RAMADHAN IS THE MONTH OF GIVING - PART TWO

I was contacted by the courier man when I was in school telling me there was a parcel waiting for me at the front door.

The unboxing process began as soon as I arrived home and it was a huge relief when there was an accompanying card stating who was the sender so I didn't have to figure out who was the one.

From the packaging of these items, they were definitely not Eid cookies this time.

Guess it is going to be a very cheesy Eid celebration this time, literally speaking. Thank to Puan Rozida Mohd. Ramli, a friend of the UPM TESL class of 1993 for the package, sent all the way from Jasin, Melaka. I had promised her to do a review on the [new] products sent in my blog.

Then there was this Eid card, also from a friend of UPM TESL group, Puan Sakinah Mohd. Ismail and her husband, daughter and two cats - from Seremban. For one thing, I got more Eid cards this year if compared to last year.

Lastly, an ex-student [of SMK Taman Universiti] who is now a colleague [at SMK Dato' Jaafar], Mr. Christopher Emmanuel Raj, handed over a box of [expensive] chocolates in school. I think I have already shed a few kilogrammes in this fasting month but with all the food given, the glimmer of hope seems to fade away. 😁

Thanks everyone for your kind thought and generosity. May all of us be blessed abundantly because of our good deeds in this holy month of Ramadhan.

"Always give without remembering

and always receive without forgetting."

~ Brian Tracy ~

RAMADHAN IS THE MONTH OF GIVING

The tradition of giving and receiving continues this year. I am fortunate to live in a circle of people who have the hearts of gold.

The gifts for Ramadhan came from many sources which are friends/colleagues (and parents too) from all the two schools I was teaching before: SMK Taman Universiti and SMK Mutiara Rini, and the present one: SMK Dato' Jaafar.

I cannot thank you all enough for your kind thoughts and generosity and only God may repay all your kindness in this holy month of Ramadhan. 

"Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.

Kindness in giving creates love."

~   L A O   T Z E   ~

WHAT ELSE DID I BRING HOME FROM SCHOOL TODAY?

I was happy because I had something to bring home from school again today. This time I had to thank Mr. Hisham for being kind enough to give me the products of Kelantan which he brought home after the school break.

salak fruit, the leftover

The fruit that you see is called salak, and if I am not mistaken it is called sawa fruit in the east coast. Yes, sawa as in phyton the snake. The name could derive from the skin texture of the fruit which is almost like of a phyton's, scary man! in English, the fruit is called snake skin fruit. It is quite difficult to get it it here and it is sold at a high price. A good type will be sweet but most of the time it has a slight bitter taste. 

fish crackers, not fried yet

Another specialty of Kelantan or the east coast states is its fish crackers. Simple yet delicious, crunchy and fishy at the same time. It is best eaten with chili sauce and I just love to have it with hot steaming lemon tea. HEAVEN! But then, I am yet to wait until it is fried and then only I can enjoy a piece of heaven.

I am blessed to be surrounded by people who are generous. And "blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting" (Elizabeth Bibesco)

LIFE'S SIMPLE JOY

Life is a simple joy of giving and receiving

gift #1

It was the first day of school after the long week break so I was expecting a slow start to life. However, I was overjoyed with unexpected gifts from a student and an ex-student which made my day. Teacher's Day was already over but I guess it is the Ramadhan's gifts of giving. Gift number one was a box of Eid ul-Fitr cookies which came together with a card from Ching Khai and his family. It took a lot of courage though not to open the lid and have a bite of the delicious looking london almonds.

gift(s) #2

The second gifts came from Solleh, an ex-student who is now studying in Canada. You can see Solleh in my posting about my visit to Singapore on 19th July. I was handed over a University of Toronto t-shirt and a Toronto key-chain, everything Toronto. Guess I already have a shirt to wear for this coming festive season.

To Solleh and Ching Kai, I can't thank you enough. People like you make me feel grateful that I am still a teacher.

"It is possible to give without loving,
but it is impossible to love without giving."
Richard Braunstein