Thankful to Be Coming Home

      It is that time in the semester where the stress is piling on, the motivation is dampening, and all you want to do is go home. It has only been three or four weeks since I have been home but it still feels like a long time. I think this is one of the first times I have kind of been homesick while being at college, which is odd seeing as though I only live an hour away. Usually when I am away from home I don't miss it which sounds bad but it really isn't. I am so busy with work, school, and friends all while still staying in contact with my siblings and parents so I make it by just fine. This may seem odd but I miss home when I am home because I am reminded of what I am away from when I am not around. When I am home I am reminded of how lucky I am to live where I live, and to have my loving family and friends. Besides the obvious things there are so many little things about being home that am thankful for. Here are some of my favorite things about being home:

• Having a shower head that is taller than me
• Having a kitchen FULL of food that I can bake and cook with and don't have to pay for. ;)
• 2 words: Mom's food
• Family dinner conversations
• My own bed- at school I sleep on a futon with a mattress pad. It's great but doesn't measure up to my bed at home.
• Holding my dog 
• Enjoying the sunset view from our house
• Walks at the park across the street
• Having Target just 15 minutes away
• Being able to completely relax. Just ask any of my family members. When I come home I crash hard. 

Addie, our 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier 

The Crew: Larissa, David, Me, Shawn, and Amy

Home

How I Became a Mustang

    4 years ago I was still on the hunt for a college to attend. I toured several universities in Wisconsin and only one of those felt semi-okay. As time was ticking away I started to feel anxious that I hadn't found a place that made me feel comfortable; this was until I toured SMSU.

    On this exact day (Nov. 12) I toured SMSU with my Dad. Originally, I was hesitant to tour the university because I felt like I already knew the place; my Dad is an SMSU basketball alumnus and for several years he brought me to Hawaiian Night and other men's and women's basketball games. I have great memories of these trips to Marshall. I loved seeing the crazy student section (who knew I would be in it years down the road) and mostly watching the mens team play. I truly became a fan of SMSU basketball before I even attended the university. I followed the team way more than any other sports team I liked and couldn't imagine going to any other university in the same division and to cheer against the Mustangs.

     To this day I don't know why I didn't consider SMSU sooner. I loved attending basketball games so why not check out the academic side of the university? Well thankfully I did just that. I remember being nervous to tour SMSU because I was having a meeting with an admissions counselor and having a one-on-one tour where I couldn't hide in a group. Huge shout out to Trent Lueth who was my tour guide and Jess, my admissions counselor.  They both made me feel comfortable and like I could ask anything.

    I don't remember the specifics of the tour but what I do remember is the big smile I couldn't take off my face when "I knew". It all hit me when we were walking in the Culinology hallway. Don't ask me why it was at that moment that I made my decision especially because I am not a Culinology student, but I did. The big difference between SMSU and any other college I toured was that I felt welcomed and that I could succeed here. Coming from a tough high school experience I had lost faith in my academic ability. That day I felt a bit of that come back. This is really the only way to explain how I was feeling.

   Attending SMSU was one of the best decisions I have ever made. In the last four years I have gained confidence in my ability to succeed and that I am capable of more than I think. I will forever be grateful for this place and everything it has given me. It is crazy that my time here at a student is coming to an end however, my time as a Mustang isn't. I look forward to coming back for many basketball games and Hawaiian Nights with my Dad as two alums.

The day I was officially accepted at SMSU. 

Thanks for the Memories #7

      For the past four years I have been blessed to watch my brother David play varsity football. He is a very talented and humble athlete who has given me so many reasons to be proud. This past Friday, his football career ended, but I don’t want to focus on that. Instead, I’d like to think back to the amazing memories that were created these past 4 years. I think my Dad sums it up best:

"In the past 4 years these boys have provided us with a lifetime of memories. They include a varsity record of 40 wins and 8 losses. Two Southern MN Conference titles. Three Section 2A Championships. Three trips to the State Tournament. Two trips to the MetroDome. Two State 3rd place finishes. A 25 and 0 record on our home field. We have lived the dream watching you grow and play the game you love. Thanks for the memories."

I have truly lived a dream watching David have so much success on the football field. I am sad to see it end, however I am incredibly thankful for the memories created and how this crazy journey has brought my family closer. I don't think I have ever been more proud of someone in my entire life.  

Freshman Year: 2011 Section Champions 

Freshman Year: 1st Round of State: Advancing to Semi-Finals in the Metrodome

Sophomore Year: 2012 Section Champions

Junior Year: 2013 Section Champions, State Semi-Finalists 

Senior Year Highlights:
"Surprenant's gold helmet shined a little brighter than it normally did in his final regular-season home game...The senior running back for Sleepy Eye St.Mary's became the school's all-time leading rusher with a game-high 168 yards on the ground in a 52-0 blowout win against Cedar Mountain/Comfrey in a Southern Minnesota Conference football game on Friday night...
Surprenant scored four total touchdowns- three rushing touchdowns of 16,27 and 4 yards before hauling in a 52-yard score on a screen pass from senior quarterback Brandon Helget.

There is a story behind the brighter gold helmet. ;) 

Game #7 vs Wabasso: " David Surprenant had 17 carries for 219 yards and one touchdown" 

Sleepy Eye St.Mary's David Surprenant named KNUJ Offensive Player of the Week

Brandon Helget and David Surprenant of Sleepy Eye St.Mary's named Prep Athletes of the Week

"Big players make big plays in big situations... St.Mary's quarterback Brandon Helget took the snap and took one step forward before dropping back. That small hesitation allowed David Surprenant to get behind the Springfield secondary and Helget found him for a 41-yard touchdown to propel the Knights to a hard-fought 28-19 win in the Section 2A semifinals."

"David Surprenant named Southern Minnesota Conference Offensive Player of the Year"