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.
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 »
To keep entropy low and to stay on top of things during the year, it’s critical we have a reliable system to fall back on. While every student has their unique way of organizing their work space and meeting deadlines, I’ve noticed that certain survival tips have remained unchanged despite the ever-changing dynamics of being… Read more »
There are many similarities between being financially fit and physical or mental wellbeing. For one, possessing financial awareness, or “fitness”, will barricade us against stressors such as emergency use of funds. Money has a tendency to leave us at the earliest opportunity and, especially as students, when stress hits a lot of rational thought goes… Read more »
Green tea—an excellent detox agent, bitter but richly flavorful, has now taken the world by storm. From the dieting and fitness realms to the quirky, hipster cafes that serve matcha flavored desserts, you can find this new fad picking up in various locations and cultures. The Japanese call it matcha, the Chinese call it mocha… Read more »
A few weeks ago, I made a list of fantastic apps every student should have. This week, after some digging around, I found 5 additional apps that students would benefit from. Mobile applications are becoming an essential for everyday living; from helping wake us up in the morning to matching us for romantic dates, mobile… Read more »
Back-to-school season for students often means an overwhelming series of stimuli and activity. AU students particularly have a host of to-dos on their list including paying tuition, stocking up on school supplies and Kraft dinner. And then there’s the lack of income security and the hefty cost of education. However, there are many hidden perks… Read more »
Upon reflecting about the number of times I line up at Tim Hortons for their hearty Southern-Style chili, I finally mustered the motivation to attempt my own interpretation of the Southern Style Chili. Chilies make a sumptuous, healthy dinner and meal option for students. Particularly with the aid of an Instant Pot, the actual time… Read more »
Compared to the average university student, AU students are busy bees that multi-task at every opportunity. We have commitments beyond just school, sometimes including supporting families, working at part- or full-time jobs, running our own businesses, or developing a new hobby or skill. With all these responsibilities in mind, reviewing for coursework might look a… Read more »
August is the perfect time to binge watch Netflix shows, lay back and get inspired before the Fall term. For foodies, there’s always room to grow in learning about cuisines, appreciating the meticulous detail behind each culinary masterpiece or simply watching celebrity chefs scream at rookie chefs which never seems to lose its entertainment value. … Read more »