THE PRE-CHINESE NEW YEAR GATHERING WITH THE RETIREE EX-COLLEAGUES

A pre-Chinese New Year gathering was organized so I could continue the customary practice of hand over my friends their cookies for the festive season. This time, there were more retirees of SMK Taman Universiti joining the meeting which was held at SDS Cafe in Taman Universiti.

It was a short gathering that lasted about 2 hours but it was really fun to get to see old friends again. The last time I saw Puan Lee Kim Luan was 12 years ago.

Hoping to see them again soon, and they were already invited to my house for Eid in about two months from now. 😀

COMBING THE BEACHES OF DUNGUN IN THE MORNING - PART ONE

Mr. Ridwan Wahid demonstrated his determination to show me around Dungun early in the morning on the second day we were there, on the 14th October, 2023. I guess Dungun people started their day late on Saturday morning as there were only the two of us on the beach at that time.

The beach nearest to our accommodation was called Pantai Teluk Lipat. There was some sort of repair works going on so as to curb the problem of land erosion caused by the big waves. Consequently, it changed the landscape of the beaches unfortunately.

We then went to the other part of the stretch of beach which was near Universiti Teknologi Mara [UITM] Dungun branch.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

 

A MEETING WITH AN EX-COLLEAGUE BEFORE THE CNY BREAK

A meeting was set with Mr. Lim Khim Yan, an ex-colleague of SMK Mutiara Rini. The main objective was to pass his Chinese New Year cookies to him, as he is now stationed at SMK Tan Sri Mohamad Rahmat, formerly known as SMK Kempas.

The initial plan was to meet at a cafe in Setia Tropika but I discovered there was Tea Garden at the same building. I had been to the branch in Taman Perling and this should be the chance to enjoy halal Chinese food.

I had Fried Radish, Egg Tarts and Taufu Fa in Soy Milk this time.

It was a short sit in session but we managed to get ourselves updated. Glad to get to meet an old friend again and hope we could do this again some other time.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF MR. AIMAN NAUFAL

I made my way to Taman Universiti this afternoon to attend the wedding reception of an ex-student, Mr. Aiman Naufal. The venue was at the event hall at U-Mall in Taman Pulai Utama, a new place, I supposed.

the DJ, an ex-student

I arrived quite late as the traffic congestion was quite bad. I saw a group of ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti] in the hall who had finished eating. I was still invited to take a group photo with them together with the bride and groom.

Congratulations Mr. Aiman Naufal and wife. Wishing both of them long-lasting happiness for the years to come. And thank you for inviting me, I really appreciate that.

MASAKAN MEK YAH - THE FOOD OF THE EAST COAST IN JOHOR BAHRU

I had been wanting to get my food of the East Coast for breakfast from this place in Kampung Melayu, and I eventually did it.

FIRST VISIT: 31st January 2024

It was a Wednesday, a working day, so the eating place was quite empty.

I managed to get the Nasi Dagang which I found delicious and would come back for this rice again.

SECOND VISIT: 2nd JANUARY 2024

grilled fish

The second time I went to Masakan Pantai Timur Cek Yah Restaurant was to specifically try its Nasi Kerabu. I preferred the Nasi Dagang more to Nasi Kerabu.

This time I was accompanied by my niece who was also having the same rice. She said it was alright, which meant not bad.

I would have to make a return trip to eat other food like Nasi Minyak and Laksam after this.

I need to find new eating places so I could offer more choices when my friends come to town.

DONATING BLOOD AT THE HOSPITAL

31st JANUARY 2024 ~ I received a letter back in November 2023 from the Blood Donation Centre of Hospital Sultanah Aminah [HSA], informing me that they had sent my blood for random sampling and found that I belonged to Phenotype rare type group. Prior to that, I was asked to attend a counseling session at the hospital in January. That worried me a lot so I did some research on the Internet and asked two of my doctor friends what it was actually about.

When I went to the hospital for the supposedly counseling session, I was asked first to fill in blood donation form and the officer at the counter told me then only the doctor would explain about the condition I was having. 😉

It was not a counseling session after all but more of a consultation meeting. And I went to donate my blood after that.

I have O group blood but then could be the rare type. The doctor told me the hospital might contact me just in case they need me to donate some more for any emergency cases. I felt like I am a member of the X-Men already.

FOOTNOTE: if you donate blood during a campaign organized by NGO, you could get better goodie bags with more contents inside. 😀