THE PRESENT THAT ARRIVED 17 DAYS AFTER THE BIRTHDAY

A huge and heavy parcel arrived at my doorsteps this afternoon. By looking at the label "PLANT" on the box, I could already guess who the sender was.

I am happy that I now have a new collection of Caladium plants at home. I need to visit the nursery urgently to buy vases and organic soil.

Thank a lot to my friend [of UPM TESL Class of 1993], Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar for her kind thought. Only Allah may repay her kind gestures.

ANOTHER LUNCH TREAT FOR MY BIRTHDAY

Someone wanted to treat me lunch for birthday so a lunch was set. The chosen venue was Plaza Pelangi and I suggested we had a sandwich each at Subway.

The place was still empty when we arrived at about 12:30 p.m. but soon the place was crowded with people who came to buy food for lunch.

It was a short meeting as my friend had to go back to work once lunch break was over.

Thanks Mr. Shafiq Jaafar, an ex-colleague of SMK Dato' Jaafar, for the birthday treat and the birthday present as well. Only Allah may repay your kindness.

THE PARCEL THAT ARRIVED ONE DAY EARLIER BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY

  

   9TH OCTOBER 2026    ~ A parcel arrived one day earlier before my birthday and it was from Puan Hazlina Aziz, another friend from UPM TESL Class of 1993 group. Thank God she messaged me to ask whether the package had arrived so I did not have to find out who the sender was on my own.

Thank you, Puan Hazlina. Only Allah may repay your kindness.

THE SECOND BIRTHDAY PRESENT OF THE YEAR ARRIVED TODAY

A parcel was awaiting for me outside my door when I arrived home from the Surau after the Isya' prayer.

It was a birthday present from another UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend, Puan Aunillah Hilmi and her husband.

Thanks a million to the lovely husband and wife couple. Only Allah may repay your kindness.

MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT ARRIVED EARLIER THIS YEAR

A parcel arrived on my doorstep [there was literally none actually] this afternoon, all the way from Kuala Lumpur. It was my birthday present sent by my UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend, Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar. The present arrived very early but I was not complaining and it was a big one this time.

Thank you to Puan Hanna for her kind thought. May she be abundantly blessed by Allah Almighty and be granted with good health all her life.

ENJOYING MY BIRTHDAY GIFT - 21 DAYS LATER

21 days after  my birthday, I was still enjoying my birthday cake, curry puff and coffee. The reason: I just redeemed my gift card at Zus Cafe located at Larkin Junction.

This  was my first time getting an online gift care. I had not used the Zus apps even though I had in installed on my phone. The staff at the counter was very helpful indeed.

Thanks to an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Puan Khadijah Hishamuddin, for her kind thought of sending me the gift. And for reminding to go redeem at the cafe before it expired. Only Allah may repay her kindness.

REVISITING INFUSION CAFE IN KSL HOTEL WITH MR. RIDWAN AND HIS FAMILY

   11TH OCTOBER 2025    ~ My friend, Mr. Ridwan A. Wahid and his family, were back in town. A dinner date was set and the venue chosen was Infusion Cafe in KSL Hotel for the buffet eat-all-you-can meal.

The place was super crowded that evening as there were three school holding their Graduation Event at the same time. We still enjoyed our food though despite the congestion at every corner of the hall. By 8:00 p.m., the crowd was thinning and moving around to get our food [and drinks] was much easier.

They earlier came to my house to pick me up and drop me off later. Hence, I gave them a short tour around the front and backyard of my place.

The dinner was to celebrate my birthday which was yesterday and they even came to hand over a present for me. How kind and thoughtful of them.

We would be meeting again the next day for breakfast before they check out and went back to Shah Alam.

THE FRUIT BOUQUET FOR MY BIRTHDAY ARRIVED

A beautiful fruit bouquet for my birthday arrived late in the afternoon. It is too beautiful to be disassembled and eaten.

Thank you to another UPM TESL Class of 1993 friend, Puan Rozida Mohd. Ramli, for sending this gift for my birthday. May Allah repay her kindness with good health and abundance of happiness in life.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEXT BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

The next birthday surprise came from later in the afternoon. It was from Puan Rokiah Junoh, an ex-colleague of SMK Taman Universiti. She is actually more like an elder sister rather than a friend in school.

Thanks again to Puan Rokiah Junoh for her kind gesture. I have not unboxed the present yet and will do it most probably tomorrow.

 

MY BIRTHDAY PRESENTS [FOR 2025] HAVE ARRIVED

The first huge box that was delivered by the courier guy came from Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar. I had to unbox it immediately as the word "POKOK" [TRANSLATE: plant/tree] was written on the box.

I even managed to find a big pot for the tall flowering tree and by tomorrow, the organic soil will be added into the pot.

The second parcel came from Puan Zarinamahnum Hj. Alias. I would only open the package on my birthday as requested by the sender, and I just hope my guess of the content will be correct.

Thanks a million to both my TESL UPM Class of 1993 friends for the presents and also for regularly posting me something for my birthday annually. Only Allah may repay your kindness and generosity.

MY SECOND BIRTHDAY PRESENT ARRIVED TODAY

My second birthday present arrived today. Again, it was from a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993.

Thanks a lot Puan Zarinamahnum Haji Alias for the birthday present. Only Allah may pay your kindness.

MY FIRST BIRTHDAY PRESENT ARRIVED TODAY

A big box which was supposed to be my first birthday present for this year arrived today.

The unboxing process took place immediately, as I knew the box contained live plants, all the way from the nursery in Cameron Highlands.

I was informed the names of plants are: Thai Pink Lipstick Plant and Gold Fish Plant.

A million thanks to Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar, a friend of UPM TESL group, for the thoughtful gesture for my birthday. Only Allah may repay your generosity.

THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT AND CAKE THAT ARRIVED TODAY

The parcel that I got today arrived in school yesterday actually. I was not around as I had to attend a workshop outside. 

Then a colleague passed to me a sinfully chocolaty "batik" cake before going back - again because I was not in school for actually three days for formal meetings.

It is always better late than never.

This time I have to thank Puan Mariati Salleh, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993, for couriering the birthday present all the way from Melaka to me. And thanks to Puan Aminah Hamid too, my colleague of SMK Dato' Jaafar, for the sweet, literally, gesture.

ANOTHER PARCEL FROM ANOTHER FRIEND ARRIVED AT HOME

18th OCTOBER 2021 ~ Another parcel arrived today from another friend of UPM TESL class of 1993. This time I received "Serunding Ayam" [dried chicken floss] all the way from Kelantan.

Thanks a lot Puan Nik Shariza Nik Yusof for your kind gesture. Only Allah may repay your kindness.

I am blessed to have many friends with generous hearts. Although we are all far apart, friendship knows no boundary.

A PLANT COURIERED ALL THE WAY FROM TERENGGANU

There was a box left in front of the door this afternoon. The sign "POKOK HIDUP" [translate: live plant] was posted on the box.

Again the sender's name was not found anywhere but I managed to figure out who it was from. Thanks a lot Puan Martina Mokhtar, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993, for sending me the grapes plant all the way from Terengganu and it should be my birthday present, according to her. I will transfer the plant into a proper pot tomorrow morning so it will grow healthy.

UPDATED NEWS 16TH OCTOBER: The grapes plant has been transferred into a proper pot.

THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT THAT ARRIVED AT HOME

13TH OCTOBER 2021 ~ I realized there was a parcel left by the front door at 8:00 p.m. 4 hours after it was delivered. Luckily I checked my Whatsapp messages.

The name of the sender was not stated so I had to do some investigation to find out who the kind soul was.

Thanks Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar, another friend of UPM TESL class of 1993, for the lovely gardening set. Your kind thought is very much appreciated. One thing for sure, these tools will be used to the fullest later when I go out for my gardening activities.