MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - THE FIRST TIME AT ME'NATE

2nd AUGUST 2019 ~ One of the latest attractions for food lovers in Johor Bahru is the much talked about steak restaurant: Me'nate. I might not step foot in the eating place until an ex-student decided to give her other friend who is also an ex-student of mine (and her family members) and me a treat there.

The place is known for its expensive food which could be either good or a bad thing. So I left the ordering to be done by the host - I would eat whatever you were going to have, for the fear of choosing something too pricey.

THE VERDICT: I was having lamb steak and it was good, something I might be coming back again for. Was it really expensive eating there? That would depend on what you will be eating and the quantity of the food ordered. It is worth trying, at least once in a lifetime.

A staff there introduced himself as an ex-student of SMK Mutiara Rini. He was generous enough to give us staff privilege which meant we were given a discount to the meal we had there. Thanks a lot Mr. Nazmi Akmal and I must say i was not expecting that and I was truly touched.

All in all, it was an afternoon well spent with two ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti [SPM batch 1998], Puan Nor Aidil Fitri and Puan Arba'iyah Ahmad  and their families. Thanks again to Puan Aidil for her kind gesture and only Allah may return her kind deed.

THE 2nd DAY OF EID 1440H

More people came visiting today on the 2nd day of Eid. The first group comprised of two big families of TESL UPM class of 1993. Dr. Hayati Ismail and Puan Farah Sabina Safi'ai were here at the same time with their husbands and children. These people are the regular visitors I meet during Eid and I am glad they still spend some of their time to be at my place.

Then, there were these two ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti (SPM batch 1998) who are now husband and wife. Mr. Hazran Zuberi and Pn. Rusinah Amirudin are spending their Eid with their parents/in-laws before going home to Putrajaya. If I am not mistaken, this should be their second visit during Eid. (Yes, I am keeping count ☺).

There were also other relatives who came during the day and it had been quite a busy afternoon. Three more days before school reopens and there might be more people showing up soon.

A SERIES OF REUNION IN KULIM

25th MARCH 2018 ~  The first reunion was not planned, it just happened when an ex-student of SMKTUN (SPM batch 1998), Mr. Mohd. Syukor Ismail, saw my check-in on Facebook at Penang Hill and initiated a get together in Kulim. His mother, Puan Aisyah Sadon, was also a pioneering teacher of SMK Taman Universiti back in December 1994, before moving back to Kedah. So it was like a bigger reunion with an ex-student and an ex-colleague, after not seeing each other for like almost 20 years (or more).

lunch served Kulim style

There was also another reunion sessions with my cousin and her daughters who are now residing in Kulim. I had been planning to visit her since Kulim is just a 30-minute drive away from Penang (the ferry terminal of Seberang Perai to be exact).

I spent the whole day in Kulim and it was worth all the time and effort. They were all asking me to come back to get to know the town better and I am already considering. 

THE 4TH DAY OF SYAWAL 1437H

The visiting tradition for Eid continued today. The first visitors were the family of a friend from UPM TESL group who is married to another friend from UPM, who happened to be staying in the same residential college and is also my neighbour. I guess it is compulsory for them to be here in Johor Bahru, hence the regular visit during Eid. Puan Farah Sabina and Mr. Azlin Shah dropped by for a short chat before leaving for Seremban right after.

The next group arriving comprised of two ex-students of SMKTUN from SPM batch 2001, Mr. Zul Azeze and Mr. Megat Khairun. Mr. Zul Azeze is a regular visitor and as for Mr. Megat, the last time he came visiting was like a long time ago, when he was still in school. They were here with the wives and children.

Coming all the way from Putrajaya, was the lovely a-schoolmate-marrying-another-schoolmate couple, Mr. Hazeran Zuberi and Ms. Rusinah Amirudin, ex-students of SMKTUN of SPM 1999 generation. I remember the last time I saw both of them was two Eids ago.

Reunited after more than 20 years, Mr. Ediwan Ahmad came visiting with his wife and two kids. It was actually a surprise when someone suddenly decided to meet after such a long time. He came from the earliest batch of pioneering students when SMKTUN was opened back in 1994 - or SPM batch 1998.

The family of an old friend from SMKTUN, Mr. Masrizal Sayute, was here for the regular meeting during Eid. For one thing, I can see how the family has been expanding and the kids growing up, with eldest daughter already finishing school and going to college soon.

To conclude the day's visitation was a group of ex-students from SPM batch 2006, Mr. Suhaizie, Mr. Solleh, Mr. Hamzah and Mr. Zahari. They have been here since they were still very young and have never failed to make an appearance for Eid celebration (for most of them, at least).  Anyway, someone will be celebrating his Eid differently next year, I suppose as a wedding invitation card was handed over to me.

It had been a very long and tiring day for me but it was great to get connected to people I know, once in a while.

One more day before school reopens tomorrow... *sigh*