But, even though I missed out on numerous games of freeze tag and an opportunity to learn how to French kiss, staying home had its rewards.

I got to hang out in my family room, while my friends were stuck in school under the authority of teachers and administrators.

And, I got to watch The Price Is Right.

Every day from my couch, I would admire Bob Barker on that staple of American television, wondering what it would be like to "come on down" and bid for a chance to give him a big smacker on the cheek.

I found out, and it was amazing.

My roommate Edith came up with the idea originally, and since she, my roommate Cory and I were spring breaking in Los Angeles, it made perfect sense to try to get on the show.

I woke up around 6 a.m. the day of the taping, thanks to Cory's commitment to our plan.

"Yo, hurry up! We've got to go," she reminded Edith and me, as we dragged our sluggish bones from bed to shower to front door to car.

The free tickets we picked up the day before informed us that we needed to be at CBS studios by 7:30. No problem, I thought, as we sped down the freeway in our egg-shaped rented Daewoo.

But, when we arrived five minutes early, we stood far from first in line. About 250 people were ahead of us, from all parts of the country, wearing all kinds of T-shirts.

There was the "Bob Barker for President" guy, a group of Texan senior citizens in bright yellow, collegiate gear-clad kids from South Dakota and a gaggle of teen-aged girls in softball T-shirts that read, "Future Barker's Beauties."

And then, there was us--three exotic women from Kershaw Street, boldly displaying some form of school pride with our over-sized, yet dashing, University of Delaware shirts announcing from whence we came.

Really, we just wanted to get on the show.

But, even though there were definitely some more creative ensembles, no one could match our early-morning enthusiasm. When we were told to come back to the studio at 12:45 p.m. to see if (after VIP seating) there would still be room for us, we kept our University spirit on overdrive.

"I'm hungry."

"I'm tired."

"What do you want to do now?"

"Can we just sleep in the parking lot?"

And that was only my moodiness.

Still, we persevered.

We made our triumphant return to CBS and discovered that they had leftover space in the studio audience after all. But, we still had one more line to wait in before the magical 2 p.m. taping could ensue--the audition.

Every audience member--with name tag in place--was asked to stand in front of the show's producer and say a few words, in hopes that announcer Rod Roddy would call their name during the show.

I did my best high school cheerleader impression when my turn came.

"I'm from the University of Delaware here on spring break 2000," I yelped, as an ear-to-ear smile filled the lower half of my face.

Sure, I may have sounded like a big cornball, but I was there to get on TV, not pick up guys.

And, my cheeziness paid off.

When the tapes started rolling, and Rod announced the first contestants to bid on "The Price Is Right," he called my name.

I couldn't believe my ears.

From that point on, everything moved so quickly, it seemed to blur. I suddenly became drunk on the lights, the music and the charming old-school atmosphere.

I was high on adrenaline, excitement and the realization of one of my childhood dreams.

It was out of control.

And, the experience got crazier still. After bidding only $23 shy of the price of an ornately crafted rug, I seized the opportunity of a lifetime.

I ran up on stage to see what I could win next, and gave Bob Barker the traditional smooch on the cheek.

I remember his stunning blue eyes, breathtaking stage presence and how star-struck I was every time he looked at me.

My heart beat faster.

And, I really don't remember much of what I did next. I know it involved a lot of jumping, clapping, screaming, "The Range Game" and a gazebo.

That's right, a gazebo. Somehow, dazed by the intensity of the crowd, I managed to follow their gestures for "higher!" and "stop!" and actually win a beautiful wooden outdoor enclosure.

Or, at least that's what the paperwork says--I still can't believe it actually happened.

And, it happened so fast!

You can be absolutely sure my VCR rolled tape during the April 20 airing, and I savored every minute of my on-camera silliness.

And, even though my Delaware T-shirt has returned to my sleepwear-only drawer, it has become immortalized on film since the event. *