THE REUNION GATHERING FOR THE RETIRED STAFF AND TEACHERS OF SMK MUTIARA RINI

   30TH APRIL 2026   ~ A gathering for the retired ex-colleagues, teachers and non-academic staff of SMK Mutiara Rini, was held today at 10:00 a.m. This gathering was initiated by Mr. Mohd. Ghazali who managed to get 15 friends to attend.

 

The chosen venue was Chamek Restaurant located in Taman Universiti. We produced so much noise in the dining hall and hopefully other people who were there at that time understood the joy and excitement the group was having.

This was just a short meeting and the gathering was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. It was a happy moment for everyone to get to see each other again after a long time. This was the very first reunion gathering if its kind and there was already suggestion for similar get together after this.

 

WELCOMING MY NEW BUDDY ON THE ROAD

I had already let go of my old Proton Wira after 23 years together last Monday [READ HERE]. Today, I welcomed the new replacement which will be my buddy on the road after this.

The chosen model: Perodua Ativa.

My recent car was a manual-driven machine. After 23 years driving a manual car, the biggest challenge was to change to the auto manoeuvring vehicle. Therefore, I was given a short driving lesson by Mr. Faiz, my ex-student cum car agent, before driving the new car on my own, going back home.

on the road

safely arrived home

I definitely need more time to get to know my new buddy, and he likewise. Hope we can be good friends.

Thanks to Mr. Faiz for the assistance given throughout the process of trading in until the new one was out. If you are looking for a car salesperson around Johor Bahru, do not hesitate to contact him on hid Facebook page HERE via Messenger. For one thing, I will still need to see him for more after sales and service related matters.

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT KUEH BAKOR

  26TH APRIL 2026   ~ For our regular gastronomic adventure, this week my friend Mr. Redzuan, suggested we went to this restaurant called Kueh Bakor for lunch. The eating place was located in Iskandar Puteri, and the nearest landmark would be Mydin Supermarket.

It was already past lunch time when we arrived so there were few people dining in. The signature food of this place was Kuih Bakar, hence the name of the restaurant. They came in many varieties: original, pumpkin, corn, minced meat etc.

The dining area was also spacious and brightly painted with pastel orange hue which enhanced the spaciousness even more.

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I opted for Nasi Ambeng and the food was good.

I was already full and decided to get the Kuih Bakar as a takeaway. I don't mind coming back to this place to try other items on the menu. We then adjourned to another venue for coffee immediately after [READ HERE].

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME AT RESTORAN CAWAN MAS

  27TH APRIL 2026   ~ After all the chores at the bank and Road Transportation Department were completed, we then adjourned to a restaurant nearby called Cawan Mas in Taman Daya. There is always a first time esepcially when it comes to gastronomic adventure.

Cawan Mas is another Chinese Kopitiam [Coffee Shop] but selling a variety of local Malaysian cuisines, not just Chinese. We earlier went to a restaurant with similar concept for breakfast [READ HERE].

The place must be a popular eating spot as the seats were filled as people flocked in during lunch hour. My Lontong Goreng was delicious and I would not mind to return to try other dish.

Thanks to Mr. Mohd. Faiz for introducing me to this place. Guess you need to think of another venue for our other outing trip some other time.

THE BREAKFAST SESSION AT RESTORAN HUA MUI

  27TH APRIL 2026   ~ I had some kind of errand to run with the assistance of an ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti], Mr. Mohd. Faiz. We decided to get breakfast as the task would take quite some time to be completed.

He suggested Restoran Hua Mui at Taman Anggerik Emas. I realized I had been here before with friends from Seremban last year [READ HERE].

I took the breakfast set that comprised of a huge portion of Nasi Lemak, a hot drink and a set of toasts. The price was still reasonable though.

As I was about to enjoy my food, on of the staff approached and asked whether I was Cikgu Zainal. It was another ex-student of mine of SMK Taman Universiti, Miss Lee Pei Jing. It was very kind her to stop by at my table to say "hi" and chat a bit. And she even gave me a discount for my bill. That had made the breakfast at Hua Mui a memorable one.

BIDDING FAREWELL TO MY SOULMATE OF 23 YEARS

Proton Wira with the plate number JGV1540 was my very first brand new car, bought in 2003. After 23 long years, it was time to bid the final farewell to my soulmate.

There was a scheme introduced by the government for people to trade in their more than 20-year old cars and incentive was given to get a new local car, either Proton or Perodua. This was the best chance to let go and it was done as it was just the right time to do so.

Thank you, my Wira [TRANSLATE: hero]. You will always be remembered not only by me, but surprisingly by many others.

INTRODUCING AND RECOMMENDING COFFEE BEAN'S MENU TO A FRIEND

I had had some good food at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf two weeks ago [READ HERE]. I decided to introduce and recommend it to my gastronomic adventure buddy this week.

The chosen outlet was located in Setia Eco Garden. Surprisingly, the dining area was filled with many people even at 5.00 p.m. when we arrived.

Aglio Olio

Tuna Sandwich

I am glad my friend, Mr. Redzuan, loved the food [and coffee] I chose. I now need to think of another place for our next eating out trip.