Centenary Ladies Gym Talk: September 2 Edition
Hi Ladies Fans! I’m freshman Mallory Stephens, and I’m so excited to be kicking off this year’s first Gym Talk!
Hi Ladies Fans!
I'm freshman Mallory Stephens, and I'm so excited to be kicking off this year's first Gym Talk!
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind in the best way possible. It all started with move-in day, which felt both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. I am so excited to be living with another freshman, Riley Navarro, and we've already turned our room into a cozy little spot that feels like home. Right after moving in, we jumped straight into orientation, which included icebreakers and group activities that provided plenty of opportunities to connect with other freshmen. We also learned a lot about resources that will help us thrive here at Centenary. By the end of orientation, I realized I had already started building a circle of friends who make Centenary feel like family.
The next week, our Paris class started. My class was The Innocents Abroad, and it was the perfect balance of learning and exploring. In the classroom, we dove into what culture is and ways we can be respectful tourists. We focused a lot on manners and restaurant culture, as well as everyday customs that differ in France from here in the U.S. We even learned a few essential phrases in French so we could communicate with servers and other people. In Paris, we were able to put that learning into real-life experience. Our professors, Dr. Blasi and Dr. Doherty were incredible! Sharing and exploring the city with them and my classmates made the trip unforgettable. My favorite thing we did as a class was visit the Luxembourg Gardens. Getting to learn about the significance of the Gardens and the specific details and symbolism of all the different statues and sculptures was honestly so cool. The Medici Fountain was one of my favorite things we saw in the Gardens.
Some of the best memories in Paris were made when we were free to wander and explore. My friends and I walked what felt like a hundred miles a day, figuring out the metro, trying new foods, browsing shops, and seeing landmarks I'd only ever dreamed of. My favorite spot was definitely the Eiffel Tower (especially at night). When the clock turns over to the next hour and it sparkles, it's truly an unbelievable experience. No matter where I went, whether it was the view, the history, or just the fact that I was standing in Paris, I made memories that I'll hold onto forever.
After we got back from Paris, we wrapped up our class by reflecting on our experiences and what it means to be a respectful and culturally immersed tourist. The last day of class was actually a little sad because of the strong bonds that were made with both the professors and my classmates.
During this August term, it felt so good to be on campus and to step into the gym a few times. Getting to practice at Jill's with the other freshmen (and Claire!), along with Coach Meg and Coach Joseph was such a great feeling. There was so much energy and excitement, and I can already tell it's going to be an incredible year working with our coaches and team.
Thanks for following along with my first Gym Talk, I can't wait to keep sharing this journey with you. Go Ladies!
