Trip to Sungai Bayor, Selama 17 December 2016

On 17 December 2016 Saturday, I drove to Selama to attend my schoolmate's son's wedding kenduri.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and traffic flow was smooth along the PLUS Highway to the North from Kuala Lumpur.

I exited the Highway at the recently completed interchange at Alor Pongsu. From here, I headed towards Kubu Gajah, then, to Selama. The roads were the normal country road. It passes through several villages and plantation estates.

Upon reaching Selama town, I stopped for a toilet break at the Petronas fuel station and to buy a can of coffee drink. I continued my journey to Sungai Bayor which is about 10 KM from Selama. The journey brought back some sweet memories of my last trip to the small town many years ago in the 1980s. My dad, who was a Medical Assistant, was posted to the Government Clinic (Kelinik Desa) at Sungai Bayor for three years until his final retirement.

I arrived at Sungai Bayor and found the location of the kenduri easily. It was located by the main road near the town. After I parked my car at a safe spot, I walked to the venue. I found Mohamad Noor and he welcomed me to join the buffet table. Another schoolmate was already there, Jamaee and his wife. I joined Jamaee for the lunch and we chatted away of our old buddies. He mentioned that another OE, Azmi, was also present but he had to leave for awhile for some errand.

Azmi did come by to join us afterwards. I have not met Azmi since 1978 and was really glad to be able to meet him. Later, Hanafiah and his wife arrive and joined us at our table.

Mohamad Noor invited us to his house which is a few meters away from the wedding function. At his house, we were served tea, kuih and fried Koay Teow.

Azmi and Hanafiah had to leave by 4.00 PM. By which time, I received a phone call from another OE, Zoulkifli. He had just arrive Sungai Bayor and asking for the location. I described the directions to Mohamad Noor's house. Zoul found us and joined us for tea.
By 5.00 PM, Zoul and I made our leave. We thanked Mohamad Noor for his hospitality and bade him farewell.

Zoul had to go to Kulim while I drove to Taiping for an over-night stay. I would return to KL the following morning.

OE Zamzam Son's Wedding 3 December 2016

(Standing from left - Asri, Hamid, Zamzam, Ramli, Syed Sharifuddin, Rohaizat.
Sitting from left - Azman Azuar, Agus Salim, Zoulkifly, Myself, Hariri)

There are several wedding kenduri invitations this December 2016 from my Old Edwardian friends.

The first one this month is of Mohamad Zamzam's son wedding. It was held at a function hall near Kampong Sungai Ramal Dalam, Kajang, Selangor.

The weather was fine, no rain, which made the drive from to the destination very pleasant.

Several of my old school-mates were present at the function. As usual, the gatherings of old friends made the atmosphere into a mini-reunion. A few others arrived much later, Abdullah, Razif and Zulakmal.

Several of us stayed to chat until the function was well over.

8 November 2016 - My 55th Birthday

I celebrated my fifty-fifth year of my life in this year of 2016. Since I had a heart attack in 2007, I am thankful to Allah for have provide me this life with lots of blessings and love of my family and lots of good friends.

One news shocked me though. My wife informed me that she has received the invitation for the Hajj pilgrimage from Tabung Haji for the year 2017. This put me in a surprised mode because I was planning to perform the Hajj in 2018. Now, I have to write an appeal to Tabung Haji to allow me to accompany my wife for the Hajj in 2017.

It took me a few days to accept the fact that the time has arrived for my wife and I to go for the Hajj. I had shared my fears with my good friends. They had advised and encouraged me to put my fears aside and just proceed. Have faith that Allah has opened the right path for my wife and me.

This fact also makes me realize my life and mortality. From the years of my childhood, to my life at school. The growing up years from my teen to adulthood. The early years of my entering work force, progressed into my present position. My marriage, having kids. Watched them grow. My daughter got married. The birth of my first grand-child. Watching my grand-son grow.

My life has come almost the full circle.

Teh Tarik Session Ipoh - Dr Noor Azmi's Treat

On 12 November 2016, a group of OE 1978 had a meet-up at Casuarina@Meru, Ipoh on the invitation of our school mate, Dr Noor Azmi. The occasion was to celebrate his appointment as Chairman to the Malaysian Highway Authority and the conferment of Datukship by His Royal Highness Sultan of Perak.

It was raining heavily when I arrived at the Hotel car park by 4.30 PM. While awaiting for the rain to subside, Hanafiah and his wife also arrived and parked is car next to mine. When the rain was lighter, we made our way to the Hotel with our umbrellas. The group was already enjoying their tea, cucor udang and mee goreng. We exchanged greetings and sat at the table.

From Left- Ramli, Dr Noor Azmi, Agus Salim, Khairul Anuar.

Zoul Don, Nazari, Mat Shah, Basir.

Hanafiah, Syed Nasir, Dzulhanan, Rohaizat.

Ahmad Salleh, Aminuddin.

Jamaee, Rahman, Azman Hussain, Hariri.

After the the marvelous tea and food, we gathered outside the hotel for a group photo.

Congratulations, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi.

Looking forward to the next gathering.

Search For A New Home at Ipoh

For several years already, I have planned to move to Ipoh after I retire. I seriously began to search for a new house to purchase in 2016. A friend suggested to look at the PKNP’s project at Suria@Meru. In my initial enquiries, I was informed that they were sold out. I was advised to wait sometime in October when several units could be available due to rejected loans application.

October came. I noticed an advertisement in The Star newspaper that there was a YTL project near Tambun which has several lots still available for sale. I contacted the sales office to make an appointment. On a Saturday, I went to Ipoh to meet the sales person at the Dahlia show house.  I was interested to book one unit. However, a friend suggested that I re-check with PKNP about the Suria@Meru properties. Even my wife urged me to do so.

I made an enquiry at the PKNP sales office and was informed that there were a number of units re-opened for sale. I made an appointment to meet the sales person. On a Friday, I made another trip to Ipoh. The trip was very fruitful. After discussing with my wife over the telephone, I made a reservation for a unit.

After the payment of the deposit, I was to wait for the Developer’s legal office to call me up for the signing of the Sales and Purchase Agreement. The project in now at its 40% construction phase and will be completed by end 2017. My plan will be a reality in the next few years.

Old Edwardians Association of Malaysia Reunion Dinner, Taiping 13 August 2016.

The much anticipated annual reunion dinner came soon enough. I was feeling rather anxious. Why? Because I had booked 2 tables under my name. I was beginning to doubt the 19 guys who said would come, how many would actually turn up. I had already received a text message that one could not make it due to some sudden, urgent job in KL.

I arrived at the hotel at Kamunting by 2.30 PM. After check-in, I went to the School Padang for the Annual Sports Day. It was the 100th Anniversary of School Sports. I missed the official opening and the march past. I walked to the School Hall where there was food and refreshments served. There, I met a few old friends, namely, Alex Ooi, Ramli and Muhaimin. As I left the Hall, I met Mr Thong, the former Penolong Kanan and father of my school-mate, Thong Chee Meng.

Upon returning to the Hotel, I had received messages from 3 other guys that they could not come for the dinner. I had to look for replacements. Fortunately, there were others who were willing to come. I managed to fill-up the 20 seats that I had booked. This is the first time ever the MCE 1978 batch had 2 tables for the reunion dinner in Taiping. In the past, the most we had got was 8 persons to attend.

Overall, the Reunion Dinner this year had 100 tables filled. One can imagine the boisterous crowd that was in attendance.

Many of my MCE1978 buddies were first time attendees to this OEAM reunion dinner. As usual, we used this opportunity to talk of old times and to catch up with what each of us are doing now.

Gladly, I met an old teacher form my primary school years, Mr Ong Chee Lai.Despite his age, he is still fit and healthy.

Looking forward to 2017 OEAM Reunion Dinner. Next year's will be our 50th Reunion Dinner for OEAM.

There is Power In Solitude

My father passed away when I was 15 years old. Being the youngest of 7 siblings, I felt alone and lonely after that. All my elder siblings were working and staying in Kuala Lumpur, except a sister who live in Sunga Petani, Kedah. Fortunately, I had several good friends that I knew at school. I would enjoy the company of these good friends. However, once I reached home the feeling of loneliness crept in. I went through this state of loneliness for several years until I went to KL for my first real job in 1981.

My young adult son is going through this stage of loneliness in the recent years since many of his friends have completed their studies and working away from KL. I noticed and understand what he is facing. He asked me how I managed to go through or survive that period.

Being alone or the feeling of loneliness is not a bad thing. You have got to survive this temporary moment or stage in your life. I will not say it would be easy but it is not tough either. I learned that there is power in loneliness. As in the story of Superman, he has his own “Fortress of Solitude”. While in the period of solitude, make it an opportunity for positive use.

1.       Be close to God. I do not mean that you have to be very religious. Just perform the necessary daily prayers. “Confide” in Him. There might not be immediate answers. However, believe that He will provide the answers in moments you would not expect it.

2.       Search ideas to create. Write, draw. How to make your life better? How to make other people’s life better?

3.       Self-actualization. Analyze your own self, what can you do to be a better person, be better at your job? Build better relationships with people.

4.       Rebuild your strength (energize). Exercise, walk, jog, ride a bicycle, go to the gym.

5.       Build your knowledge (intelligence). Read books, visit Expos, attend a conference.

6.       Feel the moment – appreciate nature, smell the flowers, listen to the birds, study people or surroundings, watch a movie, travel, etc.

7.       Feel the sadness. Learn from it. I felt sad when my parents and good friends died. What is left are the fond memories. I review these fond memories and I feel better. From the memories, I appreciate my life, family and friends that I still have. I treat people better.

Yes, my son, I know you feel afraid. However, you cannot allow the fear control you. Your life is an adventure. A journey that you, Only You, can live through. Along the way, there will be turbulence. Such turbulence is just temporary. Make adjustment and return to the right track. There is a saying “The past has gone, the future is unknown. Today is the present”. Seize the day. Make it a beautiful, happy day. It is all up to you. Nobody else can do it for you. Be a survivor. I know you can.

I found the power and strength in solitude. I enjoy travelling alone as much as with my wife or friends. I overcame the fear of loneliness and I survive.