I like to win competitions

I am addicted to entering competitions. Almost to the point where it is unhealthy. But that is not my downfall. My downfall appears when I have to cancel my flight and the celebratory champagne which I had booked, thinking that I had won that ten day holiday in the Seychelles with the island hopping, the dolphin riding and the romantic candlelight dinner. Sometimes I get a bit too far ahead of myself...

My unhealthy fixation for entering competitions began in junior primary school, where there was a termly raffle for a chocolate hamper. I sold countless amounts of raffle tickets, mainly to my own immediate family to increase my chances of winning. Yet I never won. Not ever. Instead, the termly raffle was nearly always awarded to my friend Alice and her family. It was devastating. Every term I'd get my hopes up and spend countless sleepless nights leading up to the draw, making plans for all the chocolate I was going to win and barely being able to contain myself. All to be left empty handed and deflated that I had not won, and Alice had. Again. 

I didn't give up though. I have never won a single thing in my sad life, save for a couple months ago when I received a very exciting phone call whilst I was in the university computer room:

  

Me:  "Hello Megan speaking" 

Caller:  "Hello Megan, This is Nerisha calling from Tops SPAR in Merrivale, I am pleased to inform you that      you have won our Brutal Fruit lucky draw prize" , 

Me: "Oh my God Oh my God Oh my God. Really?! I've never won anything in my life!!"

Caller: "Well then, today is your lucky day! You have also been entered into the draw for a trip to New York. You may come and collect your prize at the closest convenient time. Enjoy the rest of your day"

Me: "Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!"

So that was, and remains to be, the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. I collected my prize but was mildly disappointed. Its contents were:

• a foot spa (sponsored by Brutal Fruit??)
• a wide variety of distasteful nail polish colours
• a tiny handbag with a chain handle which I suppose I could use in the event of an emergency
• clown eye shadow
• a hideous "corsage", or something of the like
• And not one bottle of Brutal Fruit!!! Pish Tosh! Ludacris!

So that was my first prize! I had my eyes on bigger things though- such as this trip to New York which I was entered into. Now, in my mind, I had already won this competition. In my mind I was already in New York, the Big Apple, Times Square, filthy pavements and surrounded by annorexic girls who made me feel inferior.

I had already invited my four girlfriends whom were allowed to come with, told them to cancel their engagements for July and informed them that they should pack a suitcase of very stylish clothes so as to make an impression on New York when we were driven around in our free Limo. I'd even made arrangements with my new friend and travel agent "Call-me-Tanya" about flights and visa's etc.

I didn't win though. It was like a punch in the mammaries. And "Call-me-Tanya" did call me, and told me not to contact her again unless I wanted to get serious about travelling. Needless to say my new ex-friend "Call-me-Tanya" was struck from the list of "girlfriends" to come on my next competition getaway.

I will never give up though. Someday I will win an amazing trip, be it a cruise through the Caribbean, a week-long stay at Euro Disney, or a 50% discount at a truck stop motel. It'll happen. I'm sure of it. I'll show "Call-me-Tanya". I'll show her.