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I was invited by Hanif and his wife to celebrate Eid yesterday but this time at his father’s house.

I only got to know Hanif in 2020. But then I found out that we were in kindergarten, primary, secondary and JC at the same time. And we are neighbors! What a small world.

It was a pleasure being there and meeting his father, who is still very alert, and his mom, who are now in their 90s.

He had catered the food from Four Seasons Hotel. Just that by the time I went there, after lunch at my mom’s, the food was cold and the biryani dry. Still a pleasure meeting him, his parents and his distinguished guests.

On Friday. Peng Tiam messaged me and asked me for lunch. I had plans already and so I suggested Saturday. He was free and he wanted to try the Indian restaurant I had talked about.

So off we went in his car to Little India. The place was packed as it was a public holiday and the restaurant was also packed. Luckily I managed to get a good table.

We ordered the set meal, 3 chicken dishes and a mutton dish and rasam. I think he as his wife enjoyed the food. Plus the fact that it’s in such a local setting made it more interesting.

Last night we met up to celebrate Mei Ling’s birthday. This time it was the Chinese restaurant at Tower Club.

We were fortunate they gave us a private room. Apparently they is a $1200 minimum spend,which we were not going to hit, but one room was available and they kindly gave it to us.

The food was good and simple . Total spend for 5 pax, including desserts, was $624. A very good catch up and conversation.

Wednesday evening was another catch up with Prasoon, before I left on my trip.

it is always good talking to him. He is so well connected with people and I do learn from him about people and events.

This time he was telling me about his grandparents and his father a d uncle. They both had very illustrious careers and he must be grateful to have been a part of an illustrious family that played such a significant role in Indian history.

But I noticed that the hotel pool was so crowded, much much more than usual and they were all Europeans. Perhaps the war in the middle East has driven them here instead?

We planned another Indian lunch, this time South Indian and at Erode.

Food as always here is good. I had the vegetarian and he had the mutton biryani.

Surprisingly it was packed today. And after a quick lunch we walked over to Madras Woodlands. A vadai set with masala tea and chatted. Mostly we talked about AI, possible looming changes to the economy and jobs and Malaysia. The projected changes to the job market and economy by AI in the report U Zyn sent me are frightening. It may be naive to think it will never happen but again what can one do in the meantime?Learning about AI is useful but that may not save jobs if the companies end up adopting AI and cut jobs. Perhaps a job in the government sector is safer?

I was invited by the Federation of Singapore Indian Muslims for their iftar event this evening. These breaking fast events are becoming a lot more common and this year I was invited to 3 such events.

It was also for me an opportunity to meet many friends and the GOH was a dear friend Murali Pillai.

Lunch today was with Dato Kamal and his wife Shobana. This lunch was arranged when we last met in Singapore.

They are vegetarians and I had asked them to pick a place. They very kindly chose Spice Guys, which is a restaurant very near me in KLCC, even though they have never been here.

We had the vegetarian thali which is excellent. They insisted that they will be paying for lunch since I am in their territory.

The conversation was excellent. Since he was a former deputy Minister in the Malaysian cabinet under Najib, I learnt a lot from him about Malaysia.

We spoke about the racial situation here, the Indian community, Najib and IMDB, Sami Velu and Mahatir and the current situation in the world. He also explained how BN had lost the trust of the people after IMDB and his current interactions with Najib. We spoke about Singapore and some of the issues nationally and within the Indian community as well.

Time flew and some others eating in the restaurant recognised him and came to talk to him about some temple issues. Before they left, they paid the bill for our table as well.

I have to thank Joshua for introducing us.

On Saturday , I received Whatsapp messages from friends of news flashes coming in that Israel and US have attacked Iran.

I have to confess that the behavior of US is getting increasingly shocking. First Venezuela and then threatening Greenland. Unhinged and totally unconcerned about the rule of law and consequences on actions.

As always , there will be a price to pay. Let’s see who pays.

Sunday night was the dinner. Once again at Shangri La. This time Peng Tiam bought a table and invited us. Very kind of him. I was shocked when I found out that the table cost $2,300. During the time I was in the OBA, we kept the table prices at $800. I know prices overall have shot up but still this is a bit much. Nevertheless they still managed to sell 97 tables.

It is always nice to meet friends, former teachers and principals there. Some of these people I see only once a year at this dinner.

The food was alright and no complaints there. Left at 930pm and dropped off Peng Tiam on the way. Both of us agreed that the number of people we now know attending this dinner is increasing getting smaller.

Yesterday was the garden party at the Istana, an event I always look forward to.

I was scheduled for the second shift which stats at 1545. I parked at Hotel Supreme and walked over and was there by 1515. A rather warm day for waiting outside the Istana.

I bumped into Dennis Chee while waiting to enter.

I met so many people I know and had pleasant conversation with many of them.

I wanted to take a selfie with the PM but he decided that he would be able to do it better and took over my phone and took the selfie.

I was also scheduled to be part of a group photo with the PM.

Just a great 2 hours overall even though I didn’t have anything to eat or drink whilst there.