High School Reunion 2019

We had a high school reunion last Saturday. A committee was set up towards the end of last year and they tirelessly worked to secure the venue, send out invitations, work with the hotel on accommodation and meals, plan activities for the programme, etc etc. I finally decided to go and paid for an overnight stay even though the venue is pretty close to home as I knew the event would last until past 23:00. My two closest mates were also going. There were updates on the event as the date drew closer and teasers on the activities. We were first told to wear our house colours and subsequently encouraged to add some bling to our outfit. We also had to come with a gift worth at least RM30 for gift exchange.

Finally, the day arrived. I left home and made my way to the hotel. As usual, the usual non-stop laughter that always erupts whenever we meet could be heard throughout that afternoon and well into the night. It was great to meet old friends who came from near and far (the furthest flew from Houston!) and at times, I had trouble reconciling them from those old school days to the present. Can’t quite believe we were dorm mates, classmates, house mates, etc. I must confess that I couldn’t recognise a few of them (they all joined when we were in Form 4) and although I tried hard, there were some people I didn’t manage to greet and shake hands with. I didn’t take any photos as usual as I always prefer taking photos using a camera. I was content to join in group photos and photobomb others though.

The hotel was upgrading its lifts so we had to wait a while to get into one. The hotel AC didn’t seem to work in the lobby and lifts so we had to suffer while waiting for and riding the lift. The venue was at level 5 and we had to register first. We also handed over our gifts at the registration, got assigned to our tables and those early enough to arrive were also handed the manicure vouchers. After registering, I went to my table (number 7) and deposited the door gift there to book my seat. I then walked over to the corner of the room for my manicure. More girls had started arriving by then.

The event finally began at about 15:20 and we first had some food. We also had some games during the high tea and I actually won the third place. The winners of the first game were not allowed to participate in the second game so I went to get some food. We then had photo taking sessions and this took a while so much so the Health Talk that was scheduled did not take place.

We broke for prayers, check-in and some rest at 18:00 and were told to return to the ballroom at 20:00. Our apartment was at level 35 (there are 39 levels in all) and we were lucky enough to be able to board a lift without waiting too long. We had a two-room apartment with a living room, dining area and kitchenette. The rooms were en-suite with a WC at the hallway (right after you enter the door) and a good thing too as the flush to the WC in the master bathroom didn’t work.

After resting, freshening up and prayers, we went back down to level 5 for dinner. We also had some fashion show followed by another photo session and then closed-door ‘flash mob’. I don’t know about the others but I left the room after 23:15 and there were still some people there.

I woke up after 03:00 early on Sunday and couldn’t sleep after that. I didn’t attend the morning tazkirah or Zumba that followed. I showered after they had gone for Zumba and went down for breakfast (at ground floor). We checked out at 11:40 and my mate dropped me off at Ampang Park. I was home barely an hour later. While I had a great time overall, I had tummy upset following the high tea and dinner on Saturday and a worse tummy upset on Sunday following breakfast that was borderline diarrhoea. I had informed the committee members of this and as I wasn’t alone in my suffering, hopefully the committee would escalate the matter to the hotel.

I penned the following to my friends yesterday:

To my beautiful lovely girlfriends

Thank you so much for the memorable weekend. My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the tireless committee who worked hard to make this reunion happen and boy, did it happen! Thank you all for making me feel and act like I’m still 17 (I still do get mistaken for a college student so maybe I still act that even when I'm on my own!). I do apologise if I didn’t get to meet everyone personally and for not taking individual photos with anyone. I’m one of those too lazy to fish out my phone out to take pictures but am always happy to join in photos and photobomb others (oops).

We’re all in a different phase of our lives: some are wives and mothers while some are still happily single (Axxx did suggest for the bacholerettes to take a picture together at the reunion but one or two were missing then). Whatever it is, most of us if not all are in the sandwich generation where we are responsible for both bringing up our own children and for the care of our ageing ailing parents (I do not have kids of my own but I do have my nieces and nephew that I especially care for and treat like they're my own). At the same time, we also face our own life challenges be it work, financial, relationship, health challenges. We have to deal with all the good and bad that life throws at us while at the same time getting to grips with wrinkles, grey hair, hair loss, extra kg, lower stamina, etc etc etc, and oh not to forget, menopause is also waiting at the horizon. Whatever it is, I hope and pray that we will all stay sane, strong, resilient and patient in dealing with all these. More importantly, let’s take very good care of ourselves (especially our health and well-being) because no one else is going to be responsible and do that for us. Let’s not let our bodies and health go, let’s treat ourselves with more appreciation and respect, let’s not neglect what Allah has given us.

We are survivors, we are mentally strong, and we shall survive (after all, we’ve managed to survive 47 years of life so far), we are warriors in our own right. Let us continue on our life journey with humility, grace, poise, dignity, pride and humility. I know I have good friends who have got my back, who will tell me bluntly what is good or bad for me, who will keep me on the straight and narrow, who can lift me up when I'm down, who will give me feedback and advice, in short, who will be there for me. True friends are everything and as the Irish proverb goes, may the hinge of our friendship never grow rusty.

I pray that our friendship will only strengthen after this. To those who bump into me and I don’t show sign of recognition, please forgive me. Sometimes I’m lost in my own world (and problems) and most times, just don't notice people (I can share a crowded lift with someone and not realise a colleague is in there). But if our paths cross wherever and I don't approach or notice you, please come and say hi. Don’t be a stranger, OK? I have been said to appear aloof and unapproachable (even snobbish) and if I have appeared that way to you at any time, please accept my sincere apologies. Also, I may not be able to join many activities due to my time constraint and responsibilities but will try to join when I can.

Let’s continue on our life journey together and grow old gracefully together. Not everyone gets that opportunity so let’s make the best of it.

Love you all. Can’t wait until the next reunion!

A Short Weekend In Banda Aceh

I was looking at travelling on my birthday weekend to somewhere not too far with a 3D 2N duration and after looking at my options, decided to go for Banda Aceh. After checking the dates again and again, I decided to defer the trip to the first August weekend (hence the train trip to Taiping in mid-July). I left the house early last Friday morning (2 August 2019 and 1 Zulhijjah 1440). Dad sent me to Ampang Park and I performed Subuh prayers first at InterContinental Hotel before making my way to KL Sentral.

I boarded the 07:30 bus for KLIA2 and arrived at the airport 50 minutes later. After performing Dhuha prayers, I walked to my gate - which turned out to be quite a distance away. Not sure if I would have made it if I had taken the bus at 08:00 and arrived at 09:00 as boarding was at 09:30. The flight took off on time and I dozed off for a short while before reading my book. There was a family sitting to my left (the window seat on my right was empty) with their elderly parents sitting up front.

We landed after about 75 minutes and after going through passport control, I walked out. I ignored the calls from the cabbies and went to the Information desk to ask where I could catch the DAMRI bus to the city. I was told there was no more DAMRI buses servicing the city-airport route; instead there was a Trans Koetaradja bus that I could take and the service was free. Wow! I walked out, went down some stairs and headed for the convenience store as directed by one friendly bloke. I went into the convenience store to ask but the two cashier behind the counter looked so stressed and were staring intently at the cashier machine that after looking at the queue that was starting to form, I decided to just leave. I walked around the store and lo behold, a blue bus pulled up. I went to ask and it turned out to be the right bus so I got on. The driver and conductor were very friendly and chatted with me. They stopped at at the next bus stop and told me that the service would start at 11:00. I was impressed with their punctuality and sticking to the schedule. While waiting, I saw a diagram showing the routes serviced by Trans Koetaradja. Oh, and I highly recommend taking Trans Koetaradja buses when in Banda Aceh. They are clean, safe and efficient and the drivers and conductors are all honest, helpful and friendly. I did read after the trip that they would start charging passengers from 2020 though.

I was supposed to ride the bus to Masjid Raya Baiturrahman but at an intersection quite near to the heart of the city after we crossed the Peunayong River, I spotted a sign directing to my hotel, OYO Hotel Mulana, so I got down at the nearest bus stop and walked to my hotel. I wasn’t happy with the roadworks happening in front of the hotel but what could I do eh. I checked in and after determining that most businesses are closed during Friday prayers, I quickly went to find lunch. I only had a light breakfast so I was in need of food and didn’t want to wait until after Friday prayers (it was barely noon, local time). After walking around the hotel, I finally had lunch at the Restoran Padang across from my hotel as it looked clean and slightly ‘sheltered’ from the swirling dust. I’m not fond of Padang food or Nasi Kandar as they favour heavy gravy and hardly any vegetables. But hey, beggars can’t be choosers and all that.

I went to the hotel and up one flight of stairs. My room was at the end of the corridor (for some reason, I notice I’m always allocated rooms furthest from the lift or at the very end of the corridor). I went in and rested. There were two tables on the landing near the stairs and a drinking water dispenser which was great. There were also two bottles of mineral water in my room but no cups or tea/coffee or fridge in the room but I was there for a short while anyway so the absence didn’t bother me at all.

After performing prayers, I left at 14:15 and walked to the bus stop that I got down at earlier. A few buses were already there and I boarded one that was about to leave. The journey to Masjid Raya Baiturrahman was short as the distance from my hotel was only about 800 metres. I got down and asked which bus I should board for the bus to the Tsunami Museum. I was told to board the Ulee Lheue line (Ulee Lheue is the port from where you take the ferry to Sabang at Weh Island). There were a lot of people at the bus stop, it being shortly after Friday prayers. I didn’t have to wait long for the bus for Ulee Lheue and a kind young lady asked me to sit down. After a while, I asked her where I should stop for the Tsunami Museum and she explained that she was heading there too and would show me when to get off.

It didn’t take long to reach the Tsunami Museum at all and I reckon you could walk from Masjid Raya if you want to. We got down and walked to the museum. I paid IDR10k for the ticket (foreigners are charged higher) and entered. We had to walk down a dark corridor that appeared wet to a hall where there were small screens showing clips of the tsunami. I continued on exploring other sections of the museum and even went in for a short video presentation. After an hour or so, I left the museum and walked back to the bus stop. I took the next bus to Ulee Lheue and just as I was about to board the bus, met the young lady again. She was a university student in Aceh and had been to the museum many times. This is what impresses me of the Indos: they are really proud of their history and culture. In Jakarta, the locals also love going to the museums to learn more about and appreciate their history. I only wish we value and appreciate our history similarly.

We got down at Ulee Lhueu and I went to explore for a bit before returning to the bus. A few people I met had asked if I was going to the island and I said no. My astrological sign is Cancer but I don’t mind skipping islands and beaches because it’s usually too blindingly hot there. And I’m not hot about taking the ferry either, especially if the ride lasts longer than 90 minutes.

I boarded the next bus that arrived and a couple of stops later, the bus pulled up to a bus stop and passengers from another bus boarded our bus - including the young lady. We laughed in recognition and rode the bus together back to Masjid Raya. We arrived at Masjid Raya terminus just as the call for Asar prayers sounded out. I had performed Jamak and Qasar prayers for Zuhur and Asar but went in anyway. After prayers, I went out to walk around the mosque compound. You must leave your footwear outside and as some part of the courtyard was in marble, it was a bit hot to walk on. The sun was really bright and intense today too.

After walking around the mosque, I went to find early dinner and had mee kocok at one of the restaurants opposite the bus stop. I then walked back to the hotel along the river. It was a pleasant walk for most part until I encountered some locals who talked to me in broken English and looked slightly threatening so I quickly left the path and walked down by the roadside instead. I stayed indoors that evening.

I woke up early on Saturday morning for morning prayers and even though I tried, I couldn’t sleep again after that so I took my shower and had a light breakfast. After performing dhuha prayers, I left my room and made my way to the bus stop. I took the bus to Masjid Raya and changed buses for the Mata Ie line. I asked the conductor to let me know when we arrived at Museum Aceh and it was barely five minutes later when we did. I got down and after taking some photos, went into the museum grounds. Oh and you won’t believe it but the family who sat next to me during the flight over also stayed at the same hotel as I did - and on the same floor too! And shortly after I arrived at the museum, they arrived too but unlike me, they came in a car. They showed no sign of recognition and not feeling particularly social, I didn’t strike up any conversation either. After paying IDR5k, I walked to a building to the left of the grounds (‘new’ building)  first. I was met by a museum staff who proceeded to give me a guided tour and brief explanation of the history of the city and region. I learnt quite a bit from her.

After that, I left the building and headed for Rumah Aceh (the old traditional building). I climbed up (again, you have to take off your footwear before climbing up into the house) and spent about 20 minutes in there. I left after using the facilities and waited for the bus back to Aceh Market. I spent about an hour at the market and spent the longest at a stall I stumbled upon which was owned by a Yan-born man who’d settled down in Banda Aceh, After paying for my purchases, the stall owner’s adult daughter showed me to a nearby restaurant but I didn’t fancy eating rice so I went to the restaurant where I had dinner the evening before and had lunch there.

I walked back to the hotel and deposited my purchases at the reception. I sat down for some AC relief (today was thankfully nowhere as hot as the day before) and then walked out again to Jl. T. Panglima Polem to find a reflexology centre. I wanted to do wet cupping and the centre offered it at IDR150k. I was given a massage first before the wet cupping and was told I had a lot of impurities. I really should have gone for one before doing my medical check-up!

After the session, I walked to Mie Razali (it was featured on one of the brochures I took at the airport information counter) and had some noodles and hot tea drink. I had to wait a while for my food but it was worth the wait and price paid. I then returned to the hotel, stopping en route to get some bread for dinner and breakfast the following morning.

On Sunday, I woke up early and after a short shower, performed prayers and had a light breakfast. I went down at 06:20 and arranged for a Grab car to take me to the airport. The car arrived at 06:30 and it took only 25 minutes to reach the airport. The fare was IDR67k but you need to pay IDR3k for the parking/entry into the airport so that was IDR70k in total. I sat down to wait before going through passport control and security check. I was about to take out my liquids (LAGs) and declare them together with my iPad but the security officer gruffly told me I didn’t have to and he seemed impatient when I said other airports required such declaration. He looked almost ready to pop with anger with he perceived me as taking my time and being slow to put my bags on the conveyor for scanning. Some people are just so dang rude!

We boarded at about 07:50 and took off on time. We arrived at KLIA2 at 10:40. It was just past 11:00 when I emerged (such a bloody long trek from the gate!) and as a bus was just pulling away, I had to take the next bus back to KL Sentral. I think Banda Aceh is worth another visit and maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider visiting Weh Island.