Favorite MSU Moment in 2011

I LOVVVVEEEE MSU basket ball season. when i saw the first basketball game is the first year in spartan studium. i remeber is beat the michigan university. we are so excited when we were won this season. my friends and i were so crazy and celebrate whole night. i saw many students were cry and singing. we all were dancing outside and yeld loudly. ouside are still snowing and we are so hot to jumping. i remeber, that is too cold, but we drive the car open the window to dring throw the whole campus.

2011 was the first year I stepped on to MSU's campus as a student. I transfered here from Schoolcraft College, and it was my first semester at State. I'm sure some students have posted this but two of the most memorable moments of the year for me were both football games against Michigan and Wisconsin. I grew up as a Michigan fan, but I fully transitioned soon after trasfering here; especially after crushing the wolverines! The Wisconsin game was easily the best sporting event I have ever been to. Witnessing Kirk Cousin's hail mary to Keith Nichol, winning the game as underdogs , and the atmosphere of the student section was incredible to be a part of.

My favorite MSU 2011 memory would have to be the Wisconsin vs. MSU football game (like everyone else). I remember standing in my seats with all of my friends and we were all almost positive that we did not score and we were so confused why there where even discussing it and we were just waiting for them to say no TD. All of a sudden, as we were talking, it is announced that it was a touchdown, and we all freaked out and I lost my voice instantly. As I walked out of the stadium, I recorded the walk out to the outside of the stadium, and people were just screaming and cheering and singing so loud it was incredible. Still till this day, I have the video of everyone walking out of the stadium and going crazy and it brings me back to an amazing football game. It was the most exciting sporting event I have ever been to, and by far the most memorable moment of my MSU four years.

My top MSU memories were the hail mary victory over Wisconsin and the snow day. I tell myself everyday I am so thankful to be an MSU student and have a genuine appreciation for this university. 

As an avid sports fan, the hail mary victory could not have been a better game. I work for the athletic department and although I am grateful to be on the field for every game, this was by far the greatest. With it already being an entertaining game, there was not much more I could ask for (aside from a win). However, when the hail mary was thrown and completed, the energy surrounding the stadium was surreal. I love the unity in spartan stadium and that night it was on an entirely different level.

My other favorite memory is the snow day. Being part of history was so exciting, as it was something that had not happened in over 40 years. Campus is a lot of fun when students and staff have high positive energy and the snow day was the perfect example of that. Students were ecstatic they did not have to attend class, and staff equally excited they did not have to work. Witnessing the beautiful white campus and students enjoying the snow was extremely memorable. 

My favorite memory of 2011 would be the MSU vs. Wisconsin game. This was my last year on the MSU dance team and I was taking in every moment on the field. The Hail Mary pass to end the game is something I will never forget. The feeling of excitement and sharing the moment with all the other spirited Spartan fans in the stadium was a great memory.

Definitely my favorite memory of 2011 would have to be the MSU vs. Wisconsin game at Spartan Stadium.  It was a night game spent with my favorite people at State, not to mention it was a great game of constant back and forth and then the hail mary pass to finish it all.  Right when they announced that the pass was complete we all just ran up to the front and Cousins and Worthy kept jumping up in the crowds, it was awesome.  I experienced such a sense of pride and community that night and I will hold onto those feelings forever.

My favorite 2011 memory is actually comprised of two memories. One would have to be the football win over Wisconsin in overtime. I was at the game and it was so close. You see the hail Mary go up and think, that would be so awesome if he catches it for the touchdown. Then it happened. The student section went nuts and it was such an amazing memory as a senior. Everybody waited for the replay, and the TD was confirmed and it was sweet. Campus was just so happy and excited for the rest of the weekend.

My second favorite memory of 2011 was the renewal of a long course swim meet in the IM West outdoor pool in the fall. It was a beautiful day in October, high 70's. Due to my shoulder surgery I was unfortunately announcing instead of racing, but it was awesome to be in the middle of campus on a football weekend, outside. It was sunny, we won, and a great time was had by current students, family, and alumni. It was the first time in over a decade that we had hosted an outdoor dual meet and it was really memorable.

Being at Michigan State for the past three years has definitely been more than a rewarding experience. I have had countless memories, made plenty of new friends, and been introduced to the culture that is MSU.

2011 was a great year for me. I moved into a house off of Gunson Street and was truly introduced to the
“college experience”. My favorite memory or memories from this year hands down had to be the Football season. Nothing beats being in East Lansing on a Fall afternoon, tailgating with friends and going to see the defending B1G champions in action. Out of all of the games this year, I would have to say that my favorite game was the Wisconsin game, where the Spartans won on a last second “Hail Mary” from Kirk Cousins to Keith Nichol. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, and when the referee overturned the call on the field to a touchdown (which was previously ruled down at the 1 yard line), the place erupted. I had never been so hyped to be a part of a crowd in my entire life, and could not be more proud of my football team. I also attended road games at Notre Dame, Ohio State, and went to the B1G Championship in 2011, which was hands down my favorite year at State so far. 

Believe it or not, my favourite MSU moment is the day I stayed up whole night in the library to work on the homework with my classmates. The next morning when we walked out the library, it was all white outside, the air was so fresh and I haven't seen the sunrise for years. At that moment, I really feel like this beautiful and amazing campus and it is really the greatest morning I have ever had here.

My favorite MSU moment in 2011 was the first time that I came to MSU. I came here from China in August, in which month MSU was totally green. Actually my first impression of MSU was green—green trees, green shirts, green hoodies, green hats and all other green stuffs. No wonder the slogan of MSU is “go green”! Everything here was so fresh to me and the campus looked beautiful and energetic while wearing green.

Another amazing thing was that I started to love watching football game of MSU! I knew nothing about football before I came here, but I really got excited when watching our team fighting against others. Everyone shouted and screamed--that's the moment I think I'm really a spartan!

Greatest MSU memory of 2011? Being acepted into MSU (as a junior) after finally completeing all of mygeneral education credits at a community college. I've wanted to attend MSU since the beginning of my college career, but because of financial ineffeciencies I chose to begin my journey elseware. When I was waiting to hear from MSU, I check the mail everyday. When it finally came, I was so excited to recieve the acceptance letter! It was probably one of the best days of my life. 

Somehow I missed commenting on this blog the first week, but since I don't see a new post for this week and I already commented on the facebook blog here it goes.  My favorite memory of MSU from 2011 would have to be from the Spartan Football season game against Wisconsin that was right here in Spartan Stadium.  To this day, no proper amount of wording can describe what it was like to be there at that game.  I have been so lucky to be a student in the student section (which I think should still be the corner blitz) over the last few seasons of Spartan Football.  They have been amazing.  I know people must say this all of the time, but what a great time to be a Spartan. GO GREEN!

My favorite MSU memory from 2011 would have to be the epic snow day we had. Everyone knew there was a huge blizzard coming but the fact that it was bad enough to cancel all classes was amazing. I remember everyone constantly checking their emails to see if there was any update of cancelled classes and indeed the email did come! I was especially happy because I had a quiz scheduled that day and the snow day gave me a few extra days to study (not that I spent my snow day studying) it was exciting none the less. I loved the fact that everyone had to walk and brave the snow if they wanted to venture anywhere. People where walking down the middle of the street because there was not a single car on the road. I remember seeing people sledding off the roofs of houses because the snow mounds were so high, ridiculous. But overall it was a really fun experience and I think its safe to say every Spartan was happy that day!

My favorite MSU Moment of 2011 was football season (in general). I am a huge sports fan, especially Spartan football! It was a bittersweet thing knowing that it was my last season attending games as a student here at MSU, but I will always remember the memories Spartan Stadium has brought me! Specifically I would go as far as saying when MSU beat Wisconsin would be considered my favorite moment for the 2011 season. Since it was such an unexpected win it was pandemonium in the stadium after that win. A close second would obviously be the win over U of M. I am always a proud Spartan on those days. It is amazing to say I will graduate having the Spartans beat U of M in football each year I attended MSU!!! GO GREEN!

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/msu-m-footbl-sched.html

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2011-2012/teamstat.html

My favorite MSU moment in 2011 was definitely beating Michigan in football.  It was the fourth year in a row for me as a Spartan, and I couldn't ask for more out of our football team.  It feels great to have those bragging rights under my belt.  No matter how we do in the upcoming years, I can always relfect on my time as an undergraduate and the domination of our in-state rivals.  Football season, to me, has always been the best time of the year.  The success of our sports teams has only added to the good times I've had at MSU.  Everyone is always in a good mood and ready to celebrate after an MSU win.

My favorite MSU moment would have to be beating Michigan in football. My whole family are Michigan fans and my brother just graduated from there so needless to say I am looked down on in the family lol. Being able to rub it in my families faces is a great feeling. Also, my boss at work went to Michigan so bragging rights are a nice thing to have in this college town. The past 2 years have been nice to be able to brag about my school since a lot of people I know are Michigan fans. Im hoping this will carry on into my Senior year to say that every year I attended MSU beat Michigan. I have to have something to back up going to MSU to say to my familly. 

My favorite moment at MSU in 2011 was, hands down, my study abroad experience. I was a part of the Marketing and International Comparative Dimensions of Business program which spanned the first three and a half weeks of summer. I spent a week in Barcelona, Spain, a week and a half in Paris, France, two days in Brussels, Belgium, and three days in Prague, Czech Republic. Having only been to a few close Canadian cities and Cancun, Mexico for spring break, this was my first truly international experience. Arriving a day before the program started in Barcelona, I stayed in a hostel for the night. Although I was a little anxious at first, my worries were alleviated by the extremely friendly travelers I encountered there. Way outside my comfort zone, I easily made friends and set the tone for an excellent experience. I met up with the group the next day and was expecting it to be a very cliquey environment. However, everyone had the same mindset of making new friends and having a great time abroad. For the rest of the study abroad, the majority of the time was spent with the entire group hanging out. We got to see some amazing sights and experience new cultures. By far, my favorite city was Barcelona. The people there are so friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere is intoxicating. All in all, I strongly recommend studying abroad if you have the opportunity because I made dozens of new friends whom I still hang out with and got to share an unparalleled experience with.

There have been so many amazing moment from MSU for me to choose from but if I had to put it down to one it would be when I finally decided on the majors I wanted to go into. I had always been really indecisive on this subject as the job market has been so dismal and the thought of working a 9-5 I dread going to everyday is the last thing I want. No matter how high my paycheck could be I could never do a job that didn't intrigue me every single day. When I discovered the job market in public relations and the type of things you get to do with it I knew I was in love. It combined the interests of all the other majors I considered over the years and I can tell MSU is going to keep me going down the path I always wanted for a future career.

One of my favorite memories was my sophmore year the week of my 19 birhtday. I had the most fun of my college expirence. I partied with some friends, I was able to go to my first music concert. The concert was epic to be the first that I have ever attended. The headline of the concert was Lil Wayne and one of the small more local artist that I am familiar with was K-Deezy. That concert was the real start of what I have now grown to love which is music. That I must say was one of my most memorable moments here at state.

My favorite part of 2011 at MSU was probably the football season. It was great for me to watch my buddies lead MSU to one of the greatest seasons in MSU history. My class was the most successful class at MSU to date in terms of wins, and it was great celebrating with them what seemed to be week in and week out. It will be sad to see them all go as I return next year, but whether it was the tailgates, the games themselves, or the after parties, I know that this fall was a fall I wont forget. 

My favorite part about MSU in 2011 was MSU football!  I loved every moment of it.  Of course it was bitter sweet since it was the last season that I would be able to be a part of the student section to cheer on our winning football team.  I loved waking up early in the morning and walking around campus seeing all of the other excited students and alumni ready to for a great game.  The best part was that all of my friends had season tickets, so we always went to the games together and stayed until the last minute of the game.  I am definitely going to miss being a part of the student section and doing all of the cheers that added to the experience. However, I can't wait to come back as an alumni and actually sit down during the games!

I LOVVVVEEEEE MSU football season. I would def have to say that beating Michigan AGAIN was my highlight. I LOVE being a spartan and there isn't a time of year that is more exciting and perfect than football season fall. I love going with my closest fellow Spartans that I met on my MSU trip to Australia!

My most memorable moment at MSU so far was a field trip to Chicago i took for my STA 112 class. We were set loose with the requirements of visiting 2 museums & 5 galleries & an Art store. I took so many pictures and actually blogged about it after as an assignment. You can see my Chicago Art Institute & Chicago Conceptual Design Museum posts further down in my blog, www.AcademyAffaire.com. We took three buses filled with 50 plus kids each and traveled in groups. I've never seen so much of the city, which is hard to say since i went to DePaul my freshman year! Being back in the city was a breath of fresh air and will always bring out my best memories of the Windy City. What a cool experience to have through MSU. Here is an image of me in front of a piece of work at the Conceptual Museum. We all joke that it looks like Michael Jackson's Grave, haha.

2011 was a great year here for me at MSU.  I shared a house with four of my good friends and we lived two doors down from Dublin Square, so most nights were eventful.  However, I would have to say one of the greatest memories was the day that classes got cancelled due to the snow storm.  Not that I did anything out of the ordinary that day, but it was the only time in the five years I've attended this University that it has happened, and it was a great feeling indeed. 

My favorite moment at MSU in 2011 may actually be my most favorite moment at MSU period. And, yes, it was a class.

This past fall semester (FS11), I took a class with Ryan Claytor: Comics and Visual Narration. First off, I must say this class was fantastic, and Ryan really knew what he was teaching. But, more than that I actually produced something of value.And, I love the comic book medium.

Our class assignments were to make short story comics (around 3-8 pages each). At the end of the semester our final exam was to compile every story we made into one comic book. But wait there is more. We then held an in-store signing at 21st Century Comics and Games. The turn out wasn't the best, but it was still fantastic to sell, and talk about what I had made. I've never had a class that I made money off of . . .

It seems like I was just moving in to my dorm last year but these four years have really flown by. As I entered into my last year, I wanted to remember and enjoy every moment, but everything has moved so fast. One of my favorite moments of 2011 was the homecoming game. This game was bittersweet as it was my last as an undergrad, but I enjoyed being with great friends and just being able to have fun. 

    My favorite moment at MSU in 2011 has to going to see Rock of Ages at Wharton center with my roommate. I had seen the show on Broadway last summer, and had been begging my boyfriend to go with me, but his reluctance won out in the end. My roommate came home that night saying that she wanted to go to the show, and that she had no one to go with and asked if I wanted to go. Of course I said yes, and we put on our "stepping out shoes" as my boyfriend put it, got all girled up, and headed out for the night.  My roommate works for Wharton center, and already had a burned CD of all the songs from the show in her car, which we listened to all the way there.  The show was as good and as much fun as I remembered it being, flyers being thrown around the theatre, familiar rock music blaring and people tapping along.

It is really hard to pick my favorite memory from 2011, because I have had so many amazing times here. But overall, I think that moving into a house with 4 of my best friends was the best. My roommates and I have shared so many laughs and memories already in the four months that we have lived here. I really love everything about this school from the athletic teams to the enormous variety of majors. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

When I think about MSU, there isn’t a finite moment that goes down in the books as my “favorite.” My time here at MSU has been a journey—one that I will never forget, and it is the relationships I've formed in my four years here that will stick with me the most.

During my freshman year, I met my very best friend in my dorm and we've lived together ever since. She's helped me through some of the hardest moments of my life, and I doubt I'll ever forget her amazing ability to make me laugh. She has taught me that while some people in your life will come and go, some people will stand by you no matter what. 

As a sophomore at Michigan State I can honestly say that through my year and a half of being here, I have had very few moments that I couldn't deem as "my favorite." As of 2011 moments? It would be hard to ignore the atmosphere and excitement of an MSU football game day regardless of the year.

Going into my freshman year not particularly a football fan, and ending the 2010 football season as not only a fan, but also an avid follower of MSU football was beyond an accomplishment. After my freshman year was over and upon returning home to Minnesota for the long four months of summer break, my itch to come back to State was nearly impossible to ignore. The weekly social events, eating out for every meal, and total freedom were all components of school that I missed while at home. But, it was the 7am tailgating, the constantant chanting of "GO GREEN, GO WHITE", and unmatchable pride and enthusiasm expressed on game day is what I longed for.

The first home game of 2011 was one I had been dreaming of since the final game of 2010. Waking up with fifty other girls at 6am, enthusiastic and ready to kick off the tailgating season is a memory that to this day makes me smile. I have attended every MSU home game tailgate upon arriving my freshman year, and this game day still seems to outshine the rest in my opinion. I refused to allow the seasonably high temperature negatively affect this day I had been dreaming of for so long in any way. I attended many different tailgates. Some of which had inflatable bouncing contraptions, exceptional food, and some type of water. Whether it be bottles of it, baby pools filled with it, or giant slip and slides, water was a main attraction for almost every tailgate I attended. 

I have been told by many that my unyielding rave of this day was solely because of the build up I had created over summer break. Regardless of the reason, I now hold all tailgates to the standard of this day. The first home game of 2012 has some major competition. 

As a junior at MSU I have seen three great football seasons. But one game this year would stand out to be my favoriate MSU moment of 2011. That football game would be the Michigan game. This was the thrid year that I have seen the Spartans beat Michigan. I am from Illinois and I have been raised to hate University of Michigan. If the Spartans win next year at Michigan, then the Spartan will have beaten Michigan for all of my years at MSU. This will be something that I could tell everyone that I was apart of this tradition. A friend had a quote after Michigan beat the Spartans in baskteball last month. It was, "That was the only victory Denard Robinson has witnessed in person over MSU" and if we win next year this will contunie to be true. I have seen some great game, the Wisconsin game, but I still feel that due to this rivalry it makes this game bigger. Below is a funny advertisment that I found that all Spartans would appreciate. 

My favorite memory of 2011 had to be New Years.  

I have always been a very family oriented individual growing up.  For New Years, my family decided last minute that it would be a great idea to drive down to Atlanta Georgia, where most of my family resides, to celebrate the New Year.  My family has always drove the 12 hours with ease because ever since I can remember, driving down was the our favorite choice.  With the increase in security at the airport and all, why not?  The only sad part about this story was that we missed midnight by twelve measly minutes.  This was quickly made up for when 40 or so relatives came rushing out of the house to come greet us.  The feeling was amazing and you could not help but to smile.  There are barely enough words to describe the atmosphere as we all walked into the house to enjoy a big feast.  The trip was only three days before we had to drive another twelve hours home, but so very worth it.  

A great end to an amazing year; the best start to a whole new year.

It is hard to pin point my favorite MSU moment in 2011 because so many memorable things happened.  It is my senior year and although I haven’t done EVERYTHING I wanted to, I still have some memories that will last forever.  I mean if I could categorize the entire football season as a favorite moment that would be it, but I think my favorite game was the Wisconsin game in East Lansing.  It being our homecoming game made it even more exciting.  My friends and I spent most of the day around campus tailgating and then made our way to the stadium for the night game.  There was so much energy in the crowd and I remember making friends with everyone around us in the stands and because there was so much love for our Spartans there was just this bond between everyone.  

So many to chose from. Off the top of my head...the MSU vs Wisconsin football game win with the hailmary.  As much as I think Wisconsin is a better team than us, it was great being the underdogs.  I believe that play will go down in history, and I can tell my future kids, and grand kids that I was a Spartan when this happened.  Though I have came from many colleges, I have fallen in love with Michigan State University, and campus is beautiful! Proud to be a Spartan!

I could not pinpoint a particular moment in 2011 that was my favorite, but I do know that my favorite moments happened while I studied abroad in Rome, Italy and Cannes France as part of the advertising/PR study abroad program through MSU.  While abroad I quickly became close friends with the 30+ fellow students abroad with me.  We all had similar interests:  exploring the city, enjoying the nightlife, and making every moment count while abroad.  We lived in apartments in a neighborhood of Rome called Monteverde.  I felt that I got to live in authentic Italian culture because we were not part of a student complex, but interspersed with Italian families.  My fellow students and I tried to remain respectful, but were often sideswiped by culture shock.

The food was amazing – pizza, pasta, pastries (carbs, carbs, carbs and more carbs).  I could write about gelato for a couple pages, but I won’t do so now.  I will say that I made it my goal to eat it atleast once a day (if not twice!) and to try different flavors if I wished.

One of the most amazing experiences I had while abroad was when me and eight other students went to Sorrento, Italy for the weekend.  Sorrento is right outside of Naples (which we were not allowed to stay overnight in, another story…) and is a beautiful seaside, tourist town.  While in Sorrento we took a bus to the Amalfi Coast.  The bus took us up a large hill that had winding roads until we crossed over to the other side.  On the descent of the ride we continued to wind across the hill and with each turn we would come across another breathtaking view of the Italian seaside.  Once we got to the Amalfi Coast we spread out our towels and laid in the sun for hours.  It was so relaxing!  On our last full day in Sorrento we bought a boat ticket to the island of Capri.  After a short boat ride to the island we searched for snacks and then rented a TINY boat for only 15 Euros a person.  Since Italians are less strict about safety laws than Americans we were allowed to sail around Capri for 2 hours without any professional supervision.  We went into coves, under large rock surfaces, and were almost crushed by waves made by larger boats.  If we felt like it we sent down the anchor and jumped into the ocean!  It was something that I will never forget and I hope that one day I get to go back!

It is so difficult to pin point one exact MSU moment to represent the highlight of 2011. Yes, Spartan athletics definitely rocked my world. However, I feel that it is the small things that makes the big moments worth it. For example, I do not believe that the majority of the student population would be as engaged in tailgating if our campus wasn't as big, spacious and beautiful as it is. Not everyone will buy all sorts of events tickets if our living expenses were as high as it would have been in the city. Or for instance, would it not have been for that particular favorite restaurant or local bar down on Grand River everyone just have to go to after a game to celebrate. These are the little things that contribute to our favorite moments and love for MSU. 

Every time that I am out of town, I always miss the Pizza House and Sansu in EL. Somehow their food just taste so much better. I miss how easy it is to drive around MSU, connecting with my friends easily and seeing Sparty randomly on campus! I really can't imagine having a different mascot other than being a part of the Spartan family. 

In a couple of months after graduating, I will have to leave this amazing place for reality. Four whole years may seem long but the Michigan State University community made it all worth, this is probably one of the best decisions that I have made in my life- ending my years of educational life just right. 

2011 marked the end of my second year and the beginning of my third year at MSU. While fall 2011 was my best semester academically, I don't think I would quite rate that as my favorite MSU moment. If I had to pin it down to one moment or event, I would have to say my favorite one was a wild five day long weekend I had with some friends over the summer. We started the weekedn on Wednesday and partied all through Sunday. Great times with great people, tons of pictures, and unforgettable memories, that I'm sure some would wish we all forgot. Nights out at the club, followed by group swimming and massive food ordering were just the start. When you're with crazy people for that long, unimaginable connections are formed with even the more distant of the group. I wouldn't give away that weekend for anything.

As an international graduate student, I didn't feel like bonding with MSU before. Until this summer I came back from China, and was prepaired to get through the custom, one officer asked me, "huh, you are from Michigan State. So you are a spartan?" This is the first time I feel so strong about my identity--I am a Spartan. Later, my friends and I bought MSU football season ticket so I got the chance to see football at court. I didn't know football before until I started living in United States. The same as the feelings to MSU, I wasn't attached to football--until the game we were playing against Wisconsin. After the Hail Mary, everyone was jumping around me. This was the moment of the year of me and MSU. I started falling in love with MSU and football. It was a moment of the year.

2011 was filled with memorable events for me. As a journalism major I get to meet all kinds of people, each with a different story to tell. As a music writer, I get to attend amazing concerts. I really got involved in my community gardens, and have oh so many stories to tell about that. I helped start the Michigan State University Society of Professional Journalists, and there are a handful of stories I could tell about that. I think my two more memorable moments in 2011 would have to be events that didn't take place on campus.

I'm a member of the MSU Beyond Coal campaign, affiliated with the national Sierra Club and Sierra Student Coalition, and my two most memorable moments would have to be attending Powershift, both National and Midwest, and attending the Keystone XL Pipeline Protests in Washington D.C.. The energy at each of these events was incredible! With over 10,000 people at national Powershift, 400 at Midwest Powershift, and 13,000 people at the Keystone protest, it was impossible not to be impressed and empowered. I learned valuable information and skills that I'm constantly using now, and the passion of thousands of youth activists motivated everyone to go back to their communities and make a change, which we all are. 

The people I met, speeches I heard, trainings I received and direct actions I participated in will stay with me for the rest of my life. 

So far I have had three amazing years at MSU. Thinking back on my MSU experiences in 2011 several great moments come to mind. I can narrow it down to a top three for the year. All my great experiences have one thing in common, Spartan Athletics! As I can't completly pick one over the another I will just say them in the order they happened this year.To begin with, I was surprised when I recieved a Big Ten Championship pendent necklace from the baseball team. I am a student manager for the team and have been for the past two years. I had known the players had been sized for their rings and that the rings would be given during a ceremony on Oct., 16 after one of the green and white games but had no idea I would be recieving anything. Just as I was ready to leave the game to go help with the post game dinner our director of operations told me that I would have to go down to the dugout after the game. As I was standing down on the field very confused my name was called after the team and I was given a beautiful pendent on a necklace for my participation with the team during their winning season. Recieving the necklace was my first big "ah-ha" moment as a student at MSU. Looking at this special and rare trophy I realized that not everyone gets to be a part of something so special. On my birthday October, 22nd, I was working the homecoming game vs Wisconsin. When I came into work the whole ticket office at the stadium sang me happy birthday and made me cupcakes. On top of the song and cupcakes the football team gave me the best present ever. Keith Nichol's game winning catch happened right in front of where I was sitting. For a Spartan a birthday can't get much better then that. Lastly, was attending the Big10 Championship football game. I work every home football game as the player guest associate for the ticket office. I work until just before half time then I go to the game. Going to Indianapolis was the first time I have ever seen the beging of a Spartan Football game. Sharing that moment with my family and co-workers was an amazing feeling and overall it was a great game.

Many people have very fond memories of attending football games. The memories don’t begin at the stadium however. We start tailgating at seven in the morning at friends houses, on campus or at frats. This is where you play a famous game of corn hole or ladder golf. Around ten you begin the walk to the stadium while screaming “Go Green” and hearing “Go White” in response. Before entering the stadium we line up to salute the MSU footballers payers, especially Kirk Cousins. Before the game, Sparty runs down the field to spear a MSU flag into the ground at the 50 yard line. The crowd goes wild. During the game we sing parts of the Fight Song, “Watch the points keep growing.”  At half time, we cheer on Zeke the Wonder Dog who catches Frisbees in the end zone. We also sing the Fight Song among others while the MSU Marching Band performs. Throughout the game one side of the stadium will yell “Go Green” and the other side will reply “Go White.” In the third quarter the amazing Drumline performs. My favorite part is when the drummers play upside down. It is certainly a sight to see. In the fourth quarter we are all on the edge of our seats and the excitement is building every minute we get closer to winning the game. In the final seconds the whole stadium is on their feet jumping for joy because it is a “Victory for MSU.” The MSU Marching Band plays the Fight Song again as we sing along as loud as we can. Then MSU Shadows is played and we wrap our arms around each other and sway side-to-side. During this moment it makes me incredibly proud to be a Spartan and be part of the Spartan Nation. It is truly a SPARTANtacular experience at any home game.

Being a senior, all of the home games this year were my favorite such as winning the Paul Bunyan Trophy for the fourth year in a row or the Hail Mary in the Wisconsin game. Although the most special to me was the last home game against Indiana. All the MSU senior football players were saluting their team and fans. After winning that game, Michigan State has gone undefeated for two consecutive seasons at home. Go Green!

My favorite moment at MSU in 2011 isn't really a moment at all.  It is a culmination of a winning streak that started my freshman year.  Yes, I am talking about the fact that during my 4 years here at State, we never lost to those clowns in A2.  It was an awesome game, but the best part was that I only got to watch the first and final quarters of the game and the middle was taken up by my boss's wedding.  It was just a great night all around.  The next day my friend Tony made this youtube video commemorating the amazing football we got to see during our 4 years.

Maybe less significant than remembering that exact moment when Keith Nichol caught the hail mary while the clock hit 0:00 against Wisconsin, my favorite moment of 2011 at MSU was the first night that all 4 roommates returned back to our beloved Charles Street house from summer vacation.  Each roommate was off doing his own thing during the summer so it was rare that we all got to see each other.  It's funny, when you leave for college your roommates really become more like your brothers, so all being back in the same house, up to our same tricks, was like seeing 3 of your brothers that you hadn't seen in months. Needless to say, we made the most of our return home, and broke-in the house just the right way to start the new school year.  Now that I am senior with graduation looming over my head, I've realized it is the more simple times like these that will forever last as my favorite college memories. 

I had an incredible year as a Spartan in 2011. Over the summer, I spent six incredible weeks studying abroad in Italy, which by far trumps all of my MSU memories. Going into the program, I only knew two other students. When it was over, I made 31 new best friends, in which we all regularly keep in touch.

While in Rome, I spent my weekdays studying the Italian language and learning the ropes of International Advertising. On the weekends, we traveled to various places in Italy, including the ruins of Pompeii, the beautiful town of Florence, the rolling hills of a Tuscan winery, the holy Vatican City and the five colorful villages of Cinque Terre. Several of us visited Amsterdam—where one goes to do almost whatever you want.

Our group also traveled to France to attend the 57^th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. There, we attended several seminars featuring the best public relations and advertising practitioners in the world.

Although there were several nights that are hard to recall, my whole study abroad experience will be one MSU moment I will never forget.

It sounds so simple when you think of it as just a click of a button, but one of my top MSU memories from 2011 is when I applied for spring 2012 graduation. It has taken six whole years to complete my undergraduate, but looking back on it now, I really have come a long way and wouldn't change anything about the journey. Everyone has to find their own route, and for me that meant exlporing different majors and career paths. I'm happy with where I have ended up in the Communication department and I feel like I'll be leaving with a well rounded education, resources, and incredible experiences. I took off the majority of my senior year to gain some interning experiene with an entertainment company that books, produces, and promotes all sort of live events. Taking a risk and stepping away from MSU was one of the toughest decision I have ever made, but I ended up finding a family with the company I worked for, and still currently work for. I now know that this is the industry where I belong and I have made so many goals and ambitions worth fighting for. It was almost tougher coming back to MSU after taking the time off since I was so dedicated to the enjoyment and rewards of the work. But I came back as full time student in 2011 with a renewed sense of hope and determination. There's nothing standing in my way now and I absolutely cannot wait to call myself a Spartan alum in just a few short months.

My favorite MSU moment in 2011 was definitely the hailmary in the MSU vs Wisconsin game. No sporting event I have ever been to, not including the World Series and Stanley Cup Finals, has ever mached the excitement level of that game. From start to finish the crowd was into the game and made that day a day that I will never forget and was definitely my favorite MSU moment of 2011.

What is my sweetest memory in 2011? Undoubtedly, the moment I took a walk with my mom on campus last autumn. Although it is common for most of people especially native students, as an international student, I was so enjoyable to spend some leisure time with my dear mom. It is clearly that we enjoyed the sight of beautiful autumn leaves on campus and even had an interesting college-lunch in Brody cafeteria. The pleasure we made is my precious memory that nothing could match.

It seems that everyone had the same experience that people don’t have enough time to stay with family because of busy work or necessary social activities. I am definitely one of them. Also, I seldom listen to what my parents’ talking about and always neglect what they are feeling. However, when I returned to school, I began to think over the past life sincerely and found out that the more I spent with my family, the happier I got. The most important is to communicate with parents all the time, and let them know what I am thinking and what I am doing.

The pleasure with mom made my MSU life particularly special and unforgettable. In fact, the family's love is like a circle, which means that it has no beginning and ending. It keeps going around and around ever expanding, touching everyone who comes in touch with it. The love from parents is also a power to push me move on no matter what kind of difficulties I have to overcome. In 2012, let’s keep pursuing our own happy dream and make it come true.