Cassandra Wang 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.
I recently had the opportunity to go golfing for the first time in Calgary, Alberta. I grew up with very little knowledge and understanding of this sport. Recently some of my friends (who are avid golfers) took me to the driving range and later to a city golf course and helped me gain a better… Read more »
One of my favorite items to order at Korean bakeries (such as Paris Baguette) has always been the iconic salty and sweet garlic bread. Their garlic bread is unique to traditional garlic bread with its soft, buttery, milky and extra fluffy brioche buns. Moreover, the cream cheese filling is slightly sweetened compared to store-bought garlic… Read more »
Stepping into London for the first time is almost like a fantasy. You hear about the rich history of a vast empire, the settings in the fantastical world of Harry Potter, and the home of the Royal Family. As a first-time tourist, it is a lot to take in. Landing in London was already an… Read more »
Every July, the city of Calgary, Alberta transforms into an entertainment central attracting tourists and visitors from across the country and internationally. It is one of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and exhibition events. Enter the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is a celebration of western Canada’s heritage, culture and community that has been around since… Read more »
It is summertime, and ice cream or gelato are perfect snacks or dessert picks for many folks, adults and children alike! I love trying different flavors of ice cream, especially locally made and small batch productions. Their flavors are always changing, and seasonal variations are fun and delicious way to spend an evening date night… Read more »
Despite the later start to summer this year in Calgary, Alberta, I had the opportunity to escape the rain and temporary water shortage (due to a pipe break) to Toronto, Ontario. This time I had the opportunity to visit Canada’s natural wonder, Niagra Falls. Personally, I never venture outside of Toronto since it has most… Read more »
I had the pleasure of attending the lilac festival earlier this month. Every year as spring blossoms into full bloom, the city of Calgary comes alive with the vibrant colors and festive spirit of the Lilac Festival. This event encourages locals to shake off the winter blues and head into the summer months ahead. Held… Read more »
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack made by skewering fruits, typically hawthorn berries, strawberries, or grapes, and then dipping them in a sugar syrup that hardens to a glossy shell. The name “Tanghulu” translates to “sugar bottle gourd,” though it doesn’t actually contain any gourd. It’s a popular street food in China, especially during the… Read more »
One of the most fascinating experiences I’ve had to date was watching the aurora borealis. While typically the colors that splash across my desktop wallpaper are an eerie green with streaks of white, this year (May 10th) when I first witnessed the phenomena, I was surprised to find splashes of pink and purple. Almost an… Read more »
Making Hong Kong-style egg tarts at home is a delightful culinary adventure that allows you to recreate the flaky crust and creamy custard filling of this beloved pastry. Here’s a DIY recipe to guide you through the process: Ingredients: Crust preparation: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed 1/4 cup… Read more »