Online Contest

TrueMix company having a series of "like" contest, previously was "My man can cook" photo contest. And "Thermomix Super Chef Dessert Contest".

This is my first time joining photo contest, I used to receive messages or tag that friends asked me to like their photos, I will do it without any hesitation. Just a "Like" anyway.

Here is my thoughts and things I went through in this period of time.

I didn't read the condition of "My Man Can Cook" contest properly, I assumed the one who gets the most "like" wins, on the last day, I realized it was for "Top Six" winners.
I tried very hard to get more "likes", sending individual messages to all of my friends in the list, one by one, I have more than 2 thousands of friends, just trying to send as many as possible. Yup. Then the other competitor chasing very closely (I was so careless without noticing that I don't have to be the most "like", I am already in the top 6 list), I still sending messages every minute, whenever I am free.
Then sending message to members of my created group Selangor Garage Sales Corner. There is about 16K + members, what I did was, browsing through the group wall, looking those that were active recently.
Was quite happy to do this, Many members were very helpful and friendly, they wished me luck, and Thanked me for managing this awesome group.

There was a lady who shall stay anonymous, messaged me to ask: "It is appropriate to do this?"
"As in..." I replied.
She didn't say anything more instead posted up with a photo she snapped on her phone, showing my message, which I wrote:
"Hi, I am the admin of Selangor Garage Sales Corner". I would like to call for your help. I am entering a photo contest...bla bla bla.... Thanks. ( Then the link)"

Then she wrote on the post: "Dear admins, please discuss among yourselves, is it appropriate to do this."

As a founder of this group, I have all rights to delete her post, and I thought, what was her intention? Why didn't she answer me via message? Her intentions to test if I dare to approve the post or I will delete it? Obviously I don't know what was her intention, I assume she is challenging me for not daring to approve her post.
Yup, I approved that post, and wrote a comment, let's discuss openly.

There were a few of members voiced out their thoughts, some agreed, some don't.

I am amazed not what other wrote, I am amazed how this lady and another two beautiful ladies read my message, they all were angry because they interpreted my message as, "I am an arrogant lady, using my POSITION to command them to do this for my personal benefit, I am being abusive as an admin!" Many more odd mentality, I can't recall. Forget about it, they were rather aggressive, they themselves forgetting that they were in a situation of bullying me.

For a normal and healthy mind, you will be amazed by their interpretation.

The comments went on. Some suggested to delete this post, I told them I want to read how other think about this incident.

At last, I commented and stated out the reason and made my appology to this lady (to make sure she receive notification, I tagged her in the comment) because I have caused her so much trouble.

To state that I am admin of SGSC, is to introduce myself where and how I get to her, and she is member of this group in which we are "connected' and "related". I like having this group as a platform for selling and buying, people get to communicate and make great friends, unlike other buy and sell websites.

I am not being abusive to my authority by sending private message to my group members to ask of help.

She kept quiet.

The post was deleted the next day.

I was quite cool that night, I prayed and asked God to give me strength and wisdom to deal with this situation.

But not the next day.... I was very very unhappy, and I vented out on my timeline, "Having a group with 17k members so what? So what? So what? I can't even send private messages to members. Why? Why? Why?

Why?

Then it went on....nothing is changed, I still message members to ask of help though. Haha. Just skip those bitchy faces.

I met some great members, encouraged me do not let fear stops me from doing it. These were very inspiring people, we don't know each other, yet they supported and helped.

I won in this "My Man Can Cook" photo contest, one of the top 6.

It was great!

Next, entering final of "Thermomix Super Chef Dessert Contest"

The day before Monday, felt very demotivated, and discouraged...
I did, very low in spirit. Felt lonely.... Tiring.... Unhappy....
Giving up.... I even told my competitor I am tired and let it be, be it win or lose....

The contest went on, we both making the same thing, she is making Oreo cake pops, and I am making Cake balls.

To the stage.... Am really feeling unfair.... First of all, Oreo?!! A SuperChef contest.... Using Oreo? Basically just crush and mixed ....

Some feedbacks were, Oreo very sweet, I can imagine that. Yeah, very sweet.

I am happy that we both making the same theme, contest supposed to be in this format, easier to rate and judge when both making the same kind of dessert.

Let's see how is the result.... According to my previous round, based on the marking I read, and the actual situation as in what I heard from the back kitchen, ingredients were not well cooked, and the recipe was not originally by the contestant, it was given to her a day before, she never cooked that before, many helping hands in the kitchen.... There were some biases comments I over heard.

This is how I feel.... Tiring and heart Breaking, I put in so much effort, understand that they (advisors in the HQ) were big group of old friends and gel very well to each other, and I am just me, plus a few of new friends whom I believe they are fair and just.

I need strength and wisdom.... I need God's grace to help me to overcome this battling-mind.

Giving up is the thing I want to do, but I also want the "Chocolate" cookbook, this is my very purpose of joining this contest.

I pray that God, you take control of this situation. Make it a fair game to all. At least Lord...may be Lord wants me to learn..... To survive in unfairness...

I will survive! Praise the Lord! Whatever it will be, I will survive! Because nothing is more precious than getting a distinction in a lesson God wants me to learn. (Sounds awesome and great right?) When God shuts the door, no one can open, why the sad face? All things still work for the good of those who love Him and do according to His will.

Phew... Last thing, really..... You get all kind of friends in the list, some support all the way, some facebook friends (haven't met personally) just helped and encouraged, some friends ignored your message, some.... Showed you a sticker - frustration sticker.

See, isn't it interesting? I can tell lot more I have seen in this situation.

Well, overall, I still have many who helped and shared.

I have learned another thing, those that joined a contest and won, not because they have many friends, not because of "Not Fair", these people really spent a lot of time sending out messages, approached people, posted many places and many times in a day, don't somehow say "Not Fair", the won because they put in a lot of their effort.

Sigh, I wonder I will ever join this kind of contest again, very tiring.