As many of us all just celebrated the holiday season, and what comes next is the end of 2008. Surely there are many things each of us has achieved during the past 11 months. I know I did some remarkable jump, both in family as well as career. When I reminiscing my days while serving under the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), just could not believe that with all the supoprt I got both from family and friends, to include military colleagues at mission’s duty station..

…also not forgetting the fellow country men that stood beside, have all made be capable to create a positive contribution toward the peace process as well as creating new brother/sisterhood with all of them.

Though UNMIL, Liberia was my initial african tour of duty, I suppose that there will be another chance soon to visit the continent again under a different series of assignment.

Concluding my mission assignment in Liberia, it has landed me with further blessings where later offered a post with the Indonesia’s Peacekeeping Center (PMPP – TNI) at the Armed Forces’ HQ in Cilangkap, administering the deployment of Indonesia’s peacekeeping troops to various mission assignment under the blue helmet. A little bit of run-around and some long hours at the office, however, after seeing all contingent’s owned equipment shipped off the coast for mission area as well as waving/sending-off the officers for peacekeeping assignments, satisfaction and acknowledgement from the seniors really made me felt a great deal of pride for having the job done,.. not just done, but job done right!.

As my days adds up while serving at the Office of Indonesia’s Peacekeeping Center at Mabes TNI (Armed Forces Headquarters), further overseas assignment then assigned, I was fortunate to represent the office to attend the Peacekeeping Course in the Netherlands few months after.

I guess the extensive experience I’ve gained while serving at UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) has given me a substantial capabilities and confidence to successfully go through the course. Indeed, more new friends were made, of the officers from all different countries attended the course.

Allow me to share you some tracks of great experience I’ve gained for the previous assignment, new acquaintances which to include fellow country men and country ladies met along the way.

As most people say that advancements are not entirely a mathematical formula that one can process by pressing the “enter” key, a large number of contributions to the advancements are originating from the blessings from the Above through tireless supoprt and prayers by the loved ones at home. I have to admit that it must be their prayers that also made me excell this far. Therefore, I feel much grateful and continously support them likewise.

Like other servicemen, challenges ahead are huge and increasingly demanding, yet sacrifices are there to be made and pledged. When the news broke that the possibility for my next assignment would be another ten-thousand-miles-away apart from my loved ones, I began to seek their support.

“Dear, would it be all right?…” – Though no words were spoken, but a vague nod expressed, I knew that though my love has great despair and worries to the fact that I may be away again for quite sometime.

A wider smile then followed and she said; “Go ahead, spread your wings and fly high above.. I’ll be here with the kids seeing you winning the glory” – I guess she understood well for having married to servicemen that long distance relationship is and will be part of our life journey. I prayed.. and prayed that Alloh SWT will further guide and watch over my back to ensure that another job done right will be at my disposal.

On 20 December 2008, after an 18 hours of flying, as I was cruising at over 30,000 feet above the earth.. I am leaving home embarking to a new series of journey.. another peacekeeping journey sets of, colouring my days for another 12 months. This time is a different jungle, a different sets of challenges, a new breed of success to grasp, and another pride to fight for. It’s New York!! – Yes, my friend.. I am being assigned to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City at the watchdesk office for UNIFIL.

I will share you more updates as I began my days in the city. Yes, “The City” – that’s how people calls it. As some people come to New York for love, and for money, my mission here apart from the official one is to ensure the glory of my family remain. Wish me luck and safety while embaring to another series of peacekeeping journey. From New York City, I hereby wishing you a prosperous year of 2009 and I am looking forward to hearing from each one of you through the comment’s link below and further to correspond with you individually. Until then, peace!.