July 2007 was a remarkable period for me. Out of the blue I received this random phone call. One that I almost didn't pick up. I can remember the day clearly, I was filling up my car at the Shell station in Wiri, Manukau. When out of the blue, my cellphone rang. A number I certainly didn't recognize. After 4 rings, I finally took the call and this lady in her most cheerful voice announced that I've won second prize for opening an account through Raboplus. I've never won anything in my life! So I thought perhaps I've won a bike, a hamper or a voucher. To my extreme surprise, the caller said I won a trip to Paris to see the finals of the Tour de France. A return ticket to Paris with accommodation at the Westin hotel for 5 days!!! It was as if the stars aligned themselves, as the trip was right smack in the middle of my holiday leave. Talk about timing. I didn't have to beg my boss to give me a week off as I've just won a major prize! Pretty cool, huh? It turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. And the lovely part was, I shared it with my then boyfriend - Andrew (4 years down the track, I married this lovely man). We certainly took advantage of our time in Europe and visited not only Paris but Rome, the Vatican and London. One day, we hope to go back with our little daughter.
