Whew.
Hi guys! How have you all been? It's been kind of long, after all.
I came back from the national competition on last friday. I won the Fourth Place, and also the Best Use of Language Prize. Nothing too bright; I expected much more.
On Wednesday, we arrived at the Windsor Hotel at 5:30, I think. Then we were taken to a welcome dinner, where some english-speaking volunteers were going to be, too. It was really nice, and I was able to talk with some of them...in english!
On Thursday, it was the first round of the competition. The 15 participants had to do their speeches, and answer one question. My speech was about New Zealand. Then, we were taken for a tour around Santiago, and to the bowling later on (I won!) and also to an unlimited buffet (where I only ate salad and cherries, haha).
Lastly, on friday, it was the official competition. The 15 participants did their speech, and then was a ceremony to thank all the volunteers that worked here this year. Later, they mentioned the four finalists of the contest, and I was one of them. We did our speeches again, and then they mentioned the winners.
When I received my fourth place (with a looong face, I confess), some of the volunteers that sat behind me told me that they didn't agree with the jury's decision, and that I deserved to win. Most of the teachers said so, too. Frankly, I thought I would get a second place, at least, but Fourth is also good!
Besides, I won a pink Casio watch and a green iPod Shuffle.