So anyone on my Facebook and Twitter friend/follower list must definitely know the topic of rage that has consumed my timeline lately. I have won a car at the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). The last time I was this lucky was when being brand conscious with the choice of my pampers won my parents Gold in Oman.
I could very well go on about how awesome it is to have the honor of winning something, but to avoid being hated and jealousy is a green-eyed monster (says someone who gets jealous at the drop of a hat), let me bring it to you in the form of Tips. Rather, what I learnt in the whole experience winning a car at the DSF.
1. Use the Metro.
My entire winning scenario was wrapped around the efficacious use of the Dubai Metro. I woke up that morning firstly, late and secondly, feeling particularly groggy and almost decided to take a cab to work. In hindsight, as is always I'm glad I didn't. The Dubai Metro really is an awesome way to get around. It has its limitations regarding connectivity but is known to save quite a bit of time.
2. Use the Convenience Store.
The Zoom store where I got my Raffle Ticket is a very nice concept. Small stores at almost every metro station in Dubai. Prices are certainly up by a dirham or two, but the convenience of grabbing anything from a Newspaper to a packet of biscuits to a drink really wins you over. In my case, the Zoom store at the Noor Islamic Metro Station is located remotely and not along the exit path as it happens in other metro stations in Dubai.
3. Drink Green Tea.
Given my Diet choices from the past 4 months, the only things I went to get from the store were a packet of Green tea bags by Alokozay and a pack of sugarfree mints, the latter being something i have only found at the Zoom Stores. Green Tea really is an awesome beverage and is my go-to drink after a heavy meal or problems with digestion. Shout out to the boss, Mr. Asim Amin, for promoting a Green Tea friendly environment in the office.
4. Always write your full name.
There was a particular time frame in school where I used to write my name on all communication as Brian K. C. I hated people misspelling and making fun of my middle and last name and did this to cut out the chances of that happening. In college, I learnt to be proud of my whole name, its uniqueness, and how much it added to my character. So when I got that raffle ticket the first thing I did was to write down my whole name. Look how it paid off.
5. Pick up unknown numbers.
I know a lot of people who dislike picking up unknown number. Of course, they have their reasons. Now the call letting me know I had won was made closer to 11 pm in the night. I had just returned from the Gym and was preparing my food for the night.
6. Pray.
Once I got done with the call and a hug to celebrate with my room mate, I then proceeded to pray. Thank God for all he's given you and whatever he adds unto your name. For it is he who handles the grand scheme of things. Always.
7. Call your Parents.
My Dad falls asleep quickly on weekdays and my Mom was travelling that night. I made our neighbour in Salalah, Seby Uncle, wake Dad up just because I wanted to share the news with him. It had to be done. Thanks Uncle! I left a message for my Mom on Whatsapp that night and the next morning I placed a call to her to explain everything. Love You Dada and Mama!
8. Thank the people who played their part in your win.
Since I was sketching the same route via the metro again the next morning, I decided to pay a trip to the Zoom store again. The Ladies there treated me like a celebrity and took a lot of photographs. Never before have I felt so honored. I thanked them and indicated that a bit of their luck rubbed on to my lottery ticket as well.
9. Never Go Alone to a Presentation Ceremony.
Prior to Thursday, i did not know where Global Village, Dubai was. I consulted my colleagues at work and got a kind of idea regarding the same. At the Ceremony, the kind gentlemen asked me if I had a friend with a camera. I didn't. Both my Room mates were unavailable. In hindsight, I could have called and asked anyone else to come along, but I didn't. Real bad on my part. You need that one person atleast there because any momentous occasion really sucks if you don't share it with some one else. I missed my Dad, Mum and sister that day the most of all. (Thankfully, my virtual presence on social media gave me significant support. Glad to see that a lot of people have my back.)
10. Enjoy your 5 minutes of Fame.
I got on stage and on Live TV at the same time. 5 minutes of fame. Maybe Lesser, but thoroughly enjoyable. I picked up my chit. It was a Nissan Micra.
11. Miracles Happen.
6 months back, I was unhappy, dissatisfied with my life and did not know why I was in Dubai. I couldn't spot my purpose. 6 months ahead, it seems clear. I have a job which I like very much, I have lost a considerable amount of weight for the first time with my own effort and I feel like I have gotten closer to my parents and I appreciate them more now. To add to it all, I won a car! From a probability figure that would send folks into a tizzy, from entries across the wide city of Dubai, my name was picked. God is really great.
Its really been a ball, these past few days. Absolutely Enjoyable moments all along. Thank you guys for all the praise and support. I am lucky to have a prosperous ecosystem with my family and friends around the world who really come in and make good moments seem greater and make bad moments much better to bear.
Also, Dubai, I chide you too much. Thanks for everything.
I could very well go on about how awesome it is to have the honor of winning something, but to avoid being hated and jealousy is a green-eyed monster (says someone who gets jealous at the drop of a hat), let me bring it to you in the form of Tips. Rather, what I learnt in the whole experience winning a car at the DSF.
1. Use the Metro.
My entire winning scenario was wrapped around the efficacious use of the Dubai Metro. I woke up that morning firstly, late and secondly, feeling particularly groggy and almost decided to take a cab to work. In hindsight, as is always I'm glad I didn't. The Dubai Metro really is an awesome way to get around. It has its limitations regarding connectivity but is known to save quite a bit of time.
2. Use the Convenience Store.
The Zoom store where I got my Raffle Ticket is a very nice concept. Small stores at almost every metro station in Dubai. Prices are certainly up by a dirham or two, but the convenience of grabbing anything from a Newspaper to a packet of biscuits to a drink really wins you over. In my case, the Zoom store at the Noor Islamic Metro Station is located remotely and not along the exit path as it happens in other metro stations in Dubai.
3. Drink Green Tea.
Given my Diet choices from the past 4 months, the only things I went to get from the store were a packet of Green tea bags by Alokozay and a pack of sugarfree mints, the latter being something i have only found at the Zoom Stores. Green Tea really is an awesome beverage and is my go-to drink after a heavy meal or problems with digestion. Shout out to the boss, Mr. Asim Amin, for promoting a Green Tea friendly environment in the office.
4. Always write your full name.
There was a particular time frame in school where I used to write my name on all communication as Brian K. C. I hated people misspelling and making fun of my middle and last name and did this to cut out the chances of that happening. In college, I learnt to be proud of my whole name, its uniqueness, and how much it added to my character. So when I got that raffle ticket the first thing I did was to write down my whole name. Look how it paid off.
5. Pick up unknown numbers.
I know a lot of people who dislike picking up unknown number. Of course, they have their reasons. Now the call letting me know I had won was made closer to 11 pm in the night. I had just returned from the Gym and was preparing my food for the night.
6. Pray.
Once I got done with the call and a hug to celebrate with my room mate, I then proceeded to pray. Thank God for all he's given you and whatever he adds unto your name. For it is he who handles the grand scheme of things. Always.
7. Call your Parents.
My Dad falls asleep quickly on weekdays and my Mom was travelling that night. I made our neighbour in Salalah, Seby Uncle, wake Dad up just because I wanted to share the news with him. It had to be done. Thanks Uncle! I left a message for my Mom on Whatsapp that night and the next morning I placed a call to her to explain everything. Love You Dada and Mama!
8. Thank the people who played their part in your win.
Since I was sketching the same route via the metro again the next morning, I decided to pay a trip to the Zoom store again. The Ladies there treated me like a celebrity and took a lot of photographs. Never before have I felt so honored. I thanked them and indicated that a bit of their luck rubbed on to my lottery ticket as well.
The team at the Zoom Store, Noor Islamic Metro station who treated me like a Celebrity.
9. Never Go Alone to a Presentation Ceremony.
Prior to Thursday, i did not know where Global Village, Dubai was. I consulted my colleagues at work and got a kind of idea regarding the same. At the Ceremony, the kind gentlemen asked me if I had a friend with a camera. I didn't. Both my Room mates were unavailable. In hindsight, I could have called and asked anyone else to come along, but I didn't. Real bad on my part. You need that one person atleast there because any momentous occasion really sucks if you don't share it with some one else. I missed my Dad, Mum and sister that day the most of all. (Thankfully, my virtual presence on social media gave me significant support. Glad to see that a lot of people have my back.)
The Side View of the stage I went up on.
A Kind Emirati Teenager in the Audience obliged to take my photograph in front of the stage.
I got on stage and on Live TV at the same time. 5 minutes of fame. Maybe Lesser, but thoroughly enjoyable. I picked up my chit. It was a Nissan Micra.
The Chits come in balls of uniform sizes.
11. Miracles Happen.
6 months back, I was unhappy, dissatisfied with my life and did not know why I was in Dubai. I couldn't spot my purpose. 6 months ahead, it seems clear. I have a job which I like very much, I have lost a considerable amount of weight for the first time with my own effort and I feel like I have gotten closer to my parents and I appreciate them more now. To add to it all, I won a car! From a probability figure that would send folks into a tizzy, from entries across the wide city of Dubai, my name was picked. God is really great.
Its really been a ball, these past few days. Absolutely Enjoyable moments all along. Thank you guys for all the praise and support. I am lucky to have a prosperous ecosystem with my family and friends around the world who really come in and make good moments seem greater and make bad moments much better to bear.
Also, Dubai, I chide you too much. Thanks for everything.
