ATTENDING THE WEDDING OF MR. HAZIQ IQBAL

   20TH DECEMBER 2025    ~ Puan Zah Kadir, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, invited me to the wedding reception of his third son, Mr. Haziq Iqbal, who happens to be my ex-student of the same school. The event took place at Monet Hall by Diva, the third reception attended at this place this year.

I had already expected to be meeting a number of people from school and the expectation was met.

Mr. Bobby, an English teacher friend

the groom's eldest brother

the proud parents of the groom

I could not stay too long at the hall as there was another reception waiting, somewhere in Gelang Patah. However, I still managed to see many familiar faces.

Congratulations to Puan Zah Kadir and Mr. Amir on the addition of the new member in the family. And thank you also for inviting me.

Congratulations to Mr. Haziq Iqbal and wifey, and may your married life be blessed and showered with laughter and joy throughout.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF A RELATIVE'S SON

   20TH DECEMBER 2025    ~ This was the second wedding reception held by one of the few relatives whom I am still connected to, Puan Shatira Omar. The event was held at Bizmilla Wedding Event at Eco Palladium. The first wedding was even held at the same place three years ago.

the groom's mother's sister,
Puan Salina Omar

I arrived early since I had two more receptions to attend right after, and the venues were far. As I did not meet anyone else that I knew of, I made my move as planned. It was good to still be remembered and included in the family big event like this. Wedding receptions is one place when we usually get to see people whom we have not seen in ages.

THE SHORT STOP FOR TEH TARIK BEFORE THE WEDDING RECEPTIONS

   21ST DECEMBER 2025    ~ I was already at KLIA2 before 8:00 a.m. and the plan to be at the first wedding reception at Bandar Baru Bangi was at 11:00 a.m. So I suggested to my [Grab] driver, Mr. Amirul Yusri, to have a short stop for our morning tea.

We saw this one row of attractive restaurants by the roadside as we were heading to Bangi and quickly made a detour. The chosen restaurant was NKE, the acronym for Nasi Kandar Express, somewhere in a place called Southville City.

Mine was Roti Canai with egg and onion paired with Masala Tea, while my friend had Chapati and Teh Tarik, and we both had mutton curry for our flat breads.

The eating place was clean, shiny and comfortable, the effect of rebranding of a mamak restaurant, while the mutton curry was good. I was already full even before attending the wedding reception in about an hour after that.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME AT ORIENTAL KOPI IN SENAI AIRPORT

21st DECEMBER 2025 ~ I was back at Senai International Airport and it was customary to get early breakfast when I arrived at 5:00 in the morning. I decided to go into Oriental Kopi again as this was the only time I did not have to stand in a long queue outside.

Surprisingly, despite the fact that there was no crowd, the service was quite slow. I only ordered toasts, which was not something complicated to prepare and yet I still had to wait for quite some time. I had already finished my toasts and half-boiled eggs and then only my tea arrived.

Guess I have to go there again to see whether they could improve the service.

THE DINNER SESSION WITH TWO EX-STUDENTS

   24th DECEMBER 2025    ~ I will never say "no" most of the time when ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti] ask me out, when the time is right. So when Mr. Zul Azeze Sahri, who is now residing and working in Raub, invited me for dinner, I immediately agreed. His other friend, Mr. Megat Khairun Buang also decided to join, that made it merrier. They are from SPM batch 2001.

The chosen venue was Rumah Udang in Kampung Melayu, where the choices of food were aplenty.

So we reminisced the good old time during school over dinner. As they are both now parents to school-going kids, we could now talk about more serious matters like the current issues that involve education in the country.

I have to thank both of them for the kind thought and time spent, although short but meaningful. They were two lucky people to receive my very two last mugs for my retirement I made [two years ago]. Hopefully there will be another opportunity for another meet up session after this. 

MY VERY FIRST SHELL OUT SESSION

Today I made history as I finally had Shellout lunch, the very first time in my life. The lunch session took place at The Morso Restaurant in Bandar Baru Kangkar Pulai, which I just visited with another set of friends the week before[READ HERE].

Omelette

Sea Bass in Sambal

All kinds of seashells in Sambal

Except the omelette, our lunch consisted of fish and all kinds of seashells in Sambal, tasty blended chili.

Actually I don't really fancy having the food laid on the piece of [large] paper on the table without any plate. Like it or not, that was the concept of a Shellout dining. It was an interesting experience having Shellout for a first timer like me. Thanks to my avid gastronomic adventurer friend, Mr. Ridzuan, for suggesting the menu but we shall try other food next time.