SDL_Surface *load_image( std::string filename ) 
{
    //The image that's loaded
    SDL_Surface* loadedImage = NULL;
    
    //The optimized image that will be used
    SDL_Surface* optimizedImage = NULL;
    
    //Load the image using SDL_image
    loadedImage = IMG_Load( filename.c_str() );
    
    //If the image loaded
    if( loadedImage != NULL )
    {
        //Create an optimized image
        optimizedImage = SDL_DisplayFormat( loadedImage );
        
        //Free the old image
        SDL_FreeSurface( loadedImage );
    }
    
    //Return the optimized image
    return optimizedImage;
}