SERIA ENERGY LAB - THE O&G EDUCATIONAL CENTRE

    30TH MAY 2023     ~ The next destination in the itinerary list was Seria Energy Lab. This place was like our Petrosains in Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, the place was closed when we were there as it was undergoing renovation and upgrading and would only be opened to public in August or September.

We met three of its staff outside the building who were going somewhere and when asked, we were allowed to walk around the compound and take photos of the bright and colourful buildings. That should be the best thing that we could do.

As we were about to leave the place, one of the staff we had met earlier, approached and asked us to get into the main building that was shaped like the huge cylindrical oil tank. He was kind enough to open the place just for the two of us to walk in and see what was inside.

The main building was the gallery that displayed the history of the oil and gas industry in Brunei.

We were glad to be at Seria Energy Lab. Even though we did not get to explore the place thoroughly, I now have a reason to make a comeback to Brunei one day. 

Most importantly we managed to befriend a Bruneian. His kindness did not just stop there. Mr. Zerul then voluntarily drove us from Seria to Kuala Belait in his car and became our tourist guide of the day.

[MY BRUNEI TRIP MAIN PAGE]

A COFFEE DATE WITH AN EX-CLASSMATE FROM KL

When an ex-classmate [of Budiman class SMS Muar] was in town, the best thing to do was none other than to have a date when time permitted. Mr. Abdul Razak Sapian, who is currently residing and working in KL/Selangor, was here for work-related matter and we quickly agreed to meet up when the event in Holiday Villa was over.

As he had had enough hotel food before, we opted for coffee and cake, as well as bagel and scone. The nearest cafe was just across the hotel at KSL Mall.

We got ourselves updated with all the necessary information about ourselves and other classmates. We also talked about serious matters like the ecosystem, global warming, the bad traffic on the highway, the country's education system and everything under the sun.

We are hoping to see each other again, and our other classmates, next month for our class reunion next month.

Thanks Mr. Abdul Razak for the regular meet ups and he is one of the very few classmates/schoolmates I am still having real life contact with up until today.

"A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth."

~ CHARLES DARWIN ~

WHEN A LONG LOST FRIEND SUDDENLY APPEARED AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Mr. Mohd. Faris Shahrin left SMK Taman Universiti 13 years ago [or could be more] and since then, we had only met twice if I am not mistaken. The last time when I was with Johor Bahru Chess Team in Batu Pahat many years ago and we went out for dinner. Suddenly, this morning, he appeared at my doorstep, literally.

He was actually on his staycation trip with his family at KSL Hotel and was on his quest to find breakfast. He made a detour and stopped by, which was very sweet of him so I took him to Kampung Melayu Market Food Court where he could easily find variety of food to pack and take away. And I accompanied him for breakfast and gossiped over his "Lontong Kering" and coffee.

It was a spontaneous decision to meet and greet so we could not stay that long to chat. His wife was calling asking his whereabout as the kids could not wait to get into the pool. Hopefully there will be longer time in the future to sit and catch up lost time.

“No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.”

~ Robert Southey ~

UPM TESL CLASS OF 1993 THROWBACK SERIES - FINAL YEAR FAREWELL DINNER

I could not remember the exact date of our farewell dinner for our UPM TESL Class of 1993 with the theme: Splashes of Colours. It could be either in February or March in 1993, held at Pan Pacific Hotel located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, before we all went separate ways for our practical teaching sessions and no longer returned to campus until graduation day.

It was the last time we could party all night [exaggeration] as one big group as it was impossible to get people to gather at the same time once we left college. This event should be a significant moment for us who had been together in campus for almost six long years - two years of TESL Matriculation programme and four more years for our undergraduate studies. For one thing, this was the night to remember for many people and for those who still have some blurry images of what had happened a long time ago, hopefully this could help a bit.

THE SWEET SURPRISES THAT ARRIVED THE DAY BEFORE EID

One of the things that I missed the most during this month of Ramadhan was the act of kindness among friends. I used to get cookies, cakes and various other things a few days before Eid. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, movements had been restricted hence we could no longer carry out things we loved to do in the recent past.

Good deeds shall never be stopped though and today a Secret Recipe's chocolate cake was sent to my house by a Grab motorcycle rider.

I was already over the moon but my excitement had not yet ended. A few minutes after that. another Grab driver stopped by and handed over to me a Baskin Robbin's polystyrene container which housed two tubs of ice cream.

I guess I the best thing I could do is to thank my Chinese friends/ex-colleagues of SMK Taman Universiti for their kind thoughts and I pray may God repay their kindness. *tears of joy*

The literally sweet surprises have brought a ray of happiness and tomorrow, all these would be shared with others as well.

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~ Marcel Proust ~

VISITING A SICK FRIEND IN BATU PAHAT

3rd JANUARY 2020 ~ We got the news an old friend/ex-colleague is sick and hospitalized in Batu Pahat. The six of us decided to pay him a visit at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital after the Friday prayer. Dr. Jamil Baser is an ex-teacher of SMK Taman Universiti before he left for Universiti Teknologi Hussein Onn in 2008. He is now in the ICU unit  
We couldn't stay too long when visiting someone in an ICU ward. Let's pray may Allah heal and grant him good health soon.

Someone's car tyre was punctured as we were about to leave the hospital compound. There's always a drama nowadays 😁

And we had to get dinner after all the hard work getting the tyre fixed. When in Batu Pahat, then one must eat the Briyani. 

And visiting the durian stall in front of the briyani shop after that.

Definitely a weekend well-spent with friends. I am glad we all still take the initiative to see each other when time permits even though we are already not working under the same roof anymore, or have even left the teaching profession.

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
- Elisabeth Foley -