VISITING AN EX-STUDENT IN KPJ HOSPITAL IN DAMANSARA

After attending a wedding reception in Klang, I quickly drove to KPJ Specialist Hospital 2 in Damansara. The mission was to visit Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Shahlan, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti who had just undergone a bypass heart surgery there.

I also got to meet the wife of Mr. Ahmad, Puan Noor Al Iman Mazlan, and his younger sister, Puan Shazwani Shahlan, who were both my ex-students of the same school.

There were many other visitors when I was there. It seemed he was one popular patient in the ward. Unfortunately, I could stay that long as I had to drive back to Johor Bahru right after.

Wishing Mr. Ahmad a speedy recovery and looking forward to other coffee sessions with him and his friends soon.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF MR MUHD FAIZ YUSOF

    18th JULY 2026    ~ Right after the event in Sanglang, Pontian [READ HERE], I drove homebound to attend another wedding reception in the Community Hall at Taman Pulai Utama. It was the wedding of an ex-student's, Mr. Muhd. Faiz Yusof.

I arrived at about 2:30 p.m. expecting to be one of the latecomers but there were still many guests in the hall.

The food was still aplenty. I was still full from the feast from the previous event, so I just went for the "kuih", cakes and dessert.

Pn. Zakiah, an ex-colleague

There were some ex-students who were also present and I met one ex-colleague with her husband.

Thanks Mr. Faiz for your kind thought of inviting me to your reception. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, happiness and countless beautiful memories. May your journey together be blessed every step of the way.

MEETING THE HUSBAND AND WIFE EX-STUDENTS WHO CAME BACK FROM MEKAH

Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad Shahlan and Puan Nor Al-Iman Madzlan, the husband-and-wife ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti] just came back from their pilgrimage in Mekah. A date with them was set at Manzanita Restaurant in Eko Botani at 2:30 p.m. It was customary to welcome people who came home from the holy land.

This was my third time having a meal at this particular restaurant. It seemed the place was popular as there were many diners on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting lasted for two hours and we had to bid our goodbyes as it was getting late. It was the first lengthy sit in session for the three of us and it was one interesting chat session. Wishing Mr. Ahmad Firdaus the best of health and may he recover real soon. Hopefully we could do this again some other time after this.

ATTENDING THE SECOND WEDDING RECEPTION OF PUAN ZAKIAH'S FAMILY

Puan Zakiah Abdullah, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, held the second wedding reception for the family. This time it was Mr. Idris Ebi Shahrin's turn, and he also attended the same school as her mother.

As usual, another mini reunion happened with ex-colleagues and ex-students. The wedding event was Bizmilla Hall at Eko Botanic, somewhere in Gelang Patah.

the elder brother of the groom

Madam Cheong's son

the groom's siblings, my ex-students

the proud parents

Congratulations to Puan Zakiah and family on the arrival of a new female member. Wishing the newlyweds a blessed and joyous marriage filled with love and laughter.

OF A SUPPER DATE AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

   10TH JULY 2026    ~ Originally it was a supper date with Mr. Firdaos, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti. The place to meet was Ariffin Maju, a Mamak Restaurant located at Bukit Impian, somewhere in Taman Impian Emas.

As we were enjoying our Chapati, someone came to our table and he introduced himself as my ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti too. An unexpected reunion took place and it was a pleasure to be greeted by someone whom you used to know many years ago.

Thanks to Mr. Shahrizal who approached me and thanks also for paying for our supper. Happiness is when someone introduces himself/herself as an ex-student even though I might not be able to recall his/her name.

THE DINNER DATE WITH THE HUSBAND AND WIFE [UTM] EX-STUDENTS

   25th June 2026    ~ Mr. Azim Afif and Ms. Anis Zulaikha, and their three children were in town. I taught the husband and wife couple English when they were in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia a long time ago. They were among the few ex-students from university whom I was still keeping in touch up until now.

The last time I had coffee with Mr. Azim Afif was on 1st October last year in Subang Jaya. [READ HERE]

The chosen meeting point: Awiet Bistro Corner located in Taman Setia Indah at about 9:00 p.m. It was very first time having a meal not only in the restaurant, but also in the housing estate area.

Pataya Fried Rice

FOOD REVIEW: The food and drinks were good but I think they were overpriced. Maybe food prices were different once the eating place was branded as a bistro.

Mr. Azim Afif also invited two of his friends whom I had never met before.

Thanks to Mr. Azim Afif for asking me out and hopefully I will be able to meet him again some other time when he is back in Johor Bahru, or when I am im Kuala Lumpur or Penang.