THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE LAST MINUTE DINNER DATE

It is true after all things that are planned last minute are more likely to happen. And I was meeting my old friends couple, Mr. Ismaznizam J. Azyze and Puan Hazlina Aziz [ex-coursemates of UPM TESL class of 1993], at Azo Murtabak Kampung Melayu which is near my place. It was good in a way that I didn't have to drive all the way to Puteri Harbour/Medini to meet them. 😀

The dinner session this time was shorter as they needed to get the Murtabak delivered to other people waiting at the hotel. It was time to bid farewell and hopefully I could see both of them again some other time, here or in Kuala Lumpur.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
~ JOHN LEONARD ~

TEH TARIK SESSION AFTER TERAWIKH PRAYER WITH A LONG LOST FRIEND

We are both from the same place and yet we have never met here in Johor Bahru, not even once. The last time we saw each other was when we were in Universiti Pertanian Malaysia more than 20 years ago, and only recently we got connected on Facebook. We decided to meet for supper after Terawikh Prayer at Yassin Restaurant in town, and I had my "teh tarik" and tosay [or some people spell it "dosai"]. The chat was of course interesting, reminiscing the time we spent in 4th Residential College and the people we knew. We could not stay that long to keep ourselves updated  as it was already midnight and we had to go to work the next day. However, it is not surprising when people our age talk about the sickness we [might] now have and our friends who have passed away.

Now that Mr. Mustafa Hussein is back to work in Johor Bahru, I guess I will have more chance of meeting him in person for supper, or other meals.

WHEN AN EX-SCHOOLMATE WAS IN TOWN

27th MARCH 2021 ~ Mr. Abdul Razak Sapian, an ex-schoolmate [of SMS Muar] was in town. He was in Johor Bahru to attend his niece's engagement ceremony. A date was set so that we could see each other before he went back home to Kuala Lumpur.

As he wanted to get Murtabak [flat bread filled with minced meat] for dinner, the only place I know was Murtabak Kampung Melayu which was near my house. He was accompanied by his son, Mr. Afiq, this time.

It was only a short meeting but it was great to see an old friend once in a while. I am sure Mr. Abdul Razak will be coming to JB more frequently and I am looking forward to many more similar meetings in the future.

"Remember that the most valuable antiques are old friends."

~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ~

UPM TESL CLASS OF 1993 POTLUCK GATHERING 2019

8th DECEMBER 2019 ~ A pot luck gathering was organized for the members of UPM TESL class of 1993. This time the person playing host was Puan Wan Aisyah Haris who was kind enough to welcome us to her house at Presint 11 in Putrajaya. The last time we met in a bigger group was last year during our Reunion Gathering after 25 years graduating, which was held at  Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. [READ HERE]

A few people came earlier to help prepare the food for the gathering. 

By 12 noon, food was laid on the tables and more people started to arrive. In the end, there was just too much food for everyone. How could we finish all this in such a short time, and people had to spend the precious moment to gossip too.

I am quite sure the neighbours would be wondering what was happening at the house at that moment when suddenly there were noises and laughter of the highest decibels. But why was I not surprised at all?

I decided to join the gathering as this was the time I could see many friends at one place - which was something not easy to do. Friends need to be cherished and friendship needs to be celebrated. It was not just the food, but to be able to meet one's old friends once in a while is something money cannot buy.

Thanks again to Puan Wan Aisyah Haris and family for the hospitality, and sorry we did not help to tidy up the aftermath after the pot luck.

Thanks to all my UPM TESL class of 1993 who had made the effort to come to Putrajaya for the meet up. May we be blessed with good health so that we could always get together for similar event again soon.

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

~ Elisabeth Foley ~

THE POST EID VISIT 1439H [PART THREE]

15th JULY 2018 ~ My ex-coursemate from UPM TESL class of 1993 arrived in Johor Bahru for work-related matter, so that should be a good opportunity for her to come visit me as it was just only 2 days after the month of Eid. Better late than never.

Puan Aliza Alwi was accompanied by her daughter and her daughter's friend. With the invention of smart phone, GPS and navigation apps, getting to my place was never a problem.

Thank you Puan Aliza for coming over, even though you and your company had just arrived from Kuala Lumpur about an hour earlier.  But the timing was just right, we still managed to feel the joyous spirit of Eid even after it was officially over.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."

~ JOHN LEONARD ~

THE 24th DAY OF EID 1439H

Some people came visiting in bigger groups that I worried there would not be enough chairs or glasses. Others preferred to come in much smaller groups, or just came alone. And some people just disappeared.

Those who came alone should be lucky as you could have me all to himself/herself without having to share with others - in a good way. :)

Thanks Mr. Mohd. Tarmidzi, a teacher friend who is one of the people in-charge of the Johor Bahru Chess Team, for finally arriving for the Eid visit after 4 years of planning which had never been executed.

MY PENANG GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - REUNITED AT THE OLDEST NASI KANDAR RESTAURANT IN MALAYSIA

24th MARCH 2018 ~ Another reunion took place in Georgetown but this time not with a friend from my UPM TESL group. Mr. Mohd. Asrulnizam was a friend made during the era when PMR examination was still in operation and I had to go to series of  meetings for English held annually. We always made sure we would become roommates as we had to stay for the session for a few days. From there friendship developed.

A date was set and Mr. Asrulnizam took me to this restaurant called Hameediyah, the oldest Nasi Kandar (restaurant) in Malaysia. so this should be some kind of a historical eating place in the country. My other friends actually had planned to get me here the day before but the shop was not opened on Friday.

There were already people making a beeline at the food counter when we arrived, at 8:00 p.m. Guess the Penangites eat nasi kandar round the clock.

We did not eat nasi kandar though. I was introduced to Hameediyah famous briyani this time. And I managed to finally get to eat squid eggs after failing to get them from other places before this.

squid eggs

Even though the restaurant was old, the dining hall was modern and clean which I think should be of utmost important.

The food was prepared at the ground floor and the order will be transported upstairs by a pulley machine near the stairs.

The meeting was brief and I should thank Mr. Asrulnizam for the time and company for the evening. I just wonder when will we get to see each other again but we can always make it happen in the future when the time is right.