SIPPING COFFEE IN A RESTAURANT BY THE BEACH [ACROSS THE ROAD]

 

The best time to meet a friend/an ex-colleague would be during the school holiday during a weekday when others were are working. I decided to meet up with Mr. Tukiman Sarmin at a McDonald's outlet in Stulang Laut and it was my first time there.

We were told by staff (on guard) at the entrance that we could only spend 30 minutes in the restaurant. She was eyeing the customers in the dining hall which I felt was not necessary and it made me feel that I could not enjoy my meeting there even though the place was cold and comfortable.

Once we had finished our cakes and coffee, we decided to walk to the nearby [small] beach just across the road and chatted a bit more. That should be some sort of a walk-along-the-beach-during-the-school-holiday moment for me.

Next time, we would have to find a place where we could spend more time without anyone watching and expecting us to finish off our food and begone.

THE LAST GATHERING FOR THE GROUP FOR THE YEAR 2020

It was another gathering with the usual group but with one member being away. It was quite challenging to get everyone to meet at the same time. We decided to meet at Zaituna, a restaurant serving Arab food in town.

The decor of the restaurant was beautiful - it had this Arabic ambience for you to enjoy your food more. There were not many people when we went in, maybe because it was a weekday, so we could stay longer and chat without worrying others queuing up for seats outside 

This should be the very last meeting for the year 2020 for the group. Let's pray for things to get better so we could have more frequent gatherings outside, like we used to.

FOR THE LOVE OF CAKES AND COFFEE

26th DECEMBER 2020 ~ On their way back home to Putrajaya from Kota Tinggi, Dr. Hayati Ismail and her family diverted to Johor Bahru. One reason: she wanted to stop by at Seven Oaks Bakery after seeing the photo I posted in the Whatsapp group -for the love of cakes and coffee. I was actually here the day before to meet an ex-student.

Her wish was granted and cakes and coffee we had for our short meeting. She loved the food and was impressed with the place too.

And someone had lamb chop instead.

Thanks Dr. Hayati, Mr. Faizam and Mr. Fahim for the brief visit to Seven Oaks (now I sound like the restaurant's PR officer) and it was my pleasure to introduce you to one fine place for dining or for just cakes and coffee.

 

A MEETING WITH AN EX-STUDENT DURING BREAKFAST

Today's breakfast was done with Mr. Shafiq Suhaimi, an ex-student (but not of SMK Taman Universiti) at the McDonald's restaurant near my house in Pandan area. We met for a specific reason and I was glad I could help assist him in completing his task.

We couldn't stay for long but we hoped we could meet up again for coffee/supper some other time real soon.

ATTENDING MR. AZWAN'S WEDDING RECEPTION

I was invited to another ex-student's wedding reception today held at GBW Hotel. Mr. Azwan Zolkeflee was an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, He is an alumnus of SMK Taman Universiti of SPM batch 2009. I was among the last guests to arrive and there were not many people left in the hall.

I met his younger brother, Mr. Hafizi, who attended the same school.

And there was an ex-student of the bridegroom's same batch, Mr. Huzaifah.

Congratulations to Mr. Azwan and his wife - my best wishes for a happy life together. 💕

THE MEETING THAT HAPPENED ON CHRISTMAS

It used to be an annual get together before Chinese New Year but I was meeting Mr. Ng Ching Kai, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, on Christmas afternoon. This should definitely be an achievement as we met twice this year instead of only once. He was on his one week break from work, traveling home from Kuala Lumpur to spend his time at home. This was an opportunity for us to meet up and catch up.

The venue chosen was Seven Oaks Bakery in Taman Pelangi, as we wanted to avoid the crowd during the festive season. Mr. Ng loved the place and there were a lot of changes done especially on the ground floor. The last time I came here was July last year.

All the cakes were good and I liked the coffee which was slightly bitter and complemented the (not so) sweet dessert well. But the company of an ex-student was the best.

Thanks again Mr. Ng Ching Kai for the time, and the gift as well. Looking forward to meeting you again when you are back in town.

AN ACCIDENTAL BREAKFAST SESSION AT PASAR KAMPUNG MELAYU

23rd DECEMBER 2020 ~ I was at Kampung Melayu Market to get some vegetables, newspapers and food for breakfast to bring home. And I bumped into Mr. Ahdat, a teacher friend who is a member of Johor Bahru Chess Team. So I asked him to have breakfast together with me and he, without any hesitation, agreed.

It was a short breakfast session of Roti Canai [paratha] and Teh Tarik [milk tea] but it was worth the time. It is quite difficult to get the chance to eat out with friends these days, especially during the school holiday which has already started.

our other breakfast companion

A FAREWELL GATHERING FOR TWO ENGLISH TEACHERS LEAVING SMK TAMAN UNIVERSITI

A small gathering was organized and planned for two English teachers who are leaving SMK Taman Universiti next year. Puan Kamariah Md. Taha is opting out for her early retirement while Ms. Firdaus Abdullah is getting her transfer back to Selangor after teaching in Johor for 13 long years.

Puan Aliah Hussein was kind enough to host the event - offering her house for the party and cooking a lot of delicious food, again. There was even a theme set by the host for the gathering: village people. This time there was a smaller crowd as a few people could not join in the fun.

With all the delicious food served on the dining table, we spent more time here, savouring all that we could eat while chit-chatting.

And we took a lot of photos from the moment we sat in the house, up to the time when we were outside before leaving.

It was an afternoon which we hope would be a memorable one for both Puan Kamariah and Ms. Firdaus. Thanks a lot to Puan Aliah and Miss Rabiah for all the hard work in organizing the gathering and making it a fun one. As for the two people who are leaving SMK Taman Universiti, God will may we see each other again some other time and may you all be happier - leading a more stress free life for the one retiring and staying nearer to the family members to the one going home to the home state.