Posts By: Xin Xu

Xine Wang

Xine 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.

What It Is Like Travelling During COVID

One of the most stressful, but also fascinating, experiences in 2021 was traveling amidst the pandemic.  I know I might get a lot of hate for this post, but I wanted to share what some of my experiences have been like.  I also know that while avoiding travel is highly recommended at this time, there… Read more »

Four Tips on Leading a Less Materialistic Lifestyle

I love me a new purse or a cozy jacket.  But at what point do these items become meaningless?  When you already have them but need five more of course!  Our relationship with items is very much governed by our capitalistic and consumption-focused world.  It’s difficult when social media is used as a form of… Read more »

Three Things Having a Chronic Illness Teaches You

I think many of us today live with chronic illnesses.  Even among younger populations, chronic illnesses impact the way we think, the way we behave, and our overall life decisions.  I’ve recently connected with my grandmother in China who I have been unable to visit since 2019.  It’s been three years since I have seen… Read more »

How to make Christmas Shopping Less of a Headache

Christmas shopping has traditionally been a disaster as people head to the malls, browse for hours, and aimlessly stock up on items they don’t need.  Materialism is at an all-time high around Christmas.  Many resort to online shopping, but recently, with inflation at an all-time high, on-line shopping isn’t friendly for the wallet any more. … Read more »

Six Ways to Warm Up This Winter

Winter is upon us, and many parts of Canada are now fully cloaked in snow.  As someone who has a higher metabolism but a low body temperature, I’m always cold!  Even in the fall, I would have my thickest sweaters and turn the heat to above 20 degrees.  Now that the temperature outside has been… Read more »

Easy Baked Brie and Berry Recipe

There are some things to be said about the colder weather in Canada recently – enjoying warm christmas-esque without feeling guilty, for one.  Whether you are hosting your own warm up gathering this long weekend or just looking for a tasty, albeit fancier snack, try this baked blueberry brie for a nice hearty warm-up from… Read more »

Three Tips on Editing Videos Quickly for School or Hobbies

I’ve always been interested in video editing as it serves such a wide range of functions in modern life.  We can’t live without our screens, but as technology progresses, I’ve found that people are much more engaged with videos than pictures, and it’s been a fun learning experience throughout the years.  Before COVID-19, I had… Read more »

How to Optimize the Semester as a Night Student

I’ve been there and done that—where I’ve worked full time during the day and in the evening taken up a course.  Some might be working towards a degree and carrying a full or part-time job.  In either case I applaud you.  The stuff isn’t easy, and I want to break down how to optimize your… Read more »

Perfect Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

With and Without Instant Pot It’s finally the time of the year where we start making pumpkin and squash style soups. For Thanksgiving this year, I made the perfect butternut squash soup that delighted guests. They are simple to make, healthy and taste delicious. The customizabilty of this soup is also perfect for guests who… Read more »

Three Tips on Preventing Burnout This Semester

One of the worst nightmares is having loads of assignments due, exams in the upcoming agenda, social and family obligations to meet, and not having a shred of motivation to do any of them.  Burnout for students is real, and sometimes the anxiety and stress stays with us no matter how many hours of sleep… Read more »