How to Take Leave of Your Family Home

If your life is anything like mine, it might go something like this: After a few days of crossing multiple … More

Between the Sawah and a Hard Place

In Bali, there is a zone – where concrete walls meet the sawah (rice paddies). It’s a sacred space; as … More

There’s no telling when and where the Balinese will hold their next ceremony. Which is why it’s often been said … More

I learned a new word in bahasa Indonesia the other day. Lembur. Overtime. Until this week, I’d never had reason … More

At the far end of a remote village in East Bali, I meander towards the far end of a road, … More

More than one week after the not-quite-a-break-in-kind-of-robbery, I still noticed that I was a little jumpy. A plastic bottle rolled … More

This past week, I’ve been reminded of the importance of feeling grateful even for imperfection, for things that do not … More

The Indonesian word tikus has always sent shivers down my spine. It translates to rat – or field mouse. A … More

Somewhere over the Java Sea, my body gave out. The first clue revealed itself during takeoff, when I glanced over … More

The after-effects of a whirlwind visit back to my hometown took their toll, still in the process of winding down … More