You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

Esas gitanas, and my winning entry! Feria de Abril 2010

My bedroom in America is the resting place for all kinds of relics and trinkets that I’ve amassed in my 26 years. I still cherish my gymnastics ribbons and trophies, keep framed pictures of early high school memories and a ribbon commemorating my perfect tests scores in Spanish class dangles from a bulletin board above my desk. I can’t say I’ve never won anything in my life, but I recently was awarded top photo honors from a photography contest hosted by Spanish food import company, La Tienda. While in America, I typically salivate over their selection of Iberian hams and patés.

So, in the days leading up to my birthday, I wanted to surprise Bri and Meag my having as Spanish of a fiesta as I could manage: sevillanas, Spanish flag, a few choice foods, and manzanilla. Had I brought my flamenco dress with me, it likely would have been waiting on my body for Bri at the airport! But I couldn’t resist shopping La Tienda to see if there was something extra special I could buy for them.

Instead, I got sidetracked with their Spanish memories photography contest thru Facebook. I submitted and, well, forgot all about it. Tuesday, I received a message which stated that I was the winner, and my photo received more than 25 “likes” and people touting my shot of young girls in flamenco dresses against a menacing grey sky in the comments box. Sadly, the $80 gift basket will be given to a relative from mine, as they don’t ship to Spain.

But, hey! I get all of that comida goodness on a daily basis, so I will be raising a glass of wine to myself later tonight anyway. Enjoy the goods, Uncle Bob!

Have you ever won a contest? Was your prize the coolest thing ever?