THE SECOND DAY OF THE MID TERM SCHOOL BREAK

Believe it or not, I still had to go to school today as we had a programme for teachers in school. Lucky enough, Mr. Zikry Ibrahim requested for a short get together before he leaves for his matriculation course in Melaka next week.

So we met up at KFC Taman Universiti. Mr. Haiqal Johari was also there to hand over my belated Teacher's Day present from the Angklung Group members, after 11 days. Better late than never.

I think I have had enough of fast food already by now. Sometimes we just need the air-conditioned room and a clean place to hang around. 

GATHERING AND CELEBRATING THE START OF THE MID-TERM SCHOOL HOLIDAY

A gathering was called on the first day of the mid-term school holiday. This time the people who were involved were the English teachers of SMK Taman Universiti, the present and the past. Two are now in SMK Mutiara Rini while someone else is currently in SMK Kangkar Pulai. Another special guest, not a teacher, was there and she prepared desserts for us.

The meeting was held at Black Canyon Restaurant, AEON Bukit Indah. It was my first time there, as well as for a few others.

Great food and great company, and the session lasted for about 2 hours. Hopefully our plan for the next gathering could be materialized after this.

MY TEACHER'S DAY CARD ARRIVED LATE

After 10 days, there was a Teacher's Day card in the mail box. Why was the card special? Because it was forwarded from the Johor State Minister ("Menteri Besar") even though my name must have appeared from the office database. I wonder if the General Election is coming soon. :)

AND THE ACADEMIC DISCUSSION CONTINUED....

When was the last time I visited a Pizza Hut restaurant? It was a very long time ago I could not even remember when. Someone suggested to meet up for pizza nearby school so we were gathered once again. There were less members attending but the academic discourse must go on.

I think there is a need for me to start finding friends who do other activities during their leisure time other than eating.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Thanks for the time and the food (and the gossip too). Till our next meeting (which will probably be after the fasting month)...

BOOK REVIEW - NORA ROBERTS' "THE NEXT ALWAYS"

This was the book I finished reading while invigilating mid-year exam. And I did the calculation - I could finish reading 25 pages within half an hour.

A simple love story between Clare, a widow of 3 boys and her old high school friend cum secret admirer. The culprit was Sam, a spoiled kid from a rich family who had been eyeing Clare and had gone psychopathic at one point. Thank God Beckett (read: the knight in the shining armour) was there to save her. And in the end, he proposed to her in front of her three boys. How sweet!

Don't we all love a happy ending.

I should continue reading my next book.  

A HI-TEA SESSION AT EJOHNG CONCEPT CAFE

The English Panel of SMK Mutiara Rini, Johor Bahru, held a high-tea session at Ejohng Concept Cafe (located at Taman Seri Pulai Perdana) for specially to two teachers. First to bid farewell to Puan Latha who has opted for an early retirement real soon, and also the one who has transferred to SMK Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, Puan Lailati.

The food was good and served in abundance until I felt that I might be sick (in a good way) after eating too much.

I am so looking forward to the arrival of fasting month in about two weeks from now.

SPOT THE ERROR 88

I think it is meant to be "dessert" instead of "desert", unless it is some kind of advertisement tactic.

CRYSTAL CROWN, PETALING JAYA, KUALA LUMPUR

I was given a room for attending the AFS dinner and I should be sharing with a roommate whom I had never met but he never turned up, so it was my lucky day. Although I spent less than 24 hours there, at least I was there because I don't think I am willing to part with my cash to stay here at Crystal Crown, Petaling Jaya. 

One important factor that I like the most about this hotel is that it is located near to the two LRT stations, Taman Jaya and Asia Jaya, so it is easily accessible with public transportation.

I just miss the time when teachers/government servants were given the privilege to spend time in good hotels if there were any meetings/briefings/courses. *sigh*

MEETING OLD FRIENDS - OLD SCHOOL STYLE

14th MAY 2016 ~ When in KL, I would always try to meet a few old friends who are residing there who could be free for meals. I was lucky enough Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar and Puan Shamsul Niza Shamsuddin were available for a short lunch session. Puan Hanna chose this place called Coliseum located on the famous Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. This restaurant should be historic in a way as it is the oldest steakhouse in town, as stated on the cover of the menu. The building itself is old and very colonial.

Both of them are my ex-coursemates from UPM TESL group and the young chap is actually Puan Hanna's son. :) It all lasted for just about an hour, and we had to go our separate ways.

Thanks Puan Shamsul Niza for the window-shopping session before lunch and thanks Puan Hanna for the treat. Hopefully we will see each other again some other time in the near future.

"It takes a long time

to grow an old friend."

~ John Leonard ~