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.
Personal finances can be a tricky subject. For AU students taking on student loans, juggling multiple jobs, and supporting dependents, money can be a topic that induces anxiety and stress. Moreover, with the global financial downturn and pandemic predicament, many have struggled to make ends meet in the past few months. As a student I… Read more »
One of the most challenging parts of working from home—or studying from home—is the challenge of staying motivated. Ever since the start of the quarantine, much of the separation between work, school and personal life has blurred. My workstation is also the same location as my entertainment centre where I binge watch Netflix or complete… Read more »
Wontons are a delicious staple in Southern China where a bowl of Wonton soup could be found in street food markets. I remember growing up with my grandma who always made wontons on weekend afternoons and asked the younger children in the household to help out. Making wontons was a communal activity in our family,… Read more »
After looking for many months for a rescue dog, I finally received a phone call from a lady who was planning on letting her one-year-old husky go. I was ecstatic and drove all the way across the province to pick my new companion up. The first week has been an incredibly exhausting, rejuvenating, and blissful… Read more »
Musical hobbies: Having taken piano lessons at a young age, I’ve always been a fan of self-expression at the piano. It was a chance to be distanced from the bustle of everyday life and connect with myself. I found that even at the most anxious and stressful moments, I have always found solace in playing… Read more »
One of the most versatile yet underutilized items in the kitchen is the ice cream scooper. As someone who has consumed less than four litres of ice cream a year, I never knew what to do with my ice cream scooper at home. The few times in the year where I would use this niche… Read more »
The first thought that crosses most people’s minds when the word ramen is mentioned is college students, especially students who have moved out and are living independently in a college dorm. However, another time that ramen might become a household favorite is during a time such as the global pandemic. Since the early weeks of… Read more »
Every year I host a backyard barbecue for my family, but this year I had to enjoy the entire feast myself. For those who are working or studying from home, backyard barbecues are usually a great way to enjoy the company of your loved ones. And with the current loosening of public health quarantine measures,… Read more »
Bored of your classic cereal for breakfast? Want some flair without having to prepare an extravagant breakfast? COVID-19 has given me the opportunity to explore more diverse breakfast options without resorting to the most efficient, bland-tasting breakfast. Lately, having the urge to try something different for breakfast, I’ve created several recipes that might help with… Read more »
Hike recommendations near Canmore With the re-opening of provincial parks within Alberta, I’ve had the opportunity to visit some of the province’s incredible provincial parks. Over the long weekend, I went on a solo hike through the Peter Lougheed Provincial park in Canmore, Alberta. Despite the mountains being a popular hangout location, I steered clear… Read more »