Alright. Just registered here
But I have been following this forum for years already.
I can't tell exactly how many times I played DV Lottery so far because when I first applied I was in America - sitting in the same room, in front of the same computer, reading instructions on how to apply for DV Lottery. If it's not 2001 then for sure it was 2004 which tells me that this was minimum my 12th application (with one additional draw/reveal some 3 years ago it is actually 13 trials so far... OMG!) . But if I applied for the first time back in 2001 then it is 16 trials so far. I also played for my mother for at least 13 times, so a total number of trials for both of us is either 26 or 29 times.
In the mean time I have been 3 times in the USA. 2 times on a student exchange and 3rd time to obtain my masters degree. I guess I don't have to mention how winning a GC would change my life for better! Not for better, for amazing!!!
However, reality is harsh. I hate to admit it but - no luck so far :'( I know that chances are low but then again - they are not THAT low. 1 in 100 (or so) ain't bad according to me. It's not like a real lottery where usually a chance is around 1 in 13 million combinations to win the main prize. Here it's approximately 100,000 winners in 13 million, except that every person who got selected won BINGO!
I will definitely continue to play in the future as long as DV Lottery exists but I am afraid that my American Dream is dead. Gods of Fortune are not on my side obviously. I have done everything right in my life, everything that was in my power. But to achieve a complete success, happiness or zen (whatever you call it) - the one needs to have that benevolent spirit to accompany him or her throughout life (some call it 'mojo') and I miss that so much! I miss mojo! I have never had it
Anyway, congrats to all the winners this year and best of luck to all of us others next year!
P.S. Since there is no official info on total number of selectees this year (so far), and the number of people who have reported they won on various forums seems quite low to me, I still hope for some mini-miracle to happen and that maybe additional number of selectees for DV2017 will be revealed subsequently. Am I a dreamer?