Holy Pirate Ship!

Well…

I won a car today.

I know, I didn’t think that real people won cars… as emily said, I thought that was reserved for people who get on wheel-of-fortune, or stop to put their business cards in the fishbowls by the cars in the mall (how do they get those in there?)

But, I actually did win a car.

The contest I mentioned before a few weeks ago, in which students could write an essay, and submit it to nominate their teacher to win a car is in full swing. This past week, I was not only nominated, but selected as one of this week’s 3 finalists. The 3 final essays were published on their website, where they could be voted on. The “popular vote” accounted for only a portion of the total score, but it was an important part. The essays were up for voting from Wednesday to Friday at Noon. I found out that I was even in the running on Friday… at 9:00 am. 3 hours to somehow get from 4% to the majority.

So what did I do? I turned to my friends, and family… who in turn called on their friends, families, and co-workers… which lead to an absolute DELUGE of HUNDREDS of votes over the course of 3 hours. When the clock struck 12, I was in the lead with 49% of the vote, to a 2nd place with 41%, and our 3rd place friend had 10%.

It was still anyone’s game, so I held my breath for the weekend. Monday, I had a training to attend all day, which meant 2 things. 1) I wouldn’t be at school stressing about the contest.  2) I’d be all but ignoring my training cause I was THERE stressing about the contest.

Today, was Pirate dress-up day for spirit week… which, if you know me is one of the greatest days ever. My ensemble was complete with parrot, peg leg, patch, you name it. At two, the camera crews arrived. Petri (my parrot) and I nervously went with the crew to do what we thought was a “how does it feel to be a finalist?” interview… but when we got outside I was greeted with all my great administrators, students, and the TV crew presenting me with my prize. I am the proud new owner of a 2007 PT Cruiser (or Chevy HHR -it is yet to be finalized) and that is just too exciting. I will get pictures of the whole event and post them ASAP.

I feel giddy, and entirely lucky, not to mention grateful for this wonderful gift. And I didn’t even have to buy a vowel!