Some Haagen-Dasz is always nice

Some Haagen-Dasz is always nice, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

After Berbuka last night, I had to drive Anita and Irfan to Bangsar Vllage. She had to return Idlan's baju Melayu. It was too big. We managed to exchange for a smaller one. But boy, was Bangsar crowded. It was Friday night after all.

The packed foyerWe reached there close to 9, and the shops will be closed in an hour. In the foyer of Village 1, there is an open market. There are stalls selling Raya clothes and hampers and the likes. The hampers were particularly nice, though they are not cheap. I suppose you get what you paid for. The acid test was whether the Raya cookies in there was as nice as it looked. Therefore, we insisted on trying some. Surprisingly they were good. Enough reason for Anita to splash on one. I'm not sure who she plans to give it too.

A cousin of ours used to do hampers and deliveries in the last few years. I am not sure if she is doing it again this year. She said that the return is good, but it was hard work, especially the delivery part. She was still making deliveries on the evening of Raya.

I have taken both Tuesday and Wednesday off. Coupled with Monday being 'Merdeka Day', I will have 5 straight days off work which is nice. Initially we wanted to travel to Penang, but in the last minute we decided otherwise. We will be heading for Port Dickson instead later today. A couple of days holidays for the boys. That would be nice. Planning to do a bit of street photography while I am there. Shame that I can't go for my Assam Laksa and Teh Tarik in the town because of Ramadhan. The stall might be opened at night though.

Congratulations All Around

My view of the proceedings from today

Had the pleasure of attending the ceremony earlier. As usual I preferred to turn up after the ceremony starts. Perfect timing this time. Got inside just about the time Prof Ikram was about to start his speech. Grabbed the nearest seat to the exit, right in the middle, at the top of the stairs. Nestled in between the Faculty staffs, enough time to catch some gossips. If I come early, I might be asked to put on the pink gown!

Everything appeared to have run smoothly. No major hiccup, although they should have lined up the 'Cemerlang' recipient to up the stairs rather than having to wait for them to run down the hall to get up. Luckily there was no mishaps. Now! That would be unceremonious!

Oh before that, the oath! I am sure when Hippocrates was practicing, there is no such thing as promising to give just care to everybody regardless of their political affiliations and sexual orientation! I wonder whether it is a tambahan! We were then treated to some makan, while the graduates were having fun with a group photograph! During the tea, I went around to say my last goodbyes. The weather was getting dark outside, not really keen to get stuck.

Saw some of your families. The parents present were gracious enough to shake my hands. A father of one of a Perak student stopped when I was shaking his son's hand to congratulate asking whether I am graduating from UM or Ipoh. Now, that really made my day! The son then explained that I was one of his examiners from last week, and said that I was kind during the questioning.

Some of you were clearly saddened that their parents were unable to attend. One of you even told me that his parents are no longer around. That took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting that answer. Some of you sounded like planning to stay a bit longer in KL before going home.

Maybe the next time we meet, it will be during your Graduation Ceremony proper. Good luck and enjoy the next few weeks before your Housemanship starts. Sorry if my entry tonight is rather stop and start. I am actually listening to a Myeloma Debate online live from Vienna. Streamyx died tonight, maybe due to the by-elections tonight. Had to use my mobile as a tethered. Streaming was choppy, but at least I can read the slides still. Another distraction is my favourite ice-cream, Haagen-Dasz Coffee! *hint* if you plan to belanja me some ice-cream, the cheap one tak main! I can finish the tub in one sitting, especially when ManYoo is playing! Yummy!

Update on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 11:20PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Hot off the press. Pakatan Rakyat secured the two hills while BN has to make do with a river!