It is official: I am the Grand Prize Winner of Microsoft Office's Winter Games Contest!To illustrate just how shocking this is, my odds of winning were equal unto how likely it would be to travel to France for a wedding, get lost and in a car accident, ultimately missing Said Wedding.
And now I can say I've done both in one lifetime.
In case you have been out of the loop, I entered the contest to blog at the 2010 Winter Games for Microsoft Office on a whim after reading about it on Twitter. I filled out the lengthy application, submitted two writing samples and wrote an essay about why I should be selected.
And then forgot about it. I mean, this is me (a.k.a. Queen of Murphy's Law) we're talking about. I really didn't think I had a chance.
Much to my amazement, I was notified mid-November that I was 1 of 5 semi-finalists in the nationwide contest. The last two weeks of the month were a stressful blur as I
And then I waited.
And waited some more.
Notification deadlines were missed as Microsoft Office reps worked out back-end logistics. I lost sleep and may have had a moody outburst (or 20).
Until the blessed call came. My husband Jamie was standing near the phone and commented that the caller was from Milwaukee, the venue of one of Microsoft's PR companies.
Jamie passed the phone over to me and then I heard the blessed words: "Amber, you have been selected as our Grand Prize winner!"
This include round-trip airfare to Vancouver, a Vancouver Games press pass, nine nights hotel accommodations and a daily stipend to cover transportation and incidentals. I will be blogging here and at Microsoft's Web site with an Acer Aspire 4810 Timeline laptop computer using Microsoft Office 2010 software.
All this for me--the woman who has never won anything.
I yelled, screamed and jumped around relishing in this ultimate taste of victory.
My children dubiously looked at me. Three-year-old Bode finally spoke: "Mommy, I CAN'T HEAR THE TV!"
In February, he'll be hearing me all the way from Vancouver.
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64 Comments:
Congratulations Soeur! Let me be the first to congratulate you on this well deserved chance of a lifetime! I'll be looking for you -just remember that whatever you do will be documented for a REALLY. LONG. TIME. Great... I think I just jinxed you. Enjoy the Olympics on someone else's dime. --Soeur Elias - a.k.a. Blog stalker extraordinaire
OMG! Congratulations! I've been hoping you would win. I know you will be very busy, but if you can check out Wilco's free show as part of LiveCity Vancouver (http://livecityvancouver.ca/en/home.aspx)(free concerts put on by the city of Vancouver during the Olympics). They rock! No matter what you see when you're there I know you'll have a ball and I can't wait to to read about your adventures!
:) :) :) woohooo! So very happy! Now we get to live through your writings and feel as though we are right there with you.
Seriously, I will be doing that...! ;)
Congratulations A! You made my day.
You ladies are awesome--thank you. Have been up most of the night so excited about the announcement. Don't think I'll be getting much sleep there, either. :-)
HOLY CRAP WOMAN!!! That is the most exciting news! I can't wait to follow the Olympics through your eyes. Who woulda thunk-our little Crazy Canuck Amber going to Vancouver! WOOHOO!!! Congrats- you are going to have a blast!
Many, many, many CONGRATS!!!!!! I am so, so, so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You look beautiful in the picture by the way. You are the perfect writer and spokesmodel...va va va voom!
You ladies are too kind. You should have seen the button they originally created for me--not the most flattering picture. :-)
Congratulation!! You totally deserve it. I can't wait to read about them on your blog.
As I read your status on FB the last couple of days, I so wanted to ask if you heard anything, but I didn't. I'm so happy for you. It will be wonderful to read about all your adventures--and we all know THEY WILL BE ADVENTURES ; )
Have a great time.
This is your second, third, fourth ? mom, or at least your favorite ex-boss--such excitement! And of course you owe it all to your days in the Fac Supp where you were groomed and honed into the woman you are today--it will be great to follow your blog during the exciting games next month! Congrats! Patty Smith
Truly, the best person won.
Long Blog CrazyCanuck!
Wow! Congrats Amber! I'm looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver. Also, love the new blog layout.
How wonderful! Congrats Amber you deserve it. Can't wait to hear all about your time in Vancouver!
I am not surprised! Yippee!
Congratulations, Amber. I can't wait to read about all the Vancouver adventures.
Woooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO happy and proud of you, Amber!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!
Cathy
So excited for you!!!!! Well deserved. Can't wait to read about your olympic adventures.
Julie
wwwwwoooohooo!
Lauri
Wow!!!!! That's so exciting. Congrats!
Susan W
Wow! Congrats Amber!!!!
Erika B
Amber that is great! Congrats...they are the ones that are lucky to have you represent them!
Avril W
Very excited for you! Have a blast, bring home some medals!
Congrats Amber! See a sob story only gets you so far, I knew you were the one!!!
Denise
You ladies are awesome. Thank you. I'll create my own sob stories. :-)
Woo-hoo! That is AWESOME! Congrats girl!
That One Girl
Congratulations, Amber - that's super exciting!
Christie BK
Wow! Enjoy every moment! What a life experience!
Carmen B
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I just got goosebumps Amber!! I am so thrilled for you - what an opporuntunity. You are going to do such a fabulous job that they'll want you to be the official NBC blogger!!! Well done........hope the experience is everything you imagined and I can't wait to read abour your adventures.
Tania
WHOA! That is just fantastic news and congratulations, my friend. I agree with previous comments -- Microsoft is damned lucky to have you! Totally looking forward to reading about your adventures...HUGS!
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Congratulations!!! What an amazing opportunity, I am so so happy for you!!
Canada welcomes you (back)!!
XO
P.S. You know you're allowed to blog about how fabulous and wonderful Canada is, right?
As if there were any doubt. You deserve this! Congrats!
wow!!!! Congratulations! You are just too cool for words!
Congratulations. You are such a clever writer, I'm not surprised you won.
Congratulations! They could not have picked a better correspondent.
Congratulations Amber!!!
Awesome! :)
If you need a traveling companion, I'll drop everything and come with you.
Congrats! I am so excited for you!
Woo hoo! Congratulations!! (And you didn't have to beat anyone up in the process...) ;)
YAHOOO!!! You don't by any chance need an assistant, do you? ;) This is great news. I'm so excited for you. You have to tell us WHERE you'll be blogging though. NBC.com? Somewhere else?
I will be blogging here and at Microsoft's Web site!
Hooray! I'm so happy for you.
Congratulations!!!! You deserve it!!!!!
Tell Vancouver Hi, and I miss it.
I am so excited for you! A great hair day AND Olympic credentials in one week. ;) Can't WAIT to live vicariously through you! :)
Congratulations! :-)
I'm convinced my many votes (motto: vote early, vote often) earned me a spot to tag along. Will measure my large suitcase later today to make sure I'll fit inside it. I'll even pay the additional bag fee!
OMG! I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR YOU!
Seriously...they could not have made a better choice!!!!!!
SQUEE!!!!!
Go SNOWMAMA! I am so excited for you and can't wait to read about your adventures!
Congratulations!! So excited for you. Microsoft couldn't have picked a better blogger or person! Have the time of your life, and I can't wait to read all about it!! :-)
Congratulations Amber--they obviously have wonderful taste and picked the very best blogger for the job.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
I'm so excited you are coming to Vancouver! (happy dance around the kitchen)
Let me know when (or if, you might be busy) you want to meet so I can treat you to coffee, or lunch, or something!
Lolol...funny I'm more excited about meeting you then the damn Olympics.
Congratulations!
Wow! Congrats, Amber! That is so wonderful. Can't wait to read your posts. What a great opportunity.
WOOT! That is so freakin' cool Amber. I'm thrilled for you!
I left a comment over on Facebook, but I wanted to just tell you again how overjoyed I am for you! Such a fantastic opportunity and I'm glad you get to do it!
So awesome!! Congratulations :D
Congrats! Colorado represent!
i'm so happy for you! congratulations, amber. :)
Couldn't happen to a more amazing or deserving woman!!! :)
Huge Congrats my friend!!!!
OMG. I had not heard the France story! You were due, Amber. You were due. Have a great time! We'll all be living vicariously through you!
Congrats!!!
Congrats! How awesome will that experience be for you!
CONGRATULATIONS! So glad that you won! We look forward to hearing about your experience and the Olympics -- it will be a grand 10 days!
Congratulations! How fun for you!
Congrats, Amber! Go get 'em in Vancouver! Will you be answering Q's from the games - I know I have some I'd love answers to - anybody else??
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