ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF PUAN SHAHRIAH'S SON

I was invited by an old friend who was an English teacher in Kulai once, Puan Shahriah Jalaluddin, to the wedding reception of her son. We used to mark the PMR English paper together a long time ago and she is now the Principal of SMK Bandar Putra 2, Kulai.

The event was held at IOI Palm Villa Golf & Country Club in Bandar Putra, Kulai, and this was my first time here. I am actually familiar with this place though as I had been at the housing estate just outside the golf resort a few times before.

I met 3 people whom I knew and one of them was the ex-Principal of my present school I am teaching [SMK Dato' Jaafar], Mr. Hanafi Samad.

I have got to thank Puan Shahriah Jalaluddin for her kind thought of inviting me despite the fact that we are physically distanced. Hopefully she would invite me again to other similar events in the future.

ALL THAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY

Something that I rarely do is driving long distance to and fro but today was exceptional. I drove the extra miles attending three weddings in three districts: Muar, Kulai and Johor Bahru, within the time span of 9 hours in my old car. Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah, I arrived home safe and sound. Here is the report in brief.

WEDDING #1

The wedding of my cousin's son

Simpang Jeram, Muar

I arrived at his house at 10:30 a.m. and there were already two guests present. When I thought I was the earliest, there were other birds earlier than me. I had to be on the road earlier just not to get trapped in the traffic jam on the highway as it was the school holiday now. At the same time, I had to get to two other receptions right away.

Wedding is the event that allows reunion between relatives to take place too. The last time I met my cousin and her husband was 5 years ago when they came to visit me in the hospital.

I made a decision before driving back home to stop by at Sai Kee 434 Coffee Shop, the famous one in Muar, as I had to get something to bring back home. Even though I was already full, I still ordered the coffee and toasts. When in Muar, eat like Muar people do.

WEDDING #2

The wedding of Ms. Nureen Kaifli

an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti

Bandar Putra, Kulai

Arrived at the bride's parents' house at 2 something and saw a few familiar faces. Another reunion session with ex-students of SMKTUN took place as usual so there were more photos this time.

Even the three brothers of the bride are my ex-students but one of them could not be present this time around.

WEDDING #3

The wedding the daughter of an ex-colleague

of SMK Taman Universiti

Puan Sabariah Manshor

Kassim Noor Event Hall, Kg. Sungai Danga, Johor Bahru

The last wedding of the day took place at this wedding hall I had never been to. I met another two ex-colleagues of SMKTUN but did not have the chance to take photos with them. And there were an ex-student with her husband and daughter at a table so I happily joined them for company.

Everybody seems to organize wedding receptions on the weekend of the school holiday so it is time to get fat again when one has to attend many events in one day.

And more wedding receptions to be attended tomorrow and next week.

CELEBRATING MR. LIM'S NEWBORN DAUGTHER'S 30TH DAY

6th OCTOBER 2018 ~ It is a Chinese tradition to hold some sort of a celebration to express gratitude on the 30th day after a baby is born. Mr. Lim Khin Yan, an ex-colleague of SMK Mutiara Rini, invited friends to his house in Bandar Putra, Kulai, to celebrate this special occasion.

There were quite a number of ex-colleagues from the former school I was teaching were there.

This was actually my second visit to Mr. Lim's house. I was here before for the same event two years ago, I think. Thank you Mr. Lim for still inviting me to his house even after I have already been transferred. Your kind thought is very much appreciated.

ATTENDING A BRIEFING ON EARLY YEAR PREPARATION FOR THE NEW SCHOOL SESSION

My holiday has officially ended actually. I have been in school since Monday as I am one of the teachers on duty. Today I had to attend a briefing, representing my Principal. It was held at a big hall in Bandar Putra, Kulaijaya and the briefing was actually meant for principals and headmasters from secondary and primary schools, respectively. The session started at 8:30 a.m. and only finished at 1:30 p.m. so what I did basically was just sat down, listened, jotted down some notes and dozed off a bit. The key person giving the briefing was the State Education Director who will be retiring really soon.

There were just a few familiar faces I saw so I was feeling a bit out of place. Sitting for 5 hours was not good for me and that could be a reason why I never dreamed of becoming a principal one day.

I have one more event to attend tomorrow morning, and I will be seeing the Director again. *sigh*