Xin Xu hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.
In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.
For me, the end of the year always brings about some deep self-reflection. I like to glance back at the year and consider the major changes, the obstacles, the struggles, and the successes that helped me grow as an individual. Specifically, I related back to some of the worthwhile tools that helped me in a… Read more »
The end to Halloween starts a new season that lasts approximately 1 month and 25 days. That’s right—it’s the season of shopping. For decades corporations have encouraged us to spend frivolously every day of the year, but particularly as the year draws to a close. But it’s never a bad thing when we’re shopping for… Read more »
I had the chance to visit Seattle in the past week. Despite its rainy, chilly weather this time of year, I had a chance to check off some boxes on my to-eat list. Seattle is known for many renowned eateries including the famous Pike Place farmers market, the original Starbucks location, and world famous clam… Read more »
A week ago I had the honor to participate in a pie eating competition hosted in Edmonton by the University of Alberta. Being an amateur in the food challenge scene meant I had a large learning curve. The pie was exactly 12 inches wide and 1.85 kg in weight. I had no idea how I… Read more »
Prior to starting university, I rarely drank coffee. In fact, being an underweight, 5’3 sized girl meant my body was highly sensitive to caffeine. One sip would cause a cascade of events some of which involved jittering, anxiety, and headaches. However, the strong culture of caffeine on university campuses and in the professional workplace initiated… Read more »
Since the review of the instant pot, I have yet to come across a small kitchen appliance that fits so snugly in small counter spaces and create delicious yet nutritious options for busy students. That is until I recently purchased a second-hand blender that adds a nutritious twist to my usual meals. Since starting the… Read more »
For students with the travel bug, it can be hard to balance your budget while paying for your last hefty vacation and setting money aside for a budget vacation. Luckily, there are various ways to travel without having to cash in your savings. Some forms of travelling are exclusive to students and can make the… Read more »
It’s hard to stay original with pumpkin carving every year when October 31st rolls around. While your neighbors might be striving for the most sophisticated carvings (intricately sculpted in ways that would make Michelangelo proud), keep your carvings original this year with the most relatable pumpkin carvings that would warrant a chuckle from your fellow… Read more »
Whether you love it or you avoid it like the plague, horror movies are a bucket list item for many movie-goers this week. While I don’t always appreciate the jump scares, when enjoyed with the right people, horror movies can a great experience with friends. What should you know about the current blockbuster movies the… Read more »
Meal prep can be a pain. Especially when you have to figure out which protein pairs with which vegetables, and what spices should go with which meal. When you pile on homework, midterm exams and term paper deadlines, meal prep can be the last thing on AU students’ minds. After finishing my first degree, I… Read more »