THE POST EID UL-FITR OPEN HOUSE IN SCHOOL

I was invited to another Eid Ul-Fitr feast organised by the Teachers and Staff Club of SMK Dato' Jaafar. The event started in the morning at 9:00.

As expected, there were varieties of food on the tables.

I won RM10 in a scratch-and-win contest during the event.

The best part was not only to enjoy the delicious food, but also the company of old friends.

I had to make my move after 2 hours staying there - eating and chatting, and hopefully I would be invited again some other time.

EID DIARY: 27TH SYAWAL 1446H

   26th APRIL 2025    ~ The Eid Open House today was held at Taman Universiti. I was invited by my ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti, five siblings who attended the same school.

Unfortunately, I just attended two wedding receptions before so I could not eat too much food as I was too full already.

Our first family photo

I got to thank Mr. Hafizuddin, Mr. Syarifuddin and Ms. Fatin Maimunah Abd. Wahid, the three who had invited me to their house. In fact, they had never failed to make me attend their annual Eid Open House, something that I appreciate a lot.

REUNION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME

After attending two wedding receptions in Kuala Lumpur, I requested my friend who gave me a lift to the two events to just drop me at Kuala Lumpur City Centre [KLCC]. I first went for a short walk at the KLCC Park so as to ease the digestion process after eating too much.

Then I decided to go to the place I loved at Suria KLCC: Kinokuniya Bookstore. As I was browsing the books on the shelves, the lady standing beside me said "Hi" and that was the biggest surprise that took place. She was Puan Aida Ahmad Saipiuddin, my UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend.

 

We then adjourned to the Cafe just beside the bookstore to continue our chat.

Unfortunately I couldn't stay for too long as I had a flight to catch right after. So we said our goodbyes after chatting for less than half an hour. Thanks Puan Aida for the time and the treat as well. Hope to see you again, maybe in a bigger group or during someone else's child's wedding reception. That was an impromptu reunion to be remembered.

EID DIARY: 26TH SYAWAL 1446H

The guests who came this evening for the Eid visit were two ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Muhammad Aliff and Mr. Muhammad Ariff Nizam, with their parents. The last time they came visiting was may years ago, but Mr. Ariff used to come alone almost every year.

This should a reciprocal visit after I went to their house in Pekan Nanas in the first week of Eid [READ HERE]. One family member was not here as she was already back in college.

Thanks to Mr. Nizam family for coming and hope the tradition will continue for many more years to come.

EID DIARY: 21ST SYAWAL 1446H - PART TWO

20TH APRIL 2025 ~ Driving from Segamat to Tangkak, then to Taman Universiti in Skudai, Johor Bahru, this was my second Eid open house attended this year. The event was hosted by Dr. Muhammad Harith Ismail, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti.

I got to meet his sister, Puan Nazihah, and her husband, Mr. Hussein, who are also my ex-students of the same school.

Thanks to Dr. Harith for inviting me without fail every year. Hope to see you for many more open houses to come.

EID DIARY: 21ST SYAWAL 1446H - PART ONE

   20TH APRIL 2025    ~ The next mission of my trip to Segamat this time, after attending the wedding reception in Felda Redong 1 [READ HERE], was to visit an ex-schoolmate/ex-classmate of Budiman SMS Muar who is still recuperating.

I was welcomed by Puan Rozana Ab. Manap and her husband to her house in Taman Gunung Emas 2 in Tangkak on the 21st day of Eid, even though I had been planning to visit her much earlier.

It was a pleasure to get to see an old friend and was glad that she was back on her feet again. I am sure she will get much better when I come to see her next time.

EID DIARY: 24TH SYAWAL 1446H

   23RD APRIL 2025    ~ After the 1 hour and 20 minutes bus ride from Shahab Perdana Bus Station in Alor Setar [READ HERE] and the 15 minutes ferry ride, Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar [a friend of the UPM TESL Class of 1993 group] came to pick me for my very short stay on Penang Island.

ROUND 1: Penang Laksa

The initial plan was to get dinner somewhere before going to the airport but I was taken to her house as there was already a lot of food.

I guess I came at the right time to enjoy all the delicious food on the 24th day of Eid.

ROUND 2: Briyani

I had to get to the airport to catch my flight back to Johor Bahru at 9:15 p.m. and my friend was kind enough to drive me there.

Thanks a lot to Puan Aishah and her husband, Mr. Ariff, for hosting and I shall be back again to Penang real soon.

BLOGGING FROM ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

THE BUS STATION

It is time to bid Alor Setar farewell one more time. The main agenda was attending a national level symposium held by Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat for 2D1N. I decided to extend my stay for another night, and now already leaving for Penang.

I did not expect to make a return trip to Alor Setar that soon, but life is always unpredictable. I will be coming back to Kedah next month for another event.

FOOTNOTE: Waiting for my bus which was delayed for an hour at Shahab Perdana Bus Station, Alor Setar.

ATTENDING A WEDDING RECEPTION OF AN EX-STUDENT AT FELDA REDONG

This was my first time being invited and attended a wedding reception of an ex-student of Asrama Semai Bakti Felda Johor Bahru.

I drove all the way to Felda Redong 1 in Segamat to attend the wedding of Mr. Muhammad Solihin Ramli whom I taught English for his tuition class many years ago. The event was held at the groom's house.

The only person I knew was my cousin's son who happened to be the groom's friend. It was a surprise to meet him there.

Wisihing Mr. Solihin and his wife a happy life filled with everlasting love. Guess I am losing another regular coffee buddy now.

THE INTERVIEW THAT HAPPENED AT SECRET RECIPE CAFE

The coffee session today took place at Secret Recipe in Taman Suria which is near my house.

The reason: an ex-student wanted to interview me for his college assignment. As you can see, my opinion regarding certain matters are still sought after, even after retirement 😀

It was my pleasure to see Mr. Afif Farhan Zulkiflee, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, to help him with his task. Coffee and cakes were only to help things done smoothly. 😀

THE EID GREETING CARDS THAT ARRIVED ON THE 16TH DAY OF EID

On the 16th day of Eid, six greeting cards were finally sent to my house. They should have arrived before the 1st month of Syawal, like last time.

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