THE LATE LUNCH SESSION WITH EX-COLLEAGUES AFTER SCHOOL

  3rd SEPTEMBER 2025   ~The regular get together with ex-colleagues of SMK Dato' Jaafar who were the members of English Panel took place today at Vivo Pizza in Paradigm Mall. The meeting happened at about 3:30 p.m. after their school hour.

The dine in session was a short one but the one hour and a half. There were more things to chat [READ: gossip]. The gathering was adjourned to another time not determined yet, but we would make it happen.

THE LATE LUNCH SESSION WITH A TESL FRIEND FROM COLLEGE IN SUBANG JAYA

   22ND AUGUST 2025    ~ I was in Subang Jaya and stayed there as I had to attend a wedding reception the next day [READ HERE]. I contacted  Puan Maslinda Mohd. Dahalan, a friend of UPM TESL, asking  whether she would be free for coffee. Eventually it was a lunch date after the Friday prayer.

We decided to meet at Subang Parade which was near to both the hotel where I was staying and the mosque where I performed my prayer.

The venue was just chosen randomly as Puan Maslinda was not familiar with the eating places at the mall. We ended up in a place called "POP". I was the only one who ate lunch while Puan Maslinda just had snacks.

It was just a short meeting and we had to say our "goodbyes". It is always a pleasure to see old friends once in a while and hope to get to see Puan Maslinda again some other time.

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK - PART 3

FAQ:

Now that you have already retired, what do you do at home?

ANSWER:

Once in a while, I go out for Teh Tarik [Tea + Milk] and Fried Banana session like other locals do. However today, I opted for Fried Sweet Potato, Fried Tempe [fermented soy] and Fried Keropok Lekor [fish fingers, the traditional version]. And we had Nescafe instead of tea.

Looking at the number of visitors at about 5:00 p.m., this place was sure one famous spot in the area of Kampung Melayu Majidee.

This time, I introduced Mr. Eko, my assistant gardener, to another regular place I used to visit for tea in the afternoon called Pisang Goreng Rimbun Cherry.

Believe me, there are other place for me to take Mr. Eko, who has now become more of a friend, to enjoy all the food.

RETURNING TO KUALA SELANGOR TO ATTEND ANOTHER WEDDING RECEPTION

   23RD AUGUST 2025    ~ I made a return trip to Kuala Selangor to attend another wedding reception. Pusan Nurul Afidah invited me to the wedding reception of her child held at the Ballroom of One Plaza in town. I was in the same exact place last year for the same reason. [READ HERE]

I arrived at the hall before 11:00 a.m. and thought I was the early bird. I was wrong as there were some other earlier birds who were already enjoying the food as I entered the ballroom.

Besides the main buffet table that served Briyani, there were other stations offering other kinds of food and drinks.

The highlight of the day, however, was Kopi Saigon stall. The Cafe that was brought into the event hall to serve coffee to the guests.

I did not meet anyone else that I knew of there so it was just a short dine in session. At the same time, I had someone [who refused to accompany] waiting outside to take me back to Subang Jaya in his car.

Congratulations Puan Wan Nurul Afidah and family on the addition of the new family member. There could be probability I will be coming back to Kuala Selangor for a similar event after this.

WELCOMING A TESL FRIEND AND HER FAMILY MEMBERS TO JOHOR BAHRU

   28th AUGUST 2025    ~ Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar, her husband, Mr. Azizul, and kids were in town. They were actually going to Singapore the next day but putting the nights in Johor Bahru. The last time we met was during the trip to Surabaya in July [READ HERE] and I was more than happy to welcome and meet them for meals on the first day of their stay.

The first meeting was at Selera Johor for breakfast. They had just arrived in the wee hour of the morning [at 4:30 a.m. to be exact] at Larkin Sentral but I could still see they were ready for this short gastronomic adventure at 8:00 a.m.

They had Mee Rebus, Lontong Kuah and Laksa Johor, all the authentic Johor food, and Fried Mushroom and Banana Fritters were also added to the list.

my ex-colleague's husband/ex-student's
father sitting behind us

The next meeting took place during supper. I suggested  Onn Kitchen which was near to their accommodation and we met up at 10:00 p.m.

Someone suddenly approached me at my table to say "hi". A TESL friend's younger sister, Puan Hasanah, was also there with her daughter and her daughter's friend. There were just too many fans to meet and greet every time I went out. 😀

We had this time Fried Noodles and Kuew Tiaw, and also Fried Rice - which sounded more like late dinner rather than supper.

I am always delighted to entertain friends when they come visiting. Guess I will be seeing them again soon in wedding receptions coming soon.

THE SHORT POST WEDDING RECEPTION COFFEE BREAK

   31st AUGUST 2025    ~ Mr. Syazwan Shavarein, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, was back in town as he was also attending a wedding reception of his classmate the day before [READ HERE].

The venue chosen was Vivo Restaurant at Setia Tropika.

It was only a short dine in session. I got to thank Mr. Syazwan for spending a little of this precious time for coffee session [we had Iced Lemon Tea actuall] despite his busy schedule with family.