Last March, I received an email from America's most popular game show, Wheel of Fortune, inviting me up to Los Angeles for an audition. Since I studied English and Journalism in college and grad school, I have always enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and playing along. In my wildest dreams, I NEVER thought that I'd actually be picked as a contestant. That is the same thing I thought when I filled out the online application for fun last February. After reading the information on the application, I knew that filling out an application did not automatically ensure that I would get an audition, but I thought, "What the heck; I'll give it a shot anyway." One of my fondest memories comes when I was a child and my family and I traveled to Los Angeles for a chance to be in the Wheel of Fortune audience. Now, I have to admit, I was a very spunky child, and I had many ornery moments that I look back now and chuckle about. One such moment came during the taping of the episode we attended. The employees are very meticulous with keeping the audience quiet, but being the spunky child I was then (I always loved the spotlight), I saw Vanna White approach backstage to the left of where my family and I were sitting, and I quietly yelled out, "Vanna" hoping she would hear me. Sure enough, Vanna heard me, and she waved and smiled at me. I was so stoked and excited, and I could tell that, although my parents thought that had to be the coolest thing ever, they had to be a little embarrassed too. The young employee wasn't too happy with my little stunt and glared at me, and I just smiled right back at her. Come on, I was a 14-year-old kid.
When I showed up at the audition, I learned that I would be attending the second audition of the day. The audition was held at a hotel ballroom near the studio where Wheel is taped. I quickly learned that I would be trying out with about 120-150 other people, and I learned that about five of us would be picked to appear on the show. I knew it was going to be a huge long shot for me to actually be picked, but being the competitive girl I am, I knew I would give it my all and pray that I would be lucky enough to be picked.
The audition process took about two hours. The first part was a written test, and I learned that there would be a first cut and that over half of the people would be sent packing. After I took the written test, I prayed that I did enough to stick around. When the four contestant coordinators started to name those who would be staying, I almost fainted right then and there when I heard my name called about 10 names in. I knew that I had passed the first test, but I knew it was about to get a lot tougher as I was going to be playing a mock game with the remaining auditioners. After we said our goodbyes to those who left us, we got to take a small break before being put into groups to play the mock game. I had already had an exhilarating time and made met so many great people. I have always been an outgoing, bubbly person, so it was easy to connect with them. We got to talk a little about ourselves, and the judges told us that if we got a letter in the mail within the next two weeks that meant we had been been picked to be a contestant. If we didn't get a letter that meant we didn't and would have to wait an entire year to be try out again. (I met many people that day in which this had been their second and even third tryout.) I just kept praying that God would lead me and that I would trust him and the plans he has for my life. This is one of the things I really admire about Sarah Palin. Like fellow believers in Jesus Christ, she knows that God is in control, and God will direct her on the right path. We just have to listen to Him. One of my fondest memories of Sarah's interview with Greta, that appeared right after the election, was her telling Greta that if God opens a door, she is going to plow through it. This is exactly what I am doing, and I thank God for giving me this opportunity. The contestant coordinators made it clear that being picked as a contestant was a fete in itself. Each year, six million people send in applications and audition, and out of that six million, fewer than 600 people are chosen as contestants. I heard that you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning that appearing on the show. Talk about pressure, huh?
At the end of the audition, the contestant coordinators took each of our pictures and put them with our paperwork, wished us luck and we were free to leave. The contestant coordinators were really friendly, and I thank them so much for being so great and welcoming. I knew it was going to be a long two weeks, and I kind of came to the realization that it would be a long shot, but I thanked God for giving me the opportunity to audition. After that twelfth day of waiting, I began to assume that the letter would not be coming to my door, but on the thirteenth day, I almost passed out when I saw that white envelope with the Wheel of Fortune label on the return address, and I knew what the meant- I didn't even have to open the letter, for I knew what it said: I had just been chosen as a contestant for Wheel of Fortune. I couldn't control my excitement, and I immediately began screaming and jumping up and down. My mom was outside in the driveway, and I ran out to her waving the envelope in the air, screaming that I had made the show. I was walking, or should I say running, on cloud nine. As I read the information inside, I learned that I would be appearing within 18 months. I knew it was going to be a while before I would appear, but I didn't care because I just felt so blessed to have been chosen out of all those who try out each year.
Well, fellow readers, 10 months have gone by, and I am happy to report that I received a call from Wheel this past Tuesday informing me that I will be taping my appearance this Friday. I am so excited and studying all things Wheel of Fortune. I don't know how much I will win, but I know that I feel so blessed just to be given this chance of a lifetime. I have no doubt that this experience will be an experience of a lifetime. I plan to just get out there and have fun; after all, that is what life is about. Life is a funny thing sometimes, right? As a young girl, I dreamed of one day spinning that famous wheel and now, 14 years later, I get the chance too. How cool is that? My advice to all of you out there is to just go for it, whatever that "it" may be for you. I am living proof that dreams do come true! After all, if you don't go for it, you'll never know what may have been! I wanted to share with you, my blog family, this amazing news and to also let you know that this is why I will not be blogging as regularly for the next week as I prepare for my appearance. Don't worry, I will keep you posted on when my show airs. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for the kind words of encouragement I have already received. You all are true blessings!!!
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