ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF NAZURA ZUNNURAIN

   27TH MAY 2023    ~ I was invited by Dr. Norhanim Abd. Samat to the wedding reception of her daughter, Ms. Nazura Zunnurain Zulkepeli, who happens to be my ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru.

The reception was held at the Community Hall in Taman Pulai Ria.

I had a visitor from Labuan on that day and he had no choice but to tag along with me to the event [and two other events too, after a lot of persuasion].

I have to thanks Dr. Norhanim for her kind gesture to invite me. And wishing the newly wedded couple a blessed married life ahead filled with endless love and joy.

the parents of the bride

ADDING MORE CALORIES AT "WARUNG CALORIES"

We were on another gastronomic adventure - adding more calories at Warong [translate: stall] Calories situated in Kampung Melayu. Guess we had to celebrate the one day extra holiday given to Johorean by the state government because of the victory achieved the football team and other sporting events.

This was our first visit to this eating place. THE VERDICT: [1] Limited seats most probably it was a weekend/extra public holiday. [2] Generous portion of food. My plate of fried rice could be shared by 2 people. I had to pack the unfinished food to bring home. [3] Will come back to this place to try other food.

Thanks Mr. Ariff Nizam, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, for the dinner, and he did not get the day off from work unfortunately. We will meet next time for our breakfast date as planned.

A SHORT CHAT SESSION OVER FRIED BANANA AND EVERYTHING ELSE

Mr. Mohd. Fahmi Foad, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, was kind enough to help me get the CPU of one of the PCs in school to be serviced as I had encountered  a few problems while using it. I decided to get it from him at Taman Universiti and there would be the opportunity to sit down and chat for a short while.

We chose to meet at Goreng Pisang Restaurant and he was accompanied by one friend, also an ex-student of the same school, Mr. Mohd. Syafiq Jaini. The more the merrier.

An ex-colleague, Puan Wan Nor Azrin, was also there buying food to take away home.

I was lucky as Mr. Syafia handed over a gift bag for me. Too bad I had nothing to give back.

The whole meeting lasted for an hour. I had to make my move as I had to go to other shops and get the computer back at school, or else we would be staying longer. That would require for another get together after this.

EATING DURIANS IN THE AFTERNOON OF EID UL-ADHA

20th JULY 2021 ~ I was not expecting any visitors in the afternoon of Eid ul-Adha but an ex-student suddenly arrived at my house bringing durians. I am not an avid durian fan actually but I do eat the fruit in moderation. It must have been a very long time ago since I last ate one until I could not remember when.

Since he was here, I had the chance to force him to help me get the rambutan fruit off from the tree behind my house using a long pole. We managed to get a bagful of rambutan to bring home to his mom who happens to be an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti.

Thanks Mr. Mohd. Afif Farhan for the kind thought. I don't remember anyone who had brought durians to be eaten together before so this should be something I will remember for a long time.

ATTENDING NUR MARYAM'S WEDDING RECEPTION

I was invited to a wedding reception of an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Ms. Nur Maryam Muhammad Shafie [SPM batch 2008]. It was held at Taman Sri Pulai's Community Hall on 22nd June 2019. Ms. Maryam also had invited the school's Angklung Group to perform throughout the event.

As usual there were a number of ex-colleagues and ex-students of SMKTUN met when I was there. However, I was occupied with the Angklung Group and only managed to smile/wave from afar to a few people I saw.

Wishing the newly-wed couple a happy married life and may the year ahead be filled with lasting joy. Thanks again for having the Angklung Group during one of the most significant events in your life.

MEETING AN EX-STUDENT AGAIN - AFTER 5 YEARS

Once in a blue moon, I would get lucky when an ex-student contacted and asked me out for a meal outside. I was meeting Mr. Binosh, an alumni of SMK Taman Universiti SPM batch 2002, at KFC KOMTAR a.k.a JBCC now, after 5 long years. The last time we met was when he visited me at home during Eid celebration. I was really happy that he had no intention of asking me to join any MLM activity or buy any health insurance. 

It was just a short meeting as the restaurant staff were eagerly waiting to end their sales. We were their last customers of the day.

Thanks Mr. Binosh for your time and also for the treat, and your kind gesture is very much appreciated. We will have to find a better time slot so we could sit and chat longer.

BREAKING FAST AT GRAND PARAGON HOTEL, JOHOR BAHRU

Once in a blue moon, I would get an offer or invitation of doing something I would not do if I were to spend my own money. Because of someone's generosity (or two people actually), I had the chance to break fast buffet style at Grand Paragon Hotel, Johor Bahru.

I was among the early birds to arrive at Para Para Restaurant, so I had the freedom to take photos before the crowd started to swarm around the food.

great, great temptation!

There was a wide variety of food offered but the most exciting fact was that there were many stalls serving hot food to the visitors.

my regular partner in crime

those were all my plates of food, honestly no more.

I had to remind myself not to eat too much as I had decided to rush to the nearest mosque right after. Everything was good and I had already put on more unnecessary weight towards the end of the fasting month. All the diet plan must have now gone down the drain. This must be the evil deed of Puan Mazzelina Mahmood but I would have to thank her for her kind gesture and I could for once break fast like a king. 

We still have not gone for our hi-tea PLC gathering as stated in our group's strategic planning so hope that could be carried out real soon.