Amid all the hustle and chaos of 2019 (ahem finishing my PhD, starting my senior research fellowship etc), I have managed to escape to extraordinary places, from the wild marshes of North Carolina, Vietnam in the 60s, the hospital wards of London, and the streets of the fictional Gilead. While I read fewer books than … More The books that made my 2019
While I tried to spend as much of myvacation as possible underwater, but apparently stuff exists on land as well. I know. I was surprised too. Historic placesSo much delicious food Charming night markets and lights on the water
We have been having a cozy Christmas season in London. Here were a few of the top moments of Christmas cheer in the Henry/Sparks/Dykxhoorn house. 10k Santa Dash for Great Ormond St Children’s Hospital (aka a fun Where’s Waldo challenge for y’all!) Ogling the Christmas lights at Kew Gardens And a ride on a ‘swing … More A very London Christmas
Every year, I look forward to The Cup of Jo’s Gift Guide. She curates lists for different people like “Your best friend who reads her horoscope every day and gives the best pep talks” or “Your little brother who makes amazing tomato sauce and laughs at his own jokes.” She has published these since 2007, … More Gift guide for your favourite nerd: academic gift guide
There’s a kind of hush all over the [UK] tonight. A drained, somewhat despairing hush blanketing liberal London after a landslide victory for the Tories last night. Between debriefing with like-minded collegues over large cups of coffee, I started thinking about how to break out of the post-election funk and into a more productive state … More Post-election blues? Thoughts on giving a f*ck
I have gotten very good at giving myself the best birthday gifts – usually they are plane tickets somewhere new and exciting. This year, I treated myself to a Turkish delight – a few days of diving in Kaş!I dove with Nautilus Dive Centre, and had a rigorously fantastic schedule of an extensive breakfast, diving, … More Diving in Kaş: A Turkish delight!
In the latest in the series of extraordinary adventures of the #DykxhoornDarlings, we walked through the wardrobe into Narnia. Alternately known as Lister Park in Bradford. But before this magical frosty morning, I got to see teacher-extraordinaire Miss Dykxhoorn in her school. This was the first time I have been in a secondary school in … More Dykxhoorn Darlings in Bradford
I share a lot about my travels on this site, as I have had the opportunity to visit some truly incredible places in the last few years. In response to queries about if I like living in London, I find myself often responding that I love that London is such a hub of travel, making … More Moments in my London
Lovely Outliers 