So this blog has been up and running for sometimes. As I mentioned, I am not going to worry too much about how it looks (for now), as I should focus on the writing.

Lately I have been feeling like there is not enough hours in a day as I have so many things in my mind that I want to do (and this blog is one of them). I feel that I need to pursuit those things that set me on fire. Things that will not cause to me look at my watch and say ” when is time to go home?” Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy my job at one of the foreign banks’ risk management team. I get to do lots of things with the bank’s product portfolio and I get quite a buzz from it.

But it’s those things outside work which I wish I have more time to do, like learning more about photography and doing more writing. I admire people like Finally Woken, Ecky, Felie, and Maureen who regularly updates their blogs. Not to mention post great photos. I do envy them, but in a way that motivates me to write and take better pictures.

I decided that I will invest more time into blogging and photography. I feel that doing these two set the fire within me, where I do not want to go to sleep just to keep on going. I know I have been a slack with this blog – but hey, a single girl in a corporate slavery doesn’t exactly have too much time to do other things, in addition to gym and socialising. *excuses. I know that with my latest purchase of D90 and Macbook Pro – which I did purchase deliberately as part of the motivation for these two hobbies – I will have to do more. And I am looking forward to write and take more photos.

But that’s not the only thing that set me on fire.

The other day a friend of mine @ayuestrellita mentioned that detik.com is having a competition to promote Indonesian Tourism on through the competition “Aku Cinta Indonesia” (I Love Indonesia) where they picked people to travel around Indonesia. When she told me about it, I immediately want to register. You see, travelling is another ‘hobby” (somehow I don’t dare to use the word ‘passion’ in case it’s just a phase). I have always wanted to travel around Indonesia. It is sad to know that I have only visited Bali for the first time in my life in 2005, after 11 years in New Zealand, after the first Bali bombing. I make up for the lack of Bali trips in life by going there at least once a year since 2005. (Oh, three times for this year and still counting).

But Bali is, well, it’s Bali. Everybody knows where, and what it is all about. Some ignorant people in this world even think that Indonesia is in Bali. (Trust me. Some kid even asked me whether New Zealand is in Bali. Hellow?!). Bali gets enough exposure as it is. The rest of Indonesia needs to get more exposure, and I would love to explore them. I know places like Belitung, Padang, Raja Ampat, Bunaken are among some places that the world should see. While the infrastructure may not be as good as Bali, exposing these places as tourism alternatives will push more development to accomodate the demand for visitors. Look, Bali didn’t have Seminyak when I was there in 2005, and look at it now. Developers cannot wait to build the next Villa at any available land in that area, that it’s is now so crowded.

Belitung Island – photo courtesy of mananews.com

I know the government is trying to do more with Indonesian tourism, even setting Visit Indonesia site, but more can definitely done. I know promotion costs money, and that there are other priorities in this country (like Education, Health and poverty – oh not to mention corruption), but given the careful thought and planning, it can be done. What detik.com is doing with this ACI program will definitely help to promote Indonesian tourism to a new level.

So far I find three things that set me on fire, photography, writing, and travel, and I want to pursue them fully within my capacity. Be it a travel-blogger, or a market campaigner for Visit Indonesia.

What’s my true passion? I’m still finding it out more, and this blog will be one to keep me on my journey in finding it. I’ll take it as it comes and will be more aware of myself whenever I feel that fire in within as I know, there are more to follow.

Now, what sets you on fire?