Posts By: Xin Xu

Cassandra Wang

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.

Tips for Effective Spring Cleaning

Although it may not feel like it in certain parts of Canada, spring is upon us and there’s plenty of warmer weather days ahead.  Spring cleaning has always been an important part of many Canadian households; it’s a time when families put away the winter jackets, dust the fans and get ready for the warmer… Read more »

Five Spring Skincare Tips and Hacks

So recently, I’ve been very focused on skincare.  It’s a popular topic but it’s one of the hardest routines to stick to.  I find it so easy to forget to moisturize or apply serums every night.  Now that I’m specializing in skincare in my everyday medical practice, I am more in tune with my own… Read more »

Tribute to Ramen Noodle Day

Believe it or not there is a day for this delicious Japanese comfort food.  With the globalization of food, ramen restaurants are available in all big cities and even some small rural regions I’ve visited in the past.  If you’re a big ramen fan like me, this will be a great excuse to celebrate national… Read more »

Three Tips to Having a Successful Side Hustle

What are side hustles?  According to the Cambridge Dictionary it is “a piece of work or job that you have in addition to your main job”.  Truth be told, since I was in high school, I’ve always had a side hustle that I’m passionate about.  Whether it was tutoring, writing, or currently, growing my own… Read more »

Common Questions I get as a Clinical Pharmacist

As a tribute to Pharmacy Awareness Month, I decided to write a little about myself.  I’ve been practicing as a pharmacist since July 2021.  I graduated from University of Alberta and took many exciting courses at Athabasca University that I would have never had a chance to take as a part of my regular program. … Read more »

DIY Chinese Soup Dumplings

One of my favorite activities is inviting friends and family over to make Chinese soup dumplings.  These are hearty, flavorful, and boast a traditional recipe that has been passed down in the family for generations.  Preparing dumplings is not simply a chore but a family activity.  My entire family would pitch in, chat about school,… Read more »

The Four Best Plants for Indoor Living

As March propels us into spring (albeit the snow), I’ve been looking forward to bringing more plants into the home.  Despite the long months of winter in Canada there are many different species of plants that are hardy, easy to care for, and create a beautiful addition to your home.  It’s becoming a key accessory… Read more »

Three Tips on Dealing with Difficult Family Members

They say you can choose your friends, but not your family.  While family members are often seen as the most supportive, reliable people in your life, that may not always be so.  Sometimes not all family members have the same perspective, the same personality, or even have your best interest at heart. Having watched a… Read more »

Five Ideas for Spending Valentine’s Day at Home

With the pandemic cases rising and people’s fears about going out to crowded venues, there’s a lot of demand for at-home Valentine’s Day experiences.  Instead of taking your date to a nice dinner, try making a heartfelt dinner in the comfort of your home.  Instead of taking a late night stroll in the park, you… Read more »

Four Interior Design Tips

Recently I’ve started looking into interior design to help spruce my apartment life.  Regardless of if you’re a student or a working professional, interior design can make a huge difference in your mood and your home experience.  Especially for AU students learning from home or working from home, a large portion of the day is… Read more »