Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Aimee H.
| Theme: | America's Game |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Orange Park, FL |
| Week of: | 01-03-2011 |
POSTED 1-7
From the moment I found out I would actually be on the show, I started to prepare. I immediately bought The Wheel of Fortune game for our PlayStation 3 and began training daily. I had strategies planned and thought I was ready, but boy was I wrong. The reality didn't hit me until we walked into the Jacksonville Airport; I had a mini break down, but recovered quickly and we were off to California. It seemed surreal (and still does) that it was finally here. It was time to see if my hard work and preparation was going to pay off.
Filming day started early and went non-stop all day; there are so many things that happen behind the scenes that viewers never see. As a huge Jeopardy fan as well as Wheel of Fortune, I had the honor of getting my make-up touched up by Alex Trebek's make-up artist. We were chatting make-up and she told me that she wasn't going to touch my self done eye shadow because it was perfect. All I can say is WOW.
I was randomly chosen to be on the sixth show filmed that day. I secretly wanted to be on that show because the theme was America's Game and I'm very patriotic. This was yet another detail that just seemed to fit. Although I had been preparing and had watched all the previous shows being filmed that day it all went out the window when I was actually up there behind the wheel. The moment I had been looking forward to for so long was finally here and the show began.
I didn't get either of the toss up puzzles, which was not part of my strategy and continued down a rocky path as I saw more Bankrupt wedges than anything. Then my luck started to change and I solved a puzzle. It was "If you play your cards right" and a prize puzzle. I won a weeklong trip to the Venetian in Las Vegas. This trip couldn't be more perfect. The love of my life, Mike (who has experienced every step of this journey with me) and I are planning a Vegas style wedding in September.
When Pat gave the wheel that final spin, I didn't realize what it landed on until I heard the entire crowd gasp. I still can't believe I solved the puzzle and made it to the Bonus Round. Even though I didn't solve the Bonus Round puzzle, I did get to stand on stage and chat with Pat Sajak and Vanna White. I know it happened, but I still may need a pinch.
Wheel of Fortune has changed my life forever. I feel fortunate and am grateful for all the love and support I've gotten from my friends and family along this journey. I can't thank Pat, Vanna and every person on the staff enough for making this the experience of a lifetime. Every single person I came in contact with was truly amazing and treated me like a star. Thank you!