The history and folklore of Queen Mahendradatta at Pura Durga Kutri, Bali — where a Javanese queen was deified as Durga, and remembered as Rangda. She was the daughter of Raja Sri Makutawangsawardhana, of the Isyana dynasty of the Medang Kingdom — what we now call East Java. She married Raja Udayana of Bali, of the Warmadewa dynasty. Historians read this marriage as more than romance.

There is something deeply comforting about a drink that carries the warmth of family tradition and the wisdom of generations. My mother’s Seruni recipe is one such treasure, a herbal drink that has been passed down through our Javanese family for years. This simple yet flavorful concoction not only refreshes but also connects me to my roots every time I prepare it. In this article, I want to share the story behind this beloved recipe, the ingredients that make it special, and how you can...

A human being cannot be defined by just one aspect of their life. We are complex beings, multifaceted and dynamic, with the capacity to embody seemingly opposing qualities that are not necessarily seen as bad. We are allowed to be both gentle and fierce, to be strong and vulnerable, and nurturing yet pushing the boundaries to promote transformation. We can be the calm in the storm and the storm itself, embodying the contradictions that make us human. By embracing this complexity, we can break...