The sweet scent of ketupat and opor ayam fills the air as I write this from my in-laws’ home, somewhere in North East of Central Java. For the first time in years, I’ve been blessed with a long, uninterrupted Eid holiday—nearly two weeks of slowing down, reconnecting, and yes, sneaking in some overdue work.
This year’s mudik feels different. Between chasing my kid around the house and sharing laughter over sungkem traditions, I’ve also carved out quiet mornings to tackle pending tasks—accreditation reports, research notes, and even drafting my paper’ next chapter. There’s a special kind of peace in working from the village, where the wifi is shaky but the heart feels full.
The rhythm of rural life has been my reset button: calls to prayer at dawn, late-night chats with family, and the joy of watching my kid bond with his grandparents. It’s reminded me that rest and productivity aren’t enemies—they’re partners.
To everyone celebrating, Eid Mubarak. May your homecomings be sweet, your plates always full, and your hearts lighter.