ATTENDING AN EX-STUDENT'S SON AQIQAH EVENT

    29TH AUGUST 2026    ~ Apart from wedding invitation, I also go to Aqiqah event - now of my ex-students' children. I feel so old already.

Today's Aqiqah event was of the son of an ex-student's [of SMK Taman Universiti], Mr. Syarifuddin Wahid. My friend and I were a few of the early birds who arrived at his father's house in Taman Universiti at about 5:00 p.m.

Aqiqah refers to the Islamic tradition of sacrificing an animal (usually a sheep or goat) to celebrate and express gratitude for the birth of a child. It is a recommended Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) that serves as a symbolic welcome for the newborn.

source: AI Overview

Other than Mr. Syarifuddin, his two other brothers and sisters are also my ex-students. I have been attending many events at his house, like Eid open houses, his father is not a stranger to me.

Thanks to the family for the kind thought of inviting me again to their house. May I will have the opportunity to see the children of these ex-students grow up when I come visiting next time.

ATTENDING THE WEDDNG RECEPTION OF MS. NORASHIKIN SURATMAN

I drove to Mysuri Hall in Senai today to attend the wedding reception of Miss Norashikin Suratman, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti.

The invitation actually came through her elder sister, Puan Suhana Suratman, an ex-colleague who was also teaching in the same school.

Then I met Mr. Nizam Suratman, the younger brother of Puan Suhana who happened to be my ex-schoolmate of SMS Muar, and he was one year junior than me.

I also saw another ex-student at the event, Mr. Asyraf, who happened to be related to the groom.

The last time I met the family members was in November 2025, during another wedding reception event. [READ HERE]

Congratulations to the newlyweds and wishing them a blessed and joyful married life ahead. There might be other similar events in the future in the family for another meeting up opportunity.

 

GOING FOR PIZZA FOR LUNCH AT PLAZA KOTARAYA

   26TH AUGUST 2026    ~ This was an unplanned lunch date so we were not sure where to go that afternoon. We just decided to drive to Plaza Kotaraya and to have lunch at the food court there. Unfortunately, there were no vacant seats when we arrived so we simply opted for Pizza Hut as the restaurant was not full.

garlic bread

mushroom soup

chicken popcorn

the Pizza

dessert: chocolate lava cake

It has been a long time since I last dined in at a pizza restaurant. The lunch set which comprised of all the food and drinks in the pictures above just cost me RM58 which I found reasonable. I would have to pay for an ala carte meal for all the food on the table for two people. We even took home most of the pizza slices as after taking all the side dishes, we were already full.

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT SS9 FOOD COURT

   26th AUGUST 2026    ~ I was at Plaza Pelangi and I was about to leave, I saw an ex-colleague [of SMK Dato' Jaafar], Mr. Amirulhakim and his son. So I went back into the computer shop again with them and eventually, we decided to get supper right after.

The nearest and most accessible venue was SS9 Food Court which was just beside the mall. This was our first time here. I had been driving past this place but never had the chance to visit and see what was available there.

The supper was a heavy one - a plate of chicken and beef sate for the three of us.

The first impression of SS9 food court was positive. Now we know where to take our friends to eat when they come visiting.

A VISIT TO SMK KOTA MASAI 2

26TH AUGUST 2026 ~ The third school visited for the Crime Prevention Campaign organized by Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak [Children's Welfare Team] of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat [Welfare Department] Johor Bahru was SMK Kota Masai 2, in Pasir Gudang. 

I was there to represent the group for the prize giving ceremony and eat the food prepared after the programme. 😀

There will be two more schools to be visited in September.

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT LAPISAN PATISSERIE

The main reason I stopped by at Lapisan Patisserie in Midvalley Mall because I saw the poster which stated: buy any cake/pastry and get a free drink of coffee and tea. The grace period was from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., I think.

I did not waste any time and hopped in, and especially when there were many empty seats inside.

I had Mango Maritozzo [soft bun with mango cream filling] and a cup of hot Latte. I had to pay only RM12.05. The food and drink were good and the price was reasonable and I would be coming back to try other cakes/pastries on the shelves.

IF YOU CANNOT GO TO TANJUNG PIAI, TANJUNG PIAI WILL COME TO YOU

The popular original branch of Kopi Tenggek was in Tanjung Piai, Pontian. Nevertheless, one doesn't have to travel far to get the food and drinks from that place as there was a branch located in Larkin.

I visited the one in Tanjung Piai in May 2024 but it was for breakfast. [READ HERE]

My friend and I were there for our late lunch at about 2:45 p.m. and only a few tables were taken.

The place was spacious and it had an open concept as diners would not be confined by the four walls.

I had this rice which was like Nasi Arab while my gastronomic adventure buddy opted for fried rice. For one thing, the portion was big and the fried chicken was also bigger than the regular one sold in restaurants.

Guess I have to come back to this place to try the other items on its menu soon.