MY FIRST RAYA CARD IN THE MAIL BOX

My very first Eid card via the post for this year arrived at last and it was from Sharmin. And after almost 3 weeks of fasting, I only got ONE card in my mailbox. How things have changed. Last time, sending greeting cards was a must for everybody. However, with the advanced technology, people have opted for a much more cheaper method. They just send sms to wish each other. I still remember how exciting it would be coming back from school to open envelopes, trying to figure out from whom the cards were coming from. Sending and replying greeting cards is a friendly gesture, and it is like the more you give, the more you receive. The acts seemed to be very simple but a lot of effort had to be put in doing that, from buying the cards, writing pantuns (Malay rhyming prose) and going to the post office to get stamps and post them. Too sad, sooner or later, sending greeting cards is not going to be a tradition anymore in the society and at the same time, we are losing some kind of excitement in celebrating the festive season. And I am yet to buy a card for Sharmin tomorrow.

MEETING ANOTHER FRIEND

This week is meet-my- friends-and-ex-students-week. Since Mr. Ismaz (I don't know how to spell the longer version of the name) was here in JB, so that was the best time to sit down and talk. The last time we met was in KL, October last year. He is one of my few male coursemates from UPM and has been in regular contact (although not that frequent) since then. This time, it was Sup Utara, the latest eatery in Taman Universiti that I have set my eyes on for a couple of weeks. Tasty soup, conducive surrounding and most importantly reasonable price, this can be a perfect place to hang out later. Nevertheless, it was already almost midnight so we had to call it a day but the session will be continued later because according to Irwin Sarason, good friends are good for your health.

A SHORT RENDEZVOUS

While many people just disappear and no longer can be heard after they have left school, a few still stay around and get connected to their teachers. Thanks to Hadi who is still willing to come and see me after all these years. The last time we met was like one year back when his brother got married and he was too busy at that time. So went to meet him with Sharmin (see him from my posting about my visit to Melbourne) at one of the eating places here. Definitely not a rendezvous because by definition it should be a secret meeting, but the word just sounds nice and I guess it must have originated from French. Well, too many updates of the present and too much reminiscing of the past, and yet too little time. If you look closely, the chairs had already been put on the tables and it was about time for us to go home. Hadi is going back to France this Saturday so hopefully will meet him again some time next year. I wonder whether I will still have enough time (to save money) to visit him there.

BOOK REVIEW 3 - "FALSE IMPRESSION" by JEFFREY ARCHER

To tell you the truth, I almost gave up reading this book as I found it was quite slow in the beginning. However, patience is the keyword. As the plot was getting interesting, without realizing, I had spent my entire Sunday finishing this novel. Another masterpiece by Archer, this time the readers would be taken to trips around main cities like New York, London and Bucharest. Centralizing on the main character, Anna, who is a maestro in fine arts and paintings, the story is intertwined beautifully between the description of paintings and great painters like Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, and names I haven't heard before. Anna who is indirectly involved in an illegal activity is trying hard to break away from her evil boss and at the same time saving others. You know Archer, there would be a lot of twists and turns, making you guess what is going to happen in the end. Another heart-stopping and adrenalin-pumping action novel, a must read for Archer's fans.

MOVIE REVIEW 1 - G.I. JOE

Sometimes I just run out of things to write. Therefore I have decided to do review of movies that I have watched at the cinema. At least I might help you choose what to watch if you just have doubt about a certain film showing. Mind you, I am not a professional film critique so don't blame me if my opinion might mislead you. Well, one man's meat is another man's poison.

The last movies I watched were Transformers and Terminator Salvation. This time I went to watch G.I. Joe with Wan Iznif. This is a must watch for action movie lovers. I thought the Joes were just ordinary soldiers but how wrong I was. As usual, they are equipped with hi-tech gadgets that make them some sort of superheroes. There are a lot of shooting and running, vehicles exploding and flying everywhere, glass shattering and aircrafts firing bullets in the sky and in the water non-stop. Superb computer graphic effects that would make you believe these kinds of things really exist in the real world. Very high entertainment value, a movie worth watching and paying the tickets for. Do I sound convincing enough?

WHAT ELSE DID I BRING HOME FROM SCHOOL TODAY?

I was happy because I had something to bring home from school again today. This time I had to thank Mr. Hisham for being kind enough to give me the products of Kelantan which he brought home after the school break.

salak fruit, the leftover

The fruit that you see is called salak, and if I am not mistaken it is called sawa fruit in the east coast. Yes, sawa as in phyton the snake. The name could derive from the skin texture of the fruit which is almost like of a phyton's, scary man! in English, the fruit is called snake skin fruit. It is quite difficult to get it it here and it is sold at a high price. A good type will be sweet but most of the time it has a slight bitter taste. 

fish crackers, not fried yet

Another specialty of Kelantan or the east coast states is its fish crackers. Simple yet delicious, crunchy and fishy at the same time. It is best eaten with chili sauce and I just love to have it with hot steaming lemon tea. HEAVEN! But then, I am yet to wait until it is fried and then only I can enjoy a piece of heaven.

I am blessed to be surrounded by people who are generous. And "blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting" (Elizabeth Bibesco)

LIFE'S SIMPLE JOY

Life is a simple joy of giving and receiving

gift #1

It was the first day of school after the long week break so I was expecting a slow start to life. However, I was overjoyed with unexpected gifts from a student and an ex-student which made my day. Teacher's Day was already over but I guess it is the Ramadhan's gifts of giving. Gift number one was a box of Eid ul-Fitr cookies which came together with a card from Ching Khai and his family. It took a lot of courage though not to open the lid and have a bite of the delicious looking london almonds.

gift(s) #2

The second gifts came from Solleh, an ex-student who is now studying in Canada. You can see Solleh in my posting about my visit to Singapore on 19th July. I was handed over a University of Toronto t-shirt and a Toronto key-chain, everything Toronto. Guess I already have a shirt to wear for this coming festive season.

To Solleh and Ching Kai, I can't thank you enough. People like you make me feel grateful that I am still a teacher.

"It is possible to give without loving,
but it is impossible to love without giving."
Richard Braunstein