I've been told this is a good story so here we go. (Blame the people that told me so if you disagree).

So, it all started when I was looking on the Sun website at random competitions I could enter just for fun really. It was around June/July time, unsure which exact month.
When I came across one called "Great British Summer photography competition". In assosiation with Currys and Panasonic. The prize was £5000 holiday.
Seeing as I do photography I thought it would be a good idea to enter. I could upload 5 pictures (they were 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13 on my DA).
Then I'd compleately forgotten about it until in August I recieved an email saying I'd been shortlisted (picture 13) as one of 40 people in the final. The photo's were being exhibitioned at the Music Room Gallery, in the heart of Mayfair, London from 31st Aug to 4th Sept then September 5th there was a private ceremony for the 40 finalists and guests to announce the winner, Jodie Kidd being one of the judges.

So I invite my boyfriend, Ross, along with me. On the 5th September we get the train to London. We get there abit early so we can find where the place actually is. After walking around London (and wondering if the venue actually exsists) for awhile, we come across the Music Room Gallery on a little side street. By this time it's about 4.45, the doors open at 5.
We wait.. While waiting, we see a beautiful looking woman standing outside smoking. Its Jodie Kidd. Getting rather excited and very nervous we que along with the other finalists and finally the doors open!
We hand them our invitation and they let us in. First into the cloak room where we hand in our coats and into the gallery.
I then find out that there is going to be overall 3 winners, one from London paper, Sun newspaper and the Times newspaper and 3 runners up.
Not before getting a nice glass of (free) Orange juice, we have a look at the amazing photography displayed, I think to myself I have no chance of winning. Some of the other pictures were brilliant.
Getting abit restless we have a sit down. Then we notice waiters bringing canapés around. So we grab ourselves afew and sit back down waiting for the announcements at 6.30.
I decide I want to have my picture taken next to my photograph I ask my boyfriend to take it, then after watching Jodie Kidd for awhile I pluck up the courage to ask her for a photo together. She was lovely. Jodie asked if I wanted to have the picture next to my photograph, I suddenly felt shy about my photo.
As we got to my photo Jodie looked and said "Ah this is one of my favorites, well done, its great". My confidence soaring as we smile for the camera after giggling about the height difference with me and Jodie.

6.30 came and we all gather round the front to listen, they tell us Panasonic will be giving us all a free gift, either a camera or camcorder, which was another wonderful surprise.
Then onto the annoucements..
The overall winner of The London Paper entries was announced.. Terry Richer.
Onto the overall winner of The Times entries, which was Martyn Ferry.
Leaving the Sun newspaper to be annouced.
By this time I was so nervous yet so sure I wouldnt win.
The overall winner of The Sun newspaper entries was Abby Doda..
Me?
Yes, me! I couldnt believe it. I walked up to the front with everyone clapping for me. Jodie gave me a hug and a kiss, and handed me an envolope.
Shaking and grinning my boyfriend hands me a drink while getting a beer for himself. Letting it all sink in I go and collect my gift from Panasonic, I chose the camcorder. I have two very decent camera's and always wanted a camcorder.
I had numerous people comming up to congratulate me and asking where I was going to go on holiday.
Not thinking I'd actually win I hadnt really thought about it!
A few of the organisers and Jodie Kidd then came up for congratulate me, praising my work. None could believe I was only 19.

We leave soon after, getting onto a very busy train full of drunk football fans. Not the nicest train ride home..

I got £5000 worth of Thomas Cook vouchers. After alot of thought I have booked me and Ross to go on a cruise around Norway, also staying in an Ice Hotel for one night, in Feb. I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights, now I can. Hopefully get some nice pictures too! And in May we are going to Luxor and Cairo. It is my dream to see all things Egyptian, it has been an obsession since I was small.
So I get two holidays of a life time without spending a penny.. Well till we get there!