Flashback Friday

So, one of my students who has rockin' 80's hair (Yeah, he's 42 and has feathered hair that goes down his back and a faded denim shirt unbuttoned to reveal a very hairy chest with a gold chain nestled among the dark hair) just came in and after some reflection of the Awesome 80's I figured I would share that at one time I too had a love of the spandex pants. Although I still have the big hair-which is probably going to be with me for a long time, so I have learned to love it-this picture also shows the "Sun-In" highlights which are long gone. And yes, that is a wave of hair atop my forehead with the greatest bangs ever. Some of my favorite things about the '80's: Neon, leggings, LA Gear shoes, Pop Rocks, all things Oakland A's (this is when the greatest years of my lifetime occured with Jose, Mark and Walt), TV shows like Misfits in Science, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman and Scooby Doo, movies like Flight of the Navigator, Mannequin, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure and of course the music! Depeche Mode, Bon Jovi, The B52's and Pat Benatar made every youth dance the most rockin place ever!
While the days of big hair, rubber bracelets, pegged pants, shirt clips and giant bangs are over, I will always look back on all of those things with fondness. And a little thankful prayer in my heart that not all of it was captured on camera!

The Wonder that is Steve

I know that I am a little late for Father's Day, but I would like to share why it is that my Dad is the greatest! Here are a few of the reasons why:

1. He has the magic touch in more ways than one. He can take a sliver out without it hurting. He can fix anything with gorilla snot glue that wouldn't otherwise stick. He can start the unstartable car. He can pack up a house in record time and nothing gets broken. He can listen when it feels like your world is going to fall apart and bring it all back into perspective. He can make you feel like he is your biggest fan even when you are in hot water. He can calm nerves just by being in the room when you are giving a talk, performance or recital.
2. He instilled in his girls a love of sports. Many would think that being in a family where there are more females than males would make for lots of ballet and playing with dolls. Well, some of the most fun memories that I have of growing up Barlow is going to many many A's games, watching football with Dad on the big screen and most of all-the best years of softball when he was my coach. I still have my mitt in the Jeep at all times just so I can play whenever the occasion allows and I get that from my Dad.
3. He is the knower of all things when it comes to cars. I still discuss all things related to my vehicle with him, because I know that he will know the answer. We all have a special love and appreciation when it comes to vehicles...especially the classic ones!
4. He is an incredible example to all who are around him of how to be a worthy Priesthood holder and a worthy member of the church. All growing up, he was off to meetings or to help someone in need and never complained. Not once.

So, here are just a few of the many examples as to why my Dad is the greatest. Happy Father's Day, Dad and thanks for everything you do for me and for our family. You are an incredible example of a husband, father, leader, business man, and most importantly, friend. I love you and I am proud to call you my Dad.

The Call of the Wyoming Wild

A few years ago, I moved into a new apartment at Maple Valley and little did I know that life as I knew it would be changed forever. I met the two boys across the hall, Mikol and Joe, and we became fast friends. We were always together and no matter what we were doing, whether we were playing sports, hot tubbing, watching movies, cooking dinner together, eating hotwings, bowling, or tubing down Beaver Mountain in a plastic swimming pool, we were definitely enjoying ourselves. Well, now everything will be changed because Mikol has abandoned us for the Call of the Wyoming Wild to go to Grad School in Laramie. While I am proud of him for taking this opportunity, I have quickly realized that a little piece of my heart will now be in Wyoming. So, here are a few of the many highlights of why we will always be friends:

• The infamous road trip to Cali for Spring Break: staying in Reno, getting lost on the way to Ptown, Jane telling Mikol his jokes just aren't funny, driving all around the Bay Area in the Green Jeep, Flat Joe, the Oakland Temple trips, waiters, Alcatraz, riding the Trolley, the beach and a Wyoming boy meets the undertow, and when someone drove the Stratus like a racecar- having to pull over because someone else was turning green and needed to take a closer look at Truckee. Although there are many other highlights from this trip, the most fun was when we went to my Dad's car store and got to play in all of the fun cars.


• There was the time that Mikol decided to teach me how to ski and I trusted him to not let me be hauled off in an ambulance. He did great and it even turned into a pretty good Sunday School story about someone who's name starts with an A and ends in nneBarlow. And an extra bonus: I am now a good skiier! Seriously!


• No matter what time day or night, I always knew that I could call Mikol for anything (whether we WERE friends or not). He fixed the Jeep, hung things on the wall, moved anything heavy, was always up for driving, didn't pout too much when I would beat him at bowling, and most importantly knows most of my secrets and never tells.

So, while I will be a little mad at Wyoming because it is too far away from me, I am always glad when my favorites are happy and doing what is best for them. And now it will be the start of a new era, although nothing will ever replace the combination of a Wyoming-ite, Californi-anne and South Korean!