VISITING KEDAH STATE ART GALLERY IN ALOR SETAR

  19th DECEMBER 2024   ~ After the visit to the State Museum, the plan was to go to the Royal Museum. Unfortunately it was not opened to public due to renovation work. Fortunately, the State Art Gallery was just a walking distance away so I quickly marched there as it was already past 4:00 p.m.

I was the only visitor at that time, to my delight, as I had to whole place for myself. Unlike the previous visit to the museum, people were allowed to take photos inside the gallery.

There will be separate posts in my blog on all the work of art displayed on the walls.

I enjoyed myself tremendously here. The door of the gallery was closed immediately by the staff as I made my exit out of the gallery.

[MY KEDAH/PERLIS/PENANG TRIP MAIN PAGE]

THE COFFEE SESSION WITH THREE UPM TESL FRIENDS IN USJ

   27th DECEMBER 2024    ~ My UPM TESL husband-and-wife friends, Mr. Ismaznizam J. Azyze and Puan Hazlina Aziz, were kind enough to take me out for coffee during my stay in Subang Jaya. It was a rare occasion to get Mr. Ismaznizam to join us for a chat session.

The chosen restaurant was Pizza vs Satay located in USJ12.

Another TESL friend who was on duty at school before that, Puan Siti Rohani Awang, came to join us - the more the merrier.

my pick: banana cake

nachos

pizza

my first bruschetta

my coffee

The coffee session had turned into an early dinner gathering I think, with the amount and variety of food. And I would have to eat again later in the evening but I was not complaining.

Thanks to both Mr. Ismaz and Puan Hazlina, and Puan Siti Rohani as well for the short chat session. I would be seeing and spending more time with the two ladies in two days' time though for an excursion as well as more gastronomic adventures.

A FAREWELL LUNCH FOR A RETIRING COLLEAGUE

A farewell lunch was specially organized for Puan Siti Mahani Adnin on her last day of service as a teacher. She is holding the post of Penolong Kanan Hal Ehwal Murid [TRANSLATE: Senior Assistant of Students' Affair] at SMK Dato' Jaafar, Johor Bahru and will start her days as a retiree starting tomorrow. I was invited to join the party and I would say "no" when it involves eating and mingling with friends.

The venue chosen was Selasih Cafe at Persada Johor.

I actually knew Puan Siti Mahani much earlier, before she was transferred to SDJ. I was on duty for District Level Chess Competition at SMK Sultanah Engku Tun Aminah [SETA] and she was a teacher in charge of chess there. At the same time, her daughter was selected to represent the district to play at state level and I was one of the officers to accompany the players [according to Puan Siti Mahani].

Congratulations Puan Siti Mahani on the completion of the teaching service right to the end, at the age of 60. May you enjoy your stress free life after this.