A DINNER DATE WITH A POLICEMAN

18th NOVEMBER 2019 ~ An ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti [SPM batch 2002] Mr. Radin Mohd. Hafiz is back in town from Ipoh for his long annual leave. A dinner date was set and he was willing to come to Kampung Melayu at the regular eating place for Murtabak Kampung Melayu and Sate.

It is always a pleasure to meet with ex-students and I think I am doing that less frequently now.

Thank you Mr. Policeman for the short meeting. Hope to see you again when you are back in Johor Bahru some other time in the future.

26th DAY OF EID 1440H

After all the planning, the English teachers of SMK Taman Universiti - the present and the past, finally managed to pay Puan Aliah Hussein a visit for Eid at Taman Pulai Perdana. It is not easy to get everyone to gather together at one time and this should already make Puan Aliah's neighbours wonder why was there suddenly there was so much noise from next door.

We had to thank Puan Aliah for playing host again for the get-together, and for tirelessly cooking special dishes for us. We came straight after school and we finished all the scrumptious food on the table which should be some form of compliment to the chef in the house.

Later in the evening, I received a guest, Mr. Binosh. He is an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti of SPM batch 2002. The plan was eventually executed today as he was only available during weekends.

As you can see, it is alright to do Eid visit without being accompanied by any friend. If you wait for a busload, in the end, that is not going to happen.

Three more days to go before Eid celebration will end. I am already thinking of clearing my cookie jars on the dining table.

THE 5th DAY OF EID 1440H

t h e   s u m m a r y

The house visit continues on the 5th day of Eid. Puan Zakiah Abdullah, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, arrived today with her family members. When almost all her children went to the same school, nobody in the house was a stranger anymore. However, three people were missing today.

Idris (SPM 2011) and Ibrahim (SPM 2017)

After that, another ex-student, Mr. Radin Mohd. Hafiz, successfully found my house for his first solo Eid visit ever (after being coaxed endlessly). From SPM batch 2002, he is now a policeman in Ipoh, Perak. It would be a rare opportunity to be able to see him.

Nobody came at night most probably because school is already starting tomorrow after a 2-week long break. However, the visiting session will still continue for many more days. 

THE QUESTION IS: Will I be seeing more people after this? Let's wait and see...

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.

MOVIE REVIEW - "CHRISTOPHER ROBIN"

Christopher Robin had grown much older when he was reunited with all his stuffed friends from the woods. The talking plush toys had to step into the real world in order to help Christopher when he was in trouble, hence they were introduced to Christopher's wife and daughter. It was ended with a happy note and the messages delivered were: (1) Don't work too hard, you have to spend time with your family. (2) True friends are forever.

Amar Faiz (SMKTUN's SPM batch 2002)
@AEON Tebrau City

I am not a fan of Winnie the Pooh, and we watched this movie as that was the only one available at the time of arrival, or else we would have to wait for three hours or more for the screenings of other movies. 

This should be a must-watch for Pooh die-hard-fans. Surprisingly IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes gave high ratings for this film.

CELEBRATING AYRA'S 5TH BIRTHDAY

10th AUGUST 2018 ~ I attended a birthday celebration of Miss Ayra Azizul, the daughter of two ex-students, Mr. Azizul Azman and Puan Amirah Razali (SPM 2002). The event was held at their place in Taman Sri Pulai.

Puan Rokiah Junoh and family

As usual there were many ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti who attended the party, as well as an ex-colleague, Puan Rokiah Junoh and her husband who is no stranger to me.

ex-students of SPM 2016 and one of 2018

Fatimah Hishamuddin (SPM 2003)

Nor Azizah Azman and family (SPM 2003)

Mohd. Arif and Siti Nor Ain (SPM 2002)
another case of schoolmates marrying another schoolmate,
and Shahima Shahi at the back

Ms. Najwa Zafran (2012) and "friend"

an addition of Ms. Atiqah Razali (SPM 2012),
the birthday girl's auntie

Ummussaa'dah Adam (SPM 2003)

OMG... two sets of husbands and wives of the same school

It was a fun evening, of eating and meeting ex-students.

I must thank Mr. Azizul and Pn. Amirah for their kind thoughts of inviting me.I must be very old by now as I was already attending ex-students' daughter's birthday party.

VISITING THE NEWEST AND NEAREST McD FROM MY HOUSE

There is a new McDonald's outlet which has started operation near my house, in Pandan area (opposite the Pandan Market) - the exact date I am not sure. And I finally managed to visit this place for my late supper/coffee this evening, with a colleague from school, Mr. Wan Mohd. Nazri.

And suddenly, there was this voice calling my name from a nearby table. [READ: fans are everywhere] It was Mr. M. Arshad Amir, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti of SPM 2002  batch. And we decided to join him at his table.

I tried the food item on promotion - the durian hot cake. I was really disappointed as the hot cake did not look what it should appear as advertised. And it was neither a cake nor hot at all. You failed big time, McD. I am thinking of lodging a formal complaint.

as advertised

what I got

There were these self-order machines in this outlet, the first I came across in Johor Bahru.

Even though the hotcake was a disappointment, I must say this new McD outlet was actually quite cool. I really like the interior design which looked more modern and contemporary. I might come back just to hang out and have coffee here with friends in the future.

THREE SMKTUN EX-STUDENTS CAME VISITING

Three ex-students of SMKTUN were in SDJ today but they were here to conduct a briefing and a short workshop with the students. The talk had to do with something about the opportunities to pursue education after SPM and then they had a session where students had to work using Arduino.

and I got some goodies too

Thanks for coming, Mr. Amar Faiz Zainal Abidin (SPM batch 2002) now attached with Universiti Teknikal Melaka, Mr. Mohd. Hafiz Othman (SPM batch 2002) of TATi University College, Kemaman and Pn. Nadhira Johari Halim Shah (SPM batch 2004) now lecturing at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Pagoh. Sorry I could not sit and entertain all of you as I had classes and there were also other urgent matters in hand. School is actually not the best place to have a reunion especially during working hours.

GOSSIPING OVER DONUTS AND COFFEE

3rd FEBRUARY 2018 ~ A get-together with two ex-students of SMKTUN SPM batch 2002 was held at AEON Bukit Indah. The place chosen for coffee this time was J.Co Donuts & Coffee - my first time there.

We stayed there for almost 2 ½ hours, even though the place was quite crowded and noisy. (There was a Chinese calligraphy competition held outside the restaurant with many people around). The chit-chatting session was a huge success [EXAGGERATION] and we definitely should get more coffee more regularly next time.

Thanks Mr. Azizul Azman and Mr. Ammar Faiz Zainal Abidin for the coffee, and most importantly, the time and company. We shall see each other again in the next meeting.