Lucky Girl

My name is Jessica Kulick and I am smiling at you. 

Here's the thing: I try not to ask for a lot of things in life. That is to say, I prefer not to ask for help, having been raised on the can-do attitude of my Czech grandmother who, as a 14 year-old girl in a new country, supported her entire family during the Great Depression by selling apples from the family's orchard, roadside. Then there's my Spanish grandmother who managed to not only learn a new language in a strange country, but raise four daughters on a seamstress's salary - by herself - when her husband (my grandfather) took ill.

I mean, I'm not comparing myself to them in any way. They are strong and wise in a way that I can only hope to be in fifty years or so. All I'm saying is that I was raised in a tradition of independent women. But I'm not too proud to say that I want - even need - your help: Lucky Magazine is sponsoring a competition (powered by Revlon) in search of a contributor to their new Lifestyle section. I've already made it to the third round out of five, but since it is an American Idol-style competition, I can't count on my hard work alone - I need votes from the public.

The thing is: winning a competition like this could totally change the face of my writing career. Instead of toiling in near-complete obscurity, I could write for a magazine I've loved since I was fifteen years old. 

So, I guess what I'm asking is: will you click the link below, and vote for me?

Entertaining, My Way:
A Classic German Feast

I would really, REALLY appreciate it.
(Voting ends Friday, September 23.)

P.S. Lucky requires that you register by filling out your name and address when you vote for someone. While I can understand that this is certainly a nuisance for some folks, it does help prevent people from just sitting at their computers all day, voting for their buddy or worse, themselves (since it's only one vote per person). It literally only takes a minute (I timed Dan), and they don't send any spammy emails once you've registered/voted. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
P.P.S. Voting is only open to residents of the United States. Boo.