THREE DAYS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF EID

Three more days before Eid arrives. The one week school break has started and there are tonnes of house chores that have to be done within this short period of time. And one more Eid gift arrived today, self-delivered right in front of the [imaginary] door steps.

The messengers were the ex-colleagues of SMK Mutiara Rini, who were the teachers in charge of the school's co-operation shop.

Thanks a lot to my Chinese ex-colleagues of SMK Mutiara Rini for the regular annual Eid gift. Your kind gestures are very much appreciated.

FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF EID

A parcel and an Eid greeting card arrived today. Both were from ex-classmates/schoolmates of Budiman class of SMS Muar class of 1986.

Unfortunately, the sender of the parcel could not be identified as there was no note attached to it. Someone in the class Whatsapp group also mentioned that he received a similar parcel but the sender was unknown. That happened when one ordered online from a business platform like Lazada.

Thanks to both of my ex-classmates for their thoughtful gestures. I guess we do take the effort to keep the tradition alive to celebrate and welcome the month of Eid with faraway friends.

 

HUNTING HIGH AND LOW FOR EID SNACKS

25th APRIL 2022 ~ The plan was to buy "kerepek" [TRANSLATE: chips/crisps], some kind of all time favourite snacks served for Eid at this one shop in Bandar Baru Uda after school. To my disappointment, I saw the shelves in the shop were almost empty. A spontaneous decision was made: I had no choice but to drive all the way to Simpang Renggam where I know a place selling similar food item.

It was a huge relief to see from afar that Eid goodies were still aplenty so I had made just the right decision.

According to the cashier, this could be the last batch of food stock for Eid and she was not sure whether these highly sought after food items would be replenish after this.

I drove more than 120 kilometres covering the distance of Johor Bahru - Simpang Renggam - Johor Bahru. And it was raining heavily on the way back right after the Simpang Renggam toll exit until Skudai Toll Plaza. All in all, I was glad I went all the way considering the fact that driving long distance is just not my cup of tea. Now I don't have to worry anymore as guests will at least have something to munch when they come to visit.

EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF EID

24th APRIL 2022 ~ Four Eid cards were found in my mailbox when I arrived home from school. Three were from friends of UPM TESL class of 1993 while the other one was from an ex-classmate/schoolmate of Budiman SMS Muar class of 1986.

I am not expecting everyone to reply to all the cards sent out to them but the few that were posted to me really made my day. It just reminds me the good old time when we were all eagerly waiting for Mr. Postman to stop by and deliver Eid cards at home.

Thanks a lot my friends for keeping the tradition alive.

THE ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER EID PACKAGE FROM AN UNKNOWN SENDER

Do you know that the Poslaju delivery guy is still making his round a few more minutes before breaking fast time? That happened this evening when a Poslaju staff arrived at my front door at 6:50 p.m. bearing a package for me.

I am yet to find out who is the kind soul who had posted the box of chocolates, for Eid I supposed. There was no note indicating who the sender was. And I will keep you updated as soon I get the answer to this question.

UPDATE 22nd APRIL: The mystery has been solved. The person sending the gift was an ex-classmate/schoolmate of SMS Muar, Puan Rozana Ab. Manap. Someone was thaking her in our Whatsapp group and the name of the sender was printed on the inner cover of the box. One has to really read it attentively to find the name of the sender.

Thanks Puan Rozana Ab. Manap a.k.a Rozane for the kind thought. May you and your family be blessed in this holy month of Ramadhan.

SPOT THE ERROR 177

It should be: sliced fruits

slice - noun

sliced - adjective

 

MY EID GIFT ARRIVED EARLY THIS YEAR

17th APRIL 2022 ~ There was a surprise awaiting for me when I arrived home from school. One kind soul had sent my Eid gift earlier this year.

Thank so much Puan Zarinamahnum Hj. Alias, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993. I am truly touched by your generosity. *tears of joy*

May you and your family be blessed in this holy month of Ramadhan. And only Allah may repay your kindness.

MY FIRST BREAK THE FAST SESSION OUTSIDE THIS YEAR

16th APRIL 2022 ~ I was lucky to be invited again by Mr. Syazwan Shavarein [an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti] to his father's company's iftar [breaking fast] session which is an annual event. This time it was held at Holiday Inn Express, formerly known as Swiss Inn, and we were there a few years back for the same function.

Why was this breaking fast session different from all the previous ones? It is because there was Mrs. Syazwan this time.

Thanks to Mr. Syazwan, his parents and family, for not forgetting me for this year's get together. May everyone in the family be blessed by God Almighty in this holy month of Ramadhan, and only Allah may repay your generosity.

THE POST TERAWIKH SUPPER SESSION

I had to perform my Terawikh prayers at Kolam Air Mosque this evening as I was attending a break fast session with an ex-student and his family at a hotel nearby. I think the last time I went to this mosque was like 3 years ago - before MCO started in 2020.

A supper date was set with a colleague [of SMK Dato' Jaafar] whom I know went to this mosque for the same reason.

The nearest restaurant was Restoran Yassin and that should be the most convenient place considering the fact it was already past 10:00 p.m.

Thanks to Mr. Wan Mohd. Nazri for the time. And I wonder whether this could happen again next time.

GLOSSARY:

TERAWIKH: the prayers perform by Muslims at night during the month of Ramadhan, best done at mosque in groups [jemaah].

FINALLY, HANDING OVER THE ANNUAL ZAKAT FITRAH TO THE REAL LIFE AMIL

I have been paying my zakat fitrah online for two consecutive years. Today, finally, the money was handed over the traditional method, to the amil, the person who was put in-charge to collect the payment. The person was kind enough to agree to take a selfie with me. 😊

I was at Plaza Kotaraya this morning and saw there was this counter - so it was now or never.

 May we all be blessed in this holy month of Ramadhan. And don't forget to carry out your responsibility to pay the zakat, which is one of the pillars of Islam.

glossary:

ZAKAT:  a small sum of money paid annually to the authority to help the needy in the fasting month/Ramadhan, an obligation for Muslims.

AMIL: the person appointed by the authority to collect the Zakat payment.

MY FIRST EID GREETING CARD FOR 1443H ARRIVED

My very first [real] Eid greeting card for 1443H arrived in my [real] mailbox today.

Thanks to Mr. Mohd. Azman Awang, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, for being the first one to send the card and keep the tradition alive.

I am not expecting for more to arrive though. People seem not to do this anymore. 😁