Visit Friends - Abdul Rahim and Cheong Gim Teik 9 August 2015

Sunday 9 August, after breakfast, I checked out from Kamal Lodge and went to attend the OEAM Annual General Meeting.

After the meeting and lunch, I joined Alex and several OE members to visit two friends who were not very well.

Cheong Gim Teik was in hospital, had just been operated on due to prostate cancer.

Abdul Rahim Salleh, was resting at home due to high-blood pressure and stroke.

I felt happy to be able to visit our friends who are ill. At least, we could bring some cheerfulness into their lives, chatting about old times and fun stories.

We pray for their health and well being.

48th Old Edwardians Reunion Dinner Taiping 8 August 2015

From left, Asri, Alex Ooi, me.

I arrived at the motel, Kamal Lodge, by 6..00 PM. After I checked into my chalet, I messaged Asri, my school-mate. Earlier, Asri had asked me whether I could pick him up, so that we could go to the dinner together. I replied that I could and asked where he was staying. He said he was staying at the school's hostel warden's house.

After a short rest, I took a shower and got ready. I headed to Jalan Istana Larut to pick up Asri.

We arrived at the dinner venue, Taiping Legend Inn by 8.00 PM. As we entered, we found the hall was almost full. We seeked for Alex to show us to our table. We were to seat at a table, shared with younger OEs and two Georgians ( former students of our rival school, St. George). Seems that the old, fiery rivalry between the two schools have now become cordial friendship. Whether annual dinner or golf tournament, either will join up or send representatives.

The usual program began with the guest-of-honour escorted in by the drums ensemble from the School Band. Old and new friends spent the night away with stories of old and new, in between eating and drinking.

What interest me most out of the dinner was the souvenir booklet because I contributed an article about my life at the school from 1968 to 1978. After the dinner, I went around to search if there were any copy left behind but this time around, there was none. I approached Alex to ask whether he had any extra copies. He said he could give me two more.

I bade my farewell for the night and agreed to meet up with Alex and the committee the next morning at the Annual General Meeting.

Razif's Aidil Fitri Open House Ipoh 8 August 2015

From Left, Nazari, me, Razif and Dzulhanan.

Last Saturday, on my way to Taiping, I stopped at Ipoh to attend an Aidil Fitri Open House hosted by Razif (my school-mate).

It was a grand occasion with guests that included the employee's family, friends, clients and state government officials, including the Menteri Besar of Perak.

I was suppose to arrive by 1.00 PM but after exiting the PLUS highway by Jalan Tambun, there was slow traffic along Jalan Raja DiHilir, caused by another Open House function at the state's cultural center. After the round-a-about, I headed to the Coliseum Square to park my car. As I arrived at Razif's function grounds, I telephoned another friend, Dzulhanan, who was waiting for me. I followed his directions to where he was seated. I found the table where Dzulhanan and Nazari were located. I noticed Razif was very busy welcoming the guests but I went to greet him anyway.

By 2.30PM, Dzulhanan and Nazari had to leave to attend other functions. I continued to stay to enjoy the food. Then, I saw another former school-mate walking in not far away. I telephoned Khairul Anwar to inform him where I was seating. He finally saw me waving and he walked towards me. He joined me at the table but said he could not be long because he had to attend another function also.


Then, after the Perak MB left, Razif asked me and Khairul to move to that table. I found the food on that table was untouched. Well, good food should not go to waste so I tucked in. The atmosphere was like a carnival affair, with several food stalls and entertainment for the children. There were variety of food - mee soup, char koay teow, satay, rice and the dishes like "gulai kawah" and the main attraction, roast lamb.

After Khairul left, two of Razif's former college mates joined my table, Shahrom and Mat Diah. Afterwards, Razif brought us some of the "King of Fruits", durians.What a feast.

By 4.00 PM, Shahrom, Mat Diah and I had to leave and gave our thanks to Razif. I still have a long drive to Taiping to attend the Old Edwardians Reunion Dinner later that night.

OE 1978 Teh Tarik Session 25July2015

It was a week after Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, someone suggested that we meet up over tea. Saturday 25 July 2015 was the agreed date. The venue was to be Restoran Al-Fairos near Sunway Kayangan, Shah Alam at 8.30 AM.

Razif offered to pick me up, so we headed together to the destination in his company car.

When we arrived, Aziz had just arrived too. We met up with Ramli who had reached there first.

We picked our table while we waited for the others. After a while, Asri, Rohaizat and Azman Azuar arrived. We ordered some food and drinks chatted away that whole morning.

Until the next time, we bid our farewells and hope more of our group will be able to join up.

2015 Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

This year's Hari Raya Aidil Fitri became more solemn due to my mother-in-law had passed away in May. My wife was sad and still missing her mother. I knew how she felt since my own mother had passed away in 2009.

Anyway, life has to go on and this year we celebrate with a new member to the family for the first time. Yes, my daughter and son-in-law were back home with us on the eve and the first day of Aidil Fitri. That brought some cheer to my wife and me.

Peace and Happiness to All.

Fatherhood At Age 24 - 1987.

My daughter's wedding recently, prompted me to reflect upon my experience of my being a father.

I became a young father at age 24 when my daughter, Nur Amalina was born in 1987. By Allah most graciousness, she was born on the same date as me, 8th of November. On that evening before her birth, I had fever and headache. I rested at the couch outside the labour room until the nurse called me in when it was due. I held my wife's hand and I was excited to experience the birth of my child.

From her birth, to her childhood and her growing up years, I have the most joyful time as a father.


My son, was born on 23 March 1994. Once again, I was by my wife's side during the birth process. I am glad that I was able to witness the birth of my kids. The experience was really hard to describe.

My two kids presented different set of challenges but overall, they are both wonderful kids. I have lots of fun memories of them while they were growing up.

Daughter Nur Amalina's Wedding Reception (kenduri) 16 May 2015

Bride and Groom.

We arrived at the banquet hall at the Keramat Mall by 9.00 AM. The Caterer cum Event Manager, Siti Hazza, was already there waiting for us. She asked the bride and groom and their mothers to get into the changing room to be prepared by the make-up artist, Linda.

Part of the Welcome Commitee.

I surveyed the decorations inside the hall and found them all to be looking splendid. The two buffet tables were being prepared while we set up our tables to arrange all the door gifts for our guests. For readers note, our reception was a joint function with the groom’s family. Therefore, there were two greeting entrance and two tables for the door gifts. My niece, Elaini, prepared the allotted table for the Candy Corner. The Candy Corner is usually a hit with the kids. My brother, Mahathir, provided the lovely cream puffs and brownies.

By 10.30 AM, the Caterer invited all family members to eat first, before our guest begin arriving at 11.30 AM. In fact, a few of our guest started arriving by 11.00 AM. The arrival of guests were a slow, steady flow at first but began to pick-up pace by 1.30 PM.  By 2.00 PM, many guests were arriving in droves. This situation continued right up to 3.00 PM.

 Meanwhile, the wedding program proceeded very well, coordinated by Siti with support from the MC who was also the DJ. There was a Perak Rebana performance with music played by the DJ. The grand entrance by the bride and groom was led by three flower girls and escorted by the Rebana group. The Bersanding ceremony was followed by the “Salam Restu”, blessings of the parents and elders from both families. Then, the bride and groom proceeded to the High Table for lunch. This was the cue for the special slide-show to be played, portraying images of both bride and groom from their childhood to their “Akad Nikah”.

All these went on with the flow of incoming and out-going guests. The time came for the cake cutting ceremony and there was a surprise announcement by the MC. My wife was invited to join the cake cutting because today was also her birthday. Asmah was reluctant to go but I held her hand to the stage.

It was 3.00 PM and guests were still coming and going at a steady pace. Two of my schoolmates arrived past 3.30 PM but still in time for some food. By 4.00 PM, visitors had stopped arriving. Those who were present were beginning to leave.

We had our group photograph with the bride and groom taken. I really felt tired afterwards, with aching back and legs. All who still remained were the members of the family a few close friends. We chatted for a while and by 5.00 PM began to clear-up and leave the hall.

It was a beautiful, glorious day and I was glad everything went very smoothly. Despite feeling tired, I was happy. To all my family, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and guests, a big Thank You for your support and attendance.