Tubing

I find that one of the best ways to get through the winter is to get outside and make the most of it. After record low temperatures of last week and the snow and rain projected for this week I took the chance to be outdoors on Sunday and enjoy winter. I went to Edelweiss with a group of students for an afternoon of Tubing care of the SAO.

When I think of tubing, it’s childhood memories of sliding down a hill on a crazy carpet that come to mind. That is not what it’s like at Edelweiss. This was going tubing down the kind of hill that you dream about as a kid. It looked like they had transformed one of their older and shorter hills for tubing. There was a mix of difficulties for the runs. The lowest intensity is was on the left with the most intense and steepest on the right.

I started on the left and worked my way over. There are staff at the top of the hill to help you set up and give you a good push, (and if you choose, spin!) on your way down.  Going down the first hill I was fine. It was the second hill that had two drops in it that was my favorite. The interesting part was that this hill was just as fun as the others, but what made a run more exciting was the push and spin that you got on the way down.

I knew I would enjoy myself at this event, but I had no idea I would like it that much! The rush as you speed down a hill with little control of where you’re going is so fun it’s hard to describe.

The worst part of tubing at other hills, was always carrying your tube back up, but at Edelweiss they have a conveyer belt that you stand on and it pulls you up the hill. This takes away the worst part and allows you to really enjoy yourself!

This was a great way to make the most of winter weather. I highly recommend you get out there if you can!

          - SAO blogger Sarah Raphael 

Stroumboulopoulos at Algonquin College

SAO blogger Sarah, and event team member Nora, with George.

I have been a fan of George Stroumboulopoulos ever since I first watched him on Much Music. He is a Toronto native and studied radio broadcasting at Humber College. George has had a successful career in radio and television interviewing important political, musical and social leaders. I was very excited to hear his stories, and thoughts.

This was a true Q and A style event starting with a few questions from a public relations and a journalism student. Then the floor was opened for questions from the audience. I was surprised how much he shared. The conversation flowed from the way he dresses, to his broadcasting and interview practices, to his childhood and his last name.  Being a public relations student I found it really interesting to hear all of his stories.

Not only did I get to watch the show but I also got to sit in on the small meet and great before the show with select broadcasting, journalism, and public relations students.

Here are some of the things that I learned from George that night:

1. He does not believe in having a plan b or goals “I just go with the flow.”
2. His news comes from Twitter. He does not follow newspapers.
3.  Labeled 'Hasn’t Hit Me Yet' by Blue Rodeo as one of the great Canadian songs.
4. The art of interviewing is in the follow up question.
5.  That a life worth living is a life lived authentically.
6.  Radio is a beautiful fluid relationship. Unlike the harsh start and stop relationship of television.
7.  A lot of crazy things happen behind the scenes at Much Music.
8.  Enjoy your time as a girl because you will spend the majority of your life as a woman.
9. George is happy if at the end of the day he can say “on this day I didn’t waste my day, I got to connect with actual people.”
10.  He is just as nice and down to earth as I thought he would be.

Not only is he a great person to talk to, he could also be one of the nicest people on tv. He took a few extra questions from the audience and stayed late to talk and take photos with everyone that lined up.

I learned a lot about the broadcasting business and heard some amazing stories about his life. It was a great night and I learned things that I will never forget.

Thank you George Stroumboulopoulos!  

- Sarah Raphael SAO blogger

Culinary Workshop

Dear starving Algonquin students, what if I told you that for only five dollars you could make three meals, big enough for two? That is exactly what I did last night at the Culinary Workshop.


This workshop is a great opportunity for students to learn how to cook. If you have never tried to make food from scratch and most of your cooking involves something from a box or can, this is your chance to learn how to make nutritious, easy meals. 

I was really nervous when I walked into the room because I’m not the most talented cook, but I was excited to make some great food. Since I went by myself I was placed in a group. There is a maximum of four people per station making this workshop a fun group activity. I spoke to one group that used this event as an ice breaker for new house mates. For the insecure cooks out there like I was, there is a trained instructor and culinary students walking you through the recipe as you go. No one taking this workshop is a pro, some may have cooked before, but the instructors adjust to your level. The first thing we had to do was clean and prepare all our vegetables. I really liked that the instructor concentrated on showing us safe, quick ways to cut the vegetables. I had never had a professional walk me through anything like that and it's a skill that I will be practicing when I cook at home. Then we started cooking!

Overall I really enjoyed the night. I was cooking with students in different programs, and learning about different types of food from Italian to Indian and Mexican. I had never tried to make an Indian dish before so it was a fun experience. If you’re thinking about joining the culinary program this is a great way to see if you would like it or not.

When I got home I tried a little bit of each dish we made and they were all delicious. I put them in the freezer for a busy week when I don’t have time to cook. I can’t wait to sit down and eat everything I created. Definitely a great workshop for students looking to learn some new skills in the kitchen, save money, and eat great food!

OH! I forgot to mention that not only do you get to take the food you make home but you also get sent home with the recipes. So if you really like them you can make them again. This was a great event that needs to be part of your college experience if not for your stomach then for your wallet!

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael

Community Project Working with Seniors

It’s not every day that you have the chance to talk to someone that lived in Britain during the second world war, knows three languages, and has traveled the world with her African husband.

This Saturday I had the opportunity to reach outside my comfort zone and take part in this month’s community project at Embassy West Senior Living. I was a little nervous about how to act around the seniors and not sure what to expect from the whole experience.

When we arrived, we were lead to a games room and greeted by member of HelpAge Canada, a not-for-profit organization committed to bettering the lives of seniors across Canada. One of its’ goals is to create more opportunities for youth and seniors to spend time together, and that is where this month’s community project comes in.

So we were given a list of questions that could be used as talking points to get the conversation started. I decided to start doing a puzzle with three other students and we were quickly joined by one of the residents, Mary. She helped with the puzzle and was happy to share some of her life experiences.  It was really great to hear all her stories and just talk to someone completely different. I was not the only student enjoying the afternoon, when I looked around the room all the students and seniors were enjoying themselves. Everyone was playing card games, learning how to knit, solving puzzles, and meeting new people.

I think this was a great chance to step outside my comfort zone, meet new people, not just seniors but also students in other programs. I love the time I spent solving the puzzle on Saturday, and I met some great people and learned more than I thought I would. In the end I had a great afternoon, talked to some interesting people and had a great character building experience that I can add to my resume. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon. 

There are different community projects every month with the SAO to get students involved in city events. Don’t miss your chance to give back and add unique experiences to your resume. 

- SAO blogger Sarah Raphael

Nothing says welcome back like Dirty Bingo!

Me & Krystal

I was excited to go back for my second round at Dirty Bingo. No longer being a Dirty Bingo virgin I knew what to expect and couldn’t wait for all the sexual banter and innuendos. Even though it was my second time going I still laughed the first time they called “nipple 37”, or “balls 24”. I had almost forgotten what to do when they call “orgasm 69”! But have no fear for all the new faces in the crowd, and those that just forget like me, Krystal and Zelda review the rules before you start.

I did get a chance to talk to a few some people in the crowd and turns out they were enjoying the experience as much as I was. Alisha was there celebrating her 19^th birthday and losing her Dirty Bingo virginity. “I wanted to do something fun and different for my birthday. This is a one of a kind Algonquin College experience that everyone should try!”

Almost a winner.

I also talked to two girls sitting at the back. They came to Dirty Bingo for a girl’s night out. They said that even though they were embarrassed Krystal tried to set them up with dates, they were having a great night out.

I was surprised to learn that this was Zelda’s one year Dirty Bingo anniversary and Krystal’s seven month anniversary in drag. I really can’t imagine what this event would be like without them. They make the night different, exciting, and funny every time. So congratulations to both of them for meeting this mile stone and I hope they have many more to come.  I had no idea there were so many dirty words that start with the letters B I N G O!

Students playing Dirty Bingo.

It really is a great fun atmosphere to experience. I was a little disappointed that this time there were no tie breakers. I left another night empty handed but this is only the first Dirty Bingo of the year. Maybe February will be my winning month!

- Sarah Raphael SAO blogger