BIDDING FAREWELL TO AN EX-COLLEAGUE WHO WILL BE GOING BACK TO TERENGGANU

    30th DECEMBER 2023    ~ News spread that an ex-colleague of SMK Mutiara Rini got his application to get back to Terengganu approved. Mr. Tuan Firdaus Tuan Jaafar was the Discipline Teacher who had been a great help when I was holding the post as the Senior Assistant of Students' Affair.

I decided to bid him goodbye properly so a coffee date was set at Old Town Cafe in Taman Universiti. Guess I will be meeting him in Terengganu after this - if that happens. Wishing Mr. Tuan Firdaus the best of luck in his new working place and I am sure he will have no problem adapting and be liked by his new colleagues.

THE UNEXPECTED RETIREMENT PRESENT THAT ARRIVED IN SCHOOL

I was notified by the security guard [of SMK Dato' Jaafar] that a parcel arrived in school, yesterday. I wondered who was sending as I didn't remember buying anything online.

Only today I managed to collect the parcel from her. It was an unexpected retirement present from an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti, who is actually more like a sister to me now.

Thanks a lot Puan Rokiah Junoh for taking the trouble to send me the parcel. May Allah repay your generosity.

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF MR. MOHAMAD ZIKRY

It was another wedding reception of an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Mohamad Zikry bin Zulkafli. I just got to know that he married his ex-schoolmate of the same batch, Ms. Farah Izati Ishak.

The reception was done at the groom's parents' house in Taman Pulai Indah.

There was no excuse for me not to attend Mr. Zikry's reception as he was an active member of the school's Angklung Group, playing the conga.

the brother of the bride

I got to meet two of the bride's siblings who are also my ex-students.

the sister of the bride

There were not many people whom I knew and recognized. There was Miss Nora, another ex-student, who was kind enough to say "hi" and introduced herself to me.

I am still waiting for another photo taken with Mr. Hanif which was in his phone. 😀

the parents of the groom

Wishing both the bride and groom a happy married life filled with everlasting love.

This should be the very last wedding reception attended for the year 2023.

THE SUPPER DATE WITH THE REGULAR EX-COLLEAGUE

   29TH DECEMBER 2023    ~ The supper date with Mr. Masrizal Sayute, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti was done this evening. The chosen venue was Suppakmaon in Senai. We actually had been planning to go to this place a few times already but it was finally successfully executed.

It was good to catch up with an old friend once in a while. Hope we could do this more frequently next year, especially now I have more time to spend. 😀

THE LUNCH DATE WITH TWO EX-STUDENTS

The lunch date was done today with two ex-students of SMK Dato' Jaafar, Miss Siti Syazwani and Miss Choo Zi Luan. They were form 6 students of the school whom I did not teach but they were doing their practical teaching for their Education Degree courses in the same school and I was in a way in-charge of their teaching session.

The chosen restaurant was Thamada Village in the new commercial area beside Larkin Sentral. I was having a hard time trying to find a parking spot on Friday afternoon.

This was a rare opportunity to be accompanied by two young ladies for any meal. Thanks to both of them who are young teachers for the time and company. I think I had given some advice which should be helpful and motivational as they are going to be in school for many more years to come.

Thanks Miss Siti Syazwani and Miss Choo. We could do this again some other time in the future.

"Once a Jaafarian, always a Jaafarian."

THE SUNDAY MORNING MARKET IN IPOH

    27th AUGUST 2023    ~ There was also a Sunday Morning Market held in the heart of the city. I was there quite early when there were still not many people roaming the streets where the stalls had been set up along the left and right of the road sides.

One could find a variety of items put on sale, and there were things that could not be found in the Night Market I visited a few hours before. [READ HERE]

One of the attractions of the Sunday Market was one could find second hand items as well as antiques - definitely the place for collectors.

In about half an hour the place was already filled with both the locals and visitors alike. The touristy vibe could be felt in the air.

The market was big and should provide a good spot for a morning walk. Unfortunately, there was nothing that I was attracted to but I was glad I was here. One place you could consider going to if you are in Ipoh in the morning on Sunday.