THE 7TH DAY OF EID 1443H

Someone from Asrama Semai Bakti Felda where I used to teach English tuition classes for a few years turned up for Eid. Mr. Solihin Ramli [ex-EC SPM batch 2015] should now be the only person from the hostel whom I am physically keeping in touch with for now.

We have been meeting for coffee, lunch or dinner before this but he had never come to visit me at home. Well, there is always a first time.

I decided to get dinner outside after that and thank God, Rumah Udang in Kampung Melayu was still operating in the first week of Eid.

One significant event was that I got to get a ride in his one month brand new H car. The smell of the new car was just intoxicating.

Thanks Solihin for coming and we should now plan for our next possible activities.

THE 6TH DAY OF EID 1443H

7th MAY 2022 ~ A group of ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti of SPM batch 2009 arrived with their spouses, children and friend. The group has obviously expanded by the size, and there will be more people coming if they come visiting again next year.

I personally prefer to have visitors in smaller group as it is easier to carry out conversation and to focus on specific people at one time. But then, they sometimes want to see old friends while visiting and to reminisce the good time they had in school.

School would start the next day and some people are going back to work already so the flow of visitors will be slower. Still, 23 more days of Eid for visiting activities.

THE 5TH DAY OF EID 1443H

6TH MAY 2022 ~ Another ex-student came for the Eid visit today, accompanied by her wife and daughter. An alumnus of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Shamsul Nahar is currently teaching and residing in Labis.

The last time I saw him was when I went to Segamat with the school's debate team back in 2019 if I am not mistaken. It is always a pleasure to get to see ex-students and they now come visiting with their spouses and children. Oh! How old I have become. *sigh*

THE 4TH DAY OF EID 1443H

T E A M   # 1

The first visitors of the day were Tuan Haji Mohd. Sabri Salleh, his wife and three [beautiful] daughters. Mr. Sabri is an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti and the three girls are all my ex-students of the same school. They had not been visiting for quite some time, blame it on the pandemic but they are one of the regulars. 

T E A M   # 2

The second team was led by the people from Sungai Petani, Kedah, namely Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993, and her family members. To make it merrier, she was accompanied by her mother, sister and two nieces who actually stay nearby.

I wonder if there are other people from the UPM TESL group who will be visiting me for Eid after this.

That should conclude the Eid visiting activities of the day. 25 more days to go...

THE 3RD DAY OF EID 1443H

T E A M   # 1

The family of three ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti came for the Eid visit this afternoon. We have been family friends for quite some time but guess time and work have separated us. Mr. Sharmin Mazlan and Puan Sharina Mazlan are now both residing in Kuala Lumpur and Klang, respectively. Meanwhile, the other sibling plans to come visit me later with his other schoolmate.

When you are the teacher for a few siblings in the family, the relationship sometimes extends beyond the school compound. You get to know your students' family and become family friends.

T E A M   # 2

    The second family to arrive in the evening was of Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar, from Kuala Lumpur, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993. She was in town to visit her husband's uncle which happens to stay nearby so she [finally] took the opportunity to drop by. She had been visiting her uncle regularly during Eid but only this time she had made her way to my house. And I hope she will continue doing this for many more years to come.

T E A M   # 3

Thirty minutes after Puan Hanna and her family had left, another UPM TESL friend, Puan Rozainah Abdul Latif and her husband arrived. Too bad or else there could be some sort of a mini gathering for our TESL group for Eid. She also handed over the Eid greeting card for me to reply to mine posted to her house before this.

Puan Rozainah and her husband are also the regular visitors for Eid as her in-law's house is located nearby, in Kampung Melayu.

That was the third gathering that happened on the third day of Eid and there are 26 more days to see more people this time.

THE 2ND DAY OF EID 1443H

T E A M  # 1

The Eid visiting activities resumed today and I welcomed a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, Puan Farah Sabina Safi'ai and her family in the morning. It so happened that her in-law's house is at the end of the road so she and her family members were one of the regular once-a-year visitors.

T E A M   # 2

    The second group to arrive was the family of my ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti: Dr. Harith, Dr. Hasif and Miss Nadhirah, the children of the late Mr. Ismail Khamis. Another sibling and her husband, both are also my ex-students, were not with the group this time.

Someone would not be here with us anymore for the annual Eid visit, but I hope that the tradition will still be carried out for many more years to come.

T E A M   # 3

The last group of visitors to arrive  was Dr. Hayati Ismail [another friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993], Mr. Faizam and their children. I have been watching the children grow up and now they all have turned into fine young men and one pretty lady.

Someone still wanted to send a reply to my Eid greeting card, and according to her: "it is sent by hand, with love."

Dr. Hayati and Mr. Faizam are born and bred in Kota Tinggi so when they go back to their hometown for Eid every year, they would make it a point to stop by at my house. And I appreciate their for taking the time to come over without fail.

27 more days to go and I am expecting to see more people this time round.

THE 1ST DAY OF EID 1443H

Almost everybody was surprised when it was announced Eid fell on Monday instead of Tuesday as marked in the calendar. Like it or not, Muslims nationwide would have to celebrate Eid so as to signify their success in fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan.

The first group of ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti SPM Batch 2012] arrived today for the Eid visit activity. I guess it would be best to get it done earlier before they get occupied with other matters.

Thanks to Mr. Azry Anuardy, Mr. Firdaus Ma'azin, Mr. Luqman Fadzil and Mr. Azam Miat for coming over. I am yet to see how more years will they still come and visit me to celebrate Eid.

I am hoping to see more people this year during this month of Syawal as there is no more restriction for people to move around because of the recent pandemic.