MEETING ANOTHER EX-STUDENT

This is Zabidi who is now studying in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn in Batu Pahat. The last time we met was last year, if I am not mistaken. So we went out to watch a movie and had supper after that.

I had the pleasure to receive a small gift from Zabidi, a bottle of First Grade Perfume. It actually comes in many different scents for male and female. Anyone interested to buy perfume, you can contact him through me for further business transaction.

(NOTE for ZABIDI: this is a free advertisement so don't forget the commission later)

BOOK REVIEW 5 - JODI PICOULT'S "CHANGE OF HEART"

[ATTENTION MISS VEE WEN: At last, I finished reading this book]

Yes, at last. This is my first attempt in reading Picoult. The book started off quite slow as each chapter of the book is narrated by different characters. You have to take your time understanding how the characters are related to each other, and that took a lot of time until I reached the middle part of the novel to understand their relationship.

The novel focuses on Shay Bourne, a convict who is accused of murdering a cop and his daughter. One interesting thing about him is that he could perform miracles in his cell like turning pipe water into wine, curing sick people from AIDS, bringing dead bird alive - that some people have considered him as a messiah. To repent his past sins, Shay decides to donate his heart to a girl who needs a donor and that girl is actually the younger daughter of the cop whom he had killed earlier. The question is, if you are the mother or the girl herself, will you accept a heart from someone who has killed your beloved husband and father, respectively? Then come in all the characters in their effort to assist Shay to carry out the impossible mission, a lawyer, a priest, a doctor who then fell in love with the lawyer, his cell mates etc. Complicated but interesting. And in the end, from his confession to the priest, Shay is not actually the murderer, he is just trying to protect the girl from his cop father who has been abusing her sexually and has accidentally him. He just refuses to tell his version of the story in court because he knows no one will believe him. So, will Shay be executed? Will he be able to give his heart to Elizabeth, the cop's other daughter? You go and read the book yourself.

I have two more Picoult's novels in my list waiting but I am reading something else first now.

MOVIE REVIEW 4 - PISAU CUKUR

I seldom watch Malay movies but this time the urge was there. Most probably I was enticed by the beautiful trailer that I saw before. Well, as expected, the story is something about how two young women on a cruise ship, characters played by Maya Karin and Fazura, going after very rich men around. Then, to make the story more complicated, one of the old rich men (Rahim Razali), is dead and suspected of being murdered. He is there with his three wives and two children, so Fazura is trying to help this one private investigator (Aaron Aziz) to solve the mystery. On the other hand, Maya who has fallen for one of the available widowers (Eizlan Yusof) has this other admirer (must be a newcomer because I don't know his name) who never ever gives up.

It is actually a comedy and my comment: it is not that bad for a Malay movie. There are hilarious moments and I can say that it will not put you to sleep. No regrets. My last word: support our local film industry if the film is good, that is.

A SHORT TRIP TO KL

I went to the same place in KL for the final stage of the official task. But when everything was over, it was time to let the steam off. In the evening, I managed to watch a movie and get a bagful of novels (which were actually three of them) from Kinokuniya in KLCC.

On the second day, in the morning, I walked to Sogo (again) which was a stone's throw away from the hotel. In the afternoon, I went to Midvalley Megamall with Mr. Asrol to watch another movie and this had been planned much earlier, like two weeks before. That was all the time that I had in KL but I was a contented man after all the one month of hard work.

with Mr. Asrol, at DeliFrance in Midvalley

So, happy holidays to all my students and my colleagues, as well as other students and teachers out there. Enjoy yourself while you can. There are no holidays for me actually, but I will always try to squeeze in some fun in between work.

OUT OF SIGHT, BUT NOT OUT OF MIND

I had to strain my eyes real hard trying to recognize the person who was calling me at the school corridor and it was Zaidi, a student from SPM 2002 batch. The last time I saw him was like after he was form five and I could not even figure out how long that was. As he came to school for other reason, we did not have the chance to chat. Just hope we can catch up some other time later.

This is Nuruddin. He moved to Bangi after the PMR examination. He called me in the morning, informing his whereabout and decided to come to school to meet. Since I had to go out for official thing (with the Principal's consent), so I had the chance to take him out for lunch at a fast food restaurant nearby. Really glad to meet him again after almost a year. So I guess until now, this is not the case of out of sight, out of mind. Maybe next time we can spend more time when we see each other.

KAA'S END OF YEAR GATHERING

Pn. Nilam (the school Principal), Pn. Rahmah and Pn. Raja Ainurraziyah

Yes, another gathering and this time organized by the Special Religious Classes Unit. It was held in the surau (a smaller version of a mosque) and it was semi-formal in a way because our Principal was also invited. As usual there were speeches and prize-giving ceremony, and eating food like chicken chop, spaghetti, pudding, coconut milk shake etc. I seriously need to lose a lot of weight.

with the students of KAA classes

the honourable guest giving away prizes

JB - BATU PAHAT - AIR HITAM - JB

I had to go to Batu Pahat for an official assignment. I asked Zahari, an ex-student, to tag along as he was having his semester break and had nothing to do at home. After the mission was accomplished, off we went to a few places along the way home.

stopped for lunch at a nasi beriyani shop in Peserai

outside and inside Pacific Mall Batu Pahat

After lunch, we went to the newest shopping complex in Batu Pahat. Tried to catch a movie, but we were not allowed entry because there were no other people watching that particular film. We tried again for another movie, and we got the same answer. There should be at least five people watching then only they would show.

at Clay Tan factory outlet in Air Hitam

Then, we stopped at the small town of Air Hitam because I needed to buy a few things. Air Hitam is well-known for its pottery and ceramic products as well as traditional home-made food prepared by the villagers. Before the completion of the North-South Highway, it was a lively place. Express buses, lorries and travelling people would stop here as the town was located in the middle of the route. Back then, there were not that many eating places operating 24-hours so people did not have much choice.

flowers, flowers, all around...

And before heading home, we stopped at Machap R&R. We had the Big Apple Donuts bought earlier at the mall, which was my first time. MY REVIEW: the doughnuts were too soft, it was almost like a piece of bread, unlike Dunkin Donut or Krispy Kreme. I guess it was not my cup of tea. However, the the toppings and fillings come in variety of colours and flavours , so the temptation is quite strong. The look can be deceiving though. Oh now I am even doing food review in my blog.

enjoying Big Apple Donut at Machap R&R

Thanks to Zahari for being a good company, and a good navigator cum photographer indeed. I did not feel asleep at all while driving all the way to and fro. Maybe we will go and catch another movie another time.