Seriously? Seriously...

Anyone who is a fan of Saturday Night Live knows that Seth and Amy do a segment called "Really?!?" where they observe some of the stupid things that people do and ask "Really? You just did that? Really!?!" So I decided that I have had a few experiences in the past few weeks that prompted me to put my own spin on the whole Really? experience only I like to use the word "Seriously"...so here goes-keep in mind that these are real things that have happened to me recently:
1. While standing in line at the grocery store, we were talking and there was an older gentleman in a suit behind us on a cell phone. We were just chatting like normal and then he shooshed us! Seriously? I am sorry that you can't hear while you talk on that phone that has no cord. While standing on those legs that are not broken. Seriously.
2. I was waiting in line at the Registrar's office on campus and an older lady behind me was clearly staring at me. I smiled at her, so she starts to reach for my hair and says, "Is your hair real?" Seriously? I can only assume that she was wondering if my mane of big hair is naturally curly or a perm, but there are better ways to ask this. And if I don't know you, please don't touch my hair. If you want to scare a curly-haired girl-threaten to comb your fingers through her hair. They will get stuck. Seriously.
3. We were at a dinner with some friends and a couple of other acquaintances that I didn't know very well and someone had brought a delicious-looking salad that had raspberries and avocadoes in it. I am highly allergic to all things avocado, so I didn't take any salad. No big deal, just didn't take any. So, everyone starts to rave about the salad, and the salad-maker looks at my salad-less plate and asks if I want some. I politely say that I will pass, and she inquires as to why. My roommate says that it is because I am allergic and the salad maker procedes to make the moment awkward by asking, "Well, how much do you have to eat before you have a bad reaction?" Seriously? Is there a good reaction when you are allergic to something? Seriously. As a personal rule, I try not to see how much my body can take of something before my throat just closes up and my eyes swell shut (Think Hitch). Seriously.
4. My Bishop,trying to be ever so helpful, just informed me a while ago that the reason that I am not married is because I am too busy. Seriously? Is that really the reason? I don't even know what that really means, but I am pretty sure that there are probably other reasons and that Mr. Right is not sitting around thinking,"Wow, she's fantastic and I would totally date her if she was only just sitting at home doing nothing." Seriously.
I think that some of the funniest things happen when people don't really think about what they are saying. Don't worry, I have more. Seriously.

Flashback Friday...Reunion Time Already

In light of deciding that I will be going to my High School reunion in February, I have seriously started my effort to get in shape (I also have a class where we have to run a timed mile, so that scares me more than my classmates). Here is a pic of what my High School friends know me as so I will become the Incredible Shrinking woman in the next couple of months. Yikes.

Goodbye to August....My most favorite month of the Year!

It has been a long and crazy month of fun things and lots of changes. I love the month of August and always have... and not just because it has the 19th in it! We had lots of fun here in Logan and in Cali and now that school has started, everyone is back and all is right with the world! I love the feeling on campus when school starts and there is a buzz of new life and busy-ness and excitement as students start their college careers. Here in the Admissions office, we get a lot busier and I love it! I am taking 7 credits and working full time, so I will be a little crazy too, but I love love love my classes. We took some pictures on campus that will be in all of the publications and all in all survived the first week of school. We even got to listen to the vocal stylings of Carmen Rasmusen of American Idol Fame! I do have some fun things to look forward to in September too...so we will see how things go.

Flashback Friday

Back by popular demand is Flashback Friday! In honor of school starting again on Monday, I had to post some of my favorite back to school pics ever! As you can see, the Barlow kids could not wait to get back in the classroom:)

Best Birthday Weekend Ever!

Some people believe in a BirthDAY...I believe in a BirthWEEK! I went home on Thurday night the 14th for the weekend with Laura to celebrate my Birthday. It turned out to be the perfect weekend! On Friday, my Mom, Laura, Chel, and I took Sammie to her first chick flick "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and we had a great time. Sammie was very good the whole time and we enjoyed the movie. Then that night, Laura, Jen and I went with the parents to the A's game. It was a blast! We got to watch some good baseball-the A's won for a change-and just hang out. Saturday, we went to another A's game during the day with the entire family...we had been a little neglectful because we waited a whole 7 weeks before introducing the newest Barlow girl to the A's. As you can see from above, she had a great time and so did we. She was dressed head-to-toe in A's clothing which included a blanket and it was the cutest thing ever! After the game we went to the Cheesecake Factory. It is yummy there and if you ever want to score major points with me...buy me the Tuxedo Cheesecake. It really is heaven in the shape of Cheesecake. Sunday we hung out and had dinner with the fam. My Dad is a master barbecuer, so we had Tri-Tip and it was a close second to the Cheesecake for the title of heaven. Monday involved shopping with the girls and getting really good deals and then flying back to SLC late Monday night. I stayed in the estate with Laura and then we had lunch at the Capitol on my actual Birthday. She was a very good hostess. I shopped my way back to Logan and went to dinner at Cafe Sabor with the roommates. When we came home a bunch of people came over for cake and to surprise me on my big 25th:) All-in-all, I think that I am getting this birthday thing right and have had a great few days! I am very lucky to have such great family and friends around to help me celebrate on my birthday. It was great!

I Heart the Olympics

I have to apologize now to any of you that were hoping to see me anywhere outside my house for the next few weeks. You see, when the Olympics come on I kind of go into a coma whilst watching them. I can't seem to tear myself away. I love all things Olympics and I of course get the chills when something miraculous happens. Like last night with the men's relay: does it get better than the Americans? Note to the French team: When you decide to shoot your mouth off and state to the newspapers that the whole reason you came to China is to smash the Americans, you make our men all the more pumped up to make you eat your words. I think that last night's race where we beat the French and set a world record will go down as one of the greatest Olympic moments in history.

Another one of my favorites are the commentators. After the above mentioned moment, one of the announcers screamed, "Who's talking now?!" Hilarious. Another favorite: Bob Costas commentating the Opening Ceremonies (which were also amazing by the way) and stating, "In case any of you are wondering why everyone is sweating, it's because it is 85 degrees in here, Nary a breeze." The other announcer picked up on the use of the word nary by stating, "Nary, huh? Great word!" They are always being witty with eachother, so listen carefully and you will have nary a disappointment.

Ah the wonder that is the Olympics. I love them!

Camping-fun or not fun?

I haven't quite decided how I feel about camping, but I do know that I am not the best sleeper under the stars. It is pretty and everything, but I have a little bit of a fear of being eaten in my sleep. There was even a time that I thought I heard a bear, but it turns out it was just a boy in my ward snoring. I am also not a fan of being dirty. I think that I am a one-nighter as far as camping goes, but I did have a great time camping with my favorites. One of the Bishopric's sons named Keaton decided that Joe is his new best friend, so we had to take a picture of the new buddies and here is a great morning after pic of me, my roomies Michelle(with the bandana) and Melissa. All in all it was a fun experience, but we were all exhausted after. So my vote for the next camping trip involves a cabin...and beds...and no snoring boys that sound like bears.