BHO Thanksgiving Essay Entries

Duong Vu

There are many things to be thankful this coming year. Everyone says the usually [because it's so true] family, love, and life. Of course, those are three great things to be thankful for. However, I am thankful for the United States Men's Swim Team. [ No offense to the Women's team they rocked too.]

This summer was one of the roughest summers that I've faced. Not saying it wasn't fun or anything. Because let me tell you, it's one of the best I've ever had. But, nearing the end of my summer my mom thought it'd be better if I finished my senior year in high school in a NEW city AWAY from everyone I loved and cared for.

In August, the move was official. I was in Houston, Texas for good. I only had one goal. That one goal was to graduate and be accepted into The University of Texas at Austin. Well, right around the same time the 2004 Summer Olympics had begun. I had no friends and no where to go so what better thing to do then watch a dozen men or women do what they do best for our countries name.

So, everyday I'd watch the Olympics and oh guess what was the opener to the games. Yes, the category of swimming was up. I never really thought it was a good “sport” but hey why not watch some REALLY hot guys swim right? So, I got caught up on the swimming and loved the action. It helped me get past being new and having no friends.

Watching the United States Team swim made me want to get out of the house and do some swimming myself. When I was out swimming I made some new friends and I began to fit in to this new place I was put into. Also, when I'd watch swimming I'd notice where they went to college and I'd look up the college to see how good they REALLY were.

I was already falling in love with The University of Texas at Austin. The more I watched the O's the more I feel in love with the Longhorns. The presence of Aaron Peirsol, Brenden Hansan, Ian Crocker, Scott Goldblatt, Neil Walker, and several other great swimmers. (I can't name off the top of my head.)

And, of course on top of all these things. I feel in love with the younger members and even some older members on the team. No one can look past their gorgeous faces and ripped bodies. Watching the games and learned about the sport helped me make new friends and helped me fit in. It also kept me off the “streets” if I were to ever get on the streets. There are so many things to be grateful this holiday season. Yes, family is a big factor but also to the Men's United States Swim Team.

By: Duong Vu

P.S. Thanks for giving me something else to be thankful for. Because without the Swim Team I'd prolly never know what a great sport it is.

Lauren

This year I am thankful for the fact that I did a search during the Olympics on Ian Thorpe.
I am thankful that I clicked on the link that sent me to TWoP and Hot Olympians.
I am thankful that I followed Texas-Gal to OG when they said we could no longer talk about swimmers anymore.
I am thankful that I gave in and allowed myself to post when I could no longer stand it.
I am thankful that when I got tired of my new toy I found several others. Brendan and Grant and Meolans and Aaron and Crocker and Aleksander and.....
I am thankful for the laughter that I have had since I started posting there and the friendships that have been born there. And the knowledge that I have gained.
I am thankful that T-G and Michelle made their sites available to me.
I am thankful for the ability to squeee like a 12 year old girl.
I am thankful for the ability to afford myself a trip to Montreal next year and the knowledge that I am worth something so self indulgent. No, I don't know anyone who is swimming at the meet. But I am going anyway!
I am thankful that BHO is a fun place to hang out when I have already posted on every thread on OG. I am thankful for the Hansen family and their ability to laugh with us and see our humor.
I am thankful that Brendan could no longer stay quiet and had to post here too.
I am thankful that all over the world there are people who will open up and just be people, quirky, silly, funny, naughty people.
And lastly I am thankful for the notion, even if it is a delusion, that I may someday be included the list of "few people" who have seen the longhorn tattoo.

Lena pt. 1

Giving Thanks, Latin American Style

I've started many drafts already for this essay and none of them have pleased me. And then it hit me. They were not me. At all. I was trying to win this and somewhere down the line I lost my true view, my writing style.

So, I erased everything and I'm starting all over again. This is me, giving thanks for the things that happened this year. If you like it, that's fine. And if you don't, that's fine too.

What am I thankful for this year? I'm thankful that I live in a beautiful country whose spirit remains even in the hard times. I'm thankful that I can eat the best red meat in the world whenever I feel like doing so. I'm thankful that I have some of the best soccer in the world at the reach of hand any given Sunday. I'm thankful that once I had the chance to see Maradona play with the jersey of my team and beat the crap out of River 4 to 1. I'm thankful he did not die this year while he was hospitalized. I'm thankful that I have tangoand beautiful bohemian afternoons in La Boca.

And you don't give a damn about any of those things. But I do.

I'm thankful it was an Olympic year and that I got to see Swimming again. And wow, all this moments to remember: my first should be Georgina Bardach's bronze medal in the 400 IM. Only one medal in Swimming for Argentina. I know it does not compare with everything the US had won. But for us it means so much. Years of hard training in a country that pays no attention to Swimming. And Georgina got the bronze swimming with her heart.

I still squee! every single time I see Thorpe winning the 200m freestyle the way only he can do. I have tears when Pieter raises above Schoemann in the 100m freestyle. I have a special place in my heart for Popov and Scherer that said goodbye to the pool with this Olympic. You will be missed, cause from Russia to Brazil, both of you were magic in the water. I still feel like Crocker should have won the 100m butterfly. I really liked how he swam that race. I applaud Markus The Fair's impeccable sportsmanship towards Aaron Peirsol. I still curse the fact that Brendan Hansen got robbed. I still watch that almighty relay and get goosebumps.

It was a good year in swimming. And when I thought things could not get better… Indianapolis. The first time that ESPN Latin America decided to broadcast swimming, thank Futbol God! So, for 5 glorious days, I got to see all of it one more time. Brendan's amazing start, Crocker's impeccable fly stroke, Aaron's nice back kick. And if I'm allowed, as much as I like Ry Ry… it was really nice to see Thiago Pereira, the Brazilian Dark Horse, winning the IM. It was nice to see the Latin American Swimming, the one I grew up watching, up and high in the boards.

And one more time, with feeling, came that awesome relay… the one I have no words for.

That is for Swimming per se. Now, let's get to the dark side of it: I'm thankful for low cut jammers that allows us to see those Rings all of our swimmers seem to have in very, very interesting locations. I'd be forever grateful to the Indy cameramen/woman that showed Brendan's blade shoulder tattoo over and over and over again, as if it knew it was (it is) my favorite. I'm really thankful for the zippergates, both of them. I'm thankful that José Meolans is getting at least a little recognition in the OG world. I'm thankful for the last 10 years of his career, putting Argentina up in the list of male swimmers. I'm sure thankful for the Golden Sunlight Day. Very, very thankful.

I'm thankful for TwoP, that lead me to their Olympic Board, that later became OG and that took me to BHO. I'm thankful for all the people that I met there, people I laugh with, joke with, share with. I'm thankful for Brendan and his family, that are so nice to post and answer our questions and are funny and sweet. I'm thankful, above all, that Brendan knows how to handle a bow, cause after swimming, a good follow though is the sexiest thing in the world.

I'm thankful that Argentina came back home from the Olympics with two golden medals: the one in male soccer (the least they could bring home at the risk of being executed. We took our soccer really seriously); and the heartfelt one, the unexpected, the gold in basketball. You can have all the NBA players in the world, but if you ain't got no heart, Ginobili and company would take you down. And they did.

OK, before you ban me from the boards for rubbing it in your face (which I was not doing), let me just say that it has been a great year. I have new friends, I bought a new bow that would forever be at hand when Pumpkin is in need of it, I have my old friends, health and a good family.

So, on Thursday, as I'm walking down the streets of Buenos Aires, I'd take a moment to think of all of you celebrating Thanksgiving and I'd pray that you'd be bless with joy and peace.

And if I can start my Christmas' list early: I'd ask for peace in the world, the end of war and hatred. The end of hunger and poverty in third world countries. Better education that would lead to better understanding and respect towards each other. Love, friendship and family for everyone.

But if it is too much to ask for, a picture of Brendan's longhorns tattoo will do.

Lena pt. 2

OG Essay: Thanksgiving's Preparations in DenialVille

This essay is made out of multiple entries in OG during the week before Thanksgiving… It started after the Golden Google Awards and due to my anger over some results. I did make some changes, though…

Today, Brendan won best athlete of the year. We decided to celebrate it during Thanksgiving at our new home, and we invited Aaron, Jason and Ian, since the guys also won Best Relay of the Year. Ian promised to bring his guitar and jam for us. He's extremely happy because he won Best Race for his 100m fly!!
For my part, I'm thankful they got the credit they deserve and I'm trying to find out how to cook this type of meal since it's my first time. I think I'm gonna make milanesas and tuco de pollo instead. I wonder if they'd noticed the difference… And some dulce de leche, Pumpkin love it.

Personal note. Don't forget to send invitations to the OG girls to come for dessert with us.

I'm still trying to figure out what to cook. Brendan mentioned something about his family traditional stuffing, but I'm still not getting it. Can't we just make an asado? And Ian requested carrot cake. I don't understand how you put a vegetable in a sweet cake.
But what can you do? I promised I'd cooked for them.
Phelps called again to see if he was invited. I told him that unfortunately, there was no more room since newly hooked up Ry Ry and Kaitlin are also joining us.

Personal note: remember to get the snapshots of the tattoo for the OG girls. And plenty of chocolate for the dessert. Work on the excuses to get all the girlfriends locked up in the basement for dessert time.

Michelle and Texas Gal emailed me today. The CIA Trio Team has come up with some good ideas to get some exposure on the guys. And lala is already working in how to cut Aaron's hair without him noticing...
Personal note: Remember to keep the tequila away from lala.

lala and I spoke dearly on the phone last night. she's right: if we get Aaron drunk, he would not notice hwen we're cutting his hair.

Kaitlin emailed me today. Ry Ry and her are happy to join us and she promised to bring the sweet jams. Thank God cause I have no idea what that is or how to make it

Pumpkin just got back from training. I'm making him dinner (he's learning to like my puchero) and then we're cuddling to see "The Goonies".
Aaron just called. He said he'd bring the wine over for the Thanksgiving dinner. Apparently, he and Ian managed to sneak a few bottles from the Golden Googles while everyone was focusing on Phelps.
Jason also managed to steal the tablecloth...

Brendan did something really sweet today for all the OG girls. He's so happy they're coming for dessert on Thanksgiving and he promised to help me set them up with the boys. Our little secret though...

Aunt C called again. The whole family is dropping by for dessert b/c they want to meet my lovely OG friends. We're a big family now

So, for the rest… you might have to wait and see in Thanksgiving.

Lena pt. 3

If I ever get to pick a menu for Thanksgiving…

Hot Swimmers buffet

Apertizers: Ry Ry with some shrimps. Jose Meolans and some empanadas.

Entrees: Aaron and Markus Caesar salad

Main Course: Thorpe's baked dinner

Dessert: Blinfolded Hoogie and some strawberries

Coffe and Cake: Ian Crocker and some pastries, pretty please

Drinks: Popov and vodka, please

I'll take Brendan Pumpkin Pie Hansen and some chocolate sauce to go too.

Stephie Mc

I am extremely thankful that I was turned back on to swimming this year. Like many Americans, I was always very interested in swimming during Olympic years, but my enthusiasm quickly waned, partly because of lack of coverage, partly because I am easily distracted. This year was different. Because of the internet, I was able to find others interested in swimming and I have kept my enthusiasm for the sport going because of them.

And what keeps all of us going? I think it's the many different personalities in swimming. There is someone almost every person I know can relate to. We are all very fortunate to have so many dedicated, inspiring, fun swimmers out there. The enthusiasm and dedication they have for their sport makes me want to continue to follow their careers and makes me want to continue to know more about them.

There are so many great moments that will remind me of the past year. I will forever remember Brendan Hansen, Ian Crocker, and Aaron Peirsol breaking world records this past year, individually as well as together in Athens and Indianapolis. I am thankful that the Americans were able to walk away from Athens with their heads held high. The entire team was always gracious in victory and in defeat. (unlike a memorable incident in Sydney) As an American, I am greatful that everytime The Star Spangled Banner was played, the person who was atop the podium was someone worhty of respect, someone we could all be proud of.

Now for the basting and stuffting..

Well, number one on my list would be a certain Mr. Kitajima. I am disappointed that someone who did not deserve the accolade he received could stand atop the medal podium and accept something as special as a gold medal. The number one turkey of the year, is a dolphin boy!

I would also thoroughly enjoy basting and stuffing the referee and judges who had the audacity to try and disqualify Aaton Peirsol simply because he stool up for his best friend. It is sad that this sport was nearly tarnished because of the stupidity of others .

Janine