Archive for July, 2009
Jul 2009
Some Good Eatin’
Our waiter with the cuts of meat we can choose from
Assortment of meats and cheeses...figs are grown out back!
MMMMMMMM!!!!
Davis, Dan and me at La Valley
Part of the outside seating at the beautiful restaurant we went to in the countryside!
Our outdoor training pool in Riccione
Leavin’ on a Jet Plane
About to leave LA.
Our Jet once we landed in Italy
Just a peek at some of the snacks they had waiting for us
Chillin' before we took off
Cullen and Bob Bowman
Dara watching a movie
The incredible omelet Fred made for me! mmmm sooo good:)
The pilots doing their thing...they got us there safe
ESPYS
My trip to LA for the ESPYS was phenomenal. My sister Hillary met me out there for the awards. We both had an incredible time together. The entire trip was filled with excitement from start to finish. First we arrived in LA and checked into our hotel that was filled with all different sports stars and personalities. It seemed like everywhere we went we ran into people we were used to seeing on TV. One thing that is really apparent when you meet these people is that they are all very pleasant to talk to...they're real people too. I think sometimes society makes movie stars or sports stars seem like fictional characters who have super powers when in actuality they're just people like you and me. For example, I had a chance to talk with Pittsburg Steeler's quarterback Ben Roethlisburger for a bit after the ESPYS and he told me he still gets goosebumps every time he watches our relay (and he's won two Superbowls). Another guy I was really excited to meet was Donald Driver (wide receiver on the Green Bay Packers). I've been a Packer fan as long as I can remember and Donald Driver has always been one of my favorites. He has a wonderful reputation as being a great guy and through talking to him I can say this is totally true.
One really spectacular and somewhat unexpected perk was the free stuff they gave us. I'm not talking about t-shirts, hats, and water-bottles. I'm talking about watches, designer sunglasses, cameras, ihome systems, PS3's, free trips, HD video projectors, BOSE speakers etc. They told us the total worth of the gifts we received was over $25,000! Can you believe that? I still barely can.
Once we got to the ESPYS we were taken to the 'red carpet' where they announced each star as they walked out of a door onto the 'red carpet'. The crowd claps and cheers and then you proceed to talk to other guests and take pictures. The only pictures I really got were from the 'red carpet' because once you got inside cameras were not allowed:( Some of the people I met were Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Aaron Rodgers, Jeremy Piven, Kent Desormeaux, Kevin Durant, Samuel L. Jackson etc.
As the show started I was getting really excited and a bit nervous as to whether or not we would win the award for "Best Moment". Either way I felt really lucky to be there and was having an incredible time! When the moment of truth came I was getting really excited. When they showed the replay of our 400 Free Relay a tear almost came to my eye. I rarely ever watch that race unless I show it at an appearance or something so when I do see it the drama and excitement brings a lot of emotion back me. When they called out the "US Olympic Relay" I turned to my sister and gave her the biggest hug! Michael, Cullen and I went on stage and accepted the award. Jason was patched in on the video screen from Israel on a live webcast...it was really sweet. After the award we were taken to do some interviews and take pictures. Now I understand why most people wear sunglasses when they get that many pictures taken of them...I could barely see because of all the flashes haha:P
Day's like this really make me realize even more than usual how lucky I am and what an incredible life I have. I seriously think to myself sometimes and ask myself, "what else could I possibly want?" I'm very fortunate!
Thanks to all of you who have supported me and helped me fulfill my dreams...for without y'all none of this would have ever been possible.
Flyin’ High at 41,000 feet
Win at ESPYS
Garrett and the relay team won an ESPY last night--pretty sweet stuff. It will be televised Sunday night. They hopped on a plane immediately to catch up with Team USA in Rome. More later.
LA Update
I just wanted to make a really quick update. I'm about to head off to practice here in LA. Swimming will be short and sweet but get some good sprints in. The day is pretty filled with ESPYS engagements and is going to be really a ton of fun. My sister got here last night and I'm so thrilled she could be here to experience all of this with me. Some of the day's events that I know of currently are, a special breakfast for all the guests, a gifting session where we get (supposedly) super cool stuff, pre-ESPY get together/party at the hotel, red carpet at the event, The ESPYS, not sure if we are going to go to any type of after party because they have a private jet waiting for us after the awards to take us straight to Italy. It's going to be an incredible day!!! I am so fortunate...and excited:)
Update from Garrett’s dad
At Nationals last week, Garrett punched his ticket to Rome in the 4 X 100 relay. That's pretty great in my book, but he wanted to do better in individuals--third in the 100 and 50. He was disappointed and never really felt his stroke kicked in the way he wanted. They tried a few different things this year in training. I try to remind him the tweaks made over the past nine months will pay off in the long run. Patience, my son. Tonight he and the relay team are at the ESPY awards in L.A. Then off to Rome. I am sure he will update as things settle in once they get to Italy.
Got to Indy Safely
Hi y'all! Sorry for the lack of posts. I got to Indy safely. I've been feeling pretty good in warm-ups and shaved today. I swim the 200 free tomorrow morning. I'm really looking forward to getting the meet started:) I'll try to update if/when I can. I honestly don't really feel like writing or doing much of anything during meets. Your best bet is to follow my Twitter. Thanks for all the support!
News 8 Austin Story
You may like to check out this news story done on me this past week. Click Here Ugh I'm so stir crazy it's ridiculous...someone please come entertain me...
Twitter Updates
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