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 ~

HOW TO SPEND YOUR PUBLIC HOLIDAY?

Today was a public holiday for Johoreans and I thought I really had to give myself a treat after all the hard work before the school reopened a few days ago. I was lucky as Mr. Afif Farhan agreed to go for coffee in the afternoon. In fact, he knew what I was up to the moment he received my Whatsapp message.

Since I wanted to have coffee, he suggested the coffee kiosk at Village Grocer in Midvalley Megamall. And the drinks were accompanied with scones and chicken pie. It was very English of me to have scones but not with tea.

Then I decided to sate my craving for fried chicken so we marched off to Texas Chicken - from English to American. I had to bring back the 2 pieces of chicken home as the scones had already filled most part of my tummy.

Believe it or not, one of the biggest challenges to eat out these days for me is to find someone who would like to tag along. Not that eating alone is something I seldom do.

Thanks Mr. Afif Farhan for the time and company. Guess we will be doing this again after the fasting month which will be arriving soon.

AN UNPLANNED 19th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT "GEORGE AND DRAGON"

It was initially the usual coffee and cake session and it was decided at the eleventh hour. As usual, there would be someone who ordered other than cake and coffee.

This time the chosen venue was "George & Dragon" in Taman Tasek. I had been passing by the cafe all my life but only today, I was seated inside and instantly amazed with the interior decor of the place. I felt like I was in the UK.

I had English scones - the real ones, with butter, cream cheese and strawberry jam.

We met Ms. Rachel, the friendly daughter of the cafe's owner, who then introduced us to the male Malay Muslim chef who prepared the food in the kitchen. He is a living proof that the food is halal and we should have no doubt about it.

By the way, we had someone's niece joining the gathering this time but I think she just fitted in well as she is also an English teacher.

Mr. and Mrs. Khir were actually celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary today and to our surprise, a piece of cake, was eventually brought to the table.

Good food, great place and excellent service - do expect me to return again to "George & Dragon" real soon.