After many weeks of rain, we finally had a dry day and I got out on our motorbike. Feeling the warmth of the sun and enjoying the view of the mountains, sea, and forest as we wound our way around Vancouver and beyond, I thought about how important it is this time of year, as academic deadlines and the holidays descend, to take time out for reflection, relaxation, and the great outdoors. I have long designated Sundays as "sacred" in this regard. This habit dates back to the most stressful moments of grad school when I had to draw a firm boundary around one day each week that would remain guarded from work, research, writing, and outside obligations. Leaving all tasks aside, Sunday was the one day each week I would commit to reading for pleasure, walking and relaxing in nature, cooking and baking to relax, and spending time with my partner without too much planning or pressure. In the years since, I have been mostly successful in protecting that day, but if there was one month where it mostly fell apart, it came in the hectic weeks of December when the convergence of final grading and holiday commitments pushed Sunday back into the grind of life. This year I am mindful to close out 2017 with my Sundays intact. Enjoy the links, and make sure to guard some time for yourself as well this holiday season!