MAKING A NEW FRIEND IN KUALA LUMPUR

At first, Mr. Kumar sat opposite me in the ERL train from KL Sentral to KLIA2. We struck a conversation and then it just went on throughout the journey  until we reached the airport. It was a coincident he was also on the same flight as me to Johor Bahru.

After checking in at the airline's kiosks and dropping our luggage, he even offered to treat me dinner at the airport McD but I could just settle for a cup of Teh Tarik as I just had had coffee and cake with a friend right before.

That was how easy for one to make friend with a stranger. I got to thank Mr. Kumar for his awesome friendliness and this was a piece of evidence how we Malaysians could easily become friends with strangers, regardless of race and religion.

THE POST EID UL-FITR OPEN HOUSE IN SCHOOL

I was invited to another Eid Ul-Fitr feast organised by the Teachers and Staff Club of SMK Dato' Jaafar. The event started in the morning at 9:00.

As expected, there were varieties of food on the tables.

The best part was not only to enjoy the delicious food, but also the company of old friends.

I had to make my move after 2 hours staying there - eating and chatting, and hopefully I would be invited again some other time.

EID DIARY: 27TH SYAWAL 1446H

   26th APRIL 2025    ~ The Eid Open House today was held at Taman Universiti. I was invited by my ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti, five siblings who attended the same school.

Unfortunately, I just attended two wedding receptions before so I could not eat too much food as I was too full already.

Our first family photo

I got to thank Mr. Hafizuddin, Mr. Syarifuddin and Ms. Fatin Maimunah Abd. Wahid, the three who had invited me to their house. In fact, they had never failed to make me attend their annual Eid Open House, something that I appreciate a lot.

REUNION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME

After attending two wedding receptions in Kuala Lumpur, I requested my friend who gave me a lift to the two events to just drop me at Kuala Lumpur City Centre [KLCC]. I first went for a short walk at the KLCC Park so as to ease the digestion process after eating too much.

Then I decided to go to the place I loved at Suria KLCC: Kinokuniya Bookstore. As I was browsing the books on the shelves, the lady standing beside me said "Hi" and that was the biggest surprise that took place. She was Puan Aida Ahmad Saipiuddin, my UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend.

 

We then adjourned to the Cafe just beside the bookstore to continue our chat.

Unfortunately I couldn't stay for too long as I had a flight to catch right after. So we said our goodbyes after chatting for less than half an hour. Thanks Puan Aida for the time and the treat as well. Hope to see you again, maybe in a bigger group or during someone else's child's wedding reception. That was an impromptu reunion to be remembered.

EID DIARY: 26TH SYAWAL 1446H

The guests who came this evening for the Eid visit were two ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Muhammad Aliff and Mr. Muhammad Ariff Nizam, with their parents. The last time they came visiting was may years ago, but Mr. Ariff used to come alone almost every year.

This should a reciprocal visit after I went to their house in Pekan Nanas in the first week of Eid [READ HERE]. One family member was not here as she was already back in college.

Thanks to Mr. Nizam family for coming and hope the tradition will continue for many more years to come.

EID DIARY: 21ST SYAWAL 1446H - PART TWO

20TH APRIL 2025 ~ Driving from Segamat to Tangkak, then to Taman Universiti in Skudai, Johor Bahru, this was my second Eid open house attended this year. The event was hosted by Dr. Muhammad Harith Ismail, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti.

I got to meet his sister, Puan Nazihah, and her husband, Mr. Hussein, who are also my ex-students of the same school.

Thanks to Dr. Harith for inviting me without fail every year. Hope to see you for many more open houses to come.

EID DIARY: 21ST SYAWAL 1446H - PART ONE

   20TH APRIL 2025    ~ The next mission of my trip to Segamat this time, after attending the wedding reception in Felda Redong 1 [READ HERE], was to visit an ex-schoolmate/ex-classmate of Budiman SMS Muar who is still recuperating.

I was welcomed by Puan Rozana Ab. Manap and her husband to her house in Taman Gunung Emas 2 in Tangkak on the 21st day of Eid, even though I had been planning to visit her much earlier.

It was a pleasure to get to see an old friend and was glad that she was back on her feet again. I am sure she will get much better when I come to see her next time.