can dominate another. Buying power can determine who has access to other social rights and priveledges. In this way economics has been a key to the struggle between the Han and the Uyghur. Basic Communist economic theory as based on Marx Manifesto subscribes a “communist” party as encompassing the entire proletariate. This theory has been adapted and changed in the history of the Communist Party (ironically to align with Marx evaluation of capitalism). Today the average Chinese rural citizen (which comprises of approximately 69% of China’s population) earns $756 USD / year. Urban Uyghurs (some of whom had immediate family living in rural areas), told me that the average Uyghur farmer earns only 100 Yuan / year ($12.50 USD). Startled by this answer, I asked again to clarify. My informant explained that many Uyhghurs live off of subsistence farming and trading of home-made goods. This is teh reason, my informant explained, that many leave the land to become merchants. Whether or not this figure is accurate or not, it reflects the drastic difference perceived between the Han and Uyghur, and merchant and peasant.

SOCIAL NETWORKS

The family is central to the Uyghur culture. The family is where tradition and heritage is taught, where economic stability or instability is found, where loyalties and enemies are made, and where Uyghurs see their greatest strength in their stuffgle for recognition and independance.

Because the family is so important to the Uyghurs, the wome often marry young. Weddings are great celebrations with traditional dancing and feasting. Marriage is an important decision in the life of any Uyghur, but especially the woman. Her marriage is her main economic hope for her future. Because of this there are occassions when Uyghur girls marry Han Chinese men. The Han may have better economic and social ties to secure a good future for the woman and her children.

But this is not the common case. Generally marriage is maintained within the ethnicity or at least within the Muslim faith. Marriage adds to a person’s personal network or kin, friends and acquiantances that may be called upon for money or favors in times of need. By marrying within the ethnicity the web of social responsibility to each other broadens, strengthening the cause and ideals for which the Uyghur fight.

Children are very important to the Uyghurs. They are watched with a careful and loving eye by the women, and played with and doted on by the men. It is the mother and women who clean and care for the child, watching to see he doesn’t run to far off or get into too much trouble. The fathers and male figures around the child play with him affectionately, giving hugs and kisses and carrying the child. Men are unreserved in their public affection for young children (not even necessarily their own), holding them and kissing them on the face and lips. If the child is a girl, he will be gentle in his actions. But if the child is a boy, they often will swat the child or gently kick it, followed by a kiss or hug. This produces frustration in the child, but helps him “become a man.”

Children hold more than joy for the family, they hold political meaning for the ethnicity. They are important to the Uyghur political struggle. Today, one major concern is the tw0-child policy for they Uyghurs by the Han Chinese. As one informant worried about the future of the culture and ethnic group, he commented that with the continual migration of the Han to XinJiang, and the two child policy of the already minority Uyghurs, that in fifty years the ethnicity will cease to exist altogether. This fear has even become a threat as Uyghurs are having forced abortions of their children, and involuntary sterilization (Coercive Population Control in China). The Uyghurs look to their children to continue in the struggle to gain independance. With out the children they wonder what will become of their traditions and culture.

Economic factors elevate the value of children as well. They can help in the family work or add to the family income through outside employment. Most Uyghurs send theri children to public schools when they are old enough. But many children either choose or are obliged by their circumstances to quit school when they are old enough to work. Such was the case of the “bag girls” at the market – eight or nine girls ranging in age from eight to thirteen who sold heavy plastic bags in the aisles of the market.

At the market almost all shopkeepers employed the aid of family members (spouses, siblings and children when they were old enough). All are expected to help out and contribute to their income as a whole. Even family members who lived outside the city would help as they could. For example, Raxida, the wife of a shopkeeper in the market is the mother of two small children. Her first born, now three years old, is old enough to be in school. Her socond is not yet old enough. She was sent to live with her grandmother in Wulja so that Raxida would be free to work at the shop during the day. This was not a choice of luxury or career, but a decision of necessity, and in such necessity Raxida was able to turn to family for help.

FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES

From familial networks come friends and aquiantances. When one marries into a family, the friends and aquaintances of that family become your own (for example, the friend of a brother-in-law lent his car to friend of ours to give us a ride home). This again adds to the importance of family, but also has an important element in it’s own right. In the market shopkeepers befriend and watch out for each other. The trust gained is so implicit as to leave their shops still open to run errands, leaving hte care fo their shop and the sale of goods to passers-by to shop keepers next door or near by.

Friendship, whether expressed or simply understood through the Uyghur heritage, is one way clear signs of defiance to the Han are expressed. On one particular afternoon my husband and I went to lunch with a few of our Uyghur friends. They were taking us to lunch, and as their guests, we were obliged to follow their lead in our maneuvers of the city. We walked to a bus stop and then waited while several buses passed us by. We did not get on any of the these (though they all stopped for us), but instead waited until one with a Uyghur driver came along. We then climbed on, and when attempting to pay, our friend waved to us “no.” We assumed this was an act of hospitality, but then observed that he did not pay as well. Even further, he and his friend stood at the front and collected money from the Han as they boarded the bus, and pocketed the money themselves. In this they, as well as the Uyghur bus driver who was aware of the two, and who was an employee of the government, were willing to rob the city and defy the dominanace of the Han.

FRICTION POINTS

Islam was first introduced to the XinJiang area in 713 AD when Arab armies sacked Kashgar (Soviets). Over the next three hundred years it was spread thorughout the region, and in 934 most Uyghurs accepted Islam with their ruler, Abdulkerim Satuk Bughra Khan. Today Islam is one steryotypical feature of the Uyghurs.  Though not all still adhere to its creeds, Islam is one stanch distinction between the Han and Uyghur.

The political regime of China has “attempted to supress much of the popular religion (Jankowiak, 259)” of China, and its socialist ideals do not mesh easily with a people who refuse to give up their faith. Because of this, religion continues to be a sore point.

The Han discourage participation in Islamic faith through social and economic pressures. Any state employee who attends mosque or a religious school, or has children who do so, will be fired. Students who attend mosque run the risk of being expelled (Testimony).

Still Islam is a dominant presence manifested in the Moon-capped spires and onion domed rooftops that silhouette the city skyline.

In Urumqi the religion is not as strong among the youth (Turgulon). They are exposed to Western ideas and Communist dissuasions of the faith. In contrast, the rising generation of the rural areas and smaller cities such as Kashgar are strong in their faith-attending Mosques and following the the prescription of an Islamic life.

Interaction with the Uyghurs reveals that religion is not so much a zealous faith in the doctrines and commandments of Islam, but rather a common denominator amongst the poeple that sets them apart for the Han. In one Mosque I visited I was approached by a Uyghur Muslim who immeadiately wanted to discuss politics and injustices between the Uyghurs and Han.

It is at this point that my rough draft ends. Clearly I am missing pages. It has been eight years since I wrote this paper, and off the top of my head I can think of two or three more friction points to discuss: language, economic equality, and basic human rights issues. I remember well a conversation I had with Ibram, and English speaking shopkeeper in the market, when were were still relatively new to our China experience. This is NOT the conversation referred to above at the mosque, but took place with someone I got to know quite well over the ensuing months. Ibram told me the Uyghurs were hoping for and excited when George W. Bush was elected the American President (this was in early 2002), because they viewed the Republican party as being more sympathetic to human rights abuses and more willing to “do something about it.” But then with September 11th, the Uyghurs were very apprehensive, as they knew the Chinese government would try to spin their religious ties and quests for independence as “Terrorism” and be able to hold America’s aide at bay with such language. Indeed, President Bush did prove (in my mind) to allow terrorism rhetoric and even USE that rhetoric as a tool to push an agenda not necessarily legitimate . . . but thats a discussion for all my Middle East papers. Do you really want to read those? No? I thought not.

Today we celebrated Grandpa’s 90th Birthday with – what else? – a family barbecue at the park.

When I was growing up family get-together’s were a monthly thing. Now that I’m an adult (as are pretty much all of the cousins, except for the few stragglers), they’re limited to more like twice a year.

But Herzog family parties have that way of enveloping me in that hazy security of childhood. Tonight was no different.

Of course, the best part of any family party is arguably the food: Uncle Bob’s baked beans, Aunt Linda’s potato salad, and Aunt Sandra’s Barf Salad (which, after 8 years I still can’t convince Wyatt to try. SO YUMMY!)

Tonight was a *special* treat. As it was Grandpa’s 90th birthday, he felt inspired to gather his family. I commented afterward that it reminded me of Lehi gathering his posterity. Wyatt said “I thought it was more like King Mosiah – I’ve taught you, I’ve given you an example, it ain’t comin’ back on me! My hands are clean of you!”

It was that too.

The best part was when, after 15 minutes of rambling (if you live to be 90, you’re entitled to a captive audience for at least 15 minutes), he finally SEEMED to be closing up his remarks, and said: I’ve been most grateful in my life for (grandpa chokes up, words become indiscernible for half a second) my horse Chino. Another five minutes of tearful rambling about Chino. At that point I had to bury my head in my hands and laugh. Chino is the stuff of legends in the Herzog family . . . as you can see. Just don’t ask my mom about him.

Love Herzog family parties.

Last night was THE night.

On January 1st I google: “Oakley Rodeo” – I find out when the tickets go on sale.

This year I was feeling inclusive and wanting to share MY family tradition with others. I sent out emails: “Come to the Oakley Rodeo with us!”

Apparently no one else felt so inclined. Eventually, my sister caved and agreed to come with her sweet-heart.

Then: I need to buy my tickets. But I was barfing. It was February by then, and the only things that got done were the things that would otherwise cause explosions. Tickets waited.

Then one spring day – Wyatt’s B-Day I believe – we were in Oakley, and we stopped by and  FINALLY got our tickets. Now it was official – although it had been on our minds since January 1st.

Now all we had to do was wait.

And we did wait.

And we thought about all it meant to have our own family tradition.

We talked about it.

We boasted about it.

We congratulated ourselves on having such a fun event to look forward to.

And then the week came.

It was discussed in family planning for the week.

The day came.

Olivia woke up diseased. Rush to the doctor. First question: CAN WE STILL GO TO THE RODEO?

Yes – she is contagious. Yes, she does need antibiotics. No, don’t let other children touch her. BUT you will be outside, so going to the Rodeo shouldn’t be a problem.

Don’t be late. I warned Wyatt.

He wasn’t late.

We’re going to the Radio! Olivia said all day. She was excited. This year she knew what the Radio was!

Sippys and sweatshirts in tow, off we went.

To enjoy hot dogs and cotton candy and cowboys and horsies and the warm July night.

And eachother.

And our family tradition.