HEY ALL!!!
This may seem surprising but I am actually going to participate in a blog award link up! <—- which never happens.
I received the Liebstar award. I’m too lazy to right click, save photo and upload it so you can have this instead….
* yes, this did take me more time, but isn’t it awesome 
In this latest version, The Liebstar award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. <—– I’m not going to lie. I have no idea who has how many followers. I don’t even know how many people follow me! So I’m picking whoever I want 
Liebster is a German word that means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome. (now I understand why I was nominated twice)
- Each person must post 11 things about themselves
- Then answer the questions the tagger sent for them, plus create 11 questions for the people they’ve tagged to answer
- Choose 11 people and link them in your post
- Notify the people you have tagged
- No tag backs
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Thanks to Elle @ Eat, Run, Sail and Danielle @ Work It. Wear It. Eat It. I have to answer 22 questions so I’m going to keep my “11 things” super simple to avoid you getting bored.
11 things about Ali Mc you probably didn’t know:
- I love the number 11 and it’s one of my favourite #’s in the world. I’d tell you the others but then you’d know virtually every password I use
- I pick my nose and I don’t care that you know this. I really think it’s weird when someone denies nose picking. I feel like it must be impossible to go through life without picking it at least once. YOU’RE BUSTED!
- I hardly ever wear nail polish because it chips off so fast. Don’t tell me about how gel is the way to go – I hate anything that I have to “grow out” or have chemically removed.
- I honestly believe I’ll be Logan’s favourite person forever. I don’t want to think about the day he tells me he hates me.
- My four front teeth are veneers. I never got braces b/c just altering the four top front teeth was cheaper to do. I ended up chipping one of them and at first was vain and upset about it but now I’ve grown to love it.
- I believe in my imaginary friends because I like the idea of an invisible wolf/dog beside me
- I love dancing more than most things and try to dance alone in my house at least once a week for good measure, if not more.
- I love sleeping but can rarely stay asleep. I get up quite a few times a night and I’m always amazed that my brain is still on the same topic ;P
- I used to refuse to cook, bake and clean because I never wanted to be domesticated. Now I LOVE IT! (but Colin is a good guy, so I think that helps)
- I’m vain. I can’t help it. I was a girl that didn’t get attention from boys until she “looked good” and the world places a constant demand on being pretty. I just always like looking at myself to make sure I still look awesome
- I am part of no religious group or belief set but have read a fair amount about most of them and do my best not to judge others on their choices. I think having faith in something is important and I truly believe that as long as we have love in our hearts as opposed to fear we make this world a better place
Ok so if you actually got through all that I now have to answer other people’s questions below….yikes!
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From Elle @ Eat, Run, Sail:
1. What is your favorite season? Why?
My favourite season is fall. I have no idea why….I love the leaves but I also find it sad because everything is becoming dormant until next spring. I love the colours of autumn and the smell in the air. I love the temperature too.
2. What is the most exotic place you have visited?
Hawaii is definitely the ONLY exotic place I’ve ever visited. It was worth every penny and if I could I’d move there tomorrow Plus I did get married there.
3. Do you have pets? What kind?
I have Rex, he is a dog and he is a mutt: German Shepherd & Doberman with something else too. lol I am currently making plans for getting some outdoor bunnies in a hutch come spring. PS: I LOVE ferrets and we’d have one if they didn’t stink.
4. What is your favorite way to unwind?
Hot bath, dancing alone, getting drunk <— just kidding.
5. Do you have any food issues? Special dietary needs?
sure don’t….not that I know of anyway.
6. Favorite snack?
Chocolate hands down! but I also like nuts, fruits and veggies. grapes are so yummy!
7. Favorite flowers?
Blue flag iris, wood lily, red roses, daisies, lupines and wild violets.
8. Have you ever met any other bloggers?
I have only ever met Jamie and once I raced past The Athletarian and we waved at each other
9. Do your real life friends and family members read your blog? Do they know about it?
They sure do! I have so many people I know that read my blog. I find it amusing. However, there are some people that don’t and I always find it refreshing when I can tell them stories without them saying “Oh yes, I read that on your blog” lol
10. How do you celebrate your birthday?
Red Wine, PRESENTS and cake with my family. Usually we go out for dinner. This year I’ll be turning 30 so I want to do something even better <—- Colin, please get thinking
11. What motivates you to exercise and eat well? Vanity? Health? Performance?
My self-esteem. I only make changes when they benefit the way I feel about myself. So my motivation comes from a place deep within Also, I get my ideas from watching and learning from others. Hence why being a part of a community like this one is invaluable
“Look at that body – I work out” <—- while taking the above photo for this caption I was trying so hard not to laugh ;P lol
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From Danielle @ Work It. Wear It. Eat It:
1. Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Dog. Hands down. I’m allergic to cats, although I do think they’re cute.
2. What sport do you wish you excelled in?
Wish I could? I excel at everything …j/k I wish I was good at volleyball as I love playing it but kind of suck.
3. What is your current favourite recipe?
The one I made last night I will post it later today: Chicken, Kale and Tomato on whole wheat pasta with a homemade avocado ricotta sauce! YUM!!!!!!
4. What is your favourite holiday?
Christmas. For the true meaning of it. I LOVE spreading hope, joy and happiness and Christmas is such a loving time of year I just get so excited for it
5. What brand of running/training shoes do you wear?
Brooks.
6. What is your favourite bedtime snack?
I don’t normally eat before bed unless I’m coming home from work late and haven’t eaten a sufficient dinner so I’ll say banana chips
7. What was your first concert?
I have no idea. NO IDEA. most likely Sharon, Lois and Bram
8. What was the name of your first pet?
Bear. She was my parents dog and died when I was around 5 
9. What is your favourite healthy food to make for others?
Veggies and dip. Ya, boring but I love making homemade dips
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not holding the door for people if you’re right there. It doesn’t get to me too much anymore but it was all I could think of. That and people sneaking into parking spots when I have my signal on
11. What celebrity have other people said you look like?
People used to say I looked like Jennifer Aniston but I don’t see it anymore
Do you see it???
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MY QUESTIONS:
- what are you most afraid of??
- what’s your favourite colour and why?
- do you care about politics?? why or why not?
- do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012??
- do you like the body you were given?? why, why not?
- do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both??
- favourite wild animal??
- what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow?
- if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick??
- do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not?
- what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why?
YOU ARE ALL TAGGED!!!!!! ANSWER BELOW
* also feel free to link your fb pages or any other social media’s below after answering
what are you most afraid of?? spiders and palmetto bugs
what’s your favourite colour and why? I’m not sure I have one favourite colour. I love autumny colours because they remind me of fall… a season I dearly miss since moving to FL.
do you care about politics?? why or why not? Not particularly, mostly because I’m not allowed to vote in the US since I’m not a citizen so I don’t pay attention. The ads & obnoxious phone calls during the months leading up to an election really turn me off as well.
do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012?? I think it’s amusing how many dates have gone by when we were all supposed to die. When/If it happens, it’ll happen. No sense in worrying about it just live every day as though it is your last because you don’t know when it really will be the end.
do you like the body you were given?? why, why not? Does anyone? lol OK, maybe some do but I’m definitely not one of them. I’m made funny. My upper half doesn’t match my bottom half and it’s especially apparent since having kids. Thin upper half, thick bottom half. Not cool, though my husband likes it (butt man).
do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both?? Yup but mostly I wear my contacts. I can’t see distances (near-sighted) and I have an astigmatism.
favourite wild animal?? hmm I honestly can’t think of one. I know, fail!
what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow? Making exercise a priority in my life and (trying to) make better food choices; especially now that my food choices don’t only affect me right now.
if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick?? Running
do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not? No. I have very fair skin that burns within minutes of being in the sun (I can actually feel it burning, ow!) and I’ve had moles removed in the past that kind of freaked me out (even though they weren’t cancerous). I’ve been made fun of countless times for “looking like a ghost”, especially since I’ve moved to FL, but it doesn’t bother me. Once upon a time, having fair skin was considered beautiful.
what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why? I was raised Roman Catholic and, as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized there are many practices/beliefs that I don’t necessarily agree with. I haven’t ventured into other practices and I’m not against doing so.
https://www.facebook.com/runningtrek
Hey Karly! I loved reading this about you
that’s crazy that you can’t vote. and I think having pale skin is pretty 
I have super pale skin but I use a sunless tanner….I’m stopping as soon as it runs out 
1. Stingrays or sharks! I am so scared of them!
2. Blue! I really don’t know why. It just looks pretty I guess.
3. I just find politics boring and confusing.
4. Nooooooo
5. Sure, I guess! It’s a good hockey body.
6. Nope! My mom has some for reading and my dad has them all the time so I am surprised that I don’t!
7. Whooping Cranes or Loons! I love birds. <3
8. hmmmm… not sure about that one.
9. Does hockey count?
10. Not really. If I go to the pool with friends we might lay out in the sun for a little but not much.
11. I don't have any religious beliefs. But I am open to anything! I go to church with my friend sometimes and it is always really interesting! I just have different opinions on some of the stuff.
Are you afraid of stingrays b/c of how the crocodile hunter died ?? lol
I’ve pet stingrays numerous times….I’ll have to post the vid of when we saw them at the zoo
I feel like your answer to number 11 is the same as mine. I have some beliefs that I’d adopted over the years but ultimately I’m open to everything and always find it interesting. I will not, however, become a part of organized religion. ever
You know what my favorite thing about you is? You are 100% honest and don’t care who knows it. I love that you said, “I’m vain.” Totally cracked me up!!!
well I feel like most bloggers HAVE to be
why else would we write about ourselves 
vain that is…not honest
and thank you Heather! it’s just who I am
I’m most afraid of not living, I don’t want to wake up in 40 yrs without any fun, crazy memories!
Purple, because growing up that was my mom’s, so naturally I had to follow…ha
No, I don’t really understand them. Sometimes I wish I knew more about politics, but they just don’t interest me too much.
No, I think maybe possibly something will happen…but no world ending abominations deaths to all…hopefully I am right!
I am trying to get there, it’s a hard battle always wishing this or that was like someone else’s, but I am trying to learn to love my God given body and accept its flaws as features that make me me!
I usually wear contacts, but I do wear glasses time to time on my lazy days. I would say they are for distances, but not very far distances, I can barely see my hand stretched out in front of me
How wild we talking here?! I think giraffes are amazingly cool…but I don’t know if I imagine them too wild…oh well I’m going with it!
I’m still getting there…but learning to love yourself! I do not believe you can really truly live life and love others if you do not first love yourself!
Hmm…that’s a tough one…something full body…probably sort of circuits or running! ZWOW’s would be a tough but good one! ha
I used to fake bed tan, but my mother has skin cancer so I’ve now tried to embrace my paleness instead…but I do use the bottles from time to time, especially in the summer time!
I have a strong faith in God, yet no specific religion. I grew up in a state here in the US that is heavily based LDS/Mormon religion and have learned about that religion a bit, but honestly have not studied too many more, I have always been curious to do so though! But I do believe if you are good person with a good heart, God will recognize that over anything else! Yet I do believe religion is important and is what gives people set morals and beliefs they may not know of or have otherwise.
That’s great to have faith. I completely agree that it’s healthy
lol and a giraffe is definitely a wild animal ;P
I’d have to pick running and or ZWOW’s too
Thanks for answering. I love finding out all this stuff. And FYI – my mom’s favourite colour is purple too!
So I can’t follow directions and created my own post with your questions:
http://islestyleliving.blogspot.com/2012/08/liebster-award-part-deux.html
Here are my answers, copied/pasted:
what are you most afraid of??
Most afraid of? Well, I do have a fear of dogs. Little dogs, big dogs, doesn’t matter. Over the span of my 20+ year life I’ve learned how to keep it in check, most times. But sometimes I lose it. I have a physical reaction that I just can’t control. My hands get sweaty, my breathing becomes shallow, and my heart beats faster.
I hate when people tell me, “Don’t be afraid, they can sense it.” Oh REALLY? You think I WANT to be afraid? Um, NO. I try to act normal and for the most part it works out. Just don’t bring your dog up to me or allow them to jump all over me. I will have a fit.
But I don’t think that’s what I’m most afraid of. To get real deep here, I’m most afraid of what life has in store for my son. Will I be a good parent or screw him up royally? Will he have to learn tough lessons or can he learn from others’ mistakes? Will I be there for him when life gets really tough? What if something happens to me? Will he be OK?
Whew- need to stop there b/c I’m getting all emotional and teary-eyed. But that’s what I am afraid of the most- what life has in store for Phillip.
what’s your favourite colour and why?
Red. I don’t know why. I’ve always loved red. Maybe because in my small hometown red is the team color for our Pop Warner football league and high school. But I also love blue, green, and purple.
do you care about politics?? why or why not?
Yes, I care about politics but I’m not psycho about it. I care because in the US my representatives are making decisions for me and my family. I want those representatives to be people who share my same values.
do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012??
No.
do you like the body you were given?? why, why not?
Yes. My body is strong. When my mind thinks I can’t do something (like help my husband move a couch up 2 flights of stairs) my body surprises me with abilities I didn’t even know I had.
I don’t treat my body the way I should- I don’t eat as healthy or move as much as I should but it still functions well.
do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both??
Yes. For computer use, driving, and reading. So pretty much everything. I’m nearsighted in my left eye and have astigmatism.
favourite wild animal??
Giraffe.
what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow?
I’ve learned that it’s OK to feel the way you feel when someone hurts you: anger, hurt, resentment, betrayal. But it’s not OK to act out on it. It’s not OK to hurt people because of the way you feel. It is extremely important to stand up for yourself and communicate your feelings but definitely not OK to hurt someone because you have been hurt.
if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick??
Strength training. However I did see an infomercial for the Brazilian Buttlift workouts and that may be a close second.
do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not?
No. I live in Hawaii but I don’t purposely go out and tan. I swim and play at the beach so tanning is an indirect result but rarely on purpose. I just don’t see the point.
what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why?
I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ suffered and died for my sins.
Am I open to others? Other beliefs? Or other people with other beliefs?
Well, I like to learn what others believe and why they believe what they believe; for me, my faith is rooted in Jesus Christ.
When meeting others who believe differently than I do, I try to be very sensitive and respectful to their faith since I would want to be treated the same way. I don’t share my beliefs with strangers or people that I just met unless I’m asked.
My faith is multi-faceted and can’t be thoroughly explained in one blog post. It is a conversation that needs to take place over and over and over.
It is more than a religion for me.
It’s a way of life.
I went over and commented and I don’t see why you couldn’t do your own post!!! I think it’s awesome that you did
thanks!!!!
and I feel you on your beliefs being a way of life. As mine, though a scattered mix from many religions is most definitely my way of living
Amen sister xo
1. Snakes
2. Hot Tamales- the hotter the better
3. Yes- I want to know what is going on in my country
4. No, the Mayan calendar did not account for Leap Year, so if you are using their calendar, then technically, we would be gone already if they were right
5. Yes, what is not to like (brown chicken brown cow)
6. 20/20
7. Sharks
8. no drinking or tobacco products
9. running, no swimming, wait biking, it’s biking….no running
10. I tan
11. I am a Christian man, and while I respect others and what they believe, I am solid in my beliefs
and I do see the Jennifer Aniston resemblence!
Haha I love your short answers…..and just for the record I feel like I should clarify that I don’t think the world is going to end either
Although I do feel like our world is due for some sort of mass awakening ;P lol
I respect your beliefs too
I love the number 11 too! crazy.
I’ve heard crazier things ;P lol
1. what are you most afraid of??
Ending up alone.
2. what’s your favourite colour and why?
Aubergine, it’s my favourite of the jewel tones!
3. do you care about politics?? why or why not?
I do care, but don’t often think that I can make a difference in what happens.
4. do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012??
No way. I think this is what really happened.
5. do you like the body you were given?? why, why not?
No. I find it very difficult to be a woman with a large frame. Most trends now make me look like a whale. Needless to say, I don’t shop for trends!
6. do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both??
I used to wear glasses for distance, but I got laser eye surgery 5 years ago, and it was one of the best things I’ve done.
7. favourite wild animal??
Sea Turtles. They look so calm and happy when they’re swimming.
8. what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow?
I recently started trying to take simple and easy measures to reduce the amount of waste I produce.
9. if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick??
Dancing, hands down.
10. do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not?
Only by accident. I was blessed with nearly see-through skin, so I always put on sun screen. I always end up a little bit brown by the end of the summer though.
11. what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why?
I am an atheist. I enjoy learning from others about their religious beliefs, so long as they don’t dis my belief in evolution!
Totally GREAT call on the dancing
I’m changing my answer. and I love evolution….I’m still watching that spiritual evolution vid I told you about (as today was another cycling day) lol
I think it’s weird to not believe in evolution, especially if you have a science background, but to each their own….and I definitely think Jesus was an awesome role model
That is funny because my #1 thing about me for this award was how much I loved getting shellac for my nails:) because it lasts so long! Pink is my favorite color. I love my body because I work really hard to make it look the way it does. I would choose running for my exercise choice. I used to fake n bake when I was a teen, but now I am really careful about the sun. Fun, fun, fun!
LOL
enjoy your shellac! it’s supposed to be amazing. I tried (and I stress “tried”) to get it done once but my nails just reacted once under the UV light and they’d bubble….so weird. We tried 3 times.
I love my body for the same reason
what are you most afraid of?? sharks
what’s your favourite colour and why? blue…I am not sure why
do you care about politics?? why or why not? no, because I feel helpless and they make all the decisions
do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012?? nope
do you like the body you were given?? why, why not? I like the body I was given, I wish I have been taking care of it
do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both?? I have them, but I rarely wear them
favourite wild animal?? cheetah
what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow? no drinking and driving
if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick?? walking
do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not? I used to fake and bake, I loved it, I would nap during it. Now, in the sunshine at the pool with V.
what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why? I am Lutheran, I teach Sunday school. I think most religions have a good base. I don’t spread my views onto others.
Lastly, I think you are more beautiful than Jennifer.
Awww holy nicest compliment ever
that just made my day. Also I’m going to have to look up Lutheran because I’ve never heard of it. I think it’s awesome you teach Sunday school 
is there anything you don’t do!? you wonder woman 
xo hope you and V are having a great weekend
I love fall and after fall comes Christmas! I’m having a hard time not rushing the next few weeks along so cooler weather will be here to stay. Loved learning more random tidbits about you!
LOL
I can’t wait for Christmas!!!!
Working on catching up on 200+ blog posts in my reader after taking a week’s vacation. This is great!
1.what are you most afraid of??
2. what’s your favourite colour and why? – Turquoise. I just love how it’s so bright and cheerful.
3.do you care about politics?? why or why not? – Yes, I do care to a degree. Sometimes I get discouraged though because it doesn’t seem to matter how I vote as the majority rarely agrees with me.
4.do you think we are going to die on dec 21st 2012?? – Ummm… hell no!
5.do you like the body you were given?? why, why not? – Most days yes, although I’ve always wished I could shake the little bit of belly fat that I’ve had essentially since I was born.
6.do you wear glasses?? for distance or close up? or both?? – Never had to wear glasses.
7.favourite wild animal?? – Zebra! LOVE their colouring.
8.what change have you made in yourself that you hope others will follow? – In the past 5 years or so, I have made a great change into a healthier/fitter lifestyle. My hubby and mom are the same way.. now we just need to get my dad and in-laws on board!
9.if you could only do one form of exercise for the rest of your life what would you pick?? – Definitely horseback riding. I’ve been doing it since I was 9 years old and can’t imagine a life without it.
10.do you tan your skin? (fake, real or bottle) why or why not? – Not purposley. I’m the one who came home from a week in Jamaica still white thanks to my SPF 65 sunscreen!
I love the look, but I’d rather be white than risk my health. I am tanned now though simply due to the fact that i’ve been spending a TON of time outdoors. I always put sunscreen on though!
11.what are your religious beliefs and are you open to others or not?? why? – I’d have to say that my religious beliefs are non-existant. My brothers and I were raised to believe what we wanted. We were never baptized and only went to church with our grandmother’s when they were babysitting us. I am totally open to all religions (my hubby and parents are catholic), but religion as a whole simply isn’t for me.
oh man! I totally forgot to answer #1!
I think I’m most afraid of dying too soon. There’s too much I still want to do with my life, so I can only hope that I’ll stick around for a very long time.
I loved learning more about you
Thanks for answering! and I would like to say I’m not religious, but I am spiritual. if that makes sense. I don’t believe in God. I believe in the Sun/Universe but I think Jesus was a great example 
I also believe in evolution. and I love science and eastern philosophy energetic studies and metaphysical studies too
lol