OF A SUPPER DATE AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

   10TH JULY 2026    ~ Originally it was a supper date with Mr. Firdaos, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti. The place to meet was Ariffin Maju, a Mamak Restaurant located at Bukit Impian, somewhere in Taman Impian Emas.

As we were enjoying our Chapati, someone came to our table and he introduced himself as my ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti too. An unexpected reunion took place and it was a pleasure to be greeted by someone whom you used to know many years ago.

Thanks to Mr. Shahrizal who approached me and thanks also for paying for our supper. Happiness is when someone introduces himself/herself as an ex-student even though I might not be able to recall his/her name.

THE BREAKFAST SESSION WITH THE RETIREES

When we got to know Puan Rohani Shamsuddin was in town, a breakfast date was promptly set with two other ex-colleagues of SMK Taman Universiti, Puan Rokiah Junoh and Puan Rosnani Abd. Talib. The chosen restaurant was Tea Garden in Taman Impian Emas.

    

Puan Rohani is currently residing in Kemaman, Terengganu and was here visiting her daughter and her family. It was customary for the four friends to meet up every time she is in town.

There were not many people in the restaurant so we managed to stay for about two and a half hours. The meeting was long as the chat topics were vast and varied, but was heard in Tea Garden remained in Tea Garden.

Thanks to all the sisters for the fun time, eating and chatting. Hope we could see each other again when time permits.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - "LEPAK PLACE" AT TAMAN IMPIAN EMAS

I got my birthday brownies

13th OCTOBER 2018 ~ Someone wanted to try the hipster cafe named "Lepak Place" at Taman Impian Emas so we met there for dinner. It was the first time for everybody and we just chose our food randomly by looking at the menu. There were many people inside the restaurant which should be a good indicator of whether the food would be good or not.

So here is my brief personal pictorial comments of the food and drinks bought that evening.

my carrot juice: sugar level a bit too low,
tasteless but must be healthier

my Maryland fried udon:
too hot and spicy

spaghetti bolognese: the tomato puree
was too dominant

chicken chop: the chicken tasted like KFC

another chicken chop dish

I was there with three ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti who were kind enough to invite me over for dinner. That should be more important than the food and place chosen in the first place. I guess I have to sincerely thank them for the birthday treat and the birthday brownies, and most importantly for the company and time.

Ms. Khaulah Abd. Rahim, Mr. Huzaifah Abd. Rahim (they are siblings) and Ms. Noorul Nashuha Atan (who came back to JB from KL for work-related matter), only Allah may repay your good deeds and kindness and I pray that you will all be blessed with prosperity, good health and happiness.

Please plan for our next gastronomic adventure soon.

THE 24TH DAY OF EID - STUDENTS' OPEN HOUSES

Saturday, 31st August ~ Every time when a student approaches me to invite to his open house, I could see there is some sort of hope in his or her eyes. Therefore, I would try my best to attend any invitation if I am free or the timing is right. So on all this Eat-All-You-Can Day, I went to three houses but there was no regret at all.

The first one was at Kampung Melayu Kangkar Pulai. I was invited by Maghfirah, my form 2 student, whose elder sisters and brother are also my ex-students: Sakinah, Khaulah and Huzaifah. And this was not my first time there. The open house was also held for his parents who will be performing their "haj" soon.

The next one was in Taman Universiti. Similar to the first open house, almost every child in this house was or is still studying in my school. The two Amiruls are in form 1 and form 3, and there's another sister in form 5. And I got the chance to meet Dyana who just came back for a short break. She is now pursuing her doctoral degree in Japan. The last time I went to her house for the same reason was when she was still in form 5 quite a long time ago.

And FINALLY, the last house of the day, was located at Taman Impian Emas. The invitation came from Dr. Jalil whose son, Rezza, is studying in form 2. Again, with me knowing Dr. Jalil and his other children who were in my school before, it was quite difficult to turn down the invitation.

There were also other students, and an ex-student, a parent of my student that I recognized and two colleagues with their husbands so everything was alright. And the only food consumed at the last open house was just a piece of cake and I truly hope I can still fit into my trousers by Monday.

So that was it - definitely one long day of eating, and meeting people and chit-chatting. I am glad that I had taken quite a number of photos throughout the day. I definitely had to move a bit and that should provide some sort or exercise for me. 

5 more days before Eid comes to its end, I don't think there will be other open house to attend after this. That should be a big relief.