THE VERY LAST COFFEE SESSION FOR THE YEAR 2025

 

The very last coffee session for the year 2025 was done with Mr. Masrizal Sayute, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, at Nasi Kandar Mamu R Restaurant in Senai.

For the year 2026, I hope there will be more frequent coffee sessions with friends and ex-students. It is good to get to talk to people as I stay at home most of the time now that I have retired.

UNPAID REVIEW OF THE RESTAURANT: Nasi Kandar Mamu R is a rebranded Mamak restaurant. The dining hall looked new, clean, modern and bright. The food [we had beef fried noodles, fries and nuggets] was surprisingly good. This would be the next meeting place for me in Senai area.

This is also the very last blog post for the year 2025. The KPI for 2026 is to update all the pending posts of 2025, which are still a lot actually. *sigh*

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!

ATTENDING A NEIGHBOUR'S DAUGHTER'S WEDDING RECEPTION

27TH DECEMBER 2025 ~ A neighbour, Mr. Sujasmin Azis, held the wedding reception for his daughter, the first for his family. The venue was at Elfieda Bridals & Event located at Paragon Market.

I did not take rice this time as I had another reception to attend right after.

Thankfully there were other neighbours who were already there when I arrived and I managed to squeeze in for a spot at the table.

the father of the bride

How are the father of the bride and I connected? We regularly meet at the Surau [the smaller version of the mosque] for our daily prayers.

I had to excuse myself as I had to drive to the next venue and at the same time, more people were arriving at the hall. Congratulations to Mr. Sujasmin on the arrival of the first son-in-law in the family and there will be more to come for sure.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN JB WITH GUESTS FROM PENANG - PART ONE

Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar was back in Johor Bahru, so it was time to get her to embark on another gastronomic adventure Johor style. This time, the husband, Mr. Arif, was tagging along.

I decided to introduce them to another breakfast place called Pondok Santapan. She had been to Selera Johor twice already so it was time to try something new.

We were there at about 8:30 a.m. and the place was already with people dining in. The long queue of people ordering food was already formed. One good thing the service was fast and you would get your food and drinks in no time. PRECAUTION: The place would be super crowded during the weekends, always blame the Singaporeans.

Laksa Johor

Mee Soto

Mee Kari

We had Mee Kari, Laksa Johor, Mee Soto, Lempeng Kelapa, Popia and some kuih as well. Truly Johorean kind of breakfast choice.

That was just the beginning of the adventure. Lunch date will take place tomorrow for Part 2.

THE LONG AWAITED LUNCH DATE FINALLY DONE

The appointment with Mr. Faiz, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiri, was finally done at Secret Recipe in Taman Suria. He must have a busy work schedule.

Hoping to hear good news from him so the plan for 2026 can be executed.

BOYS' MOVIE DAY OUT

   29TH DECEMBER 2025    ~ The last time I watched a movie was like 3 years ago [READ HERE]. Today, I went back to the movie theatre to watch Papa Zola, with the same person, Mr. Solihin Ramli.

 

 The chosen cineplex was at Midvalley Southkey. Thank God the hall was only filled with 75% of parents and kids on school holiday. As expected, Malaysian animation movie was something worth the time and effort watching in a real movie theatre.

The outing was concluded by having lunch at Nando's restaurant in the mall.

Thanks to Mr. Solihin for the time and company, and the last minute plan worked well this time.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF AN EX-FORM SIX STUDENT OF SMK DATO' JAAFAR

   21ST DECEMBER 2025    ~ Initially I only had one wedding invitation in Kuala Lumpur on this date. After all the arrangements had been made, then only the invitation from Ms. Siti Syazwani Che Ibrahim arrived. This was good news as now I could attend two receptions on one day, which was worth the time and expenditure.

Ms. Siti Syazwani was a former Form Six student of SMK Dato' Jaafar. She came back to school when she was doing her first degree in Education course [in UPSI] and I was involved in the administrative part. That could be the reason why I was invited despite the fact that I did not teach her when she was in school.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a group of girls who are the ex-students of SMK Dato' Jaafar, the bride's friends. This wedding is officially the first invitation ever from an ex-student of the school.

The reception was held at Astana Sky Garden in Cyberjaya. Lucky enough, I had a [Grab] driver who drove me around this time. We went to this place directly from the first reception I attended in Bandar Baru Bangi. [READ HERE]

And not only that, he voluntarily accompanied me to the reception which was a huge relief, or else I would not have anyone to talk to. Mr. Amirul Yusri is actually the younger brother of an ex-student who is residing in Shah Alam.

I had to excuse myself after getting myself photographed with the lovely bride and groom.

Wishing Siti Syazwani and Syahmi a blessed journey ahead that will be filled with love and laughter throughout. Thanks again for the kind thought of inviting me.