Achievement and Acknowledgement

Nothing that I able to say but gratitude from the very deep of the heart. This year I have been offered two scholarships at the same time to study master's degree . Of course in final I have to choose the one that fit me the most. But I just can't overlook  the extraordinary feeling that come over lately. I am tremendously thankful for God's love and bless toward me. He works in the mysterious way and makes me feel well-rounded with love and glory He gave.

I have been granted the scholarship from New Zealand to study Master of Public Management at The Victoria University of Wellington and from Japan to Study Master of Arts in International Cooperation at The University of Nagoya. The programs will start in February and April 2014 (depend on what I will take).

To study master's degree actually is the plan since I graduated from my bachelor's degree. But the condition has lead me to some jobs and professional working experiences before I really ready to continue searching for advance education opportunity.

I, in this regard would like to thanks to all of the ones, especially my family (my mother, father and sister), not to mention friends and colleagues that has been giving invaluable and sincere supports. Giving me trust and also inputs that able to construct me in time of up or down. I have never been able to thank them properly, so I wish to do so here. 

My special acknowledgements are reserved at present to the following persons:

1.  Dr. Agus Trihartono who give me never ending supports since the first time I am looking for the scholarship for master's degree. Thank you for being my mentor who always give advice and support wholeheartedly.

2. My best friends: Marisna Yulianti, Adela Pranindiati, and Ruri Artiesa Narita. The ones that always be my place to share the life with. Thank you for helping me spreading my wings. May God bless all of you.

3. Beloved people who always cheer the days: Riski Nalandari, Wibawanizal Nur H, Nurus Sailah, Peggy Puspa, Riski Nurjanah, Inno Sukirno, Eva Murti, Diananda Riskia, Ayuningtyas Chandradewi, Arif Rahman Budiono, and Hermin Prajayani. I can't thank enough for everything. You and what happen now make this feeling indescribable. Thank you for unfailing friendship, I hope you a successful life today and years ahead.

4. For ASEAN Secretariat, I thank you for the trust given to me as a candidate of New Zealand Scholarship. My heartiest thankful for the panel of scholarship selection: His Excellency Nyan Lynn, His Excellency Dr. Lim Hong Hin and Mr. Danny Lee.

5. Board of Academics at the International Relations studies, University of Jember: Dr. Sugiyanto Kusuma, Dr. Abubakar Eby Hara, and Mr. Supriyadi. Thank you for the help and also support in time of scholarship application.

6. Some Professors at the Ritsumeikan University, Japan. Thank you for the trust toward my application before in 2012. Though I in final not study there, but I can feel the great supports.

Some months will go on before I really depart to the destination country. I will use it to prepare a lot.

  Lastly I want to quote from what Lauris Edmond wrote about Wellington: 'It's true you can't live here by chance, you have to do and be, not simply watch or even describe.  This is the city of action, the world headquarters of the verb.'

Ps. although if it turns out I am living in Japan (or everywhere), I will be still loving that quote


Love,
Niar

Years with ASEAN

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. 

I awoke and saw that life was service. 

I acted and behold, service was joy.”

- Rabindranath Tagore 

It's been 3 years I service the ASEAN Secretariat under Security Cooperation Division. There are a lot that I have been learned not only about the work of international organization, the dynamic of the relations among ASEAN member states and/or with ASEAN dialogue partners, and the issue of political-security in this region. By living for three years in this building I have found something that maybe more than lessons or experiences, it is just like a life that God want me to see through the struggle, pain, joy, sincerity, and anything that out of my prediction before.

Some people said, working at the International Organization is just like a pride. It is same when I see most of people say that 'I am so cool' working at the ASEAN as the regional organization in Southeast Asia. Indeed the feeling of 'being cool' is true when the first time I was notified that I am accepted here, till I got the official letter of my appointment signed by the Secretary-General. But day after day, week after week, month after month, I really realized that the feeling cool is just like a 'bonus' for every sacrifice and dedication of working here.  Even now I have found that there is NO cool things of doing the job of of international organization.

My years at the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) has been passed by assisting my division to conduct every meetings, missions, and projects. Being the part of this organization, we are not only be the part of high level meetings or involving in the prestige projects, but there are many things that we have to feel 'sacrifice' by doing 'unimportant things' such as compiling documents for the meetings or conference or as a connector who convey some information to member states or other external entities, doing admin things, and other logistic matters. But by these small things life happens. 

I thank my God for giving me this job. I thank God for making me forgetting my ambition, forgetting my pride, trying to be sincere and also tough and vicious at the same time, and I thank my God that show me that doing small things is a precious, above all of the pleasant things and privilege that I have got like being in the multicultural environment, having the job according to my interest, and being the part of many ASEAN process. 

So, I just want to tell you that finally this is not the matter of the job you take, not the matter of your position, or money you gonna earn, but how you put every little things in your heart, and doing it with gratitude and joy. I am not saying that money and position are not important but the greatest love of all is what matter most.

Nothing is perfect in this world although you seems have got the good or great thing. But don't you have to worry because you can make this imperfection become a happiness and great bless.

Finally, just pursue what you think best and give yourself a little patience. Like a flowers, they are planted, watered, and grow.