OFFICIALLY BIDDING FAREWELL TO TWO [MALE] COLLEAGUES

25TH FEBRUARY 2022 ~ Two male colleagues of SMK Dato' Jaafar are moving away to other schools for the coming new school session in March. It is customary for us to throw away a farewell gathering so as to say our goodbyes officially. The eating place chosen was Kapten Steamboat & Grill but a few could not make it this time as the school break had already started.

Wishing Mr. Mohd. Mustaza Lamli and Mr. Mohd. Asraf Suhami the very best of luck in their new schools and hope we will still keep in touch after this. Once a Jaafarian, always a Jaafarian.

SPOT THE ERROR 171

ONE WORD ERROR

 

ATTENDING MR. HANIS HANAFI'S WEDDING RECEPTION

I was meeting my other three friends who came from the circle of Johor Bahru district chess teachers. We were invited to the wedding of an ex-chess player of the district team who were with us when he was in secondary school during tournaments at both district and state levels. The last time the bridegroom, Mr. Hanis Hanafi, played chess for the team was back in 2014.

Wishing Mr. Hanis Hanafi and his wife a joyful and blessed married life, filled with everlasting love.

BIDDING FAREWELL TO A MEMBER OF THE ENGLISH PANEL

Puan Fahleena Mohamad, one of the English teachers of SMK Dato' Jaafar, will be leaving for his hometown in Kelantan in March. The members of the English Panel decided to bid her farewell today as we would all be occupied with all sorts of things next week.

It was just a short dine in session as these people ate not too much food from the buffet spread. I guess this would be our last gathering with Puan Fadhleena. I just got to know her as a colleague for about 5 years but I think I would still remember her, as a friend rather than a subordinate, for many more years to come. Wishing her the very best of luck teaching in her new school. Who knows one day our paths might cross and we might see each other again.

ATTENDING A WEDDING RECEPTION OF A NEIGHBOUR'S DAUGHTER ON SUNDAY

13th FEBRUARY 2022 ~ I attended a wedding reception held by my neighbour for his daughter right after school. The event was held at the community hall in Taman Perbadanan Ekonomi Islam which was not near to host's house - most probably it is now difficult to find a hall for such an event. And it was held on a Sunday, which is something rare. Most receptions are done on Saturday here in Johor.

I was there at 3:00 p.m. but there were not many people already. Food was still in abundance so it was quite easy to roam around the buffet tables without being observed by others. It depends on one's luck to arrive late at a reception. An unlucky guest would have less food to enjoy at times. Going to the reception is actually the most important thing to do - we can always do something if just in case there is not enough food on the table.

 

EATING A HEALTHY DINNER WITH AN EX-SCHOOLMATE

The last time we went out to dine in together was on 14th December last year. Another eat out session was set today after 2 long months with my ex-dormmate/ex-schoolmate [of SMS Muar].

The venue chosen was Plaza Angsana and we finally went to Kenny Rogers Roasters for our early dinner. I at first wanted to get a buffet dinner at this one place but my friend was quite full so we went to KFC. Unfortunately, we were told at the door the chicken were all sold out.

The roasted chicken were good and we tried the new sauce: salted egg and satay. It was just a short meeting but hopefully we will get to see each other again at another eating place soon.

DINING IN AT RUMAH UDANG WITH OLD FRIENDS

9th FEBRUARY 2022 ~ The initial plan was to go and get Mee Bandung at this one stall in Kampung Melayu. Unfortunately, it was not operating. That left me with not much choice as the host so I quickly suggested another eating spot which I was familiar - Rumah Udang.

I am glad that both my guests, Puan Sakinah Ismail and Mr. Azhar Ahmad, loved the food served there - particularly the Nasi Ayam Penyet Siram. Guess they would have to come back and stay longer to continue with our gastronomic adventure in Johor Bahru. It is always my pleasure to take my friends around town to savour some of the food which I think is worth trying.

INTRODUCING SEVEN OAKS TO OLD FRIENDS

Puan Sakinah Ismail, an ex-coursemate of UPM TESL Class of 1993, and her husband, Mr. Azhar Ahmad, were in town again. The last time we saw each other was back in October 2020. It was time for another gastronomic adventures. I wanted to introduce them to my favourite cafe for our late lunch and they happily accepted my suggestion.

THE VERDICT: The husband and wife couple loved both the ambience of the dining area and the food as well, so I guess it was all a success.

That was not the end of the adventure, we planned to meet again for dinner.

SPOT THE ERROR 170

 MY CORRECTED VERSION:

WE ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION.

PLEASE KINDLY FIND US AT THE TEMPORARY LOT

NEAR THE ESCALATOR BESIDE DAISO.

THE LAST WEDDING RECEPTION DURING THE CNY BREAK

This should be the last wedding reception attended during the CNY break, before school starts tomorrow. It was the wedding reception of the son of a colleague [of SMK Dato' Jaafar], Puan Jamaliah Shaharuddin, which was held at the Community Hall at Bandar Dato' Onn.

I was there with another colleague in the afternoon, and there were a few other friends met when we arrived. The more the merrier.

That should wrap up my Chinese New Year break activities this time: no travelling but just eating out throughout the week. I just miss the old life that I had.