We all know that time is relative. For those, some can feel it moves so slow and another would reckon that it has gone in a heart beat. I still remember the moment those landing gears touched the runway. It was Roberts International Airport. Yes, I really can see it so clearly in my mind as it was still fresh like yesterday, well.. perhaps the day before yesterday, though it actually was almost a year ago.
I remember when I am seeing new faces, new sets of names that was somehow quite difficult to remember at first when we shook hands and introduced each other. Though those are new, I felt like knowing them for quite sometime already. It was the third week in December 2006 – the time these two feet stepped on Liberian soil for the first time.
Yes, they are my fellow countrymen, whose already arrived and have served the mission at a much earlier stage or period than myself.. greeted and welcomed me to the mission. Less worries had diminished once meeting them, as more abundant was awaiting.
As days passed by, weeks come after another, and months greeted the next. All those new things have added and enriched myself. It has been a tremendous experience, serving as United Nations Military Observer/UNMO at United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
The deep forest, and regions in the interior have been roamed, hundreds of people have been hand-shaken, exchanging smiles, communicating, creating better understanding while embarking to a mission of ensuring peace process in Liberia is lasting forever.
I have to admit that it has been no easy task of going through the days, ensuring that duty is served with honor and distinction, bearing national pride while engaging further with responsibilities. Above all else in the field, which to include all tactical challenges and inter-colleague’s shortcomings working in a team comprised of military officers from almost all around the world, with extreme cultural gaps and customs, one thing I found quite more challenging that is enduring the days away from the loved ones back home.
Man, believe me it has been one of the great test of all. I miss my family and within weeks ahead, I am going home leaving Liberia for good.
It has been an honor to be a member of Kontingen Garuda (KONGA) XXI-4 under UNMIL – Liberia, my salute and admiration of my contingent commander Leut. Col Hilman Hadi, whose been guiding me, and also the support of my senior colleague Major Benny Nadeak, the Indonesian – UN International Staffs; Luigi Pralangga, Donasion & Vonny Ferdinandus, also to add, my team mates of UNMOs in Zwedru and Sinje, they all have been supporting and empowering me to succeed in this mission and able to serve the mission complete in one piece.
I am thankful of being able to have gained this opportunity and felt really blessed of having the chance to obtain new skills, confidence, capabilities, and lots of great friends. The ones I shared all cheerful and saddening moments, experiencing a life-rewarding process, and contributing a significant role in securing the country’s peace process and its rebuilding. I guess I can say that I am proud of being a part of that noble effort.
Guys, meet some of my new friends..! :-)
I am sure to meet and greet you again sometime in the future, as this is definitely not a good-bye. For those who wish to engage in active touch-base, allow me to share you my email (ambar@pralangga.org), and I shall respond at the earliest possible.
Honey, I am counting the days till these two hands are able to hug around you. Please make me that favorite dishes I have been longing for the night I am home…and would you guess what comes after dinner? ;-)
In the meantime, love me.. miss me even more as you’ve got no idea of how much I love you and the kids.
Hi dear,
Rupa-rupanya tentara kita ada yang romantis dan jiwa yang malancholics, hebat Mas Ambar salut, datang selamat dan pulang dengan selamat, So pasti keluarga akan merasa bangga dan istri akan lebih cinta and more….. romantis pula,
Merdeka,
Santoso N.
welcome home mas ….and keep contact always
Yang pasti Mbak Ambar tidak merasa Hambar lagi.
Buat Mas Ambar, sukses selalu! Jangan lupa kita ya kalau nanti duduk di jajaran eksekutif/legislatif, he..he…cari koneksi dari sekarang nih, siapa tahu ‘ntar di tendang dari perkerjaan.
Salam dari Port Sudan,
Wijaya
Bang Ambar,
Selamat pulang dengan selamat, ke pangkuan Ibu Pertiwi dan ‘pangkuan’ Ibu Ambar tentunya :-(
Selamat ‘menempuh hidup baru!’—> hidup baru jauh dari bisingnya genset, panas berdebu, ‘seretnya air’, dan malarrria.. .
Jabat erat dari Sudan,
SULUNG PURWOKO
Medical Section
c/o United Nations Mission in Sudan
Ebeid Khatim Street P.O Box 69
Khartoum 11111, Sudan, Africa
Email: purwoko@un.org
Tel: +249 187 084 547 (via Sudan)
Tel: +1-212-963-4432 Ext. 4547 (via New York)
SELAMAT MBAR KEMBALI KE TANAH AIR, SUKSES SELALU…………………………………….
UNTUK TEMAN TEMAN MARINIR SELAMAT BERULANG TAHUN KE 62, SEMOGA TETAP JAYA. “JALESU BUMIYAMCA JAYA MAHE”
Regards,
Lt Col HASANUDIN Sulthon
J9 Chief liaison
Tel Ext: +961 1 827063 ( 5063)
Mobile: +961 70 916228
wwah selamat :) … MERDEKA!
hwe he he he …. bener sekali mas. Terima kasih atas doanya juga, sepertinya setelah pulang dari afrika ini saya bisa tambah sayang sama istri …
anyway, seperti mas ketut juga ntar kalo dah jadi SRSG di Sudan jangan lupa sama saya yah … barangkali jg boleh narik saya jadi DFC di sana … he he he ;-))
Sukses selalu mas and keep in touch
Capt. Tri Ambar Nugroho
C/o. United Nations Mission in Liberia
Military Observer – UNMIL
Team 05 Sector 2
Sinje – Liberia (West Africa)
Tel: +1-212-963-8122 (via New York)
Fax: +1-212-963-9924
Intermission VSAT: 171-6000
Cell: +231-69-000-79 , +231-6649-079
Email: ambar@un.org
Web: www.unmil.org
Terima kasih mas sulung, atas doanya. Saya juga berharap semoga para Indonesian peacekeeper seperti mas sulung dkk tetep kuat menjalani misi, meski kadang terpaksa harus puasa plus berlengket-lengket dua hari ndak mandi …. ;-))
Salam hangat and keep in touch
Capt. Tri Ambar Nugroho
C/o. United Nations Mission in Liberia
Military Observer – UNMIL
Team 05 Sector 2
Sinje – Liberia (West Africa)
Tel: +1-212-963-8122 (via New York)
Fax: +1-212-963-9924
Intermission VSAT: 171-6000
Cell: +231-69-000-79 , +231-6649-079
Email: ambar@un.org
Web: www.unmil.org
Olaaaa … Mas Ambar, Welcome home laaaaa
Jadi pulang akhir Desember ini yak? bertemu kembali dengan nyonya Ambar en orang2 terkasih … Jok lali oleh oleh-e lo ya … tapi asal jangan dibawain Gajah, Zebra, Cheetah, Singa dan teman temannya … wekekekekkk
Mas Ambar, Mas kok tega kali ya,, Aku dan Vonny baru bergabung, udah Mas tinggalkan. Masih teringat nich saat Aku dan Vonny sampai di Monrovia tanggal 4 September yang lalu, kami dijemput Mas Luigi dan siap magrib datang Mas Ambar dengan Mas Hilman dengan membawa gulei kambing, sambal terasi. Sejak saat itu kita bikin masakan Indonesia ala Liberia karena bahan bahannya gak pernah lengkap.
Selamat kembali ke tanah air ya Mas,,,semoga tambah sukses. Pasti sekarang pikiran Mas udah di tanah air saja,,, he he he.
Wassalam
Donasion
Sector IVB Harper- Maryland County
[In the meantime, love me.. miss me even more as you’ve got no idea of how much I love you and the kids]
baca kalimat di atas rasanya keiris2..
begitulah rasanya jauh dari keluarga ya..jadi tambah sayang sama suami saya yang jauh juga :(
kurang lebih itulah yang selalu dikatakannya.
selamat pulang ke rumah, Mas Ambar (namanya sama dengan suami saya :) )
doakan kami yang masih harus berpisah ya..semoga kuat seperti Mas dan keluarga.
Actually it was a great success to finish the mission with sound health and without any breakdown on the way.The dedication, acceceptibilty of job and hardwork could make your job easier in the multinational environment like UNMIL. The cheerfulness you displayed in the team as well as in the course of duty is the recognition of your simplicity and child like behavior which made your job more easy.The sincearity you have I am sure that can take you to the higher echelon of your service carieer.May Allmighty shower His infinite mercy and blessings on you so that you may shoulder the added responsibilities.Ameen.
Congratulations, very nice report, thanks for your work, well done and thanks for your friendship, you was a realy profesional member as Military Observer (UNMO) at United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
Boss,
Semoga pas nanti udah nyampe balik ke pangkuan ibu (Maksudnya: Ibu Ambar dan Ibu Pertiwi) jangan kambuh yah bisu-budeg-basinya :D hehehehe…
Kantor juragan mestinya dipasangken internet kabel dengan koneksi speed maximum :D
Salam hangat buat keluarga.
Your article captured the beauty of friendship in a multinational environment, especially where professionals from Armed Forces all over the world like the case of UNMIL, are concentrated. It has been a great experience serving with a professional, level headed gentle man officer like you. If you do not relent, you will get to the highest echelon of your Army. All the best.
Honestly, Tri AMBAR is one of my best friend with whom i did so many things regarding our common mission both in zwedru and in Sinje.Surely he deserves love and more consideration.All my best whishes for his future activities for the best of his beloved country and his family.