*breathes into paper bag* OH MY GOODNESS

Friends on the internet.  About a month ago, I randomly decided to enter a contest.  It was The Windy City Chapter of RWA's Four Seasons Contest, to be exact.

I sent my first 25 pages off, really just looking for feedback.  That's all I wanted...some thoughts on what I was doing right, what could be improved, etc.

That's all I wanted.

Feedback.

Just feedback.

Then I saw the little (1) pop up in my gmail window, and thought it was my awesome CP replying to something I'd sent earlier...I'd just re-sent her a chapter, and thought that might be it.

Nope.

It was an email from the chair of the Four Seasons Contest.

I clicked on it, like "Oh, hey, I'd almost forgotten I'd entered that, I wonder what OH MY GOD I'M GOING TO THROW UP I DON'T THINK IM READING THIS RIGHT NO IM DEFINITELY NOT READING THIS RIGHT THERES NO WAY THIS IS HAPPENING.

Yeah, that's right.

I GOT INTO THE FINALS!!!

Let me repeat this.

I GOT INTO THE FINALS!!!

And then I told my roommates I was going to throw up.  They were concerned, but excited once I explained myself.  Then I sent an email to my CP, telling her about the nausea.

And now I'm typing this.  I was so tired before I got the email.  I thought I would be going to sleep soon.

I was so. wrong.

*does frantic happy dance*

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Oh, and to top it all off, I get a certificate for being a finalist!  You better bet that I'm framing that bad boy when it comes in the mail :)