Saturday Happenings

It has been an active Saturday. Happening No.1 - I attended a Majlis Baca Yasin and Cukur Jambul at a friend's house in Kampongku Sayang, Bukit Baru. We also read the Maulid D'Bai whereby during the nasyid and selawat, I accompanied them with the gendang.

The lucky baby in Mum's arms receiving blessings.

From there I rushed to Happening No.2, driving very, very carefully through the weekend traffic jam in Melaka, to Melaka High School in Banda Hilir.

Sekolah Tinggi Melaka a.k.a. Malacca High School where I taught from 1969 - Feb.1973

The banner at the front gate.

... for the following occasion - A gathering of the school's old boys (Malays) coinciding with the Hari Raya Kurban celebration. I must thank Wilmie Jalius, my former student, for insisting that I should attend the gathering. Being curios, I accepted the invitation because I too, would like to see how my 'boys' (inc. Wilmie) whom I last saw 35 odd years ago are faring.

There were a lot of changes to the old school that I was familiar with, so much so I got lost getting to the meeting place. Luckily Wilmie was at the front gate to direct me - I could recognise him immediately even after all these years because he was a spitting image of his father who happened to be a family friend. Thank you again, Wilmie! You HAVE grown - well of course ....

Took a shot of the School's Surau from the ladies section

I arrived just in time for the reading of the Yassin and Tahlil after which it was time for the Zohor prayers. I was surprised that there were only 4 ladies accompanying the prayers cause later I found out in the dining hall, half the crowd were ladies... maybe they had their reasons, ah well... After short speeches by the VIPs, we adjourned for lunch. I didn't eat much. No.1 because I was not hungry. No. 2 - I met many old boys who remembered their Art teacher / class teacher and were excited at my presence. Some I could recognize vaguely although their physic might have changed. They came from far and near - Zainal Yatim, once the naughty one, came with his family from Penang. He is now a big shot at CIMB Bank in Penang. By the way, Zainal mentioned that he named his first-born daughter, Nazli (after me?) How sweeet! Juwara, the once shortest kid (always a 'juwara' I used to tease him), now managing his own business, came from Gombak, K.L. Another came as far as Kelantan for this gathering. Yet another now a university lecturer came from Tanjong Malim. They mentioned several happy incidents which I had forgotten. They introduced me to their families. We laughed at the memories and I told them how happy I was to see them successful in life. Sorry I didn't snap many photos because I was too busy talking and laughing!

Managed to snap one with Zainal (left) and Juwara. I taught them in Form I. Thank you 'boys' for making my day.

Before long I had to take leave. It was pouring cats and dogs outside but I had to attend to another happening. Happening No.3 - This time it was a wedding invitation to a house near my place. It was already late but several guests were still there. Thus ended a busy Saturday for this happy Princess. Thank you Allah ....

The wedding at Birat's house, Jalan Durian Daun.