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.
For students with the travel bug, it can be hard to balance your budget while paying for your last hefty vacation and setting money aside for a budget vacation. Luckily, there are various ways to travel without having to cash in your savings. Some forms of travelling are exclusive to students and can make the… Read more »
It’s hard to stay original with pumpkin carving every year when October 31st rolls around. While your neighbors might be striving for the most sophisticated carvings (intricately sculpted in ways that would make Michelangelo proud), keep your carvings original this year with the most relatable pumpkin carvings that would warrant a chuckle from your fellow… Read more »
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 »