A sociologist writes about books falling from bookshelves, a serendipitous maths tutorial, and procrastinating.

Dr Sandy To in Kyoto

1 You grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. What about living there will you never forget? 

The major earthquake in 1989 that had a magnitude of 6.9. I remember all the books fell from our bookshelf and we had to hide under the dining room table. Half of the water from my grandmother's pool was gone. The footage of the Bay Bridge collapsing was on constant replay in the news. It was the first major disaster I had encountered in my life; I'll never forget it!  

2 You’ve attained a master’s degree in English and Comparative Literature. What led you to this field of study?

I loved reading English novels growing up, especially the classics like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edith Wharton, Oscar Wilde, and E.M. Forster. I jumped at the chance to study them in-depth so I majored in English and Comparative Literature at Hong Kong University. There I took a course in Modernist literature where I got introduced to the works of Kafka, Baudelaire, Conrad, Mansfield, and Jean Rhys, and I wanted to learn even more, so I studied for a master's degree.   

3 Fiction writing is one of your passions. Do elaborate.

I've recently written a novel that's based on the "four types of leftover women" in my research. It's like a fictional adaptation of my academic work. It's about 4 women - a highly-educated events planner, a socialite, an heiress, and a high-powered professional - navigating life and love. I hope I can share it with readers soon. 

Sandy explains why many highly-educated career women experience difficulties finding a marriage partner.

4 How do you cultivate your interest in astrology? 

I have an astrology blog called The Ninth House (https://the-9th-house.blogspot.com/) where I write about astrology, tarot, and other new age phenomena. I started it when I was doing my PhD at Cambridge University. It was a good way to procrastinate! I did many birth chart readings and tarot card readings for my classmates back then. It's taken off and become quite popular, so I continue to write on various topics in astrology from time to time. 

5 Which other interests add colour to your life?

Recently I've learnt how to ride a bike - finally, at over 40 years old! I have my husband to thank for teaching me, and my son for encouraging me. The reason and motivation to learn was that I had to go cycling with them, and I didn't want to be left out! We also love going skiing as a family. We recently went skiing in Karuizawa ski resort in Japan. My son is hooked on it, and we even went to an indoor ski range in Guangzhou, China during Easter! 

6 Your research for your PhD in sociology involved highly educated women’s partner choices. How did you meet your husband? 

Good question. We met when we were 13, in a maths tutorial class! But I didn't know this until our wedding day, in which my husband told me. (I didn't remember him, but he remembered me...We were from different schools but really close by.) Who would know that after more than 20 years, one of his childhood friends would introduce us again? Call that a serendipitous encounter.  

7 You’re a mom; which aspects of your personality have been honed by parenthood?

Resilience: I never knew I had it in me to go through the pains of bearing a child, giving birth, and then 10 months of breastfeeding! This changes me in a way I never imagined. I know I have to be strong for my kid and my family no matter what. I also have more empathy for all living things in general. 

8 What are the joys of living in Hong Kong?

It's very convenient, and everything's a stone's throw away. It's a good place to live in old age. There's nature, parks, beaches, sports, shopping, art, and almost any type of food. Most importantly, it's not too cold or depressing in the winter. 

 About Sandy, including contact details

Dr. Sandy To is a sociologist with a PhD from the University of Cambridge who writes and speaks globally about women’s partner choices on TV, radio, podcasts, and seminars. She is the author of the acclaimed book, China’s Leftover Women: Late Marriage among Professional Women and its Consequences (Routledge), and she has been featured in numerous media outlets such as the BBC, CNN, TIME, Financial Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, South China Morning Post, and Tatler Hong Kong.

You can find out more about Sandy’s book, articles and latest news on her website: sandyto.com.

Follow Sandy on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-to-phd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sandytolau/

X: https://twitter.com/SandyTo3

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sandyto5293

Images of Dr Sandy To and her family: provided.

Other images: Unsplash.