EID DIARY: 29TH SYAWAL 1446H

On the last day of Eid, a group of ex-students [of SMK Taman Universiti], came visiting. This time, they were accompanied by their wives and children - the more the merrier.

That should wrap up the Eid visiting activities this year. In conclusion, there were less visitors coming if compared to previous years. I still have a lot of Eid cookies on the shelves. Definitely not going to buy a lot for next year. People get busier as they now have families and perhaps are also occupied with work. A few wanted to come during weekends but I had to attend wedding reception invitations and open houses as well. Guess that is how things work these days.

God willing, see you next year in Syawal 1447H.

THE 18TH DAY OF SYAWAL 1437H

23rd JULY 2016 ~ I was invited by Mr. Assadiq Abd. Manap (ex-SMKTUN from SPM batch) to his open house at Taman Universiti. I had to be in another programme earlier but it finished early and went to his house right away. I was there at about 11:00 a.m. and was the second one to arrive. I had to make my move to another faraway place for another open house invitation.

the mother and the elder brother

After all the effort finding my way to Felda Tunggal, Kota Tinggi, to the family of an old friend who was a colleague in SMK Taman Universiti. That was the furthest place I have driven for an open house as long as I can remember. Puan Siti Adaniah Sarimin moved to her husband's hometown in 2015 but it was kind enough of her to invite me over to her place.

I got to meet two more people who know me, the class monitor who got married to the assistant monitor. Mr. Fairuz and Ms. Nur Nazihah are the ex-students of SMKTUN from SPM batch 2007 and are the the brother and sister-in-law of Puan Siti Adaniah. It was worth all the effort and time to get to see more people in one session.

Later in the evening, a group of  ex-SMKTUN's boys from SPM batch 2013 arrived. There was definitely a lot catching up to do as for most of them, this was like once in a year (or more) meet-the-teacher of meet-your-own-friends session. There used to be more people last time but as they grow older, it is really difficult to get people to gather at the same time.

About two more weeks to celebrate Eid. I still have a lot of cookies at home.

THE 3RD DAY OF SYAWAL 1437H

The first visitor of the day was my ex-classmate from SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru, Mr. Shahrir Yusof. He was here with his family members. We were finally reunited after more than 30 years. We went our separate was after SRP (examination for form 3 students) and had no chance to meet up, except communicating through Facebook. We hope to see each other again after this but I actually still have doubt that is going to happen.

Then another classmate, but this time from Budiman class of SMS Muar, Mr. Ahmad Fadilah Md. Aris, came visiting accompanied by his family too. I could not remember exactly when we we last met for Eid but I am quite sure he was not here last here. For one thing, I hope to see him in Medan one day. :)

In the afternoon, I was visited by two ex-students from SMKTUN, Dr. Harith [SPM batch 2005]and Mr. Hasif Ismail [SPM 2008], with their parents and other siblings and this has become something customary already. This time, Dr. Harith was here with his wife and daughter. By the way, the reunion was not complete as someone is already in another part of planet Earth.

Another ex-classmate from SMS Muar was also here with his family members right after that. Despite the fact that he is always in JB almost every year for Eid, he finally made the effort to drop by. I do understand how busy people are during Eid as there are just too many people that need to be visited, especially the relatives.

Two more days of Eid's visiting sessions will take place before the school reopens and things will slow down a bit.

THE SECOND DAY OF SYAWAL 1437H

As expected, people started coming to visit today, ex-students, friends and relatives. Actually they were already here on the first day of Eid but I was too busy (and too tired afterwards) to do the documentation.

The first visitors of the day were Dr. Azzad Hamzah, SMKTUN ex-student from SPM batch 2002, accompanied by his wife and two kids. This was his second time visiting during Eid. He is now back in JB after being posted to Sabah for quite some time, and is now working in one of the private hospitals here.

Then Dr. Hayati Ismail and her family came over for their regular Eid visit. She is a friend from UPM TESL group and is now residing in Putrajaya.

I am just praying for a cooler and pleasant temperature for the days to come. There should be more people to meet and see.

THE EID UL-FITRI (1437H) IS HERE

This year's Eid celebration is here - the 1st of Syawal is the time for Muslim to rejoice their success of one month fasting in Ramadhan. As for me, my Eid always starts at the nearby "surau" (the smaller version of a mosque) where we perform our Eid prayer and followed by a "tahlil" session.

There was a small feast for people who stayed back for the "tahlil" and the food was actually sent by people staying nearby. I think this was the first time a photo was taken after the Eid prayer, hence the blog post.

Do expect a lot of gathering sessions being featured in my blog after this.

THE 29TH DAY OF SYAWAL 1433H

Finally, it was the last day of Syawal. I had the last visitors in the evening (even though officially it was the 1st of Zulkaedah already, a new Islamic month). But it did not really matter. Mr. Irfan came together with his younger brother, Mr. Asyraf, both were my ex-students. Irfan's two friends from UTM tagged along: Mr. Ismail Sabri was here last year and the other one (Oh God, I couldn't remember his name now) taught as a substitute teacher in SMKTUN before.

So I guess that was how Eid was celebrated this year. I had seen and met many people I had to see and I am thankful for that. Thanks to each and everyone who had come visiting and please forgive me I might not be able to go to your houses. Most of my weekends were occupied by entertaining people. 

I guess now we can go back living our normal lives.

THE 28TH DAY OF SYAWAL 1433H

a nurse came visiting

Today was the second last day of Eid celebration.The first guest to arrive was Miss Fatiha who is now working as a nurse in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur but was here for the long weekend break. She came with two other friends who were here visiting earlier.

Fadhil's wedding

After the Zuhur prayer, I went to Taman Rinting to attend a wedding invitation of a (family) friend. It was the wedding of Raja Mohd. Fadhil whom I used to know since he was very little and now he is already someone's husband.

Puan Rafidah's open house

Right after that, off I went to Taman Pulai Indah to Puan Rafidah's open house. Upon arrival, I saw a few colleagues there so there was no awkward moment not recognizing anybody.

Azry's open house

And the next house to visit was the house of a form five student, Mr. Azry Anuardy. I had no reason to say no as he was really determine - early verbal invitation, sms and messages on FB, to make sure I came to his open house.

There were some students and ex-students as well and I suddenly felt I was the host of the open house instead of the guest. Furthermore the host was too busy making sure the food and drinks on the table were always enough for everyone.

The tummy was already stretched to its maximum capacity so it was time to stop eating and visiting for the day, but I had one more house to go later in the evening.

In the evening, I received one group of guests whom I thought would never turn up for this year's Eid. As these people from SPM batch 2010 they were all coming back home from campus for the long weekends, I guess they had planned the visit towards the end of the month.

the food in the plastic bag was for me

And the last visiting activity for the second last day of Eid was an open house cum tahlil event at Mr. Shafiq Suhaimi's house in Kempas Baru. but I was there for the open day and eating session only. And I was among the last guests to arrive. I had to wait for the boys to go off so I was only there after eleven. 

What a long day it had been. I was feeling tired but happy and hope I will not get fat.

THE 26TH DAY OF SYAWAL

"Alhamdulillah" (Thank you, Allah), after not being able to organize this event last year, I managed to invite my male colleagues to my house for a "tahlil" (reciting of the prayer for people who have passed away). And two of them brought their family members along. Even my Indian and Chinese friends were present to join the gathering so it was also an Eid visiting programme. Mr. Ong Poh Shin who retired last year was also here to meet old friends.

 

Two people, Mr. Syazarul Shahrir and Mr. Sanusi had something on so they could not join other people the big group who were here earlier. Nevertheless, I was really glad that they still turned up for the event even though it was quite late.

the ultimate group photo

Standing from left to right: (Amin, Mr. Rifqi's son), Mr. Hisham Abdullah, Mr. Mohd. Faisal Md. Zain, Mr. Punithan Pannirchelvan, Mr. Zahidi Mahmood, Mr. Mohd. Nazli, Mr. Mohd. Marzuqi, Mr. Mohd. Nasir Sardangi, Mr. Sin Boon Han, Mr. Mohd. Hamzah Ali, Mr. Tham Han Leong. Sitting: Mr. Ong Poh Shin, Mr. Ravi Subramaniam, ME, Mr. Mohd. Rifqi Mydin, Mr. Masrizal Sayute, Mr. Mohd. Azhar, Mr. Ng Che Kim. Went back earlier: Mr. Mohd Sabri Mohd. Salleh and Mr. Ahmad Yassin Lauto.

 
Thanks a lot to all my friends who had come over all the way from Taman Universiti and the surrounding area. May we see each other again in the same occasion next year.

THE 25TH DAY OF SYAWAL 1433H

I had some work to do in SMK Pekan Nanas in the morning. Right after that, I went to find a few missing people, ex-students and family friends who were regular visitors but did not turn up for their Eid visit this time round. I was glad that I was able to finally track them and wish them Happy Eid ul-Fitr.

The next ex-student who was reunited was Mr. Sharudin from SPM batch 2006. I specifically asked him to visit me this evening when he came to school as I needed his help to move some furniture for the event to be held the next day but that was the minor agenda. I was happy he could still come visiting without being accompanied by other friends. As I have mentioned earlier, I enjoy having visitors in smaller group actually.

And there are four more days remaining...

THE 22ND DAY OF SYAWAL 1433H

The joy of Eid continued as it was a Sunday. The first group to arrive consisted of the office staff, a colleague and their family members. While a few were frequent visitors, it was the first time for the others to attend this gathering.

They actually just came back from our ex-principal's house that is just nearby. Even though I did not prepare any special dish, I hoped that they had enjoyed the cookies and carbonated drinks.

The next unexpected guests were my ex-colleague, Mr. Ahmad Zaki, and his family members. He is now the Senior Assistant of the Afternoon Session of SMK Desa Skudai and his son is now studying in my school. (How time flies.)

The last big group that arrived (also after visiting the same house like the first group) comprised of four families of colleagues. The good thing was that they had surely eaten a lot at the previous open house so they were here just to enjoy the lighter food available (read: Eid cookies). The most important thing was to be able to visit and wish each other "Selamat Hari Raya" and may this tradition live on for generations to come.

We are already in the last of week of Syawal. Again, things will slow down a bit during the weekdays but once the weekends are here, people will surely try to enjoy the last few days of Eid to the fullest.

THE 21ST DAY OF SYAWAL

At about 11:15 a.m. I went to attend a wedding invitation, then at about 2:00 p.m. there was this potluck in the school staffroom. Right after school, I went to a student's open house and tried the "Nasi Arab" and a bit of "Laksa Johor". 

After about an hour after that, I was at my colleagues' house, Mr. Hisham and Pn. Nurhafiza, as they also were welcoming friends to their house. I had to try their "Nasi Beriyani Udang" and a few curry puffs, and I had to tell myself to stop.

That is what Eid is all about here at my place, and maybe at other places as well in the country. After all the eating spree, I hope my guilt conscience for taking all the food should be enough. I am thinking of fasting for another week already. How I envy those people who can eat a lot but stay slim and have nothing to worry. *sigh*

"There is no love sincerer than the love of food."

George Bernard Shaw

from "Man and Superman"

A POTLUCK TO CELEBRATE EID 2012M/1433H

Today, a Saturday, was a replacement school day for the extra leave taken before the Eid break. As expected, many students were absent (which was actually a blessing in a way). We had planned a potluck to celebrate the month of Syawal in the staff room and today seemed to be a perfect day just to do that.

The main menu chosen was "nasi himpit" (compressed rice) which was eaten with variety of dishes like "lodeh" (vegetables cooked in coconut milk), soup (which then turned to be "soto"}, chicken curry, peanut in chilly gravy etc.
 

I think everyone looked extra happy today, either because of the good food or the poor students' attendance.

With all the delicious food in abundance, no one had the reason not to be happy. Some may worry there might be an increase on the weighing machine later, but that will be another story.