Over the past thirteen years I have not seen these guys, whom I had left at the high school for another. And last night along with another exciting gastronomic experience, I rekindled and revived the old friendship with a small group of alma mater who I had spent three years schooling.
Upon arriving at the hotel entrance, I was greeted by the guest officer, but when asked where the buffet was, he asked me back "Which company sir?" I told him that it’s an alumni get together. And he replied, ‘I haven’t heard of that company, sir. Lemme check!’
I quickly got my friend on my mobile and it turned out they were just five meters away at the lobby, ten of them. Ten faces that have changed so much, that I had difficulty remembering their names. All are maturing as we have grown with our education, career, and some had even started families. After getting reintroduced, I passed my business cards around, exchanged information on each other career and residency; we hurried up to the floor above as Maghrib was just ten minutes away.
The buffet area was huge. As I have been to this hotel attending a conference a month back, it reminded me of the space where I was busily running around facilitating seven workshops over two days.
Some of the buffet eaters were seated inside the room, while others sat at the tables placed surrounding the buffet area. And we got the best two seats in the room!
As you arrived, the immediate section would be the soup, bread, and the fantastic nachos that made me returned to this section for few times. Right to it was the main course consisting of the regular white rice, briyani rice, roasted chicken, fried prawns, sweet and sour fish, fried noodle, friend kuey teow, and this funny fried thingy that I had forgotten its name. It’s a Chinese dish, anyway.
Yeah, next to the Chinese food, you’ll find the Japanese selection, where Teppanyaki was served. Before you reached the kuih-muih, pastries, and some delicious cakes section, you’ll come over the laksa Johor section, that I passed; I will have to try laksa Johor one of these days.
Over the left was the mixed fruits section which I found unappealing. Seriously, they should have put more light at that section. Before the fruits section, were the corner where you’ll be served with grilled lamb and the ostrich meat. I should've tried the ostrich!
Just when you were about make a turn at this U-shaped arrangement, you'll notice a stage where they put on a live Ghazal and traditional show with a singer. She sang well, though!
On the right was the chicken rice section, which I passed as well. While over the other side was the drink section corner. I opted for sugarcane, lime juice, iced lemon tea, and the delicious ABC made for me by one of the part-time KDU students.
So after selecting my food over three rounds, I chatted with my friends in between. It was amazing how thirteen years have put us apart and yet we could still reconnect over the friendship bond that will never cease. A friend even bought his six months baby with his spouse, and a just-got-engaged couple looked so inseparable.
As I wanted to keep in touch with this circle of friends, I quickly took out my Clie N760C and quickly 'graffitied' each person’s contact. I learnt that they have had a workgroup created but had been passive for the past few months; so I thought that it’d be nice if I could reform the virtual group and manage the communications among us. I also found out that they have been doing this buka puasa get together for the past few years.
After about an hour eating, talking, joking, teasing, and laughing; I left the hotel with a mixed feeling. Partly because I was happy to meet them, but there weren’t that many to share and exchange notes. Maybe I should start the Yahoo! Groups soon, eh?
I paid 30 bucks for the buffet. See, that’s the price you got when your friend work there is kind enough to use staff discount for the group! And if you asked me to rate this buffet, I’d give it a rating just below the Marriott's.
[Right: Picture of the real Liz Murray from 
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