My friend and most faithful blog commenter, Olivia, tagged me to do a Q&A post!  So here it is, Livy!

1 – What is a nickname only your family calls you? Baby
 
2 – What’s a weird habit of yours?  I don't have any... 
 
3 – Do you have any strange phobias?  FDR said that the "only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  And better yet God said,  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

 4 – What is a song you secretly like to blast and belt out when you’re alone?  As you can probably figure out, I do like music!  But, I don't like to blast out music. :)  I like it soft.  
 
5 – What’s one of your biggest pet peeves? Being late.
 
6 – What’s one of your nervous habits?  I'm not nervous enough to know.
 
7 –What’s a YouTuber that almost always makes you laugh?  Studio C
 
8 – What was your first stuffed animal and what was it’s name?  I started getting stuffed animals before I can remember.  Maybe my first was Fuzzy or Blue Bunny or... I could name them all right here, but that might take up too much space. 
 
9 – What’s the drink you always order at Starbucks? I've never been there.  But my favorite beverage is usually water--simply cool, clear water.
 
10 – Do you have any weird body skills? No
 
 11 – What’s your favorite comfort food that’s bad but you eat it anyways?  I like all desserts, but I refuse to believe that they are bad for me.  Hey, life is short.  You might as well eat what you like.  I stay away from stuff like potato chips, soda pop, meat, etc..., just because I don't like them.  But I love dark chocolate--it tastes good and it is good for you.  I set my 5K PR of 21:45 after eating pecan pie and ice cream the night before. :)​
 
12 – What’s a phrase or exclamation you always say? To my siblings, parents, and friends:  "Will you play something with me?"
 
13 – What did you use to wear that you would never wear now?   I'll skip this one. :)
 
14 – What did you want to be when you were young?  I have wanted to be so many things--everything from a mail deliverer to a Himalayan mountain guide.  My strangest dream of all was to be a football player.  That was when I was very young.  Haha...
 
15 – How tall are you? 5' 8"
 
The optional bonus question is, what are 5 ways to win your heart/become a great friend?  HaHa...
1.  It shouldn't be hard. 
2.  Really, if you just smile at me...
3.  Or talk with me...
4.  And be friendly.
5.  I love people and love friends, and know I would love being your friend too. :)

Here are some nice quotes.
“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” ― Linda Grayson
"Sometimes me think, ‘What is friend?’ Then me say, ‘Friend is someone to share the last cookie with.’" -Cookie Monster 
“In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.” ― John Churton Collins
"We must hang together, or surely we shall hang separately."-Benjamin Franklin
"I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends. I’m surrounded by angels, and I call them my best friends."-Pamela Daranjo
"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like ‘What about lunch?’"  -A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

For years I have wanted to do a triathlon.  So, this year on July 1st, my mama and I finally did one!  I figured it might be our first and last one, but we were going to have fun.

With the triathlon there was a duathlon and a 5K run. My papa was doing the 5K.  We all started out together running.  I knew running would be my strong point, so my strategy was to do my best in it and just try to survive the rest of the race.  

That went as planned.  I set a PR in the 5K.  And then I was totally out of breath.  I was tired and ready to stop.  But, no, now I had to bike 13 miles.  The first 10 miles seemed all up-hill with the wind in my face.  I was passed by a lot of people.  But finally I made a turn and the wind was at my back.  Hooray!  I finished.  Now all that was left was the 300 meter pool swim.

I took it easy and just went for a nice, slow swim.  I'm not a great swimmer. It was a challenge to swim straight across the pool without swerving into the other lanes.  And since I was so tired, it was hard to pay attention.  I almost collided a couple times with other swimmers who weren't paying attention either. But I had fun and didn't drink too much water.  After awhile I was done. 

We enjoyed watching mama finish her swim.  Then it was time for granola bars and medals!

I won my age group.  I know it sounds great, but actually I was the only one in it.  Papa got a medal in the 5K too!  

We all had fun.  Thank you to the Reinbeck Running Makes Cents Organizers!  And thanks Charity for taking the pictures!

The race started at 7:00.  I thought it was to start at 7:30.  So, I was walking a few blocks away with my sister when we heard a gun go off.
"That must have been the start of the race," my sister said casually.
"No, it couldn't be," I replied.  As we drew closer, I realized it was.  By the time I was ready, the last walkers were disappearing beyond the horizon.  A sinking feeling came into my stomach.  I adjusted my race number and set my watch.  Then I started.  I had 194 runners in front of me.  A little before the first mile, I started catching some runners.  That made me feel better.  Soon I found this was actually fun!  I was especially happy when I caught up with my parents.  Only one runner passed me (after I passed him) the whole race.
 All the runners in front of me were a real inspiration.  I set a PR on my first 10K: 46:28.  The race went by quickly. I finished with my watch reading 1:39:39, and with the official time of 1:44:20. I was in about 33rd place, and 3rd in my age group. So the nightmare had about the best ending possible.  I hope I never, ever do this again, but it was an interesting experience.  It is a bad idea to be late in any case, but it is an especially bad idea to be late to a race. :)

My whole life I've loved pancakes.  And my whole life I've wondered what the International House of Pancakes is like.  Whether I'm at home, McDonalds, or a Mexican restaurant, you can usually find me with  a stack of pancakes.  
One day, coming home, my parents asked my sister to pick out a restaurant she wanted to stop at.  There was Culvers, McDonalds, a tenderloin place, or an IHOP among the choices.  When I saw the IHOP I grinned with excitement.  Without giving my sister (who doesn't especially like pancakes) a chance to say a word, I announced I wanted to go to IHOP!     

 So IHOP it was.  After studying the menus for about 10 minutes, we all came to our conclusions of what to order.  There was far much more than pancakes to choose from.  One could even get a cheese burger with fries and onion rings.  My family all found something they liked.  

I ordered this stack of double blueberry pancakes (600 calories).  There were four flavors of syrup to choose from:  old fashioned, butter pecan, blueberry, and strawberry.  I think old fashioned was my favorite.  

The pancakes were wonderful.  The waiters and waitresses gave very helpful service with a smile.  I enjoyed my visit, and I hope my family did too...so we can go again sometime!

I have now reached the grand old age of 16.  To celebrate I am starting a series here on the blog of 16 dreams that come true for me this year!  
Number one has to be what I did for my birthday: run 16 miles.