GETTING MY FIRST BOX OF MANDARIN ORANGES THIS YEAR

Chinese New Year is coming. The festive season is synonymous with mandarin oranges, the fruits that are sold almost everywhere. They are the symbol of wealth and prosperity. Giving a friend or relative oranges is like giving him/her gold.

My first box of oranges was handed over to me today by Puan Lim Swat Pay, the representative of my Chinese friends of SMK Mutiara Rini. Thanks everybody for the kind thought. Wishing all of you a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

 

THE DINNER SESSION WITH TESL FRIENDS IN KUANTAN AT KASSIM BABA

    25TH JANUARY 2026    ~ After attending the wedding reception of a TESL friend's daughter in Kuantan [READ HERE], a few of us who came from far away places decided to spend the night there.

We decided to get together over dinner with Kuantan people, Puan Aunillah Hilmi [and husband] and Puan Rosnah, and later was joined by another one, Puan Hanita Kassim. The chosen venue was Kassim Baba Restaurant, located somewhere in Teluk Sisek.

It was my second time here. The first one happened two yeas ago [READ HERE].

We had Arab food that evening, which came with variety of meat in the trays.

We left the place before 11:00 p.m. as we needed the rest before another gastronomic adventure that would take place the next morning.

THE HOMETWON GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE SERIES: THE LATE LUNCH AT TAMAN TERATAI

   8th FEBRUARY 2026    ~ After the visit at the exposition in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia [UTM] [READ HERE], we were ready to get our late lunch. The impromptu decision was made in the car to stop at Aroma Bakar Restaurant located in Taman Teratai.

I had been here twice and hoping to get good food again this time. The place was almost empty at this time and we seemed to be the only people dining in at that time.

We had rice that came together with Daging Masak Lemak [Beef in Spicy Coconut Milk Gravy], Grilled Chicken and Salad with Sambal Belacan.

Lunch was good and hopefully Mr. Reduzan, the regular gastronomic adventurer, could go out for another last gastronomic adventure before the fasting month which will start next week.

VISITING THE EID EXPOSITION AT UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

   8th FEBRUARY 2026    ~ Someone wanted to visit the exposition held at Padang Kawad [TRANSLATE: Marching Field] at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and see anything interesting to buy there, I didn't really know the exact name of the expo. It was like an event selling mostly clothes specifically for the upcoming Eid celebration.

One would need to spend more time here to get the best piece of Eid attire at the best price.

On one side of the field, there was a long tent which accommodated a number of stalls selling all kinds of food and drinks - something like a food fest.

The number of seats was limited though and it was quite hot and stuffy at about 3:00 p.m.

We both ended up not buying anything. Thanks to Mr. Redzuan for suggesting this place or else I would not even step foot here. At the same time, the walking was good for me to digest the food I had had at the wedding reception earlier in Kulai [READ HERE].

ATTENDING THE RECEPTION OF THE GROOM'S SIDE WITH THE BRIDE'S FAMILY

Puan Suriana Ali, the mother of the bride, and her family, were in Kulai to attend the wedding reception held by the groom's family. She was kind enough to ask me to join them for the event. I had no reason to say "no". Furthermore, I was also with her family when the second son got married to someone in Pasir Gudang in 2024. [READ HERE] A few weeks ago, I attended the reception of the bride's side in Kuantan. [READ HERE]

The event was held at Eden Garden MDiva Glass House located in Kulai.

The visiting group was welcomed into the hall at about 12 noon.

the bride's brother giving a speech

cendol

the bride's parents

the bride's uncle & wife

After eating all the food served at the VIP's table and later the other food served at the buffet table, I had to excuse myself as I had another appointment with a friend right after.

I got to thank Puan Suriana Ali, my friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, and her husband, for inviting me to join their group again this time. I really appreciate the opportunity given and I felt as if I was a part of the family even though it was only for a short while.