It was on a complete whim that I decided to fly home last Friday, April 3, 2009. I wasn't going to spend the money, on a plane ticket, and then additionally on tickets to the final four, but, the more I sat in class on Thursday night (not focusing on class), the more I realized that I had to be back in Detroit. I needed to take a chance and see my team play. I may have only this one chance to go and see my Spartans play in a Final Four as an undergraduate student (which I am for only a few more weeks). So, I ran home (not literally) from the Fairchild Building, where class is held, and still dressed in my shirt and tie, booked a flight home for the next morning. You don't even want to know what I spent on it :(
Believe it or not, I didn't even fly out of Washington, because it was cheaper to fly out of Maryland. So, I woke up at 5 am, dressed in my pre-layed out clothes from just a few hours before (I didn't get to go to bed until 2 am), grabbed my pre-loaded backpack, and walked to Union Station, where I had to catch a train to Baltimore. I was pretty much operating on autopilot for the few hours in between waking up and getting to the airport in MD. I was excited about the upcoming weekend, and the unexpected trip home brought a sense of relief with it. As much fun as I am having in DC, old familiar Farmington Hills, my family, and being able to drive a car when I wanted was a welcome change. I didn't have much time for rest, however, as no sooner do I get picked up from the airport than I am whisked away to Ford Field for an open practice of the MSU basketball team. I should have mentioned this earlier, but, I didn't bring a coat home, because when I left DC early that Friday morning, it was already 60 degrees. I arrive in Detroit to cold and wind! Will you ever change, MI?!?! But, what am I supposed to do? I toughed it out, as best as I could. Shivering in between walking to and from the stadium, I eventually made it back home and grabbed a coat before we headed out again to Somerset Mall for a Pep Rally honoring the Spartans. It was a scene unlike anything I have seen in recent memory. The people were lining all three levels of the mall, and the fight song was being sung with spirit and many decibles. The team came out, players gave some short speeches, and Izzo was brought to tears. At that point it became more than a game, more than a final four. It became about seniors realizing there goals (thanks, Tom, for getting me my final four), a team playing for an entire states, and what can come of hard work and sacrafice. Since 2003, when Detroit was awarded the Final Four, Izzo had it circled on his calendard, and he delivered in a big way.
After the Pep Rally, we all went out for my pre-birthday, birthday dinner. Since I will not be in town this Friday, the 10th of April when I actually turn 22, we celebrated a little early. We went to my favorite restaurant, PF Changs, and I LOVED it! It was a great dinner with family, and although I was mad at my sister, and she knows why, I can't really find anything wrong with that night. I came back, I crashed in a snuggie (yes, a real snuggie), and ended what had been an exhausting, yet perfect day.
Now, did I get to sleep in Saturday morning? Did I get to relax, adjust? No, I was woken at 8 am (early when you haven't slept), and off to a haircut I went. I'll be honest, it had gotten somewhat unruly in DC. I don't trust anyone to cut the stuff besides the person I have been going to for years, so I just don't cut it while I am away! I didn't cut it once in my semester in Italy, and wasn't about to take a chance now! After getting cleaned up, I went to see Grammy, who promptly told me my hair (now washed and cut) looked greasy and bad. Oh, Grammy! Anyways, mom, her, and I went to lunch, they picked on me regarding crutons or something, and we had a nice time. I had trouble focusing though, it was time to prepare for the biggest game in my four years of college at MSU.
What was I expecting at Ford Field that night? Would the magical run continue? Would they get blown out? Would it be a close game? I didn't know, and I was scared. We arrived downtown 3+ hours early, to pick up our tickets, and had some time to kill before the 6:07 pm tip-off against the UCONN Huskies. I don't even remember exactly what we did for all that time. My mind was focused only on the game. It seemed like an eternity before it would start. I don't even remember much of what happened in the game (besides Hasheem Thabeet crying on the floor), but somehow, someway, the Spartans defeated their second #1 seed, and advanced to the National Title Game! The feeling I had ALMOST made up for the hundreds of dollars I spent to get there! Just kidding, it totally made up for the money, which I didn't even care about at that point. What once seemed unlikely was beginning to seem like a destiny! After the MSU game, UNC destroyed Villanova in what was never really a close game, setting up a matchup of MSU v. UNC for the National Championship on Monday night.
Sunday, I made a surprise trip to Easy Lansing, popping in randomly on friends who I hadn't seen in quite some time. I started at Hillel, walking in casually to my Israeli trip friends, who jumped up and greeted me. I then walked into Jeff's house, again casually, to a great reception. I then made my way to see my old roommate, and good friend Chelsea, again, as a surprise (and was greeted with screams and smiles). It was a crazy day, but it was great to see all of them again, although it was very brief. I told them all that when I return in a few weeks, there will be a reunion to top all reunions! That is, if they still miss me at that point ;)
I came home with the idea of getting some work done, and well, SOME being the operative word, got done, but not much. I really did not have time to do what I needed to do, but I'll get it done at some point. I always do.
Monday night, well, it started with excitement, and ended (within the first 7 minutes of the game) with sadness. It became apparent from the very first moments up the game that it would not go well. UNC tripled our score at 33-11 within the firsit 1o minutes, set a record for points in an NCAA Finals Game with 55, and shot over 60% much of the first half. MSU had 14 first half turnovers, looked the like crowd of 90% MSU supporters scared them more than helped them, and played some bad basketball. Maybe UNC was just that good, maybe we were overachieving up until that point, but you can't take anything away from this team. Playing for the State of Michigan, they did a great job, and although they didn't win the game, their champion status is undeniable. I never thought they would lose that game, though. Maybe I didn't want to believe how good UNC was (because I hate Hansbrough), or I thought MSU was better, but things didn't work out. If MSU had won, I would have won my office pool, and recouped the money I spent on being here, but, it was not why I came back. I came back because I am a Spartan, and I had to be there for my team, win or lose. Great Season Tom and the Boys!
Ok, I think that is all for now. The coming days will be filled with many papers to be written, projects to present, birthdays to have, and work to do. My mini-vacation has been great, but now it's back to DC. My flight leaves at 3:30 pm.
Now, one last time as an undergrad...
GO GREEN! GO WHITE!
Andy
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