Between Faith, Religion and Personal Relationship to God

Well December is coming with bringing some nice and warmth atmospheres in Jakarta. Everything about Christmas has been visible since several weeks ago in some streets, malls, office buildings and at some programs in the television. For myself, December and its Christmas nuance has brought me a happiness as well. I like some Christmas songs sounded in some areas, I like Poinsettia grows everywhere and some people wishes about White Christmas - although actually I am not really celebrate it.

I am a moslem lady. Most of my family are moslem as well, and some part of them are christian. The christian believers in my family are come from my Father's family. I have embraced moslem actually since I was a kid. I have been a Christian since I was a Kid before to be a moslem. But I don't know what my reason made a changes on my religion at that time. I just remember that I did not go to the church anymore and choose to mengaji (reading Quran) at Mosque.

Actually, If everybody asked me why I have to alter my religion I don't have a good answer, because as I said before it was too young for me when I made a decision and I don't know what my specific reason took that decision.

Look into my point of view when I was a kid and now is surely different. For me now I have a distinction with what it's called faith, religion, and personal relation with God. I don't know but in my understanding people who strong with religion is not certainly have a good faith as well. And it also doesn't means they have a good understanding about the real relationship with God.

In my experience, I often see the people who have a good faith, realize about the presence of God in his / her life although they don't do their habitual worship well. Or vice versa, people who do a strong worship but not wise enough, or still commit the things that painful or make anyone else uncomfortable, for example. That's why I see that having religion, do a strong worship doesn't always means make people good or become so faith and have a 'pure heart'. But I don't say it's always happen to all of people.

That is why actually people need to look deeper, more sensitive to their surrounding, have a control with what they do and even with what they feel and think. Not only do what religion ask without the right direction.

I am a moslem lady, but I quite interest in what Christian teach or Buddhist teach. I like what bible says about love and affection, what Buddha says about humanity. I think I have something else that fills my heart and enrich my spirit. I also more often pray with my own language to God than read a verses that I don't really understand it's meaning, so that I can feel a more real communication with God.

As a human being, it's a duty to do an obligation which our religion asks, but we have to build our own faith that is not always can be achieved by do a worship strongly, but by our heart, understanding that we can gain by our wisdom. And most important making a relationship with God that is not always can be achieved by good worship as well but once again by our heart, our pure love in our self to God.

Marry Christmas. God blesses you and universe.

Indonesia as a Holiday Destination

I have a plan for a vacation this year. Like other workers, I need a spare time for holiday to set free the fatigue caused by workload and other routine activities that taking energy of body and mind, and of course to see something new beside a things that I see in my daily activities.

Some people, I mean some of my friends usually tend to choose country neighbors as their holiday destination. Most of them often make a plan to visit Singapore, Thailand, or Malaysia. Some of them also comfy to visit other ASEAN countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Beside the air ticket price factor, which is getting cheaper time after time, as the effect of emergence of budget airlines, staying in the neighbors countries (ASEAN countries) is not taking a high cost. a lot of hotel can offer us a cheap cost starting from 20 USD, even less. So going vacation in neighbor countries, sometimes no need much consideration to do.

For upper middle class people, most of them usually have more choice to visit other countries that is more distant and expensive. Hongkong, Japan, Korea, China, Australia, and European countries can be a favorite destination for most Indonesian people. It is apparently to be so distinctive when young people will spend their holiday time in Hongkong for shopping, or to Gold coast for surfing.

Something that can be noted here is the choice to holiday in Overseas can be an option because: 1. It offers a benefit by visit other countries with lower cost, or 2. it can give a particular prestige, no matter what kind of place, what benefit we can get there, as long as we can achieve Hongkong or Japan or Austalia it will give own prestige. (Correct me if I am wrong)

That's why sometimes Indonesian people a little bit reluctant to choose holiday option in their own country for holiday destination. If Air Asia can offers a low cost to Bangkok or Jetstar with its low fare can allow us to go to Singapore only with USD 50 (return). So why we have to make difficult by choosing Tana Toraja in Sulawesi island. That's many of Indonesian people minds!.

Whereas, if we can see, Indonesia has many of not only beautiful but also unique and wonderful places and culture, that is not less than other countries. Let see, we have a Pulau Komodo (Komodo island)that is to be one of wonderful place in the world, or Raja Ampat archipelago that is great for diving activities and have a lot of species, which most of them is not found in other hemisphere.

I hope this year I can realize my planning for holiday, either with my friend or single journey :). This is some Indonesian great places that I want to visit, or may be, can be on your list as well if you want to visit Indonesia.

1. Toba Lake and the Samosir island

It is located in Sumatra Island, exactly in Medan city. Toba lake is the greatest lake in Indonesia. According to the history, Toba Lake exist as a result of erupting volcano 73.000-75.000 years ago. In the middle of the lake there's an island called Samosir. In Samosir we can enjoy the wonderful scenery around the lake. A lot of accommodation is also spread over the Samosir and Prapat (coastal area in the lake. In Toba we can enjoy also cruise over the lake, and also indigenous villages that is offer the beauty of local cultural heritage.





2. Tana Toraja

Tana Toraja is a district located in South Sulawesi. Inhibited by Toraja tribe that live in the mountain area and maintain the typical lifestyle of Austronesia. Tana Toraja is well known with its Tongkonan (Traditional House of Tana Toraja), Lemo (a famous cliff grave site of Tana Toraja), and some traditional ceremonies called Rambu Solo and Rambu Tuka.





3. Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat which literally translates as "Four Kings" has offered best marine sight in the world.
The territory within the islands of the Four Kings is enormous, covering 9.8 million acres of land and sea, home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse living library for world’s coral reef and underwater biota. According to a report developed by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, around 75% of the world’s species live here. When divers first arrive here their excitement is palpable. It’s common to hear people praise God as they take in the remarkable scenery. (http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/248)





4. River Cruise in Kalimantan

As we know that Kalimantan island, has many of forest and big river. Currently many of river in Kalimantan become a particular attraction for some people. For instance Mahakam river and Kayan river which famous in Kalimantan. People now can cruising Mahakam river with House Boat for some days. They can enjoy an attractive scenery around the side of river like rain forest wild life which contain several species of monkey and bird, passing villages along the river, which is inhabited by Dayak Tribe, and sometimes also crossing dangerous rapids between high rocky mountain. So interesting :)





5. Komodo Island

Komodo island or often called KOmodo National Park is located between island of Sumbawa and Flores. The main purpose of the park is to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon and its habitat. In 1986 the park was declared world Heritage site and a man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.





6. Lombok Island

Lombok island is located near Bali. We can enjoy the simple pleasure of sunshine, white sandy beaches, unique culture and eco tours make this island is prefect for family holiday, those who looking for relaxation as well as honey moon. In Lombok we can find some geat destination such as: Senggigi beach, The islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Meno.The beach in Lombok also become a favorite object by tourist for surfing.





7. Bali

Who never heard about Bali? The Island of Gods with the million of beauty? Bali is my favorite place so far in Indonesia, and honestly it's rather difficult for me to describe it. A lot of people said this is the world paradise. So just visit it before you die :) :)

...

Someday in June, after I didn't make any postings, I comeback with some negative writings and not good feeling...



Have you ever tired with yourself?
Me now...

Have you ever felt that your mind is clogged and you couldn't find any inspirations?
Me now...

Have you ever felt that you are a boring person?
Me now..

Have you ever felt that every ideals and hope that must be achieved, finally in vain and you think that success is not important?
Me now...

Have you ever confused with what actually your self want to be?
Me now...

Have you ever think that to be a kind person actually is not enough?
Me know..

Have you someday ever felt that you don't have a confidence?
Me now...

Have you felt that you are so stupid compared with others?
Me now...

Have you ever even cannot say anything on your pray?
Me now...

Have you ever think that you always rely on God, but at the moment you even cannot think about him?
Me now....

*I wish it will not be long lasting...
I hope someday I realize how stupid I am possess this feeling and make this posting
^-^

Happy Belated New Year

Dear all,

Happy new year for you and family. Hope in this new year we always granted the best, the bless, and wisdom in doing anything in our life.

Anyway I am sorry for giving this new year greeting by now, as I have to stay at hospital from the new year's eve until 6 days ahead. I suffered a dengue fever disease and that's why I should stay at hospital at that time. But fortunately, at a present God is giving me back my health again and my condition gradually better now.

In this new year I don't have any particulars hope or resolution that I specifically listed. I just want to be given my best. But having no resolution that is wish in the early of year does'nt mean I don't have a desire and destination. Still I want to pursue anything that become my goal in the near future. Of course, I have to increase my English as it is really important not for my personal life only but more intended to my professional life, I still have to increase my performance in my working environment, achieve my master program as soon as possible, expand my self in social life including with friends, colleague, higher my view and knowledge about anything.

But above all, I want to deeper my spiritual life. To be a person that can find a meaning through the belief and pray. I cannot target it of course. But it is really expected. As God always present in this life and his presence is beyond anything in my life. I am a person that have a low comprehension regarding Godness and even my religious it self.

Once again, happy new year all, hope the new year 2011 always give you joyful, peaceful, and easy way that bring you to your goal and desire.

God bless you :)