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First Person: My discovery of the year? I really enjoy exercise

The more I started to go to the gym, the happier I felt after every single workout. My legs felt like jelly afterwards, but I could also brush off inconveniences with greater ease. And - significantly - I started to smile more

Mackenzie Cardinal

Photos:

November 4, 2024
Revised: November 4, 2024 3:27pm

"Everyone at the gym keeps to themselves and doesn’t judge you," writes the author. "After all, everyone is going through their own personal journey."

My heart pounded against my chest as I trudged along in my running shoes. My legs felt like they could give out at the slightest breeze. My face was coated in sweat and my breath laboured like a puppy who’d run too fast. My knees were weak as I fell onto the floor. Staring at the ceiling, I thought this is what it’s like…to die.

And then I realized I was just exhausted after my workout on the treadmill. I weakly got up and headed to the ARC locker room, avoiding the confused stares of every other gym-goer. Or, at least, it felt like they were. Maybe I was just delirious after working out for so long.

Physical health is something that is on a lot of students’ minds, for a lot of different reasons. Some people wish to get healthier, some people wish to get thinner and some people like me – crazy? pragmatic? – go to the gym simply so they have something to do.

In my case, beginning in the winter 2024 term, I started working out twice a week. That’s more than nine months ago. “Pre-exercise Me” me wouldn’t have believed this. The amazing part? I’ve ended up liking it.

Why did I start exercising? As I’m already balancing part-time work with attending college, why add in an additional thing?

Initially, it was a practical decision. During my second term, I had one class on both Monday and Wednesday, and both classes were two hours long.

As someone who lives in the Kanata area and has to take the 88 to get to school, getting up an extra two hours early to even make it to school is a nightmare. So it seemed counterproductive, spending two hours on public transportation— one hour to college, one hour home— just to only stay at school for two hours.

So, in my brain, I thought of a way to get more bang for my buck. Why not exercise at the ARC? It’s free with my tuition, and I’ve been meaning to lose a couple of pounds, so…why not? Although I feel a bit odd for having such a weird reason for attending the gym in the first place, it got me there.

At first, I thought I would hate working out. I mean, I tried working out when I was younger at the insistence of my mother, and I hated every moment of it. But I have since found out that not only does going to the gym make me healthier, but it also greatly improves my mental health.

The first few weeks of my journey can only be described as a roller coaster. On one hand, it felt good to be improving myself little by little, but on the other hand, doing these intense exercises was putting a lot of strain on my body. There would even be times where I would have trouble going up the stairs after my workout.

It didn’t help that I have never had the best self image. I never liked attending the gym before because I felt so out of place there. However, after attending the gym a couple of times, I started to notice how silly this idea was. Everyone at the gym keeps to themselves and doesn’t judge you. After all, everyone is going through their own personal journey.

Adam Voutier, a personal trainer at the ARC agrees.

“The best way to remind people to keep going to the gym is to remind people of their end goal,” said Voutier. “Being able to love yourself and improve yourself is what keeps people going to the gym.”

Even though I was sore after my first workouts, I kept reminding myself of why I was even there. To make the most of my time. Not to get fitter, not to lose weight, but to simply have something to do. And the more I kept going to the gym, the easier it became.

The more I started to go to the gym, the more I noticed how, not only was I getting just a little bit slimmer, but my mood started to increase. I felt happier after every single workout, even though my legs felt like jelly afterwards. Whenever something would inconvenience me, I would just brush it off as not a big deal. I started to smile more.

Joanna Fhe, a nurse at the Civic Hospital, says exercise can do this.

“Being active releases chemicals in your brain called serotonin, which makes you feel happier,” she said.

Hearing that definitely makes a lot more sense as to why I feel much happier nowadays. I’m pretty sure someone could burn me at the stake, and I’d still go down with a smile.

Featured Story | Opinions

Mackenzie Cardinal

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Creativity blooms at Algonquin’s Pumpkin Patch Party

Students gathered at the Student Commons for the annual Pumpkin Patch Party to carve pumpkins and celebrate the festive season

Aicha Chamor

Photos: Aicha Chamor

November 4, 2024
Revised: November 4, 2024 9:53am

Photo: Aicha Chamor

Carved and decorated pumpkins made by students at the Student Commons front lawn on Oct. 30.

Having only experienced Halloween through movies, Minh Phuong Uyen Khong from Vietnam, a first-level student in marketing research and analysis, finally had the chance to celebrate it in person.

“I found out about this event through a friend, and I was so excited to attend that I wrote it down on my calendar to make sure I wouldn’t miss it,” she said.

On Oct. 30, the front lawn of the Student Commons came alive with creativity and community spirit as over 40 students gathered for the Pumpkin Patch Party, hosted by the AC Hub and the Students’ Association. The event took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and provided a festive atmosphere filled with laughter, artistic expression and seasonal cheer.

Participants eagerly picked out pumpkins the college provided, a total of 80, sourced from a local farm. Many students appreciated the chance to engage in a fun Halloween tradition while bonding with their peers.

“Every year we do some sort of pumpkin carving, but this is our second year in the row that we called it our Pumpkin Patch Party and brought it outside,” said Amanda Logan, the events programmer for the Students’ Association.

Logan hopes students leave not only having had a fun experience but also some new skills if they’ve never carved a pumpkin before.

The event also served Starbucks’ Caramel Apple Cider drink, contributing to the festive atmosphere.

Participants who carved pumpkins had the option to take them home or leave their creations to enter the Pumpkin Carving Contest on the following day.

Yikun Liu displays her carved pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch Party. Photo credit: Aicha Chamor

Yikun Liu, a third year early childhood education student from China, expressed her excitement about entering the contest.

“I’ll share my pumpkin design with my friends on Instagram to vote for me. Winning could be amazing,” Liu said.

The contest will feature three winners, with prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third.

Students gather to participate in the pumpkin carving and Halloween festivities on the Front Lawn of Student Commons — Students gathered to participate in the pumpkin carving and Halloween festivities on the front lawn of Student Commons. Photo credit: Aicha Chamor

In addition to pumpkin carving, the event fostered a sense of belonging among students from diverse backgrounds. Many participants engaged in conversations, sharing stories and jokes while working on their designs, creating connections that extended beyond the event.

“I just found a friend with whom I have a lot in common,” said Khong. “We exchanged numbers and we are planning to hang out in the future.”

Arts & Entertainment

Aicha Chamor

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Psychic Fair makes for a spooky start to Hallo-Week

With Halloween approaching, students waited in a long line for a chance to talk with a psychic at the ACCE building and get a glimpse of their futures

Laiyiady Lam

Photos: Laiyiady Lam

November 4, 2024
Revised: November 4, 2024 9:48am

Photo: Laiyiady Lam

Sumah Krishnan, a volunteer at the Psychic Fair on Oct. 29, was responsible for giving out candy and guiding students to the psychics. He showed great enthusiasm for his role.

Heavy, dark clouds outside the window dimmed the light inside the ACCE building. The pumpkin lanterns and skull bowls filled with colourful candies glowed with a spooky yellow light. In a small room divided by black velvet curtains, students eagerly asked fortune tellers about their future studies, relationships and careers.

With Halloween just around the corner, the Students’ Association and AC Hub hosted a psychic fair at Minto Hall in the ACCE building on Oct. 29 as one of Hallo-Week’s events.

There were five fortune tellers on site and students had to wait for an average of more than 15 minutes to talk to a psychic.

Samantha Therrien, the events officer of AC Hub, said this event is a pre-heat for Halloween week and students always show great passion for it.

“This is the first event on campus for Halloween this week,” she said. “The Students’ Association has been doing this event for a few years now and it’s always been a huge hit.”

Emily Dullemond, a Level 1 student in the cabinetmaking and furniture technician program, waited in a long line for a tarot card reading to learn about their future, but the wait did nothing to dampen their excitement.

“I was more interested in tarot cards and such myself, so having it done for me would be pretty cool,” they said. “The lineups are a little bit long, but it’s worth waiting for.”

Sumah Krishnan, a Level 1 student in the accounting and financial practice program, was a volunteer for the event. Instead of having fun, he saw it more as an opportunity to enrich his resume and talk with other students.

“I think a lot of people do interact with it and you are making connections with others,” he said. “When you talk to recruiters, you can say you have done this.”

Lara Bokovay, an intuitive reader at the event, provided students with mini guidance readings addressing mental, emotional and physical well-being. Many students received guidance and help during the conversation

“A lot of people left with validation. They’re about to make this decision, and this just validated it,” said Bokovay.

A person in a black shirt and long necklace is explaining to a student what they are curious about. — Lara Bokovay was an intuitive reader at Tuesday's event in the ACCE building. Bokovay helps and guides many students with their decisions. Photo credit: Laiyiady Lam

During the Hallo-week, the SA was also organizing a pumpkin patch party, Great Pumpkin party and costume contest and a Day of the Dead film screening of Coco for students who enjoy Halloween.

Dullemond said she was looking forward to other Halloween events during the week.

“Halloween is my favourite holiday, so the whole week is really exciting for me,” they said.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Hero | Featured Story

Laiyiady Lam

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Campus groups prepare for fall spike in sexual assaults

Groups are working to address and prevent instances of sexual violence, with fall typically seeing more.

Claire Donnan

Photos: Claire Donnan

November 1, 2024
Revised: November 1, 2024 4:35pm

Photo: Claire Donnan

Stephen Smith is the coordinator of security investigations, and wants students to know risk management is here for them. As Marelic said, "his door is always open."

Algonquin College’s risk management and health and wellness employees might be hard at work this month as they support students who are victims of sexual violence on campus.

Johanne Marelic, the sexual assault and violence investigator for Risk Management, says she sees a higher volume of reported instances of sexual assault in the fall, when students first return to school.

“I think it’s a combination of students being away from home for the first time, COVID probably has not helped, age, maturity and alcohol (and) drugs,” said Marelic.

This increase coincides with a time referred to as “the Red Zone.” The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network’s research determined that students are at a higher risk of being sexually assaulted in their first few weeks at a post-secondary institution, with half of all assaults occurring from August to November.

While Marelic and Stephen Smith, coordinator of security investigations, had not heard of the Red Zone themselves, they agreed instances of assault were higher in the fall.

Currently, they work to help students who have experienced sexual assault on campus, including in the residences or on field trips. While they cannot investigate instances that happen off-campus, they still provide resources and support to students struggling, if students request it.

Also on campus, Project Lighthouse in the Student Health and Wellness Centre is working to support students on campus who may have experienced sexual violence, and they’re constantly evolving.

“There’s a really great Ottawa-based organization called WISE … I’m hoping to partner with them,” said Hollie Sabourin, the culturally inclusive sexual health education coordinator with Project Lighthouse. “They aim to promote women’s safety…through offering personal safety workshops.”

The partnership with WISE will teach participants how to protect themselves psychologically, emotionally and physically, and how to recognize red flags in relationships. It would join Project Lighthouse’s list of existing programs, including support groups, activities and their online sexual violence prevention training.

“We’ll always, first of all, believe the victim, and respect their autonomy and how they want to approach going forward,” said Sabourin.

In Risk Management, Marelic and Smith are following the victim’s lead, too.

“We’re here really to support any survivors of sexual assault or sexual violence,” said Smith. “They can report it anonymously if they want, or they can make a full report so that we conduct an investigation.”

Risk Management also helps victims seek medical attention, and offers resources to staff to help them support students. Additionally, victims can choose to report and leave their case with Risk Management until they are ready.

“We will do our report, we will put it aside until if and when they’re ready to come forward,” said Marelic.

Those reports are kept forever.

Ultimately, Risk Management and Project Lighthouse agreed that it’s key to support victims and to keep the conversation going.

“I think it’s an important thing to be talking about (it),” said Sabourin. “We all have a role to play.”

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Claire Donnan

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Hypnotism meets comedy: Boris Cherniak leaves audience in fits of laughter

Skeptics and believers found themselves in the presence of hypnotism royalty when hypnotist Boris Cherniak walked onto the Algonquin Commons Theatre stage on Oct. 29

Kaitlyn Lemay

Photos:

November 1, 2024
Revised: November 1, 2024 3:14pm

Boris Cherniak putting 25 volounteers into a trance. He is searching for the ones who fall into the deepest sleep.

Holding his hand above his head, Boris Cherniak began commanding the theatre with his voice. His hope was to send 25 eager volunteers who ran onstage, or anyone in the audience with an open mind, into deep sleep.

By the end of the opening act, only seven sleepy volunteers were left on stage in the Algonquin Commons Theatre, completely hypnotized.

“My job is to find the best ones who are going to be the people on the stage who are going to be big characters,” said Cherniak in an interview after the Oct. 29 show. “It’s like acting, but I give them something to react to. So once they react well, I can add on to it.”

Cherniak is a entertainment triple threat: a hypnotist, comedian and motivational speaker.

The Canadian entertainer began his interest in hypnotism, positive psychology and all things the mind can do while roaming the halls of York University at 14 years old. While taking a night course at the university, he discovered the book The Search for Bridie Murphy by Maury Bernstein.

This led Cherniak to ravage all the books he could find on the library’s psychology floor.

“I truly believe that a mind is a computer that can be programmed and reprogrammed, hence all the positive messaging that you would see throughout the performance,” said Cherniak. “I want to leave people with something positive and at the same time give you tools that you can use in the future.”

During the show at the college, the star of the act was a young man in the audience who was found asleep in a trance. Cherniak walked into the crowd and shook him awake. He told the audience member it was Boris Cherniak, and that he should go up on stage. The young man followed him and promptly faced the audience.

The man, who was first introduced to the audience as Matteo, was told that not only is his name now Chip, but he will also get increasingly more agitated any time someone forgets or mispronounces his name.

“I love every second of it because I never know what to expect,” said Cherniak after the show. “Chip, he’s such a nice guy to start off with. I can’t get him to get mad. So, there was a progression until finally…he was holding himself back.”

Boris Cheniak giving the spotlight to 'Chip' during his Who Wants To Be A Millionaire bit.

The root of Cherniak’s comedy is in his belief that visualization and positive reinforcement allows someone to do anything. At the end of each show, he repays his volunteers not in money, but by using his hypnotism to rid them of bad habits or mental distress.

He instructs them that they now want to quit smoking, eat healthier, stop biting their nails and go after the things they want in life. He thanks the audience and lets the participants take a bow for their involvement in the show.

“I struggled for a long time before I was able to make a living doing this,” said Cherniak backstage. “But I was happy as hell because somebody was willing to put me on stage.”

It was his determination and belief that promoting happiness is the key to life, and that propelled him into the global spotlight.

“Where else are you going to find a job like this, where somebody wants you because you’re able to deliver something worthwhile and put a smile on people’s faces,” he said.

While Cherniak has made an incredible impact in the word of comedy, hypnotism and motivational keynote speaking, there will always be those who question the reality happening on stage.

“I am a big skeptic… but it was very entertaining, it was very fun to watch,” said Sabrina Ochisor, a 2019 music industry arts alumna who works at the theatre.

The show at Algonquin College was the last one the current leg of his Mind Boggling Tour. Cherniak was planning a break before returning to the stage in December.

Cherniak sensed plenty of good energy in the college theatre.

“There’s just a special feeling in the room,” he said.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Hero | Featured Story | Home Hero

Kaitlyn Lemay

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Ottawa’s sweet Crumbl success is steps away from Algonquin College

From fitness influencer to franchise owner, local entrepreneur Andy Al Hasam shares how an Instagram notification led to the opening of Crumbl in College Square

Kaitlyn Lemay

Photos: Kaitlyn Lemay

October 30, 2024
Revised: October 30, 2024 1:32pm

Photo: Kaitlyn Lemay

Owner Adam Al Hasan in front of the iconic pink wall and Crumbl logo.

On June 28, Crumbl Cookie Nepean opened to a line of customers waiting to experience the cookies that found fame on social media. The viral dessert store located near Algonquin College has had a revolving door of customers since the franchise opened.

Marissa Bennett, a University of Ottawa student, took the bus from the downtown core to College Square to experience the Crumbl Cookie craze for the first time. She treated herself to a classic chocolate chip cookie — one of the six flavours on rotation that week — for her birthday.

“I just wanted to try it because I’ve heard about it and it was free,” Bennett said. The store offers a promotion to celebrate customers’ birthdays with a free cookie when visiting the store on their special day.

employees at Crumbl work serve customers with their orders. The open concept bakery is in full view with the ovens and lots of desserts being prepped. — Employees at Crumbl work to serve customers with their orders. The open concept bakery is in full view with lots of desserts being prepped. Photo credit: Kaitlyn Lemay

“Opening week was crazy. Honestly, I remember when we first opened, like thinking to myself, oh, like, are people going to come? Is there going to be lineups? Because you don’t know. You have no idea,” said Andy Al Hasam, the owner of the Nepean Crumbl location.

People definitely came.

There were lines that lasted hours during the franchise’s first weeks, according to a Capital Current article. Al Hasam was there for it all, waking up at 5 a.m. to go in and help his employees succeed.

Al Hasam, a 28-year-old Orléans native, surprisingly began his career in fitness. In early 2023, he started posting fitness content on social media and quickly gained 300,000 followers. During his growing success online, he received a notification that would change the course of his life: the official Crumbl Cookie account had followed him.

The founder of Crumbl, Sawyer Hemsley, and Al Hasam quickly built a friendship online. The pair would share workouts and message occasionally.

In summer of 2023, Hemsley was in Toronto attending a VIP event for the opening of the Toronto location. Al Hasam saw the posts and reached out to his friend to say hi and the next thing he knew, he had a same-day plane ticket from Ottawa to Toronto.

“I went down there, I met the COO of Crumbl, all the PR people, I shook some hands, showed face and yeah, they all liked me,” said Al Hasam.

He had previously filled out the online application to apply for a franchise location but had never heard back.

When looking to open a franchise with Crumbl, applicants can go online and fill out a form vying for their candidacy to own a Crumbl. The company has a pre-defined map of target areas they think would be great fits for the business. According to Al Hasam, the dessert chain typically does well in big suburban areas, which makes College Square the perfect location.

The store has an open kitchen layout so customers can see between 20 to 30 employees baking and working.

“We’ve actually created like 80 to 90, almost 100 active jobs,” said Al Hasam.

“I’ve lived in Ottawa my whole life, so I thought it would be a nice addition to the city. I thought it would do well,” said Al Hasam, and it has.

The Nepean location is currently Canada’s most successful Crumbl Cookies franchise, according to Al Hasam.

“Sometimes if you’re willing to dig, you can find gold in your own backyard,” Al Hasam said when talking about his love for Ottawa and why he wanted to bring success to the area through Crumbl Cookies.

Digit Joseph, a TV broadcasting student, hasn’t tried he viral cookies yet but said “the hype looks like worth it.”

Other students have tried it and have other opinions.

“I waited in line way too long. It was over-expensive. It was good, but like I think overall super overhyped,” said Liv Kelly, a second year TV broadcasting student. When asked if she would return to the dessert store, Kelly said that she would “like to say no, but the chances are high”.

Walking around campus it isn’t hard to spot the pink boxes in students hands; the cookies are here. The opinion is in the eye of the cookie holder over the tastes of the dessert, but it’s clear the franchise has made its impact in Ottawa.

News

Kaitlyn Lemay

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November Horoscopes

Read ahead to see what the future may hold, as told by in-house tarot readers Siobhan Rollo and James Gray

Siobhan Rollo

Photos: Siobhan Rollo

October 30, 2024
Revised: October 30, 2024 12:24pm

Photo: Siobhan Rollo

Aries (March 21-April 20)

Seven of cups (reversed), two of pentacles, king of pentacles (reversed)

It seems you have something undecided in your life, Aries. Maybe something important? You already know the answer to that decision. It is now that the deck asks you to remember that your time is of the essence. It asks you to pay attention to the things that mean the most to you at this time. The king of pentacles warns you that the more time you spend on affairs and decisions that don’t serve you, the longer you wait to further your success this month.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Knight of wands (reversed), strength (reversed), four of wands (reversed)

This past month may have been very chaotic for you, Taurus. It is now time to bring your attention to yourself. How do you feel? Are you fulfilling your goals? Are you feeling in touch with your loved ones? You won’t go anywhere if you aren’t able to pay attention to the happenings around you. Strength asks you to believe in yourself, as you may be feeling lost in the past month’s chaos. Fear not, Taurus, happiness is around the corner.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Page of wands, the magician (reversed), the emperor (reversed)

Wow, Gemini, this is shaping up to be quite a big month for you! You’re about to have lots of creative ideas. This is a good month to innovate and brainstorm for projects, both group and personal. Speaking of groups, have you been feeling a little underappreciated lately? The magician asks you to stay committed to whatever projects you sign up for. Don’t let your fear of being under-appreciated stop you from seizing your opportunities. The emperor asks you to stay determined, and look for opportunities for leadership in November.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Ace of pentacles, queen of pentacles, the star

Great things are coming your way Cancer! This November, expect opportunities for you to seize your moment. There may be new work opportunities, or opportunities for personal success. The queen of pentacles reminds you to be humble as you move, and to lead with kindness above all. The star seeks to guide you through this good month and asks you to let go of your self-doubt.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Eight of wands (reversed), ace of wands, the sun

Change is inevitable, and November is going to bring you some changes, Leo. Maybe things have already started to change. Either way, now is the time to embrace these changes. With this, however, comes openings. The ace of candles asks you to look for opportunities for positive change and new ideas. Welcome these changes with positivity and enthusiasm, as they are likely to lead to a new you. The sun suggests that there is going to be a positive shift in your life this month. Embrace it with enthusiasm, as the sun seeks to bathe you in its warmth.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Five of pentacles, ten of pentacles, king of cups

The five of pentacles often represents scarcity. Sometimes it’s worth asking for help, Virgo. If you feel like you’re drowning, all you have to do is ask. November may be a good financial month for you as well, Virgo, as the ten of presents seeks to reassure you that an end is coming to what you’re missing. This card serves as your reassurance that your hardship is coming to an end, and it’s almost time to celebrate. The king of cups asks you to seek balance with your head and your heart at this time, and to stay balanced to guarantee success.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

The tower, king of wands, the fool

Libra, the tower is not a reason to be concerned- we promise. The tower represents disruption, chaos, major change. Perhaps this is something you’ve already gone through. Rest assured, the dust will settle once more, and life will become easy again. The king of wands suggest that you will once again be able to focus on the big picture. After your period of chaos, everything will become clear, and there may be opportunities for you to offer unique insight in social situations. The fool asks you to reexamine your potential. You’re capable of more than you believe, especially as you regain your footing. Accept what comes with confidence, as the aftermath is promising.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Three of cups, page of swords, ace of cups

Scorpio, November provides lots of exciting opportunities to get together with friends! The deck suggests that a new person may enter your life soon, and will provide an opportunity for friendship. There may be a lot of creative energy within you and your peers. Embrace it and let things go where they may. The page of swords requests that you ensure your head is in the right place when it comes to these social situations. Be cautious and mindful with the way you socialize, as one person’s way is not more valuable than another’s.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Four of pentacles, two of wands, two of cups

It’s time to think long-term, Sagittarius. The four of pentacles suggests happiness and stability in your domestic life. You’re on-track to accomplish your long-term goals, and the deck encourages you to keep going. Keeping your long-term goals in mind, the two of wands suggest that an important decision may be coming up. Perhaps you’re thinking of travel, or it’s finally time to make a decision you’ve had in your mind for a while. The two of cups suggest that another person may be at play here, such as a partner or a best friend. All that’s left to do now, Sagittarius, is to move in the direction of your goals.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Seven of wands, the devil (reversed), three of wands

Oh dear Capricorn, have you been witness to a lot of conflict lately? Perhaps you’ve even been involved directly. Now is the time to stand your ground if someone is challenging you. Keep in mind what you need from others, and make sure to communicate. The devil makes an appearance to encourage you to face whatever is troubling you. It encourages you to move away from self-sabotaging and to advocate for yourself. The three of wands encourages you to connect with loved ones if necessary to tackle whatever conflicts you encounter.

Aquarius (January 20-Febuary 18)

Seven of swords, seven of cups (reversed), temperance (reversed)

You’re keeping something secret, Aquarius. Be it a new idea, a new relationship, or just general sneakiness: the seven of swords warn you to be careful when playing your cards to your chest. If you’re trying to solve a problem, the deck encourages you to think outside the box, and focus on what solution you truly seek. Maybe you’re keeping your secret because you worry of what road to take. The seven of cups encourages you to dream. What is the best outcome? What do you want out of life? Once you decide, the solution will reveal itself. November will provide plenty of opportunities for self-reflection. Use them wisely.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Six of swords (reversed), the empress, five of wands

It’s time to pick your head up again Pisces, as the time of hardship is over. Be kind to yourself as you begin to put yourself back on the right track. You may be leaving a period of stress, which requires some extra care. The five of wands suggest a conflict involving other people. The empress encourages you to move with compassion for yourself, and look for new methods of self-expression. Should conflict be a concern, make the time for self-care, and get to know yourself again.

Fun Stuff | Horoscopes

Siobhan Rollo

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Islamic History Month: celebrating diversity through trying times

October is Islamic History Month in Canada. Officials call for peace and awareness amid rising Islamophobia and international conflicts

Nathalia Lencioni

Photos: Nathalia Lencioni

October 28, 2024
Revised: November 4, 2024 12:36pm

Photo: Nathalia Lencioni

Student Ayah Styles photographed in the Student Commons wearing a headscarf with a traditionally keffiyeh print, which represents solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement.

This year’s Islamic History Month nears its end amid a difficult landscape — a rise in Islamophobia and ongoing conflicts in Muslim-majority countries including Lebanon, Palestine and Sudan.

According to Ottawa police, out of the 225 hate-motivated incidents to date in 2024, 15 were reported Islamophobia incidents, compared to seven in 2023, resulting in an over 100 per cent increase.

Aadil Naik, an Algonquin College alumnus from India who is a practising Muslim, said he believes the most crucial points to Islamic history month are remembering Muslim luminaries and fostering connection between people of different cultural backgrounds.

“Practising Muslim scholars, scientists and engineers were at the forefront of civilization and of the vast majority of what we know about medicine, science and astronomy,” said Naik. “It also goes a long way to just recognize that Muslim people have the same desires, aspirations, and wants as anyone else.”

Aadil Naik is a practising Muslim and a former Algonquin College international student from India. Fourteen per cent of India's population is Muslim, according to the Pew Research centre. Photo credit: Nathalia Lencioni

Islamic History Month in Canada was designated to be October by the Parliament of Canada in 2007. It serves as an yearly opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Muslim people to Canadian society and recognize the diverse stories that have shaped Canada’s cultural identity, according to the Islamic History Month Canada website.

Ayah Styles, an Algonquin College developmental services worker alumna, said there is a lot about Islam and Muslim people she would like people to know and learn about this month.

“We are not violent how we’ve been portrayed,” said Styles. “We’re just like most of everybody else, we’re sweet and kind. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the world and it’s very similar to other religions, we all believe in the same values.”

Muslim people make up around five per cent of the Canadian population, according to a 2021 survey by Statistics Canada.

Styles said while there are many difficulties with recent conflicts and public perception, she feels closer to her religious and cultural heritage more than ever.

“I’m half Lebanese and half European,” said Styles. “I feel like especially within the past year, I have felt closer to my roots ethnically, as well as religiously, than ever before.”

This year’s theme, “health and healing,” also directs focus to historical figures in Islamic medicine, such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Al-Razi (Rhazes) and many others, whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern medical practices.

These historical figures’ contributions to the fields of surgery and diagnostics, as well as scientific methodology, continue to influence contemporary medicine, according to the Islamic History Month Canada website.

Naik said he is very happy Islamic history month is providing a space for these important figures to be celebrated.

“I think it’s wonderful that, even if it’s sliding under the radar, something like this is still happening,” said Naik. “They’ve been the bedrock for what we know about medicine and how we study it. And they did it at a time when the world needed it more than anything else.”

At the start of the month, Canadian Heritage published a statement by Kamal Khera, federal minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities and Amira Elghawaby, special representative on Combatting Islamophobia, emphasizing the importance of this month for education and awareness.

“We continue to call for peace and de-escalation of tensions across the Middle East,” said Khera and Elghawaby in their statement. “It is our collective duty to stand against Islamophobia, racism and hate in all their forms, wherever and whenever they occur.”

News

Nathalia Lencioni

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Nathalia Lencioni

Devastating loss to Durham in Wolves men’s volleyball home opener

Worn-out voices, stomping feet and school-spirit chants filled the air as the Wolves set off against the Durham Lords

Siobhan Rollo

Photos: Siobhan Rollo

October 28, 2024
Revised: October 28, 2024 4:15pm

Photo: Siobhan Rollo

The Wolves set up defense against Durham Lords, as the other team sets up a kill.

Oct. 25 commemorated the home opener for the Algonquin Wolves men’s volleyball team, with the Wolves suffering a devastating 3-1 loss.

The second game of the season invited hoots and hollers from the crowd as the Wolves faced the Durham Lords.

During warmups, the Wolves sported pink Algonquin College jerseys in support of fighting breast cancer. The game also featured a raffle for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Wolves opened the first set strong, reaching 13-8 in the first half of Set 1. The Lords were able to make a quick catchup, tying the score 17-17.

With strong liberos Malcolm Spence and Ben Puskas contributing to defence, the Wolves won the first set after a tight match, 25-23.

The second set started with the crowd chanting “Let’s go Wolves!”

Set 2 opened with an advantage for the Lords as the team made player swaps, inviting the strong libero Ben Rocehleau onto the court.

Despite a fierce offence from the Lords, the Wolves opened the second set 10-5. Ethan Fisher scored a point, leaving Lords coach Dwayne Cochrane red-faced and screaming as he disputed a call by the referee.

A bold move was pulled by one of the Wolves liberos, Puskas, to recover a point. Puskas leapt the scorers’ table during the game, desperate to prevent the ball from going out, but to no avail.

The bleachers began to shake, and the sounds of thundering feet hit the floors in support of the home team.

The second set ended 25-20, in favour of the Lords.

In the third set, the Wolves came back stronger than ever.

The Wolves regained their strength, switching to a defensive strategy, and were finally able to score points over the Lords’ wall block.

A timeout was called at 11-8, with the Lords in the lead.

However, a few balls reaching the out zone meant trouble for the Lords as the Wolves made a comeback to be tied 17-17.

The Wolves struggled against the Lords’ setters, making for a devastating third-set loss, 25-22.

The game carried into a fourth set as the Wolves set up for an offensive comeback.

In the end, the Lords remained victorious, ending the fourth set 28-26. The Lords secured their victory at 3-1.

“We’re fairly young, we’re a new team reforming,” said Algonquin Wolves player, Mahmoud Abdelaziz. “It’s about learning to keep the energy through the game.”

Abdelaziz said the Wolves have only two returning members from last year’s team. Three of the team’s new recruits are 18 years old.

“We showed a lot of heart and grit, but we’re going against Centennial tomorrow,” he said. “We lost 3-1 to Centennial last year, looking forward to making a comeback.”

The Lords’ Petrus Kuypers said that this may be the beginning of a good season for them.

“We won our last game, this is our second win in a row,” he said. “This may be the beginning of a winning streak for us.”

Algonquin College head coach Jelle Kooijan wasn’t too disheartened by the loss.

“We play again tomorrow, so there’s a quick turnaround,” he said. “We’re a young team with a lot of promise. We’re working on keeping our energy through the game.”

The Wolves were scheduled to face Centennial College on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.

Sports & Recreation

Siobhan Rollo

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Siobhan Rollo

First Person: It’s okay to pursue beauty, but don’t lose yourself in the process

I spent so long trying to meet other people's standards of beauty. Now, I see that being yourself is the most beautiful thing any of us can do

Yuye Jiang

Photos:

October 28, 2024
Revised: October 28, 2024 2:51pm

Three years ago, the author felt hesitant and fearful of facing the camera. Now, she stands tall and calm when facing others' lenses.

I remember sitting in a café on the University of Ottawa campus at the first day of my sophomore year, watching the people coming and going outside. A variety of individuals passed by: some tall and slender, some short and round, some with freckles, and others with fresh acne on their faces. Yet, they all walked with confidence, showing no signs of concealing their appearance. In that moment, I hit a turning point in my journey of shedding the rigid beauty standards I had grown up with in China.

From a young age, I’ve been constantly observing my appearance in mirrors—whether it was the one above the sink, the shiny glass doors at subway stations, the small makeup mirror in my desk drawer or any reflective surface around me. Dark skin, narrow eyes, sparse eyebrows, a broad nose and two prominent front teeth. I wasn’t what you’d call a pretty girl—or at least, that’s the idea my mother instilled in me from childhood. I never doubted it.

“You said you have many Korean friends from high school, right?” my mom would ask me. “You should ask them to take you to Korea and get plastic surgery one day, from head to toe all over again.” My mom would always say this while looking me up and down. “Otherwise, when you grow up, no boys will like you.”

That’s my mother, a great career woman and a traditional parent. She kept her own life, as well as our family’s habits and appearances perfectly in order. However, this came with exacting expectations for her three children. The expectations derived from the “ideal” standards upheld by traditional Asian society, and encompassed moral behavior, academics and appearance.

As a child, I was a tomboy, with wild, untamed hair, a bold smile and sun-damaged skin. I spent my days running freely under the scorching sun, climbing trees and playing pranks with the neighborhood kids. On the other hand, my two siblings were much more well-behaved, with fairer skin, glossy black hair and big doll-like eyes. The adults around us, including my parents, would often joke, “We must have made a mistake at the hospital and taken someone else’s child home.”

As I grew older, my mother not only supported me in my daily life but also guided me in various ways to “improve” my appearance. Starting at the age of 15, every summer, I frequently underwent skincare treatments, hair care and orthodontic work at her urging. But it had the opposite effect. The more I “fixed” myself, the more I felt like I wasn’t enough.

In the first few months after arriving in Canada, I kept holding onto some bad habits. When talking to others, I would subconsciously avoid eye contact, fearing they would see the new acne on my face. As a result, I would rather be late for my morning classes than leave the house without at least applying a layer of foundation.

But slowly, Canada began to change my perspective. During my university years, I started to meet people from all walks of life—people who didn’t fit into the narrow definitions of beauty I had grown up with.

Alexis Cheng is a friend I met during the online class period’s group project. She’s a Chinese-Canadian girl, born in Toronto, and over the past few decades, she’s moved with her family to places like Los Angeles, Montreal and now lives in Ottawa. Her standards of beauty have shifted over the years, she explains.

“Growing up between different cultures was a challenge because at some point, you suddenly realize you look different from the kids around you,” Cheng said. “There was a period in elementary school where I felt confused about my appearance. But after moving to Vancouver in middle school, I was lucky enough to make some cute friends through shared interests, and they were from all over the world. Since then, I’ve paid less attention to a single standard of beauty, and now I’ve developed my own unique style.”

Her words struck me deeply. In China and my mother’s opinion, beauty is defined and it often feels like appearance determines your value. Here in Canada, I began to realize that what actually mattered to people was my personality, my thoughts and my actions, not the poor skin condition I had from staying up late the night before.

This shift in mindset was gradual, but it felt genuine and lasting. I still enjoy wearing makeup because it’s a hobby of mine, but I no longer feel the need to cover up those insignificant blemishes. Instead, I began to focus on how to make my life feel comfortable and healthy. I also started to try more things I had never dared to attempt before, such as speaking up in public or sharing my thoughts at gatherings with friends.

Today, I’ve found a balance well between the two cultures that have shaped me. I no longer chase after my mother’s vision of beauty. When I occasionally pause in front of reflective surfaces, but just take a moment to appreciate my eyes and smile, both of which hold a unique charm I had once overlooked.

As an international student, this journey has been both challenging and liberating. The pressure to meet traditional beauty standards remains, but I’ve learned that beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about being yourself. And that’s the most beautiful thing we can do.

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